How one city became an American flashpoint

(RNS) — In Springfield, Ohio, a small Rust Belt city where thousands of Haitian immigrants had settled … America’s fights over work, migration, race, religion and belonging stopped being abstract. The pressures have accumulated for years. Then, on one night in 2024, Springfield became an American flashpoint.

RNS reporter Kathryn Post has followed what happened in Springfield across three reporting trips — from churches transformed by Haitian worship to residents emerging from ICE check-ins wearing ankle monitors.

This is the story of how Springfield became a microcosm of 2026 America.

RELATED: As ICE closes in, Ohio churches line up families to care for Haitian kids left behind As Supreme Court clears way to deport Haitians and Syrians, faith leaders grieve, prepare for what’s next As Springfield’s 15,000 Haitians brace for deportations, local churches train to resist ICE

This transcript was generated using AI tools and may contain minor transcription errors.

AMANDA HENDERSON: From RNS and the Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture, this is Complexified, a podcast for the religiously curious and politically frustrated. I’m Amanda Henderson. In…