Tragic Suicide of Haitian Student in Ohio Sparks Outrage Over Immigration Policies

POLICY WIRE — Springfield, Ohio — Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old student and athlete at Wright State University, tragically took his own life after struggling with the humiliation of wearing an ankle monitor issued by immigration officials. Hours before his death, Bel called his father in distress, seeking help.

Bel was found by police after stepping into oncoming traffic on Interstate 70. His family attributes his suicide to the shame and bullying he faced due to the ankle monitor, which he had been wearing since July as part of an alternatives to detention program.

Carl Ruby, a local pastor and immigration advocate, emphasized that Bel’s death was a suicide related to immigration policies. Bel had arrived in the U.S. in 2024 and applied for admission using the now-defunct CBP One app. He was released and settled in Springfield with his family.

Bel was an honor roll student and a soccer player, recruited by Wittenberg University. He lost his temporary protected status (TPS) in July, leading to his removal from the soccer team and subsequent transfer to Wright State University, where he faced further bullying.

The loss of TPS affected approximately 300,000 Haitian nationals in the U.S., causing fear and confusion in Springfield, home to 12,000 Haitians. ICE began issuing ankle monitors to Haitians in August due to a lack of detention space.

Governor Mike DeWine called Bel’s suicide a “horrible tragedy” and questioned the effectiveness of current immigration enforcement policies. Springfield has seen both economic benefits and tensions due to the influx of Haitian immigrants.

Viles Dorsainvil, co-founder of the Haitian Support Center, noted that Bel’s family is among many seeking legal help since TPS ended. Bel’s suicide is believed to be the first in Springfield related to immigration enforcement.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)