An Ohio City Faces a Future Without Haitian Workers: ‘It’s Not Going to Be Good’

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The aroma of a Haitian feast — pork griot, djon djon rice, fried plantains — drifted through the break room of a metal shop in Springfield, Ohio.

It was Wilford Rinvil’s goodbye gift to his co-workers.

For four years, Rinvil, a Haitian immigrant, had pressed steel into car parts at McGregor Metal. While the work was grueling, it offered a stable income, health insurance, a 401(k). And Rinvil, who turns 46 this week, thrived there, relieved to be away from his home country, which had descended into lawlessness and gang violence…

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