DAYTON — The clock is ticking for half a million Haitians who could face deportation by this summer.

Last month President Donald Trump cut protections that many were relying on for shelter and stability in the United States.

One area that continues to make headlines involving the Haitian community is the city of Springfield, just outside of Dayton.

Over the years, the city has become a haven for thousands of Haitian refugees.

One local company has made it their mission to keep everyone safe on the roads.

Josue Pierre, better known as JP, is an instructor with Champion City Drivers Ed in Springfield.

“If they want to take a class, you just explain to them the form to fill out,” JP said.

He left his family in Haiti and came to the United States in 2023.

He speaks four different languages, but Haitian Creole and English keep him the most busy these days. JP said for Haitians, learning the laws and signs are one of the toughest parts about driving.

“When they come to class first hand, they keep complaining after failing the test. They think they’re doing good on the road because they used to drive,” he said. “They do realize it was not something unfair to them, but because they didn’t really know the laws.”

Understanding the communication gap between English and Haitian Creole is more than just a few words or sentences, instead it could be full phrases that might not have a direct translation.

“We found that the terminology is very common within driver’s education is what we call ‘fitting the vehicle to yourself,’” said Champion City Drivers Ed owner John Whitacre.

 Whitacre is talking simply about adjusting mirrors, seats and controls.

“The literal translation into Haitian Creole implies that you would purchase your vehicle based on your size. You’d be fitting a vehicle based on how physically big you are,” he said.

 Whitacre opened the adult location this past December and the teen center in April 2024.

“We are, as far as I know, the only driving school in the state of Ohio that offers classes in Haitian Creole as well as the only licensed driving instructors in the state of Ohio that speak Haitian Creole as well,” he said.

Since Ohio’s exam at the BMV is given in English, JP ends up teaching quite a bit of that as well.

In terms of Haitian community members coming in, Whitacre says business has been steady.

“We’ve trained about around 60 people, most speak Haitian Creole and went through our Haitian Creole programs. An equal number of those have done permit prep classes as well, as well as taking the adult abbreviated, and then a portion of those have chosen to do actual behind the wheel instruction for us,” he said.

However, as Springfield remains a hot topic for immigration talks, he’s keeping a close eye on what could happen next.  

“We’re not seeing any decline yet. If anything, the message we hear the most is that there is a stronger push within the Haitian community to make sure that they’re driving legally. The expectation is, come July, I’m making the assumption that we will be teaching very few classes in Haitian Creole,” Whitacre said.

While the future is uncertain, for JP, being able to help his community makes all the difference.

“Every time they take a class and go and pass their test, they just get back just to be thankful and grateful for the class they’ve just taken,” he said.

Champion City Drivers Ed offers classes in English, French, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and will add Portuguese in the future.