All articles tagged with #pierre damas bel
Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian Wright State University student in Springfield, died Aug. 31 after allegedly taking his life from shame tied to wearing an ICE ankle monitor issued after Haiti’s TPS expired; advocates say the monitor and peer taunting contributed to his death, prompting a large community gathering and renewed calls to scrutinize ICE enforcement in Springfield’s Haitian community.
Springfield community leaders are pressuring state and federal officials to end ICE ankle monitors following the death of Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Wright State student who allegedly faced humiliation and bullying due to the GPS device. Advocates say the stigma surrounding the monitor contributed to his despair, while authorities note his immigration proceedings and status; a press conference at Central Christian Church highlighted calls to end the program amid broader concerns about its impact on Haitians in the community.