SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A 20-year-old Haitian immigrant and standout student died Monday after walking into oncoming traffic near Interstate 70 in Clark County, in an apparent suicide attributed by his family to the emotional toll of wearing an electronic ankle monitor.

Pierre Damas Bel, described by family and friends as a promising neuroscience student, accomplished athlete, and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet, had recently been fitted with the device amid heightened immigration enforcement targeting Haitians in Springfield. The city, with a population of approximately 60,000 including over 10,000 Haitians, has been a hub for members of the Haitian community due to its affordable cost of living and job opportunities.

Mr. Bel’s father, Pierre Ronal Bel, said his son had been “thriving” until the ankle monitor was imposed. “Everything was fine with him before this happened,” he said, recounting that his son expressed distress about bullying related to the device just hours before his death. In a video call at 8:03 a.m. Monday, Mr. Bel told his father he was struggling mentally due to harassment. Three hours later, police notified the family of his death.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, which had allowed Mr. Bel and his family to live and work legally in the United States, was terminated by the Trump administration in July. Following this, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stepped up electronic monitoring and enforcement efforts in Springfield, often fitting Haitians summoned for check-ins with ankle monitors. ICE stated the device is an alternative to detention designed to track compliance with immigration proceedings and allows individuals to self-deport.

Mr. Bel had recently begun his first semester at Wright State University on a scholarship. Prior to that, he excelled academically and extracurricularly at Springfield High School, where he was inducted into the National Honor Society and served as co-captain of the soccer team and a Marine Corps JROTC lieutenant. Friends and teachers spoke of his dedication, hard work, and involvement in community service. Letters posted on his social media from educators and a former employer praised his character and contributions.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Bel’s death. The county coroner’s office expects to release the official cause of death in the coming weeks.

Gov. Mike DeWine called the incident “a horrible, horrible tragedy” and criticized what he described as “a very misguided and wrong policy” of mass deportations. Haitian community leaders and local faith groups have condemned the intensified immigration enforcement, which they say has incited widespread fear and destabilized families in Springfield. Since the increased measures began, arrests and detentions of Haitian residents, including local pastors, have been reported.

In response to Mr. Bel’s death, hundreds of community members, faith leaders, and activists gathered Sunday in Springfield for an event titled “Unshackle Springfield,” urging ICE to withdraw from the area. Local clergy called on lawmakers to reconsider current immigration policies toward Haitians.

The Haitian Bridge Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group, described the incident as “one of the most tragic outcomes” of enforcement actions against the Haitian community.

Those struggling with thoughts of suicide are encouraged to contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or seek available mental health resources.