‘Our voices matter’: Haitian advocates celebrate release of pastor, reported phasing out of ankle monitors

Wislande Hensley speaks during a press conference held by Haitian Community Empowerment Committee, Undivided, and G92 on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, Central Christian Church in Springfield. The conference was held to announce the release of Pastor Joubert Adrien from ICE detention at the Butler County Jail, and the Department of Homeland Security's decision to end its ankle monitor requirement for Springfield Haitians in favor of a phone-based check-in system. Joseph Cooke / Staff

Springfield Haitian advocates celebrated the release of a local immigrant pastor from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention at the Butler County Jail after almost a month of detention, as well as what they report is the phasing out of GPS ankle monitors during a press conference Thursday, Sept. 17.

Pastor Joubert Adrien was released on bond Wednesday, Sept. 16, and has since been reunited with his family, said Wislande Hensley, local organizer with faith group Undivided during the press conference.

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