From Columbus Grove Local Schools Facebook page (4/4/25):
Urgent Help Needed for CG Tutor Marc Rocher
Columbus Grove Schools is deeply concerned about the potential deportation of Marc Rocher, a valued member of our staff. Marc has served as an essential tutor, mentor, and support system for two of our students, navigating language barriers and cultural transitions. His dedication has left a lasting impact, and his absence would be a tremendous loss for our district. The recent termination of the CHNV parole program has placed Marc in an uncertain and unjust situation. We stand with him and urge our community to take action in advocating for his ability to remain in the United States, where he continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many. Below is a social media post from Andy and Amy Schafer, parents of CG students Jean Luckson and Francion, providing more information regarding his situation. Thank you for any support you can give to Marc!
“This is a picture of Marc Rocher with our sons, whom we adopted from Haiti last year. Our boys see Marc nearly every day—6 or sometimes 7 days a week. He is their tutor, but more importantly, he’s like family. With the termination of the CHNV parole, we are at risk of losing “Our Marc”. We urgently need your help!
Marc arrived in the U.S. legally under the CHNV parole program, seeking refuge from the severe humanitarian and security crisis caused by gang violence, political instability, and widespread insecurity in Haiti. The turning point for Marc’s decision to leave was the kidnapping of a friend, which occurred while the friend was running an errand. Had Marc gone with his friend, he too would have been kidnapped.
Under the parole program, Marc was ineligible for government funding while waiting for his work permit. However, he does pay federal taxes, Medicare, city taxes, state taxes, and SERS out of his paycheck. He receives NO assistance from the U.S. government, yet he is still contributing to programs he will never benefit from. Marc has a U.S. Social Security Number, work permit, I-94, and driver’s license—all of which are valid and have not expired.
On March 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security terminated the CHNV parole for approximately 160,000 Haitians, giving them only 30 days to self-deport. At that time, their work permits will be revoked, and they will be classified as illegal immigrants and criminals. Marc, along with others in this situation, is NOT a criminal. He is the most humble, self-sacrificing man we have the privilege to call friend.
Marc earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Valparaiso University in Haiti and completed a two-year master’s program through Indiana Wesleyan University in Haiti. However, due to corruption in the organization hosting the classes, only half of the class was properly registered. Marc was part of the group that was told by Indiana Wesleyan that they had no record of his enrollment, rendering his degree unrecognized. This kind of corruption is common in Haiti. If his degree were recognized, he would have been eligible for additional visa opportunities, and he
would not have needed the CHNV parole.
In the U.S., Marc worked as a liaison with AGC and later became a liaison at Hanon Systems. During that time, our lives crossed paths. The boys were struggling with severe trauma responses in the first few months of arriving here. There were so many people—friends, strangers, officers, interpreters, crisis response teams, and physicians—trying to help, and we were overwhelmed. Our pastor and his family, who were connected with the Haitian community in Lima, gave us Marc’s contact information. The rest of the story has been nothing short of a miracle.
A few months later, when the boys needed to attend school with ESL and socialization assistance, we found that there were no Creole interpreters or tutors available in Allen and Putnam Counties who could meet our sons’ needs. Columbus Grove Schools reached out to Marc and hired him. Shortly after, Lima City Schools did the same! Not only does Marc work for the schools, but he also volunteers. He leads a youth group, serves on the worship team, and teaches English classes.
We urgently need your help to get the word to Congress that this is NOT acceptable. This is NOT what we stand for.
For Marc specifically, please contact the following representatives:
Congressman Jim Jordan
Amanda Parlapiano
Constituent Service Representative
Phone 419.999.6455
Email: Amanda.Parlapiano@mail.house.gov
FAX 419.999.4238
Address: 3121 West Elm Street, Lima, Ohio 45805
Senator Bernie Moreno
Phone: (202) 224-3353
Email: moreno.senate.gov/contact-me
Address: 400 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Senator Jon Husted
Phone: (202) 224-3353
Email: husted.senate.gov/contact
Address: 524 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Additionally, in the notice published by the Department of Homeland Security on March 25, 2025, it states that the Secretary (Department of Homeland Security) can make individual determinations. We urge you to contact Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and ask her to intervene.
Contact Information:
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem
Phone: (202) 282-8000
Email: dhs.gov/contact-us
Address: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 301 7th Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20528
Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical matter. We appreciate your support in keeping Marc and others like him safe and in the U.S. where they can continue to contribute positively to our community.”
