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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Marys, OH — In a disturbing turn of events, schools and government offices in Springfield have been forced to close recently due to bomb scares targeting the city. This wave of fear comes on the heels of dangerous and baseless claims made by a presidential candidate and his running mate, who have chosen to spread false, racially charged rhetoric about immigrants rather than focus on substantive policy discussions.
During the recent presidential debate, Donald Trump repeated false and inflammatory claims originally pushed by his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, alleging that Haitian immigrants were abducting and eating local residents’ pets. These lies have been debunked by local officials, who have confirmed that there is absolutely no evidence to support such claims. However, that has not stopped the former president from continuing to promote this xenophobic narrative, a tactic that has become a hallmark of his campaign’s efforts to stoke fear and division.
To clarify, the Haitian immigrants in Springfield are not here illegally. They are in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program that allows individuals from countries facing severe conditions, such as violence or natural disasters, to live and work in the U.S. lawfully. These individuals are here legally, and local employers have praised their contributions to the workforce, particularly in filling much-needed jobs across the community.
It is true that Springfield is facing challenges due to the increased number of people seeking refuge, particularly in healthcare services. The local government has acknowledged these burdens and is working diligently to address them. However, spreading falsehoods about vulnerable people fleeing violence does nothing to solve these challenges—it only fosters hate and fear, which harms both the Haitian community and the city of Springfield as a whole.
It is important to remember that TPS is not a partisan issue. Both Democratic and Republican administrations have used this humanitarian tool to grant protection to individuals from countries facing violent threats. This reflects our nation’s long-standing commitment to providing refuge for those in need.
I urge both federal and state governments to provide Springfield with the resources it needs to manage the influx of new residents, and I call on all candidates to cease the divisive and harmful rhetoric that leads to hate and violence in our communities. We must stand together against fearmongering and support the city of Springfield, its residents, and the Haitian community during this time of need.
Media Contact:
Arienne Childrey
Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives, D84
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