On Monday, the Trump campaign propagated an outrageous and unfounded claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, have been abducting and consuming their neighbors’ pets. This falsehood, aimed at maligning migrants and attacking Vice President Kamala Harris on immigration issues, was prominently echoed by former President Donald J. Trump’s running mate, JD Vance.
The Trump campaign’s release sought to incite fear, suggesting that such events could soon occur in other cities. JD Vance, Ohio’s junior senator, has recently targeted the growing Haitian community in Springfield. This group, legally residing and working in the U.S., has increased significantly since the pandemic due to job opportunities in the area. Officials estimate up to 20,000 Haitians have settled in Springfield, contributing to the town’s economic revival but also putting strain on housing, schools, and healthcare services. The town’s population was approximately 58,000 according to the last census in 2020.
Tensions have risen among some locals, exacerbated by a fatal school bus crash involving an immigrant driver last year. Vance has seized upon these grievances, portraying the Haitian community as illegal, burdensome on social services, and chaotic.
Other Republican figures and organizations, including Senator Ted Cruz and the House Republican campaign arm, also amplified the false claims about pets and wildlife being consumed, despite no evidence to support these allegations. These claims appear to have originated from viral social media posts, which city officials have debunked.
Karen Graves, a spokeswoman for Springfield, confirmed there have been no credible reports of pets being harmed or stolen by immigrants. Similarly, Leann Castillo, executive director of the Clark County Park District, stated there is no evidence supporting the claim and noted that false rumors have been circulating for months.
A spokesperson for Vance did not provide evidence for the claim but attributed his remarks to the numerous calls and emails from concerned residents. Some locals have voiced accusations of an “invasion” by Haitian immigrants, reflecting the divisive rhetoric of Trump, who has used harsh immigration language as part of his campaign strategy.
The Trump campaign’s dissemination of these false claims taps into harmful racist stereotypes, reminiscent of past derogatory remarks by Trump about Haitian migrants. In 2021, Trump infamously claimed Haitian migrants were spreading AIDS and referred to Haiti as a “shithole” country, reflecting a pattern of denigration towards Haitian immigrants.