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“Just want to work” – Haitians from Springfield react to JD Vance’s comments

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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — This Ohio city is in the midst of a heated political debate over immigration after President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, made claims without evidence that Haitian immigrants were committing crimes and eating pets.

“In Springfield, they eat the dogs, the people who came here, they eat the cats. They eat the pets of the people who live there,” Trump said.

Vance said, “It's of course possible that all of these rumors turn out to be false,” but reiterated it on X.

“Over the past few weeks, my office has received many inquiries from Springfield residents who said their neighbors' pets or local wildlife have been kidnapped by Haitian migrants,” Vance wrote.

Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck issued a statement through his office saying there was no evidence that the Haitian immigrants had injured or eaten cats or other pets.

Springfield, a city of 58,000 in central Ohio about 50 miles west of Columbus, is experiencing a “significant housing crisis,” according to a letter from Heck. Heck said the city's Haitian population has swelled to between 15,000 and 20,000 in recent years.

The population surge has led to local tensions, particularly after a school bus crash that killed an 11-year-old, misinformation about pets and geese, and at least $2.5 million in state funding. The hall was packed Tuesday night before a Springfield City Commission meeting, with dozens of residents lining up outside the door to share their thoughts.

The USA TODAY Network's Ohio Bureau spoke with Haitians living in Springfield and other residents about the city's growth.

How do Haitians feel in Springfield?

Alimemby Estimable, 19, a Springfield High School graduate and works at an Amazon warehouse. He moved to Springfield four years ago and said he has been called a “dirty Haitian” and an “illegal.”

Estimable was confused by rumors that Haitians had been shipped to Springfield and that the people from Haiti were legally in Springfield because of the federal Temporary Protected Status program.

“Most of us work in warehouses and factories. You can't work there illegally. Of course we work legally,” he said.

Morvens Pierre, another Haitian immigrant who lives in Springfield, agreed. He said Haitians just want to work.

Estimable said he has heard many wild claims about Haitians in Springfield.

“I've heard a lot of people talk about things that aren't true. Like, they say all Haitians cut the necks off ducks and eat them in the park and they run into garbage cans and houses and stuff. I've never seen a Haitian do anything like that. I'm just being realistic because I'm Haitian myself,” he said.

What about the other residents of Springfield?

Some residents feel the city and county are overreaching and said they wish the Haitian population was “evenly distributed” among Ohio's counties. Others said Haitians are unfairly scapegoated.

Teena Rose said she feels “negatively” about the growing Haitian population in Springfield and that the city is not prepared for it. Rose said the city was already struggling with housing and homelessness before more Haitians moved in.

John Vick, who has lived here for 24 years, agrees. He said grocery stores and county services are now harder to find.

Deandrea Robinson said she thinks the city should focus its attention on racism and the hate group that walked around with swastika flags and guns last month.

“They see me standing next to a Haitian and that’s too many black faces for them,” she said.

Joe Ruck, co-owner of Champion City Cuts Barber Shop in Springfield, said the south side of town has become known as “Little Haiti.”

Ruck grew up in Springfield and says Haitian immigrants have the jobs and homes no one else wants.

He said the Haitian population is an easy target and people in the community say they hate Haitians when in reality they are frustrated with the consequences of the population increase on Springfield, which leads to higher rents and real estate prices and higher demand for produce and food in grocery stores.

“Someone's cat goes missing? Then they'll say the Haitians did it,” Ruck said.

Clark County Public Library adapts to new users

The Southgate branch of the Clark County Public Library has Haitian-English dictionaries, a French-language book department, and a full-time interpreter to assist Haitian users.

Branch Manager Tangee Hepp, Southgate Library branch manager, said that because of the language barrier, library staff used to take 20 to 30 minutes to assist Haitian patrons, but with an interpreter, questions can be answered within minutes.

She said the library's main focus is helping people print documents from their phones and use copiers, fax machines and computers when needed.

Hepp attends the Haitian Coalition for Clark County meetings every month. She said the library is beginning to consider programs to better serve Haitian users.

“Everyone deserves respect and dignity, and not just from the library's perspective, but for being here as a citizen of Clark County and as a citizen of Ohio. Just treat everyone with respect and give them some time. They're just trying to build a life for themselves,” she said.

Erin Glynn is a reporter for the Ohio Bureau of the USA TODAY Network, which covers the Columbus Dispatch, the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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