Haitian and Other Immigrants in Springfield, Ohio Can Make the City, and State, Great Again
What gets lost in all the harsh immigration rhetoric is that immigrants are the Dream-Keepers. While too many of us no longer believe in the idea that America is the land of opportunity, that anything is possible with hard work — all immigrants believe this. To their core.
By “importing” their American Dreams, immigrants remind us the Dream still exists and is open to everyone.
We need this reminder. We also need the energy, entrepreneurialism, innovation, work ethic and sometimes unrealistic optimism that immigrants bring to the American economy.
It’s important, in light of the hate and venom that the GOP is spouting that immigrants are ruining America, that Haitian immigrants are abducting pet dogs and cats in Springfield for slaughter and food, that America have a real conversation about the economic power of immigrant inclusion. The rumor about Haitian immigrants abducting pets originated from a post in a Springfield Facebook group.
Immigrants Help Grow The Economy
Immigrants help teh conomy in many ways, as consumers, workers, and residents.
Here’s a fascinating comparison to native-born Americans.
· Immigrants are twice as likely to start a business. Whether it’s a bodega, landscaping company or new tech venture in Silicon Valley (where over 50% of the companies have immigrant founders)
· Immigrants are twice as likely to have a patent.
· Immigrants have language, cultural and family ties to markets around the world
· 40% of the Fortune 500 companies which employ millions of Americans were founded by immigrants or children of immigrants
Immigration policy is broken. It doesn’t fully leverage the immigrant dividend which when tapped can create millions of American jobs.
Cities like Springfield, Ohio which has lost much of its population, workforce and entrepreneurs over the decades would do well to find ways to attract, retain and welcome the new wave of immigrants to the U.S.
Ohio’s immigrant population is small. About 5%. The national average is about 14%. Cities that are the most economically competitive have foreign-born populations of over 20%. Ohio would do well to tap into the immigrant dividend.
In the 19th century Ohio’s industrial sector boomed especially after the discovery of coal. By 1853 Cleveland was the nation’s third largest producer of iron and steel. The Ohio Oil Rush of the 1860s further fueled the state’s economy with John D. Rockefeller establishing the Standard Oil Company in Cleveland in 1870. His company would go on to dominate the U.S. oil industry by controlling 90% of the refineries and pipelines by the 1880s.
Major companies headquartered in Ohio include Fortune 500 companies like Procter & Gamble, Marathon Petroleum, Kroger, Nationwide and Cardinal Health.
But it’s only #39 for economy, according to US News Report. It’s struggling with employment growth and net migration. Job growth in Ohio is 2.0% vs the national average of 2.7
Ohio’s higher education ranking is #39. Healthcare system is #35 overall. Infrastructure is #30 in the nation.
Cities like Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown have lost over 50% of their population over the decades.
Ohio needs new energy, entrepreneurialism, innovation and global connectivity. Immigrants and immigration law reform can help.
Ohio’s Immigrant Community: A Catalyst for Economic Growth and Diversity
Ohio has a growing and diverse immigrant population that is contributing to the state’s economy and workforce. Immigrants are about 5% of Ohio’s population and an additional 5% are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent. These communities are key to Ohio’s success especially in fields like computer science, life sciences and social sciences.
As business owners, taxpayers and workers immigrants are part of Ohio’s vibrant communities and helping to grow and innovate.
The Immigrant Population in Ohio
In 2018 Ohio had 555,583 immigrants, 5% of the state’s population. This included 260,454 women, 252,902 men and 42,227 children. Many immigrants in Ohio come from diverse backgrounds, with the top countries of origin being India (11%), Mexico (8%), China (6%), Philippines (3%) and Canada (3%).
Over 532,398 native-born Ohioans have at least one immigrant parent, so immigrants are having a growing impact on the state’s demographics.
A Path to Citizenship and Integration
Over half of Ohio’s immigrant population has taken the opportunity to become U.S. citizens. By 2018 293,426 had naturalized and 84,885 were eligible to do so. 84% of immigrants in the state speak English “well” or “very well” and are integrating into the local communities.
Educationally Ohio’s immigrants are a highly educated group with 42% of adult immigrants having a college degree or higher in 2018 compared to 28% of native-born Ohioans. This is helping to build the state’s workforce in fields like healthcare, technology and education.
Immigrants in Ohio’s Workforce
Immigrants are 6% of Ohio’s workforce with 338,637 immigrant workers in industries that are critical to the state’s economy. The largest concentrations of immigrant workers are in manufacturing (68,968), healthcare and social assistance (56,444), retail trade (37,186), educational services (33,717) and accommodation and food services (30,593).
Immigrants are concentrated in specialized fields. For example they are 14% of workers in computer and mathematical occupations and 12% in life, physical and social sciences. Immigrants are also in farming, architecture, engineering and maintenance services, so they are contributing across many sectors.
Undocumented Immigrants and DACA Recipients in Ohio
Undocumented immigrants are 17% of Ohio’s immigrant population, about 90,000 people. Between 2010 and 2014 over 115,000 Ohio residents including 50,264 U.S. citizens lived with at least one undocumented family member. Despite being undocumented these individuals are contributing to the state’s economy by paying taxes and supporting local industries.
Ohio is also home to nearly 4,000 DACA recipients. As of March 2020 3,860 were active in the DACA program and 46% of DACA eligible immigrants in Ohio had applied for the program. These young immigrants are part of Ohio’s workforce and are contributing to the state’s economy and paying an estimated $11.9 million in state and local taxes in 2018.
Economic Contributions and Entrepreneurship
Ohio’s immigrants are contributing to both state and federal tax revenues. In 2018 immigrant households paid $3.8 billion in federal taxes and $1.9 billion in state and local taxes. Undocumented immigrants alone paid $236.1 million in federal taxes and $127.5 million in state and local taxes. These are critical to the state’s economy and fund public services and infrastructure.
In addition to being workers, many immigrants in Ohio are entrepreneurs and driving business growth across the state. In 2018 30,432 immigrant business owners generated $891.7 million in business income. Immigrant entrepreneurs are most prominent in Ohio’s largest metropolitan areas, 18% of business owners in the Columbus metro area, 12% in Cleveland and 9% in Cincinnati.
Immigrants as Consumers and Contributors to Ohio’s Economy
As consumers immigrants also add billions to Ohio’s economy. In 2018 immigrant households in the state had $14 billion in spending power and are driving demand for goods and services and supporting local businesses. This consumer spending is critical to economic growth across Ohio’s industries.
A Community of Opportunity
Ohio’s immigrant community is part of the state’s economic engine. Whether as workers, entrepreneurs or taxpayers immigrants are contributing to Ohio’s success. As the state continues to evolve the growing immigrant population will be a key to its future, innovation, growth and prosperity for all.
Haitian Immigrants are Revitalizing Springfield’s Economy Amidst Growing Pains
In Springfield, Ohio thousands of Haitian immigrants have arrived in recent years and have changed the city and brought growth and challenges. At the St. Vincent de Paul Society community center immigrants like Bansal Oreus help others with government paperwork while individuals like Rose Joseph who works at an Amazon warehouse and does seasonal tax preparation are building new lives and contributing to the local economy.
Joseph and Oreus came to Springfield by different paths. Joseph fled Haiti in 2020 and after a brief stay in Florida moved to Springfield in 2022 for job opportunities. Oreus took a longer route, traveling through Brazil, Portugal and Mexico before arriving in 2023 drawn by family and friends who had already settled in the city. “The first motivation was jobs and work opportunities” he said.
Over the past three years 15,000 Haitian immigrants have arrived in Springfield a city of 58,000. Their arrival has brought hope for economic renewal but has also put the city in the national spotlight as Springfield has become the focal point of the national conversation on immigration, economy and race. This attention intensified when former President Donald Trump and his running mate Senator JD Vance repeated false accusations against the Haitian community, claims that city officials have been quick to deny. Anthony Harris, at a Springfield City Commission meeting, claimed that Haitian immigrants were capturing ducks in the park and consuming them, which was part of the larger narrative of viral and debunked accusations.
Immigrants and Economic Growth Amidst Growing Pains
After years of decline Springfield’s population is growing again but the rapid influx of immigrants has brought both good and bad. Data shows that the city’s population growth has coincided with increased demand for housing and services. Medicaid enrollment, food assistance programs and welfare have skyrocketed while rents have gone up as more people move into the area. Car accidents have also increased including a tragic one last year when a Haitian immigrant without a U.S. driver’s license was involved in an accident with a school bus and 11 year old Aiden Clark was killed and 26 other children were injured.
Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck has been addressing rumors about criminal activities involving the immigrant community and the challenges brought on by the surge in population. Affordable housing is scarce and landlords are charging market rates due to the demand. This has made it harder for existing residents to find affordable housing. But contrary to fears local police and officials say there has been no significant increase in violent or property crime. Wages in Springfield have gone up due to a tight labor market and new job opportunities.
Debunking the Myths
At a congressional hearing Senator JD Vance read a letter from Springfield officials to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell saying the city was struggling with the impact of immigration on inflation and housing costs. But Powell responded that while there may be localized effects, overall immigration helps grow the economy and over time the markets adapt.
Despite this Powell’s response Vance and other politicians have continued to spread false information about the Haitian community. At a recent debate Trump repeated the baseless claim that Haitian immigrants were harming pets in Springfield, a claim that has been refuted by both local police and city officials. “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community” Springfield police said in a statement.
The White House has called out the spread of this misinformation saying Trump and others are using these lies to divide the country along racial lines.
Moving Forward in Springfield
Springfield’s population growth is complex and has its challenges and opportunities. Local rents went up 14.6% between 2022 and 2023, one of the highest in the country. But this year rents have slowed to 3.2%, so the market is starting to stabilize.
Meanwhile wages in the area went up over 6% annually during the Haitian immigration period, twice the national average. Wages have now slowed down as the US labor market has slowed down but the influx of immigrants has definitely filled the job openings especially in manufacturing and warehouse jobs.
While the exact number of Haitian immigrants in Springfield is unknown estimates range from 12,000 to 15,000 up from 3,500 just a few years ago. This rapid growth has caused tensions at times with public meetings becoming a platform for residents to vent and even a small white supremacist group marching through town during a recent jazz festival.
But many local leaders see the benefits of this population growth. Springfield was once an industrial powerhouse with farm equipment manufacturing but has struggled with the decline of those industries. Today the city’s growing population is seen as the key to economic revival. “A growing population could absolutely have long term benefits” said Mayor Rob Rue who acknowledged the city is going through “a tough season” as it adjusts to the changes.
The city has many challenges including need for more police, fire and healthcare workers and services like translation for Creole speaking residents. But city officials are hopeful the city will continue to come back fueled by its growing immigrant workforce.
Filling the Workforce Gap
The Biden administration’s immigration policies including a parole program that brought in around 205,000 Haitians into the US as of August have brought people to Springfield. Many of these individuals are now working in manufacturing, warehouses and other sectors of the local economy. Amy Donahoe, director of workforce development with the Greater Springfield Partnership said Springfield’s revival depends on these workers. “We needed a workforce” she said. “They are coming in, working hard and they want to make money.”
For Haitian immigrants like Joseph and Oreus, Springfield is a chance to start anew. Joseph who is studying social work has applied for asylum and is in the US under TPS. She shares a 2 bedroom apartment with a friend and has integrated into the community where she also helps at a Haitian cultural center.
Oreus works at a local manufacturing plant and volunteers at the St. Vincent De Paul Society helping fellow immigrants with paperwork and settling into their new lives. “I had friends here, my brother lived here so I moved to join him” Oreus said.
Springfield’s Housing and Infrastructure Challenges
Springfield’s housing challenges predated the arrival of the Haitian immigrants. Years of underinvestment and lack of code enforcement left many homes vacant and in disrepair. But there are signs of progress. New subdivisions on the outskirts of the city are almost complete and a block of downtown townhomes have already sold out. And a vacant building downtown is being converted into condos as part of a larger effort to revitalize the city center.
But despite these positive developments Springfield is still dealing with the immediate impacts of rapid growth. The city is working to address the housing, infrastructure and services strain but local leaders believe once the short term challenges are worked out the growing population will drive long term economic revival.
“We needed a workforce to fill jobs in manufacturing and distribution” said Donahoe. “They are coming in, working hard and helping to rebuild Springfield.”
The anti-immigrant hysteria in Springfield will hurt the Americans in Ohio and beyond.
“They’re eating the dogs…they’re eating the cats. They’re eating pets of the people that live there.”
Rumors that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating pets have gone national, from city commission meetings to the 2024 presidential campaign. But the controversy has brought to light a bigger issue: the real problems communities like Springfield face as they try to manage a large influx of immigrants.
There have also been baseless rumors about Haitian immigrants abducting local wildlife, which have been debunked by city officials.
During the last presidential debate, former President Donald Trump repeated the false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were eating their neighbors’ pets. City leaders have denied this repeatedly but the rumors have only added to the ongoing debate about immigration and its impact on American towns.
Despite claims by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance, officials in Springfield, Ohio have said there is no evidence to support the rumors that Haitian immigrants are kidnapping and eating pets. These baseless allegations which have gone viral online were repeated during Tuesday’s debate and have sparked a bigger conversation about immigration and how it’s being portrayed in political discourse.
During the debate Trump repeated the unverified claim, “In Springfield they’re eating the dogs — the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country and it’s a shame.” When debate moderator David Muir pointed out that city officials had denied this, Trump said he had seen it on TV.
Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate and an Ohio power broker, had already made the same claims on social media where his post on X (formerly Twitter) had over 11 million views. Vance said Haitian immigrants were “causing chaos all over Springfield” and cited reports of pets being kidnapped and eaten by people who “shouldn’t be in this country.”
Baseless Claims Go Viral
The rumors started on social media and spread fast with some posts getting millions of views. One Facebook post claimed a missing cat was found hanging from a tree near a Haitian neighbor’s house. Another post said immigrants were taking geese from a local park to eat. These have been shared across social media platforms with misleading or unrelated images like a photo of a man holding a goose which has been falsely linked to Springfield.
But city officials in Springfield including spokesperson Karen Graves have denied these claims. “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals in the immigrant community,” Graves told CBS News.
Disinformation and Political Manipulation
Some of the images used to spread these rumors have been manipulated or taken out of context. For example the photo of a man holding a goose which has been shared widely as evidence of Haitian immigrants eating geese was taken in Columbus, Ohio by a local photographer. The photographer who wishes to remain anonymous because he’s received threats told CBS News the photo was meant to be humorous and had nothing to do with the immigrant community. He regrets how the image is being used for political purposes especially by Vance and condemned the spread of false information.
And AI generated images have been added to the mix. One image of Trump holding two cats while running through a crowd of Black people was posted with the caption “The kittens of Springfield have only one hope” combining disinformation with racial undertones.
The effort to demonize immigrants in Springfield, Ohio is not only putting the entire community in danger but also undermining efforts to revitalize the region.
Springfield, Ohio City Hall Closed After Bomb Threat and GOP Rhetoric Targets Immigrants
Thursday, Springfield, Ohio was on high alert after multiple facilities including City Hall received a bomb threat via email. The threat prompted the immediate evacuation of City Hall and increased security across the city as local and regional law enforcement agencies investigated.
According to the city’s statement the threatening email was sent at 8:24am local time and targeted “multiple agencies and media outlets” in Springfield. In response to the situation the city issued a closure notice for City Hall and asked residents to stay away from the area until further notice.
Springfield has about 58,000 people and is located in southwestern Ohio. It’s been in the national spotlight recently especially during a recent presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. During the debate Trump mentioned a baseless claim that immigrants in Springfield were eating pets which has been debunked. He brought up the issue again and it reignited controversy in the city which has seen a large influx of Haitian immigrants in recent years.
City Manager Bryan Heck addressed the controversy in a statement on the city’s Facebook page on Wednesday. He’s frustrated with the misinformation and political rhetoric that’s created a false narrative about Springfield especially in this political climate.
So far no direct connection has been made to the bomb threat and the political rhetoric from the debate. Authorities are still investigating the origin of the email and the motives behind it but as of Thursday morning they don’t know which agencies or organizations were targeted.
City officials and law enforcement haven’t provided any additional information on the credibility of the threat so we’ll wait for updates on the investigation.
In the meantime stay safe and avoid the area around City Hall.
Haitian Immigrants in Springfield, Ohio Under Microscope
In recent years cities across the US have seen big demographic changes as immigrants are reshaping communities and nobody is paying attention. But in Springfield, Ohio it’s different. This working class city of about 60,000 has become the focal point of a national conversation and it’s all because of false rumors and Trump’s rhetoric. During the debate he amplified the lies about Haitian immigrants who have been helping to revitalize the economy of Springfield.
Despite their contributions the rumors are spreading online and on social media and it’s creating fear and division in this predominantly white, blue collar community. At the Haitian Community Help and Support Center Rose-Thamar Joseph a local advocate said many of the city’s 15,000 Haitian immigrants are feeling unsafe. They came to Springfield for affordable housing and good jobs and now they’re facing hostility.
“Some of them are living in fear. Some are scared for their lives” Joseph said. The tensions are felt across the community as the immigrant population grows. Long time residents are complaining about the competition for jobs, rising housing costs and the strain on public services.
Despite the efforts to celebrate diversity in Springfield—seen in events like CultureFest an annual celebration of unity through cultural exchange—the misinformation is still spreading. The flag for the event is flying in downtown but the sense of unity is being undermined by the divisive and false narratives.
Melanie Flax Wilt a Republican county commissioner told local leaders to stop fear-mongering and focus on real community issues. “Once the election is over and Springfield is no longer a political talking point we’ll still be here working through these challenges and finding solutions” she said.
At the national level Haitian advocates are speaking out against the misinformation. Ariel Dominique who leads the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy laughed at the absurdity of the claims when she first heard them. But when Trump repeated them on the national stage it became more painful.
“It’s unfair, unjust and completely contrary to what we have contributed to this country” Dominique said. She and others are highlighting the positive impact Haitian immigrants have on communities across the US.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is trying to address the real issues in Springfield. In response to the controversy DeWine announced an expansion of an existing aid package to the city which includes more law enforcement and healthcare resources. He said the state will be with Springfield during these tough times.
In response to the growing Haitian population Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced additional state support on Wednesday. To manage the influx of migrants DeWine is deploying Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to Springfield and allocating $2.5 million for healthcare services in the area. Speaking to CBS News DeWine said of the Haitian community “They came here to work because there were jobs and if you talk to employers they’ll tell you how hard they work”
Many of the Haitian immigrants living in Springfield came for safety and opportunity fleeing poverty and violence in their homeland. Since the Biden administration created new legal pathways for Haitian immigrants many have chosen to come in legally. According to recent data 92 Haitian nationals were arrested at the border in July 2024 a tiny fraction of the 56,000 border arrests overall.
The Biden administration’s recent decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian immigrants is also a big relief. This will allow an estimated 300,000 Haitians to stay in the US with work authorization at least until February 2026 and prevent deportation to a country in crisis.
Springfield’s problems are part of a larger trend of immigration reshaping small cities across the US. According to the US Census Bureau immigration has accounted for nearly 75% of the country’s population growth over the past few years. Haitian immigrants have been a big part of revitalizing Springfield’s workforce as the local economy recovered from the pandemic.
But these successes have not been without struggles. Last year a Haitian man who had recently moved to Springfield was involved in a fatal accident that killed an 11 year old boy. The man who did not have a valid driver’s license was widely condemned. Some local politicians used the tragedy to fan anti-immigrant sentiment and further divide the community.
False information spread online including a viral post that claimed a cat had been butchered by Haitians in Springfield. The post had no evidence but it took hold in the city and was later repeated by prominent politicians.
Chris Hazel a long time Springfield resident called these claims ridiculous. “It’s like the old days when people would accuse outsiders of being cannibals. It’s about dehumanizing a community” he said.
Sophia Pierrilus daughter of a former Haitian diplomat and an advocate based in Columbus, Ohio agreed with Hazel. “They’re using Haitians as scapegoats to create chaos in America” she said.
As Springfield adjusts to its new political reality the city’s immigrant population is key to its economic future. While rumors and misinformation threaten to disrupt this balance community leaders are focused on rebuilding and addressing real issues.
Guerline Jozef executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance said Haitian immigrants are the reason why the economy and labor force in Springfield has been revitalized. “But many Haitians are now thinking of leaving the city because of the fear of their safety” she said.
Despite the challenges the immigrant community in Springfield is still standing and their impact on the city’s recovery is clear. Whether Springfield can weather the storm of misinformation and division remains to be seen but local leaders are moving forward together.
Community Concerns
At a city commission meeting Richard Jordan a resident asked “Is there a cut off point for the population here? It feels like we need a ‘No Vacancy’ sign but people keep coming in. What’s the limit?”
Many Haitian residents feel they are being unfairly targeted by the misinformation. One Haitian-American resident spoke out about the misinformation “There’s a false notion that all Haitians in Springfield are illegal immigrants. That’s not true. Many of us are US citizens, green card holders or here legally through a federal program that provides Social Security cards and employment authorization.”
Strain on Services and Tensions Rising
In response to the growing population the federal government has given $2.5 million to improve access to medical care but Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says it’s not enough. “The federal government needs to step up. Their policies have caused this influx” DeWine said.
As the number of immigrants increases so do the concerns about the strain on resources. Healthcare facilities and schools are feeling the pinch and the city has seen a surge in traffic accidents. Some residents are worried about the city’s ability to manage the change but others point to the bigger issue of affordable housing. Former journalist Bill Monaghan now part of the local group “Stop the Influx” said the influx of migrants has driven up rent and home prices and is displacing long time residents. “It’s getting harder for people to live here. Plus there are delays in public safety responses because of language barriers.”
Crime and a Tragic Accident
Many in the community are worried about crime. FBI data shows Springfield has seen a 142% increase in violent crime from 2019 to 2022. The FBI doesn’t track crime by immigration status but this statistic has added to the anxiety in the city.
Tensions boiled over last year when 11 year old Aiden Clark was killed in a car accident caused by a Haitian migrant who was driving without a valid license
While many are sympathetic to the Clark family the tragedy has been politicized in some quarters and has fueled anti-immigrant sentiment.
At a recent city commission meeting Aiden’s father Nathan Clark asked politicians not to exploit his son’s death for political gain. “I wish my son had been killed by a 60 year old white man” Clark said. “If that were the case we wouldn’t be reminded of the worst day of our lives every time we see a political talking point.”
“Using Aiden as a political tool is, at the very least, disgusting” Clark said at the Springfield City Commission meeting on Tuesday. “My son wasn’t murdered, he was accidentally killed by an immigrant from Haiti. This tragedy has hit our community hard but spinning it into hate is wrong.”
Nathan Clark was particularly upset with the misinformation that has been spread about the Haitian community in Springfield. Some residents have claimed that immigrants have brought disease and crime to the city—claims that have been refuted by local health officials and police. In his speech Clark pointed out the absurdity of these false claims especially the one about immigrants eating pets which Trump has repeated despite no evidence. “They can spew all the hate they want about illegal immigrants, the border crisis and untrue claims about fluffy pets being ravaged and eaten” Clark said but he drew the line at his son’s death being used for political purposes.
Clark’s comments were in response to Vance and Trump who have made Springfield a talking point in their broader criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies. While the immigrants in Springfield are here legally politicians like Vance are using the city as an example of the consequences of open borders.
The complexities of immigration, employment and social integration in Springfield can’t be reduced to a political soundbite. Some use the situation to scaremonger others recognize the economic and cultural contributions of the immigrant community. As Springfield adjusts to its changing demographics the resilience and hard work of the Haitian migrants will be at the heart of the city’s story.
Honoring Aiden
Nathan and Danielle both teachers are determined to honor Aiden’s memory in a way that is true to his values of kindness and inclusivity. “Aiden studied different cultures and accepted everyone” Nathan said. They will continue to honor his legacy by not buying into the hate being peddled in his name. Danielle held up a red T-shirt with #LiveLikeAiden during the meeting to show their commitment to carrying on Aiden’s spirit of love and acceptance.
“We have problems here in Springfield and in the US” Nathan Clark said. “But does Aiden Clark have anything to do with that?” he asked. “Can we not politicize his death?” As the Clarks left the meeting the audience applauded their bravery and compassion.
In his closing remarks Nathan Clark issued one final challenge to those who had used his son’s name: “I will listen to them one more time to hear their apologies”. Whether those apologies will come we will see but the Clarks message was clear—Aiden’s memory deserves respect not exploitation.
Legal Status and Federal Support
Haitian immigrants in Springfield are here legally under federal programs that provide temporary protected status (TPS). Last month the Biden administration granted TPS to approximately 300,000 Haitians already in the US, protecting them from deportation due to the violence and instability in Haiti.
Despite this many Springfield residents are not convinced. Some have told reporters they no longer trust the city and are thinking of leaving the area due to the rising tensions and frustration with city government.
What’s Next for Springfield
As Springfield deals with the fallout of its growing Haitian migrant population it must find ways to address the practicalities of resource allocation and the social tensions that have arisen. For many the influx of immigrants is an opportunity for economic growth and cultural diversity. For others it’s too much to manage.
Will Springfield be able to navigate this without resorting to divisive rhetoric? The city’s leaders and residents will have to work together to make sure Springfield can continue to thrive while embracing its new identity.
Dealing with Misinformation
Despite the corrections the misinformation about the Haitian community has done real harm. One migrant told CBS News “We work hard every day to better ourselves. When we better ourselves the neighborhood better and the whole city gets better” they said. The immigrant community is committed to Springfield’s future.
Springfield was once a manufacturing hub but has seen its fortunes decline over the past few decades. Since 2000 the number of manufacturing jobs in the city has decreased by almost 50% from 13,000 to 7,000 in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many locals left the workforce during the pandemic and the door was open for Haitian immigrants to fill the essential jobs. But some residents blame the newcomers for taking the jobs and driving down wages.
Business owners like job recruiter Alex Muller see it differently. “They’ve been very welcoming and grateful for the opportunity to provide for their families” Muller said. The Haitian workers have been essential to the city’s economic recovery.
Confronting Hate with Facts
Both Rue and Flax Wilt said they will continue to counter the misinformation. Despite presenting fact checked data Rue said some people will still spread false narratives and accuse city officials of lying. He told the public to consider the harm that rhetoric does to the Haitian community. “Imagine being talked about this way and your entire community or country being painted with broad brushstrokes of negativity” he said.
Flax Wilt ended by calling on Springfield to live up to its values of inclusivity and unity. “This is not the community we want to be” she said. “We are better than this and we need to come together to focus on the real issues at hand.”
Flax Wilt emphasized the need for driver’s education programs and infrastructure stability for the growing population. She also called for compassion and understanding towards immigrants. “Hateful rhetoric and harassment is not who we are as a city. As a leader and a mother of three I tell my children not to bully others. It’s disheartening to see adults in our community behaving the same way we teach our kids to avoid.”
Neo-Nazi Groups in Ohio
As the 2024 presidential election approaches Ohio is no longer a swing state but is still a target for hate groups and agitators, local and out of state. In August Neo-Nazi’s appeared in Springfield about 48 miles west of Columbus and are expected to be in Columbus this fall.
Jeff Tischauser, a senior research analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) noted that while Ohio has become more conservative Columbus being a liberal city is likely to attract protests from extremist groups. “Columbus is a blue city surrounded by red and it’s an election year” said Tischauser. With the Statehouse and a major university Columbus is a symbolic target for groups like the Nazi Blood Tribe and others, they have a platform to confront their political enemies.
The SPLC tracks hate and anti-government groups across the country and Ohio has at least 50 of these groups including white nationalist and anti-LGBTQ+ groups. These groups have been emboldened in recent years with FBI Director Christopher Wray noting a 357% increase in domestic terrorism cases between 2010 and 2021 according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The level of activity from Ohio’s hate groups before the 2024 election is unclear but a new local non-profit Ohioans Against Extremism has emerged to counter the growing presence of extremist groups. Maria Bruno the non-profit’s executive director said the group was created in response to the rise in hate group activity including neo-Nazi demonstrations across the state. “What was once fringe internet trolling is now part of the political discourse” Bruno said noting the increasing normalization of extremist rhetoric online and in person.
Why Ohio Attracts Extremist Groups
Ohio has long been a hotbed for hate groups and several factors contribute to their activity in the state. Beyond Ohio’s central location which makes it an easy hub for members from surrounding states extremist groups are drawn to Columbus because of its politics. Tischauser noted that Columbus being a blue city in a red state gives them a chance to confront their political enemies.
“Columbus has left-leaning leaders and residents and it gives hate groups a place to confront their enemies during a major political crisis” Tischauser said. Following the 2020 election statehouses across the country became the focal point of protests and Ohio’s Statehouse could be the same this election cycle.
The Nazi Blood Tribe and Proud Boys have already demonstrated in Ohio with some protests having 20-40 people. The ease of travel to Ohio and the state’s history in political elections makes it a prime location for these groups to get attention.
Pushing Back Against Extremism
In response to the growing threat of extremist protests Ohioans Against Extremism will combat the spread of hate and violence. Bruno said the non-profit will work to lower the temperature of political rhetoric as the 2024 election cycle heats up. With former President Donald Trump running again and Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket tensions are high and extremist groups will capitalize on the uncertainty.
Bruno said voters and leaders need to keep it civil and decent. “We want to mobilize voters and make politicians keep the decency alive” she said. The organization also wants to connect what’s happening in Ohio communities to the extreme rhetoric in the Statehouse.
