Haitian Americans fear for safety after Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric

Haitian Americans have expressed concerns for their safety after former President Donald Trump made a false and derogatory statement about Haitian immigrants during a recent presidential debate.

Trump falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating household pets, sparking fears within the Haitian community.

Community leaders, particularly in Springfield, Ohio, where thousands of Haitian immigrants have settled in recent years, say such rhetoric could inflame tensions and lead to violence.

Viles Dorsainvil, head of a local Haitian community center, reported receiving threatening phone calls, and some Haitians are considering leaving due to the hostility.

Trump’s remarks were echoed by his running mate, US Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who had previously made similar unfounded claims on social media. City officials in Springfield, however, have debunked the claims, stating they have received no credible reports of any such behavior.

Karen Graves, a city spokesperson, noted that while some Haitians had been victims of petty crime, no hate crimes had been reported.

Despite the falsehoods, the Haitian community in Springfield has become a target of increased hostility. Local media reported instances of bullying and intimidation against Haitian families, leading some to keep their children home from school.

The tension has escalated since a 2023 incident in which a Haitian driver, operating without a license, was involved in a fatal school bus accident.

Nathan Clark, father of Aiden Clark, the 11-year-old who died in the crash, condemned Trump and Vance for exploiting his son’s death.

He criticized their use of hateful rhetoric to stoke fear around immigration.

The inflammatory comments come at a time when Springfield’s population has grown rapidly due to the arrival of about 15,000 Haitian immigrants, who have bolstered the local economy but also strained resources in schools and health clinics.

Despite the challenges, Haitian immigrants have opened businesses and contributed to the local workforce.

Trump’s remarks, amplified by social media and political allies, have drawn widespread condemnation.

Guerline Jozef, head of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, expressed alarm at the spread of the false claims, saying it poses a nationwide threat to the Haitian community.

Local leaders fear that the rhetoric could lead to real-world violence against immigrants.

City officials and police continue to refute the claims, emphasizing that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by the Haitian community.

Despite the challenges, Haitian Americans are working to integrate into Springfield’s economy and society, though the situation remains tense.