Additional Coverage:
### Haitian Community in Springfield, Ohio, Voices Fears Amid National Immigration Debate
Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, have expressed concerns about their safety as their city remains a focal point in the national conversation on immigration.
On Saturday, the Haitian Times and the Haitian Community Help and Support Center organized a virtual discussion with activists, journalists, and Haitian residents to counter baseless claims circulating online. Some of these claims were shared by Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. Last Tuesday, former President Donald Trump brought further attention to the city by falsely claiming that Haitian immigrants were eating pets.
The event, initially planned to be held in person in Springfield, was moved online due to security worries, according to Macollvie Neel, executive editor of the Haitian Times. This week, bomb threats led to the evacuation of Springfield City Hall and two elementary schools, and on Saturday, further threats caused lockdowns at two local hospitals.
Wittenberg University, a small liberal arts college in Springfield, announced Saturday that it was stepping up security and taking “extreme precautions” after receiving an email threatening a potential shooting aimed at the Haitian community on campus. Founded in 1845, the university is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
When asked about the bomb threats, Trump told reporters on Saturday, “I don’t know what happened with the bomb threats? I know that it’s been taken over by illegal migrants.”
### News: Bomb Threats Hit Ohio Town While Trump Spreads False Claims About Haitian Immigrants
Jims Denis, a Haitian immigrant who moved to Springfield five years ago and owns three properties, including a photography studio, said he feels targeted.
“You can see it’s pure hatred. They hate us,” Denis expressed, adding that he no longer feels safe to leave his house.
He shared that he used to take his kids to the park and for neighborhood walks but now feels confined to his home due to safety concerns. His wife is even considering relocating the family.
Sophia Pierralus, a Haitian activist from Columbus, encouraged Springfield residents to prioritize their mental health and to be vigilant about potential bullying their children might face at school.
“You must keep your eyes open regarding your children,” she advised.
Viles Dorsainvil, president of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center, highlighted the center’s efforts in assisting Haitian immigrants with jobs and housing. The center is also emphasizing cross-cultural education, offering Creole classes for Americans and ESL and driving classes for immigrants.
*Contributing: Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY*
*Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal, and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.*