Springfield, Ohio, has found itself at the center of a growing controversy as baseless conspiracy theories about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets circulate. The false claims, recently amplified by prominent Republicans, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, have caused significant concern in the local community.
In response, Springfield’s Republican Mayor, Rob Rue, made an urgent plea for these rumors to stop. “Let me just say at the outset that Springfield is a beautiful community, and your pets are safe in Springfield, Ohio,” Mayor Rue stated, firmly addressing the misinformation. “We do not have any credible reports of that. We made that known publicly, and we are asking people to understand the reports we share with them…that there’s no credible evidence of it.”
The rumors began to spiral after Trump remarked, “Look at what’s happening to the towns all over the United States. In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in [immigrants], they’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” These false claims, despite being debunked by local authorities, have already damaged the town’s reputation and caused distress among its residents.
Mayor Rue emphasized, “We need people to believe the best about our community, the best about themselves as citizens there.” The conspiracy theories arose in response to the increasing Haitian population in Springfield, as reported by RawStory. Many Haitians have sought refuge in the town through a legal humanitarian parole program, fleeing gang violence in Haiti.
Despite efforts to debunk the rumors, the situation has escalated, with bomb threats targeting local schools, city halls, and neighborhoods where Haitian immigrants reside. Lana Marcius Joseph, an immigration lawyer representing Haitian immigrants in Springfield, echoed the mayor’s concerns. Speaking to People, she revealed the fear her clients are experiencing.
“I’ve had some of my clients reaching out and asking me, ‘Well, what do we do now? Given what’s happening in Ohio, should we be looking for another place to relocate?’” She added, “It’s very traumatizing, and so many residents have to deal with the facts—Do I want to come here…and start my life all over again? Or do I risk my life every day hoping maybe I will make it?”
Joseph expressed deep disappointment over Trump’s role in spreading the rumors. “I was in shock to just sit there and hear this man say these things on national TV,” she said. “Bringing these types of ideas is only dividing us…we all bleed the red blood all the same.” The false narrative continues to impact Springfield’s community, highlighting the damaging effects of misinformation and fearmongering.