SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) – Their city has been in the eye of a political firestorm since former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, accused legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield of eating dogs and cats.
One consequence: hoax bomb threats that forced the evacuation and lockdown of schools, government buildings and the homes of elected officials.
But immigrants and their neighbors in this mostly white, blue-collar town of about 60,000 have gone on with their lives — jogging through downtown, shooting hoops with friends, gathering with family for dinner at a food hall called the Market.
Some expatriates who want to support Haitians have joined with locals in patronizing the Rose Goute Creole restaurant, which features Haitian cuisine.
Unconcerned by the political furor spreading far and wide, lifelong Springfield residents Kelsey Fannon and Kassidy Fannon happily sat on their front porch Monday night, playing with their new puppy and celebrating how they had spent the day deep cleaning their entire house.
Thousands of Haitian immigrants have settled in Springfield in recent years, finding work in factories and warehouses that were struggling to fill jobs. The flash flood has strained schools, health care facilities and city services and raised housing costs – but they have been welcomed by the mayor, civic leaders and local pastors.
