Former President Donald Trump pledged to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitian immigrants residing in Springfield, Ohio.
This move could potentially lead to their deportation and reverse the protections that have allowed them to remain in the U.S. under TPS due to instability in their home country.
Springfield, a city of approximately 58,000, has recently faced an influx of 15,000 to 20,000 new residents from Haiti, straining local resources like schools and healthcare.
Trump, during a Sept. 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, made unsubstantiated claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield eating pets, bringing national attention to the community.
Speaking with News Nation, Trump confirmed his intention to revoke TPS and deport the migrants, stating, “Absolutely, I’d revoke it, and I’d bring them back to their country.” As of March 31, over 200,000 Haitians had been granted TPS in the U.S., according to Congressional data. Trump’s administration had previously cancelled TPS protections for both Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants during his presidency.
The city of Springfield has worked for over a decade to welcome migrants, launching the “Welcome Springfield” initiative to support new residents.
However, the rapid population growth has caused significant stress on public services, which Trump highlighted as a critical issue while criticising Harris’ handling of immigration and the broader border crisis.
Trump’s claims about migrants eating pets, which he repeated during the debate, were quickly fact-checked and refuted by city officials and moderator David Muir. Despite this, the allegations caused unrest in Springfield, leading to bomb threats against government buildings and schools, which Ohio Governor Mike DeWine linked to foreign actors trying to stir up political tension in the U.S.
The controversy intensified when Vance’s campaign contacted Springfield officials, inquiring about the pet consumption rumours.
City Manager Bryan Heck confirmed no evidence to support the claims, calling them “baseless.” Nevertheless, Vance, who lives near Springfield, insisted that concerns about the surge in migrants should not be ignored.
Vice President Kamala Harris, whose debate with Trump escalated the controversy, condemned the impact on Springfield. Addressing the unrest, Harris said, “People are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio, and it’s got to stop.”
Despite the denial of the pet consumption claims by city officials, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have continued to criticise the Biden administration’s immigration policies, asserting that they are contributing to the issues faced by Springfield and other communities. Trump insisted that deporting migrants is necessary to protect the country, stating, “We cannot destroy our country.”
As the controversy continues, Springfield remains at the centre of the national debate on immigration and the challenges faced by small towns dealing with large influxes of migrants.
