Former President Donald Trump recently voiced criticism towards Mayor Rob Rue of Springfield, Ohio, and Governor Mike DeWine for their approach to Haitian immigrants residing in Springfield. During a rally in Wisconsin, Trump expressed disapproval of the officials' decision not to conduct mass deportations of the Haitian immigrants, many of whom are legally living in the town.
Trump specifically called out Mayor Rue for what he perceived as a lack of firmness in dealing with the migrants, suggesting that Rue should be more assertive in preventing their entry into the town. The former president also accused Rue of intending to keep the immigrants in Springfield, which he claimed has led to the town being 'ruined' and 'destroyed.'
In addition to criticizing Mayor Rue, Trump also targeted Governor DeWine, alleging that DeWine's election victory was solely due to Trump's endorsement. Trump urged DeWine to take action to return the immigrants to their home country, warning of potential cultural and societal losses if the current situation persists.
It is important to note that Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have been spreading false claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, including unfounded allegations that they are consuming pet cats and dogs. These baseless accusations have caused unrest in the town, leading to increased security measures and a rise in bomb threats.
Contrary to the misinformation being spread, the city of Springfield has clarified on its website that the Haitian immigrants in Clark County are legally present under a parole program that allows family reunification for citizens and lawful residents. The city estimates that approximately 12,000 to 15,000 immigrants reside in the county, which has a total population of 136,000.
