By Okon Ekpenyong

The Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, vehemently denounced former President Donald Trump’s false and offensive claims about them, just as the city officials also stated that “misinformation and political rhetoric fuel unfounded crime concerns.”

Despite challenges from rapid growth, the city manager emphasizes collaborative efforts to address issues and promote unity. A local Haitian migrant felt humiliated by the allegations, saying, “I’m actively searching for a job and want to contribute to the community.” This desire for unity is something we can all support.

President of the Haitian Community Help & Support Center, Viles Dorsainvil, says that the center is working with local partners to provide English As A Second Language, ESL classes and assistance to migrants in accessing education and job opportunities.

However, since Trump’s statement, increased security and threats have led to Haitian locals losing their jobs and fearing for their lives. Dorsainvil says that Haitian locals wish for the same opportunities as everyone else and that Springfield, at the time, had plenty of jobs that drew Haitians to the city. “The city is quiet, and many of us came from a calm town as well; Springfield locals are hard workers, and so are we.

The Haitian community, a significant and valued part of the US, has made a mark in Springfield, with 10,000-15,000 residents contributing to the local economy. Despite facing obstacles, they are resilient and hard workers who will thrive given opportunities. The controversy surrounding cat consumption allegations has been debunked, with the original claim coming from a non-Haitian woman in Canton, Ohio. Erika Lee, who sparked the national controversy with a viral Facebook post, has expressed regret and concern for her safety, reinforcing the truth.

City officials have denied claims of rising infectious diseases, disappearing animals, and increased home prices due to the migrant influx. The city manager has explicitly denied any connection between the migrant community and the alleged issues. Yet, several political candidates continue to say that the residents reported these problems, and it wasn’t something that they just coughed out of an empty box.

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