Trump's allies spread unconfirmed rumors that immigrants abuse animals to attack Harris

Videos of numerous residents of Springfield, Ohio, testifying during a town hall meeting that “homeless” Haitian immigrants were occupying homes, “yelling” at their owners and killing animals for food went viral on social media this week.

Springfield, Ohio woman reports homeless Haitians trying to camp in her front yard and says she 'wants to get out of this town.'

“There are men standing in my front yard who don’t speak English, shouting at me and throwing mattresses into my front yard.”

“Look at me, I weigh 95 pounds. I couldn't… pic.twitter.com/eShzG8grC1

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) 9 September 2024

Vance, Trump's running mate, Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt, and Donald Trump Jr. were among the Republicans who seized on the anger of Springfield residents to attack Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Months ago, I raised the issue of illegal Haitian immigrants exploiting social services and generally causing chaos throughout Springfield, Ohio,” Vance wrote in a post to X.

Months ago, I addressed the issue of illegal immigrants from Haiti who are exploiting welfare payments and generally causing chaos throughout Springfield, Ohio.

Reports now show that the pets were kidnapped and eaten by people who were not supposed to be in this country. Where is our border czar? pic.twitter.com/rf0EDIeI5i

— JD Vance (@JDVance) 9 September 2024

“Reports say the pets have been kidnapped and eaten by people who don't belong in this country. Where is our border czar?” Vance asked.

Vance's office said the Ohio senator was concerned about the reports in his home state because he had “received a large number of calls and emails from concerned Springfield residents in recent weeks: His tweet is based on what he is hearing from them,” according to comments to the hill.

Hunt, who has represented Texas' 38th congressional district since 2023, also jumped into the fray.

“We cannot allow our pets to become a hot lunch for Kamala's new arrivals,” he declared in a post to X. “This November, you can do your part,” he continued. “Protect the animals. Vote for Trump.”

Springfield police said Sunday they had not received any complaints about animal consumption. Springfield News-Sun.

Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck also said reports that Haitian immigrants are mistreating animals are false and dismissed fears that immigrants would “cause chaos” in his city.

“In response to recent rumors of criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we want to clarify that there are no credible reports or concrete allegations that pets have been injured or mistreated by individuals from the immigrant community,” Heck told the hill“In addition, there are no confirmed cases of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or dumping garbage in front of residents' homes. Furthermore, there are no reports of members of the immigrant community intentionally obstructing traffic.”

Heck made the remarks after sending a letter to the Senate Banking Committee in July expressing concern that Springfield's rapidly growing Haitian population was placing a “significant burden” on his city.

“Springfield's Haitian population has grown to 15,000-20,000 over the past four years, in a community that previously had a population of just under 60,000. This places a significant strain on our resources and our ability to provide adequate housing for all of our residents,” his letter said.

The Biden administration announced in June that it would protect about 309,000 Haitian immigrants living in the U.S. illegally from deportation. The announcement came as the Caribbean island struggles with gang violence. A young American missionary couple was among the killings that took place in the country earlier this year.

Amid the controversy surrounding Ohio's Haitian residents, Donald Trump's eldest son sharply criticized his father's main opponent for “destroying Springfield.”

“Less than three months ago, Kamala Harris and her administration blocked the deportation of 300,000 unvetted Haitian migrants from our country,” Donald Trump Jr. wrote in a post to X. “Today, these unvetted migrants are consuming valuable resources and destroying Springfield, Ohio. Kamala Harris did that.”

At the Springfield City Commission meeting on August 27, residents said the influx of Haitians had overwhelmed the city's Clark County Department of Job and Family Services (JFS).

One woman complained: “We can't get through JFS to do anything. We can't get through. The line is just too long. We've brought in too many people who can come here and apply for free things, and now we're working here and paying taxes every week, for what? What? So we can't get through the doors of Social Security so I can apply for my pension?”

Local resident Anthony Harris claimed Haitian immigrants were “overturning cars in the middle of the street,” while another Springfield woman told the audience that “men who don't speak English were yelling at her and throwing mattresses in her front yard.”

“Look at me, I weigh 95 pounds. I couldn't defend myself if I had to. My husband is old,” she added.

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Other politicians in Springfield claimed that fears of Haitians flooding the city were being fueled by “white racist and anti-democratic movements.”

“White supremacists and anti-democratic movements have always claimed that the so-called black savages are destroying, especially when it comes to political power,” said Erik Crew, an attorney for the Haitian Bridge Alliance and a Cincinnati native with roots in Springfield. “This is no different. This time they are claiming it is Haitians, and this time it is also being used to score political points on immigration.”