Ohio’s Governor, Mike DeWine, has announced that he will be sending law enforcement officials and millions of dollars worth of health care resources to Springfield, a city currently at the center of national attention due to its influx of Haitian illegal immigrants. The governor, who is a Republican, said he does not object to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program under which around 15,000 Haitians have arrived in Springfield since 2020. However, he emphasized that the federal government must do more to help communities affected by the surge in migration.
DeWine made this statement during a news conference on September 10th, in which he explained that “dramatic surges” of undocumented immigrants have a significant impact on every citizen within the community. He also mentioned that other Ohio cities like Lima and Findlay are experiencing similar influxes.
The governor stressed the importance of federal involvement in managing this issue, stating that it is the responsibility of the government to help tackle the problem caused by its own policies. The surge in migration affects various aspects of daily life, such as increased waiting times at healthcare facilities and more crowded classrooms in schools.
In response to the situation, DeWine announced that the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be dispatched on September 11th to assist local police with traffic issues in Springfield. Reports from city officials and social media indicate that Haitian drivers are often involved in accidents and crashes within the area. The governor’s goal is to reduce dangerous driving practices, regardless of who the driver may be.
In addition to this measure, DeWine has allocated $2.5 million over two years for improved primary healthcare services through the county health department and private institutions. This funding aims to address the increased demand on healthcare resources caused by the growing population in Springfield.
Controversy regarding the influx of Haitian immigrants in Springfield began earlier this month, with some social media users claiming that these new arrivals were eating people’s pets and ducks from a local park. Concerned residents spoke at town hall meetings, expressing their discontent with the situation. Videos of these discussions were shared online, where immigrants were accused of causing chaos in Springfield by frequently crashing their vehicles, camping on private property, squatting in local homes, and struggling to communicate in English or assimilate into American culture.
Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), the Republican vice presidential nominee, also commented on the matter on social media, stating that “people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.” He added that immigrants are allegedly causing chaos throughout Springfield. In a newer post, Vance acknowledged that these rumors may not be true and could potentially turn out to be false.
Springfield Strategic Engagement Manager Karen Graves told The Epoch Times that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed by individuals within the immigrant community. Requests for comment from the Springfield Police Division have yet to be returned.
Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security announced a TPS program for Haitians who arrived in the United States before June 3rd, including those who entered the country illegally, protecting them from deportation back to Haiti. DeWine’s family operates a charity in Haiti that has built a network of schools, some of which have been forced to close due to the escalating gang violence in the country.
Haiti is considered the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and has faced significant challenges since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021. Gang warfare continues to plague the nation, with ongoing unrest and a weak healthcare infrastructure. The U.S. Embassy currently lists Haiti as a “Level 4—Do Not Travel” country due to crime, kidnappings, general unrest, and poor health care services.
