Leaders in Springfield, Ohio, appear to have shunned the media, issuing only carefully crafted statements about issues related to the recent influx of Haitian immigrants.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, perhaps up to 20,000 Haitians have been relocated to Springfield, a city that normally has around 60,000 residents. In other words, the city's population has swelled by a third in recent years, and many of the new residents appear to have struggled to assimilate to local customs regarding animals and housing.
“I don't know how people can be comfortable with this.”
Former President Donald Trump also addressed animals during Tuesday's debate.
“In Springfield, they eat the dogs. They eat the people who come in.” Trump“They're eating cats. They're eating the pets of the people who live there. This is what's happening in our country and it's unfortunate.”
Democratic opponent Kamala Harris shook her head and laughed in condescending disbelief.
ABC News host David Muir quickly denied Trump's claims, citing Springfield Mayor Brian Heck's statement that the city had “no credible reports of specific allegations that pets were harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
– YouTubeLearn more
'I [saw] There was a group of about four Haitians there, all with geese in their hands.
While much of the national attention about Haitian immigrants and possible animal cruelty has focused on dogs and cats, there have also been other disturbing allegations involving wild animals. Reports have said that Haitians are capturing and possibly slaughtering wild animals, including ducks and geese, from public places like parks.
“They're grabbing the ducks in the park by the neck, cutting their heads off and taking them away and eating them,” Anthony Harris, 28, of Springfield, alleged at a city commission meeting late last month.
“I don't know how you guys can be convinced by this,” Harris said of any issue related to Haitian immigrants.
– YouTube
Federalist Also released was an audio of a phone call made to Springfield police on Aug. 26 in which about four Haitians were reported to have taken one geese each and fled in a “newer model” Toyota Tacoma.
“I [saw] “There was a group of about four Haitians, all holding geese,” the man told the correspondent.
So far, local leaders have offered few details about the veracity of these reports about the geese and ducks, and most of the mainstream media has more or less taken these leaders at their word.
As David Muir noted, Springfield Mayor Brian Heck's office released a statement saying, Pets Being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
Cleveland.com It also published at least part of Heck's statement: It's unclear whether Cleveland.com published the full statement from Heck's office, but the excerpt from the statement in the media report makes no mention of any allegations regarding untamed animals.
Heck recently video The video was created to address “the stories surrounding our city” and yet again, there is no mention of the accusations of violence and theft against wildlife. In fact, there is no mention of animals at all.
Instead, Heck devotes more than a third of the video, or about a minute and 10 seconds, to the city’s “Diverse “Strong industrial base” and “labor force.”
Heck is most precise in identifying allegations of wrongdoing within the Haitian immigrant community when he refers vaguely to “rumors” and “misinformation amplified by the political rhetoric of the current tense presidential election cycle.”
Heck never reveals what those “rumors” or “misinformation” are.
“We are experiencing challenges associated with a rapid increase in our immigrant population, but these challenges are primarily due to pace He also acknowledged that his city has placed a significant “strain” on its “resources,” but never directly linked this strain to a growing immigrant population.
Megyn Kelly explained: Glenn Beckhost of The Glenn Beck Program Blaze TVHeck's comments hardly mean that the allegations about the animals have been “denied.”
“It's up to you whether or not you accept your pet's testimony,” Kelly said.[but] The fact is, they haven't been denied. We have a mayor who says he can't prove any of it. He hasn't found any evidence. But that doesn't mean it didn't happen.”
Allegations regarding pets aside, The Blaze-News wanted more answers about whether Heck or other Springfield officials had heard about the alleged wildlife attacks, and was hoping to be provided with a copy of Heck's full statement.
The BlazeNews made multiple calls to City Hall, attempting to leave messages with Heck, Mayor Rob Lew and seven other officials who might be able to answer some of our outstanding questions.
Seven of those calls were abruptly disconnected due to the mailbox being “full.” The Blaze News managed to leave messages with City Clerk Regina Jeffers, Minority Business Coordinator Reg Troutman and Communications Coordinator Valerie Rowe. None of the calls were returned.
In addition to the allegations about animals, other disturbing reports about Haitian immigrants in Springfield relate to housing: In some cases, immigrant families are renting out rooms in two- or three-bedroom homes, allowing property owners to essentially double or triple their rental income by cramming multiple families into one home.
Blaze-News investigative reporter Julio Rosas, who visited Springfield, said on a recent episode of The Glenn Beck Show that in some cases Springfield landlords are receiving as much as $200 a week per bed in their properties, which can result in overcrowded housing that could violate state fire codes. Building Occupancy Rate.
“When you have that many people crammed into a two-bedroom, one-bedroom home, with 15 people inside, it's a fire hazard,” Rosas explained, “yet the city refuses to enforce the rules.”
“Residents feel like the city commission is not listening to their issues or willing to do anything about it,” Rosas continued.
The Blaze-News reached out to Springfield Fire Chief Jacob King about allegations that the city is condoning fire code violations. King put us in touch with one of the employees whose mailboxes were “full,” Karen Graves, director of strategic communications for the city of Springfield.
Despite the relative silence from local officials, state-level leaders have voiced concern over a number of issues related to Haitian immigrants in Springfield. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) announced Monday that he is exploring legal options to limit the number of immigrants the federal government brings into Ohio.
“As well as straining available resources, local residents complain that migrants are causing car accidents. Theft of property (including livestockstaying in the house Killing wild animals for foodYost's press release I have taken note.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted The Republican also addressed immigration issues, claiming in a statement on X that he met with “local officials” who reported issues including “language barriers,” infectious diseases, highway safety and health care costs. Husted did not list potential animal abuse or overcrowding among his concerns.
Governor Mike DeWine Republican Governor DeWine appears to consider the problem of “inexperienced Haitian drivers” in Springfield so dangerous that he has authorized state police to help direct traffic in the area. Ohio Highway Patrol “troopers will patrol local roads with the highest accident rates and hold accountable drivers who drive erratically and endanger the safety of others,” DeWine said.
Despite the clear recognition that some Haitian immigrants pose a threat to public safety, Governor DeWine and Major Garrett CBS News He laughed off other accusations about Haitians and animals.
Garrett signaled his limited interest in the issue, saying Wednesday that his organization “found absolutely no truth” to the idea that Haitians are attacking pets, then derisively asked Gov. DeWine, “Governor, I never thought I'd ask this question: Are there any illegal aliens or legal citizens in the state of Ohio? [or] Are Ohio residents illegally eating dogs and cats?
In 2018, President Trump signed a bill banning the consumption of dogs and cats, making it illegal in almost all cases, although the law does make exceptions for religious or cultural practices. IndyStar Reported.
Still, DeWine grinned as he suggested the claims were just internet bluster. “The internet can get pretty crazy sometimes,” DeWine said. “And as Mayor Lou of Springfield said, there's no truth to it. They have no evidence of it whatsoever.”
“So I'm going to follow what the mayor says.”
In the ensuing discussion, Garrett suggested that Haitian immigrants might soon become victims, and that Trump's allegations about pets during his debate with Kamala Harris may have fueled bigoted attacks against Haitians.
“Governor, aren't you concerned that the scapegoating rhetoric people have heard will put immigrant communities at further risk? [at the debate]”?” he asked.
Governor DeWine responded by praising Haitian immigrants for their indomitable work ethic.
“Haitians came to work because there were jobs available, and they filled a lot of jobs,” DeWine said. “When you talk to the employers, they have very good jobs and they work very hard.”
Governor DeWine did not comment on the hardworking nature of Springfield natives or other Americans living in the state.
DeWine and Garrett cited issues related to disease and health care, with DeWine even likening the influx of migrants to a “natural disaster.”
DeWine also cited threats to public safety, particularly regarding traffic, with some new residents reportedly driving on city roads without proper licenses or adhering to speed limits and other vehicle regulations.
Last year, a Haitian immigrant killed an 11-year-old Springfield boy when he was hit by a school bus on his way to school. The immigrant, 36-year-old Hermanio Joseph, was later arrested. Convicted He was sentenced to nine to 13 1/2 years in prison for manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
As previously reported by The Blaze News, the boy's father, Nathan Clark, recently said at a city commission meeting that he wished a “60-year-old white man” had killed his son, Aiden Clark, instead of Joseph, a Haitian immigrant.
“I never thought someone would be so forthright,” Clark said. “But if [60-year-old white] When a man killed my 11-year-old son, the hate-spewing mob left us alone.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censorship and sign up for our newsletter to receive stories like this directly to your inbox. Register here!
