During a recent interview, former President Donald Trump announced that, if elected, he would work to deport Haitian migrants currently residing legally in Springfield, Ohio. Speaking at a Texas fundraising event with NewsNation’s Ali Bradley, Trump expressed his intentions to eliminate the federal program that provides temporary protected status (TPS) to Haitian immigrants in the area. Trump, who has made Springfield a focal point in his campaign, previously alleged that Haitian migrants in the town were straining local resources, even claiming they were resorting to eating local wildlife and pets.
Since these statements, tensions in Springfield have escalated. Reports indicate that bomb threats have been made against local buildings, and a Haitian nonprofit organization has filed criminal charges in response to Trump’s remarks. Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, joined him in highlighting what they describe as a strain on Springfield due to the influx of Haitian migrants, a stance that has attracted both support and controversy.
In his interview, Trump claimed that around 30,000 to 32,000 Haitian immigrants reside in Springfield, a city with a population of approximately 58,000. However, local officials, including Republican Mayor Rob Rue, estimate the actual number to be closer to 12,000 to 15,000. When asked if he would consider revoking the temporary protected status of these migrants, Trump confirmed that he would “absolutely” revoke it, intending to send them back to Haiti, where he asserts they would be “received.”
The issue has led Springfield’s city government to revise its public meeting policies in an attempt to prevent further misrepresentation of the town. New rules, reported by Dayton’s WDTN, restrict public comment to Clark County residents and require speakers to show proof of residency and complete a comment card before speaking.
Since 2022, Springfield has seen an influx of Haitian migrants under TPS, a program that allows individuals from countries facing severe instability to remain in the U.S. legally. Trump’s statements about rescinding this status have sparked fears among migrant communities in Ohio, with many expressing concern about their future should he return to office. Trump’s approach to immigration remains a divisive issue, with supporters praising his strict stance while advocates for immigrant rights argue it threatens communities who have legally established their lives in the U.S.
With his ongoing campaign, Trump has continued to focus on immigration as a key issue, using Springfield’s Haitian population as an example of what he describes as a need for stronger immigration policies. Whether or not this proposed approach will resonate with voters remains to be seen, but Trump’s stance is certain to spark further discussion as the election progresses.