White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby has strongly criticized “dangerous” false claims spread by some Republican officials, including GOP Senate nominee JD Vance of Ohio. These claims falsely suggest that Haitian immigrants in an Ohio town are involved in killing and eating pets.
Overview: The rumors, which circulated widely on social media, were fueled by criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris’ border policies from several lawmakers and public figures. However, officials in Springfield, Ohio, have confirmed that they have received no credible reports supporting these allegations.
A spokesperson for the Springfield Police Division stated that the department has not received any specific claims of pets being harmed or abused by immigrants. The spokesperson also noted that there have been no reports of immigrants overturning vehicles, disrupting traffic, or engaging in other disruptive behaviors.
Details: Kirby expressed deep concern about the spread of these conspiracy theories, labeling them as attempts to divide people through lies and elements of racism. He warned that such misinformation is dangerous, as it could lead to harmful actions by those who believe and act on these falsehoods.
The rumors, which included allegations of migrants eating cats and birds, may have originated from a Facebook post in a Springfield group. The post claimed that a neighbor’s cat was found dead in a Haitian neighbor’s yard, allegedly in preparation to be eaten. The post also mentioned “rangers” and “police” reporting missing ducks and geese.
In addition, unrelated body camera footage from Canton, Ohio, showing a woman accused of killing a cat, was mistakenly linked to the claims about immigrants.
Political Reactions: Vance, who had previously raised concerns about Haitian immigrants causing chaos in Springfield, tweeted on Monday that recent reports claim pets have been abducted and eaten by immigrants. He questioned the role of the “border czar” and encouraged continued discussion despite the possibility that the rumors may be false.
Elon Musk amplified the rumors by sharing posts and an AI-generated image of a kitten and duckling on his social media account, urging followers to “Save them!” Senator Ted Cruz also shared a meme suggesting a vote for Trump to prevent Haitian immigrants from causing harm.
The Trump campaign issued a statement alleging that 20,000 Haitian migrants have been sent to Springfield, although this claim has not been substantiated.
Local Impact: Springfield, with a 2020 Census population of 58,662, has seen a recent increase in migrant arrivals. The city’s website estimates that 12,000-15,000 immigrants live in Clark County, with many here legally under the Immigration Parole Program and eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The Ohio Attorney General’s office, led by Dave Yost, has announced that it is exploring ways to limit the number of migrants sent to Ohio communities, citing concerns about Springfield’s growth due to migration.
Conclusion: The spread of false claims about Haitian immigrants has sparked significant controversy and political debate, highlighting ongoing tensions over immigration and misinformation.