Cities across the United States are increasingly concerned about Haitian migration. The rise in anti-Black immigrant rhetoric from the Republican Party has fueled public anxiety. From Enterprise, Alabama, to Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Haitian immigrants are facing misinformation and xenophobia, largely influenced by former President Donald Trump.
In Enterprise, Alabama, residents have expressed worries about the influx of Haitian migrants arriving under the Department of Homeland Security’s humanitarian parole program. At a recent town meeting, community members raised concerns about housing shortages, crime, and job competition. Their fears intensified after Trump’s remarks at a September rally, where he falsely claimed that Haitian migrants were involved in various crimes, including pet theft.
“I don’t think they should be here under the program,” said Jay Palmer, a labor trafficking expert. He has been discussing the situation with community organizations across Alabama. “But they are here, and we have to do something because it is tearing our communities apart. Many more are coming.”
Although many Haitian migrants arrived legally under the federal program, locals worry that their presence is straining resources. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville recently wrote a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, labeling the situation a “crisis.” He claimed that rural towns like Enterprise are not equipped to handle the influx of Haitian parolees. Similar concerns were echoed in Sylacauga, Alabama, where a city council meeting ended abruptly due to residents’ fears of potential civil unrest.
Misinformation Spreads in Small Towns
The anti-immigrant sentiment is not confined to Alabama. In Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Trump criticized the local Haitian community at a rally, questioning if the town has changed due to the migrants’ presence. His comments sparked fear similar to that in Springfield, Ohio, where similar statements led to bomb threats and evacuations.
“Has your beautiful town changed?” Trump asked the crowd in Charleroi, insinuating that Haitian migrants had turned the town into a hub of “lawless gangs.” Despite local officials, including Republican State Senator Camera Bartolotta, refuting these claims, the damage has already been done.
“They are here legally,” Bartolotta stated on social media, urging residents to verify facts before spreading misinformation.
Despite these clarifications, many community members remain susceptible to fearmongering. During Trump’s Indiana rally earlier this month, attendees shouted, “send them back!” in response to his comments about Haitians, reflecting a growing anti-immigrant sentiment in small towns across the U.S.
Fear, Not Facts
The effects of Trump’s rhetoric are most evident in Springfield, Ohio, where fear of Haitian migrants has peaked. After Trump falsely claimed that Haitian migrants were stealing and eating pets, chaos ensued, including bomb threats and social unrest.
Local leaders and activists have voiced their frustration over the misinformation. “This rhetoric is dangerous,” said Joe Manning, the borough manager of Charleroi. “We don’t want our town to become the next Springfield.”
However, the fallout from Trump’s statements reaches beyond Ohio and Pennsylvania. In Alabama, where Haitian migration has surged due to the parole program, towns like Enterprise and Sylacauga are struggling to maintain calm amid growing hostility towards Black immigrants.
The parole program, meant to offer temporary legal status to migrants fleeing crises in countries like Haiti, has sparked controversy. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nearly 530,000 people have entered the U.S. under the program, including over 214,000 Haitians. Many are settling in smaller towns, raising concerns about these communities’ capacity to accommodate the newcomers.
In Enterprise, worries about housing and cultural tensions have filled town hall meetings with concerned residents. Police Chief Michael Moore informed attendees that there is no evidence linking migrants to rising crime, but skepticism remains prevalent. As misinformation fueled by anti-immigrant rhetoric spreads, local officials are working hard to ease constituents’ fears.
Haitian Communities Push Back
Despite the legality of many Haitian immigrants in these communities, they are often depicted as a threat. “These aren’t sanctuary cities,” Palmer said, a sentiment echoed by many in Alabama. “But we’ve been forced into this role.”
For Haitians living in these areas, the increasing hostility is alarming. At a recent meeting in Enterprise, Zulma Fleury, a Haitian-American who has lived in Alabama for over 40 years, called for tolerance and understanding. “I love this town, but I’m scared now,” Fleury said. “The xenophobic language is getting worse.”
In response to rising anti-immigrant sentiment, efforts to counter harmful rhetoric have intensified. Representative Steven Horsford, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, moved to censure GOP Rep. Clay Higgins for his inflammatory remarks, where he referred to Haitian immigrants as “thugs” in a now-deleted tweet. Horsford and other Democrats emphasized that such rhetoric endangers Black and immigrant communities nationwide, calling for immediate action from Congress.
Last Thursday, members of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) condemned the fear gripping the Haitian and Haitian-American communities. They outlined plans to mobilize Haitian-American voters and pursue legal action against those spreading harmful rhetoric.
In New York, the Haitian community responded to Trump’s remarks during a counter-rally outside the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where the former president was speaking.
“We demand a formal apology from the Trump campaign and a restatement of the true facts,” said Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages during the rally. “We will not tolerate dehumanizing lies about our community.”
“Our community can effect real change in this election, but we must show up at the polls,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida’s District 20 during NHAEON’s virtual press conference last week. “This isn’t just about responding to threats. It’s about using our votes to protect our rights and ensure our voices are heard.”
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