Political Coverage and Support for Immigrants Amidst Influxes.
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(NewsNation) — Community leaders in Springfield, Ohio, who are dealing with a surge in immigrant populations, are receiving support from individuals experienced in assisting immigrants in several rural towns. These advocates emphasize that initial challenges often lead to long-term benefits for the community.
While Springfield has gained national attention recently, many towns across the U.S. have been accommodating immigrant influxes for years. This includes immigrants from countries like Haiti who are on Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky in Bowling Green, shared with NewsNation, “When immigrants start coming into a community that has not experienced such inflows, there are always concerns about who they are.” Mbanfu helps immigrants adapt to life in Kentucky, and he considers initial struggles to be a necessary step toward future economic growth.
Springfield’s National Spotlight and Challenges
Springfield attracted media attention after former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance made unfounded claims that some Haitian immigrants were responsible for eating pets in the area. This scrutiny has highlighted other pressing issues, including increased strain on local emergency services and housing resources.
Last week, Trump told NewsNation that he would revoke TPS for Haitian immigrants in Springfield and ensure their return to Haiti. TPS is a federal program that allows migrants from certain countries to live legally in the U.S. during unsafe conditions at home.
“In my opinion, it’s not legal. It’s not legal for anybody to do,” Trump stated.
Mbanfu noted that Bowling Green’s experience mirrors that of Springfield, but Bowling Green had the advantage of addressing its challenges without the pressure of national attention. He believes Springfield deserves the same consideration.
Resource Strain in Springfield and Other Small Towns
As Haitian immigrants began arriving in Springfield, the number of affordable housing vouchers decreased. Many landlords shifted to higher market rents due to increased demand, negatively impacting existing residents dependent on these vouchers, according to Reuters. The town also faces challenges in schools and social services.
Bill Monaghan, a former journalist in Springfield, explained, “It’s causing delays in public safety responses like police, fire, or even emergency services. You go to a site, and no one speaks English.”
This scenario is not unique to Springfield; many small towns have seen similar patterns as immigrant populations grow. Bowling Green has welcomed refugees and immigrants for over 40 years, and currently, 13% of its population is foreign-born.
Mbanfu pointed out that the influx of immigrants in Bowling Green strained local resources and evoked fears similar to those in Springfield. He noted that city leaders have worked hard to provide English language support in schools and health services to newcomers from war-torn nations.
The Economic Contribution of Immigrants
Mbanfu described the adjustment process as time-consuming but necessary. He said, “Some locals didn’t want immigrants. While some of that sentiment remains, there are more people comfortable with immigrants than there were 10 or 15 years ago.” He views these early struggles as an investment in the community’s future, which has already begun to yield positive results in Bowling Green.
Numerous immigrants have started businesses, including restaurants and trucking companies, which employ local residents and contribute economically to the area. According to a 2020 city report, immigrants contributed $564.3 million, or 9.5%, to the county’s GDP through their wages and spending.
Mbanfu hopes to share this perspective with Springfield residents who oppose Haitian immigrants. “We faced the same situation in Bowling Green, but I don’t think the solution is to demonize and stigmatize them. It’s to find ways to support them,” he asserted.
Adapting to Change in Other Communities
In Stoughton, Wisconsin, the foreign-born population increased by about 400 over the past two years, primarily due to Ukrainian refugees arriving after Russia’s invasion in 2022. Kay Weeden co-founded the nonprofit Stoughton Resettlement to assist refugees from Ukraine, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. She highlighted ongoing challenges, including shortages of housing, transportation, and English language services.
“The school district has faced difficulties because we didn’t have the English language learning capacity,” Weeden said. “There are jobs available, but the language barrier poses a challenge.”
Weeden believes that helping immigrants is a fundamental American value. She expressed this sentiment to Springfield’s leaders, Trump, and Vance: “Not long ago, your entire family immigrated to the United States. We are all immigrants trying our best, and these families will enrich your communities.”
Community Reception and Cultural Dynamics
Stoughton has generally welcomed Ukrainian immigrants on TPS, similar to the situation for Haitians in Springfield. However, Weeden noted that the reception may have been warmer because the Ukrainian refugees resemble the town’s predominantly white population.
“Had it been any other ethnicity that looked different from us, it may have been different,” she commented. “That’s upsetting because no one deserves kindness more than anyone else. They’ve all fled from war, violence, and challenging circumstances.”
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