When my oldest son hangs out with his friends, Dennis and Isaiah, they don’t ask him for proof of citizenship. They know his family traditions are different, but they always include him, even if he sometimes doesn’t understand everything happening around him.
Despite a significant language barrier, they make their friendship work because they genuinely care. I can’t say for certain if my son has ever eaten domesticated dogs or cats, but his friends love him more than they fear any cultural differences.
This refusal to embrace our differences goes against one of America’s greatest ideals.
Recently, I have observed my fellow Republicans trying to justify political lies about immigration in Springfield, Ohio. The Republican candidates for president and vice president have made claims that Haitian immigrants are eating pets, including cats and dogs.
These claims surfaced alongside a viral video featuring Alexis Ferrell, who was arrested in August for allegedly killing and eating a cat near Canton, Ohio, which is about 150 miles from Springfield. However, Ferrell is not Haitian and is not a migrant. She is also using insanity as a defense against the charges.
Republican Candidates Create Stories
When asked about the situation, J.D. Vance stated, “If I have to create stories so that the American media pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
Springfield does face a real immigration challenge. But using political exaggeration only makes the situation worse.
Haitian immigrants have fled to the United States to escape severe poverty and political violence. Most have entered the country through President Joe Biden’s legal pathways, such as work permits under Temporary Protected Status.
Over the past few years, about 15,000 Haitians have moved to Springfield. They now make up nearly 20% of the population and 15% of the workforce.
This rapid growth has put pressure on local infrastructure.
Addressing Community Challenges
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has acknowledged the challenges in the community. “When you go from a population of 58,000 and add 15,000 people, you’re going to have some challenges and problems,” DeWine said. “And we’re addressing those.”
This raises important questions for Americans to discuss. We can talk about how to protect asylum seekers and how long these protections should last. The asylum process needs to be reviewed, and Congress should discuss the resources needed to help accommodate many migrants quickly.
These issues are not new. Immigration has been a significant concern for decades.
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