SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — On any given Sunday morning, Haitians gather to worship in their native languages of Creole and some French.

Some Haitian immigrants on a recent Sunday said that while they've made Springfield their home, the past month has not felt like it and the community is apprehensive..

What You Need To Know

  • Springfield, Ohio, has faced national attention in recent weeks after false claims from politicians — including Republican vice presidental candidate JD Vance and former President Donald Trump— that immigrants were stealing and eating other residents' pets

  • Trump used the city as an example during his first presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris

  • Following the claims, city buildings, hospitals, businesses and schools became the subject of more than 30 hoax bomb threats

  • New York 1 anchor Dan Balize is fluent in Creole and French and joined members of the Haitian community in Springfield at Greater Grace Temple

Springfield, Ohio, has faced national attention in recent weeks after false claims from politicians — including Republican vice presidental candidate JD Vance and former President Donald Trump — that immigrants were stealing and eating other residents' pets.

Trump used the city as an example of immigration issues during his first presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. Officials, including Springfield's mayor, chief of police and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who recently published an op-ed in the New York Times addressing Springfield's current climate, have confirmed to Spectrum News that the allegations are false and have no support for the claims.

Following the claims, city buildings, hospitals, businesses and schools became the subject of more than 30 hoax bomb threats resulting in Ohio State Highway Patrol officers sweeping schools and the mayor issuing a formal proclamation granting him temporary emergency powers.

Some community members have bonded together to show support for the Haitian community and its businesses.

Haitian community members say they want to put the ordeal behind them.

New York 1 anchor Dan Balize is fluent in Creole and French and joined members of the Haitian community in Springfield at Greater Grace Temple to speak with them.

"Right now, I'm stressed and anguished with news about this," said Jesner Dorval, an immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 2020.

Dorval worked as a social studies and literature professor in Haiti, but his degrees are not valid in the U.S. He currently works for an auto parts manufacturer.

"You have to take what you can get," Dorval said. 

Immigrants continue to fill the workforce in Springfield, leaving their home country for security and more freedom before this recent political controversy.

"Sometimes you want to go out, you can't go out to do anything," said Derisard Joseph.

Another immigrant said morale in the community is dropping.

"Haitians are not a violent people," said Jonasse Elie. "We don't deserve this." 

Many in the community who had the opportunity have already left the city.

"If I could leave the area, I would leave," said Joseph.

Community members said they would like Trump to research the impact Haitian immigrants have brought to the nation, contributions they say go back to the Revolutionary War when Haitians fought alongside French soldiers in the Battle of Savannah.

They added that Haitian culture is sophisticated with the culture of their food.

"We are very serious about our food," said Dorval. "Meat, chicken, pork, goat and fish — Haitians have good taste."

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