COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov, DeWine is laying out actions that he says the state will take in order to help the community that resides in Springefield. DeWine also criticized the federal government for not doing enough to provide for the immigrant influx happening in the Buckeye State. Ohio has been a safe haven for refugees seeking asylum for several years. He called a press conference to make new announcements that include help from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
“I want the people of Springfield and Clark County to know that as we move forward, we will continue to do everything we can to help the community deal with this surge of migrants,” Gov. DeWine said in a public release. “The federal government has not demonstrated that they have any kind of plan to deal with the issue. We will not walk away.”
Some Republicans have been spreading information on the internet that the federal government is sending a large amount of Haitian immigrants to Springfield. Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance even suggested refugees in Springfield are allegedly consuming pets. This is a claim that local authorities have confirmed is not true. DeWine says what’s prompting his actions is simply the uptick in the number of Haitian immigrants who have come to Springfield over the years, and not the headlines that have put the city in the national spotlight over the last several days.
“Local officials have talked about people who live in Springfield, have talked about different things that might appear on the internet,” DeWine said. “While things can appear on the internet. But, they have talked about those and they have said that they have not seen evidence of that.”
DeWine says the refugees don’t have access to primary health care. But, these refugees don’t have prior experience driving. So, DeWine’s teaming up with the highway patrol and the county health department to help alleviate those issues. DeWine announced $2.5 million dollars over the next two years to expand primary care for refugees to gain access to proper health care. DeWine also announced more state troopers on the ground to assist local police to help with traffic. He says it will help Springfield counteract crime and better serve the local community.
DeWine says the Federal Reserve needs to allocate money toward helping Springfield and other communities that have similar issues.
“The federal government needs to assist these communities with funding because these dramatic migrant surges impact every citizen in the community. The moms who have to wait hours in a waiting room with a sick child, everyone who drives on our streets, and the children who go to school in more crowded classrooms,” Gov. DeWine said. “The federal government does not have a plan to give any support to the communities impacted by surges, and we have absolutely no indication that a plan is coming in the near future.”
DeWine did not directly address JD Vance’s post on social media that suggested people have had their pets eaten by others who shouldn’t be in this country. He maintains his focus is on helping the community in Springfield, Ohio. He is also hoping to provide funding to Clark State College for services to teach English to Haitians..
On Wednesday, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be dispatched to help local law enforcement with traffic issues that officials say have cropped up due to an increase in Haitians unfamiliar with U.S. traffic laws using the roads. DeWine said he is also earmarking $2.5 million over two years to provide more primary health care through the county health department and private health care institutions.
DeWine's family operates a charity in Haiti in honor of their late daughter, Becky, who died in a car accident. He said the Haitians who have moved to Ohio are generally hard-working people who love their families and who are seeking to escape the violence in their home country for good jobs in Ohio.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.