Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine offered one of the most vociferous defenses of Haitian immigrants in Springfield yet from a Republican as their presence in the city becomes a chief point of criticism from former President Donald Trump.
Speaking to “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz, DeWine repeatedly noted that the immigrants are in Ohio legally and praised their work ethic, stridently swatting away claims that they are eating neighbors’ pets — unsubstantiated conspiracy theories promoted by Trump and his allies.
“I think it’s unfortunate that this came up. Let me tell you what we do know, though. What we know is that the Haitians who are in Springfield are legal. They came to Springfield to work. Ohio is on the move, and Springfield has really made a great resurgence with a lot of companies coming in. These Haitians came in to work for these companies,” DeWine said.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Haitian immigrants on “This Week.”
ABC News
“What the companies tell us is that they are very good workers. They’re very happy to have them there, and frankly, that’s helped the economy. Now, are there problems connected? Well, sure. When you go from a population of 58,000 and add 15,000 people onto that, you’re going to have some challenges and some problems. And we’re addressing those,” he added.
Conspiracy theories about the immigrants spread online have made their way to national politics, breaking through when Trump claimed in his debate with Democratic opponent Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday that Haitians in Springfield were eating neighbors’ dogs and cats.
“Look, there’s a lot of garbage on the internet and, you know, this is a piece of garbage that was simply not true. There’s no evidence of this at all,” DeWine said on “This Week.”
The fallout spread beyond politics over the past week as bomb threats and other threats of violence were reported in Springfield — prompting a strong rebuke from DeWine.
“There are hate groups coming into Springfield. We don’t need these hate groups. I saw a piece of literature yesterday that the mayor told me about from purportedly the KKK. Look, Springfield is a good city. They are good people. They are welcoming people. We have challenges every day. We are working on those challenges,” DeWine said.
“This idea that we have hate groups coming in, this discussion just has to stop. We need to focus on moving forward and not dogs and cats being eaten. It’s just ridiculous,” he added.
DeWine last week announced the state would send more resources to Springfield. His office said local primary caregivers have been impacted due to an increased number of patients and lack of translation services. DeWine has authorized $2.5 million to go toward expanding primary care access for the city of Springfield, while calling for more federal help.
When pressed by Raddatz on how to square his defense of immigrants in Springfield with Trump’s comments about them, on top of recent incorrect claims at the debate that he in fact won the 2020 election, the Ohio governor said Americans trust Trump on the economy and other issues.
“I’ve said before we knew who the nominee was going to be, I would support the Republican nominee for president. I am a Republican. I think if you look at the economy, these are issues that I think the American people are most concerned about. I think that Donald Trump is the best choice,” he said.
“Look, there’s these are legitimate problems that we have on the border. I’m not minimizing that at all. And those are legitimate arguments where the vast majority the American people agree with Donald Trump, and not the vice president, [Kamala Harris],” he added. “But what’s going on in Springfield is just fundamentally different. These people are here legally. They came to work.”
Republican Governor Mike DeWine has recently come out in support of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, emphasizing their strong work ethic and contributions to the community. DeWine’s stance on immigration is a departure from the hardline anti-immigrant rhetoric often associated with his party, and it highlights the positive impact that immigrants can have on local economies.
In a recent speech, Governor DeWine praised the Haitian immigrants in Springfield for their dedication to hard work and their willingness to take on jobs that many others in the community might not want. He emphasized that these immigrants play a crucial role in filling labor shortages in industries such as agriculture and manufacturing, helping to keep local businesses running smoothly.
DeWine also pointed out that many Haitian immigrants in Springfield are highly skilled workers, with backgrounds in fields such as healthcare, education, and technology. He highlighted the importance of welcoming these individuals into the community and providing them with opportunities to thrive and succeed.
The governor’s support for Haitian immigrants in Springfield comes at a time when immigration policy is a hotly debated topic in the United States. While some politicians and pundits continue to push for stricter immigration laws and increased border security, DeWine’s stance serves as a reminder of the valuable contributions that immigrants can make to society.
In addition to his public statements of support, Governor DeWine has also taken concrete actions to help Haitian immigrants in Springfield. He has worked to streamline the process for obtaining work permits and visas, making it easier for immigrants to find employment and contribute to the local economy. DeWine has also advocated for increased funding for English language classes and job training programs, helping immigrants to further develop their skills and integrate into the community.
Overall, Governor DeWine’s support for Haitian immigrants in Springfield sends a powerful message about the importance of embracing diversity and recognizing the valuable contributions that immigrants make to our society. By highlighting the work ethic and skills of these individuals, DeWine is helping to break down stereotypes and promote a more inclusive and welcoming community for all residents.
