Former Ohio Senator JD Vance has faced backlash for spreading an unfounded claim regarding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, suggesting they are abducting and eating pets. This assertion, which local police have deemed baseless, originated from far-right activists before being echoed by Vance during a social media post aimed at attacking Vice President Kamala Harris.
Vance’s statement came amidst a rise in tensions in Springfield, a city that has welcomed a significant number of Haitian migrants over the past four years. In his post on X, Vance remarked on reported incidents of pet abductions, questioning the absence of a border czar, a term Republicans use to criticize Harris, who oversees matters related to migration.
The Springfield News-Sun quickly responded to Vance’s claim, citing local police who stated that such incidents were “not on our radar.” The unverified assertion appeared to have circulated in a local Facebook group before being picked up by various political figures, resulting in further amplification by right-wing commentators and social media influencers.
The claim has historical roots in racist narratives targeting Haitian immigrants, who have been subjected to numerous unfounded accusations, including the suggestion that they are involved in criminal activities and public health concerns. Prominent local figures, such as Republican committee woman Glenda Bailey, have made inflammatory remarks linking Haitian migrants to diseases and crime.
Following Vance’s post, community leader Denise Williams reported receiving a flood of hateful messages, pressuring her safety as she advocates for the local Haitian community. The Haitian-American Foundation for Democracy condemned Vance and other Republicans for perpetuating what they call dangerous falsehoods that incite division and threaten vulnerable communities.
In response to critiques regarding his claims, Vance noted that many residents of Springfield had expressed concerns about pet disappearances attributed to Haitian migrants, while also referencing a tragic incident involving a Haitian driver and a fatal traffic accident. He ended his remarks by encouraging his supporters to continue sharing memes related to the narrative, dismissing the media’s criticism.
As the situation develops, local law enforcement emphasizes that such fear-mongering is not helpful in fostering community unity.