After social media posts created a viral frenzy in the town of Springfield, Ohio, Senator and Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance (R-OH) responded to reports of Haitian immigrant-related crimes and disturbances have put a political spotlight on the city as a result of the Biden-Harris border policy.
Since the story broke, there have been a multitude of truths, fabrications, and misleading and unconfirmed reports regarding this scenario. Reports include missing cats, deceased ducks, and increases in vehicular crimes. Some – such as CBS News – have come to deny these claims flat-out, while Sen. Vance has doubled down on his original comments.
However, first, some context: The Springfield News-Sun reported that the town of Springfield, Ohio witnessed a 15,000-20,000 increase in Haitian immigrants in the last five years of the city that recorded just under 60,000 residents in 2020. Moreover, in May, a Haitian immigrant without a valid driver’s license struck a school bus with his minivan, killing an 11-year-old boy in Springfield. He was sentenced to nine to 13.5 years.
Since then, reports of ducks, geese, cats, and dogs killing and eating have surfaced.
NEW: Springfield, Ohio man says Haitian illegals are decap*tating ducks from parks & eating them, accuses commission members of getting paid off for allowing it.
“They're in the park grabbing up ducks by their neck and cutting their head off and walking off with 'em and eating… pic.twitter.com/uE3wI3CXl3
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 8, 2024
🚨Report: Springfield Ohio residents are warning their pets and wildlife like ducks and geese are being eaten by Haitians
One neighbor said she saw her cat being carved up by the Haitians. Another neighbor said a police officer told her this is happening to dogs, ducks and geese pic.twitter.com/vANFMqUAzM
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) September 9, 2024
These posts could not be confirmed true, especially as Springfield Police investigations commander told Forbes there have been “no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
However, after Sen. Vance reminded Americans on social media that he raised the question of the Haitian immigrant influx into Ohio months ago, he has stood by his initial statement that the immigrants are “generally causing chaos” and abducting and eating pets.
In the last several weeks, my office has received many inquiries from actual residents of Springfield who've said their neighbors' pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants. It's possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.
Do you know…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 10, 2024
“In the last several weeks, my office has received many inquiries from actual residents of Springfield who've said their neighbors' pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants. It's possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false,” said Sen. Vance.
He continued by mentioning what he believes to be undeniable facts about the situation.
“Do you know what's confirmed? That a child was murdered by a Haitian migrant who had no right to be here. That local health services have been overwhelmed. That communicable diseases--like TB and HIV--have been on the rise. That local schools have struggled to keep up with newcomers who don't know English. That rents have risen so fast that many Springfield families can't afford to put a roof over their head,” said Vance.
Finally, the VP candidate told reporters and activists to “spare your outrage” for those who are suffering.
“Here is Kamala Harris bragging about giving amnesty to thousands of Haitian migrants. https://x.com/i/status/1833147988765478944… If you're a reporter, or an activist, who didn't give a shit about these suffering Americans until yesterday, I have some advice: Spare your outrage for your fellow citizens suffering under Kamala Harris's policies. Be outraged at yourself for letting this happen.”
This is a developing story.
