Bomb Threat in City Central to Trump Immigration Controversies Sparks Evacuation, Reports Reuters

By Julio-Cesar Chavez

In Springfield, Ohio, city hall was evacuated on Thursday following a bomb threat, which came just two days after former President Donald Trump made controversial remarks that have placed the city in the midst of a national debate regarding immigration.

The local government announced the evacuation via social media, stating, “Due to a bomb threat that was issued to multiple facilities throughout Springfield today, City Hall is closed.” Mayor Rob Rue indicated that the threat appeared to stem from a local resident expressing frustration over immigration issues.

While police were deployed outside city hall, the surrounding area remained largely unaffected by the evacuation.

Springfield, a city of approximately 62,000 residents, has gained attention recently after Trump and other Republican politicians made unfounded assertions about immigrants, including claims regarding the consumption of pets. Local officials have stated that there have been no incidents supporting these rumors.

The city has welcomed around 15,000 Haitian immigrants in recent years, which has stimulated the local economy but also placed pressure on schools and social services. Despite rising wages, local authorities report no increase in crime.

Leaders within the Haitian American community expressed concerns for their safety following Trump’s claims made during a recent debate, which suggested that Haitian immigrants were involved in pet consumption.

This allegation marks yet another instance in a series of misleading statements throughout Trump’s political career.

The rumor reportedly began with social media posts implying that missing household pets were being eaten by immigrants. One such post’s author, Erika Lee, indicated that she was motivated to write it after hearing from a neighbor.

The neighbor, Kimberly Newton, relayed that she had heard the claim from multiple sources, although it remains unclear if anyone witnessed such an incident firsthand.

JD Vance, Trump’s running mate and Ohio U.S. Senator, has also repeated negative assertions about Haitian immigrants, who are legally residing in the U.S. and permitted to work. On Thursday, he claimed that the influx of Haitian immigrants was adversely affecting Springfield’s quality of life.

In response to these comments, Florida Democratic state Representative Marie Woodson, a Haitian immigrant herself, criticized Trump for attempting to vilify the community for his political advantage.

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment regarding the ongoing situation.

A study conducted by the Cato Institute in 2021 noted that Haitian immigrants are more likely to be employed than native-born Americans, although they also face higher rates of poverty. The Census Bureau indicates that around half of the 1.1 million Haitian Americans in the U.S. are immigrants, predominantly residing in states such as Florida and New York, with a growing number relocating to places like Ohio for work opportunities.

Civic leaders in Springfield assert that these new residents help fill job vacancies and establish businesses, although some long-standing residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the rapid changes to their community. Tensions have escalated, with white supremacist groups reportedly marching through the town during a recent jazz festival.

Steevenson Persona, 28, a Haitian immigrant in Springfield since 2018, recounted an incident where he was threatened during a parking dispute. He expressed concern, saying, “If these things keep getting worse, I have to leave the city or find somewhere else."