Immigration

Their community is reeling — confused, frustrated, hurt — from false accusations that they are eating their neighbor’s cats and dogs. The now viral and highly politicized rumors are being fueled by former President Donald Trump, his running mate JD Vance and others, and violent threats against the community are upending daily life in their city.

The father of 11-year-old Aiden Clark, of Springfield, Ohio, who was killed last year when a Haitian immigrant hit a school bus, is imploring Donald Trump and other politicians to stop invoking his son's name in the debate about immigration.

Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday he will send at least $2.5 million in state assistance to Springfield, a western Ohio city home to a community of Haitian immigrants.

Local police say they've seen no evidence of crimes against pets alleged by Vance and GOP allies. The claims appear to have been spread by a neo-Nazi group before gaining a wider audience online.

Lead researcher on the project Arati Maleku said for immigrants and refugees, belonging basically means going from surviving to thriving.

Springfield has had a population of Haitian immigrants for a decade. But, recent increases in immigration and a community tragedy have sparked tensions over their presence in the small city.

Some Ohio small cities are seeing a surge in Haitian immigration to their communities. Churches and local nonprofits are creating the infrastructure to welcome them.

Springfield, Ohio's migrant surge sparks heated debate. Critics, including Trump's VP pick JD Vance, see the city as a cautionary tale of unchecked immigration. Supporters argue for economic benefits.

What can be done at the local, state and federal levels to solve the immigration crisis?

Politicians on the right often bring up crime when discussing immigration but research shows that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than people born in the U.S.