Springfield, Sep 14 (V7N)– Former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump has pledged to deport Haitian immigrants if he wins the upcoming presidential election. Trump made the announcement during a press conference at a resort he owns near Los Angeles on Friday, triggering widespread concern, particularly in the city of Springfield, Ohio, where many Haitian immigrants reside.

“All illegal immigrants in Springfield, Ohio will be deported,” Trump told reporters, as reported by Reuters. However, in a controversial and baseless claim during Tuesday’s election debate, Trump accused Haitian immigrants of "grabbing and eating the locals' pets."

Springfield is home to around 15,000 Haitian immigrants, most of whom arrived in the United States legally. Previously, Trump’s focus had been on deporting illegal immigrants, but this recent statement has incited fear among all immigrants. The accusation of pets being eaten, although dismissed as unfounded, has caused alarm in the community.

The situation escalated when three schools in Springfield, attended by children of Haitian immigrants, were closed on Friday following two days of bomb threats, according to ABC News.

In response, President Joe Biden expressed concern over Trump’s hostile treatment of immigrants, stating, "This has no place in America. What he (Trump) is doing must be stopped."

Local leaders and officials have denounced Trump’s remarks. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue told ABC News, "We need compassion, not hate." City spokeswoman Karen Graves confirmed that no credible reports of pets being eaten or hate crimes targeting immigrants have been received.

Despite the ridicule directed at Trump's claims, the Haitian community in Springfield remains on edge, fearing further backlash. Haitian community leaders worry that the Republican candidate's rhetoric could exacerbate tensions and incite more threats against immigrants.

As the 2024 election approaches, Trump's comments have heightened fears in immigrant communities across the country, with Springfield at the centre of this latest controversy.

END/RH/AJ