Trump’s baseless claims about Haitian immigrants in Midwest spark outrage in Haiti 

By Onz Chéry, Kervenson Martial & Edxon Francisque

PORT-AU-PRINCE — During the debate with Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday, former President Donald Trump repeated debunked and racist claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating residents’ pets, including dogs. Many in Haiti have denounced these baseless accusations, which are widely discredited, and have called for solidarity in rebuilding the country.

“The campaign of denigration against Haitians in the United States during the current electoral context might backfire,” said Philippe “Pipo” Saint Louis, a Haitian Konpa music radio host. “Regardless of the consequences, one truth remains: lakay se lakay, Creole for home is home. We must fight to fix it, which is a battle for all of us, whether inside or outside the country.”

Jacques Célicourt, owner of Jean-Price Mars High School in Cap-Haïtien and an aspiring candidate for Haiti’s next parliamentary elections, criticized Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, for their perceived racism and lack of support for Black people, including Haitians. Célicourt cited the mistreatment of Haitians during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s as an example of Republicans’ historical hostility toward Haitian immigrants in the U.S. He reaffirmed his solidarity with the diaspora facing discrimination and dangerous conspiracies.

“When they persecute our brothers and sisters, they persecute us too,” Célicourt said. “We share their pain and urge them to stay strong. We want them to know that Haitians in Haiti stand with them.”

Célicourt continued: “Without proof, they’re accusing an entire population. When they do, they make it hard for us to find places to stay, jobs, and receive healthcare. I think the American State needs to release a note to say that this is bad what the Republicans are doing. America needs to support Haitians.”

In Haiti’s Northwest, similar support is voiced for Haitian immigrants facing stigmatization while seeking better lives in the U.S., particularly in the Midwest. Residents believe that former President Trump should not use Haitians as a political tool to win the next presidential election.

“Haitians are hard workers who contribute to the economic development of the countries they reside in,” said Jacquelin Dorélus, a Port-de-Paix resident. “Trump and his supporters know this very well. It’s not only Haitians who are migrants in Ohio,” he added, alluding to claims that Haitian immigrants are putting extra pressure on local resources.

Dorélien’s view was echoed by U.S. House Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who said Wednesday that Trump is once again fixating on fictitious stories rooted in racist stereotypes in hopes of scaring Americans into voting for him. 

“Let’s be clear: Haitians and other immigrants come to this country committed to education, hard work, and building a better life, not just for themselves but for all of us,” the Haitian American and Florida Democrat said. “They [Haitian immigrants] contribute to our economy, enrich our culture, and strengthen our communities. Trump’s comments are a distraction from the real issues we face, and we won’t be fooled.”

 “When they persecute our brothers and sisters, they persecute us too. We share their pain and urge them to stay strong. We want them to know that Haitians in Haiti stand with them.”

Jacques Celicourt, Educator and Owner of Jean-Price Mars High School in Cap-Haïtien

In the past four years, nearly 20,000 Haitians have settled in Springfield. While industries facing labor shortages have welcomed this workforce, the rapid influx has strained local agencies and facilities, including hospitals and schools. The arrival of new immigrants in Ohio has become an electoral issue, often fueled by false allegations. In August, a white supremacist organized an anti-Haitian protest during a music festival. Municipal authorities expelled the leader of the white supremacist group from a meeting after he issued a “warning” against allowing Haitian immigrants into the community.

Haitian government officials and organizations react

Reactions are widespread among Haitian communities, with many outraged by the spreading of discriminatory statements and false claims about Haitians on social media and U.S. television.

The Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) stated that Haitians abroad often fall victim to misinformation and stigmatization for political reasons. The Haitian government is committed to protecting the diaspora from intimidation and stigmatization.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time compatriots abroad have been victims of disinformation campaigns,” Minister Dominique Dupuy said in a statement on X. “It is up to us Haitians to stand up and proclaim our humanity.”

Although the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) has yet to comment officially on the situation, Councilor Leslie Voltaire said that these accusations are unfounded and unacceptable. He emphasized the importance of promoting unity between the U.S. and Haiti.

“This rhetoric unfairly targets a community that has always contributed significantly to American society,” Voltaire said on X. “Such narratives risk dividing and endangering already vulnerable communities.”

As the unsubstantiated claims about Haitian immigrants take center stage in the U.S. November elections, people in Haiti continue to express their concerns, notably on social media, which has become a battleground for heated exchanges.

Lyneda Joseph, general secretary of United Youth Circles for Social Action in the Northeast department, condemned the “racist campaign,” calling it “electoral propaganda.” She stressed the importance of implementing programs to improve living conditions in Haiti so that Haitians can stay home instead of migrating to countries where they continue to face humiliation and discrimination.

Haitian engineer Moreno Jean Baptiste also shares the same frustration, blaming the U.S. for Haiti’s situation, which forces Haitians to flee. “Where do the weapons that prevent these people from living in their own country come from? The United States,” Jean Baptiste asked on X.

In a press release on Wednesday, the immigrant advocate organization, Groupe d’Appuis aux Rapatriés et aux Réfugiés (GARR), also condemned the spread of racist claims by the two Republican presidential candidate nominees, which endangers Haitians in Ohio. It called on U.S. authorities to protect their rights and urged Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the Haitian community.

Springfield police and city officials have officially denied the allegations against Haitian immigrants. To address the issues caused by the influx of immigrants in the city, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine promised to increase the deployment of law enforcement in the streets and announced a $2.5 million allocation over two years to strengthen primary health care.

“Haitians who have moved to Ohio are hardworking individuals seeking to escape violence and find good jobs,” Governor DeWine said.

The post Trump’s baseless claims about Haitian immigrants in Midwest spark outrage in Haiti  appeared first on The Haitian Times.

---

Trump’s baseless claims about Haitian immigrants in Midwest spark outrage in Haiti  was first posted on September 12, 2024 at 11:41 am.