Fear of Haitian Migration Grows in U.S. Cities, Fueled by Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric from GOP

Rising fear of Haitian migration is gripping cities across the U.S., as anti-Black immigrant rhetoric from the Republican Party stirs public anxiety.  From Enterprise, Alabama, to Charleroi, Pennsylvania, and Springfield, Ohio, Haitian immigrants are becoming targets of misinformation and xenophobia, with former President Donald Trump still at the forefront of the chaos.

In Enterprise, Alabama a rural town, residents have expressed mounting concerns about the sudden arrival of Haitian migrants under the Department of Homeland Security’s humanitarian parole program. At a recent town meeting, citizens voiced fears over housing shortages, crime, and job competition, reflecting a wave of anxiety sweeping communities in Alabama. These sentiments have only intensified following comments made by Trump during a September rally, where he falsely claimed that Haitian migrants were responsible for various crimes, including stealing pets.

“Do I think they should be here under the program?” said Jay Palmer, in an interview with Courthouse News. Palmer, identified as a “labor trafficking expert” has traveled across Alabama talking to community organizations about the rise in Haitian immigrants to the state. 

“No, but they are here and we have to do something because it is tearing our communities apart. And many more are coming.” 

Although many of the Haitian migrants have arrived legally under the federal parole program, some locals worry that the influx is straining their town’s resources.

Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville recently penned a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, calling the situation a “crisis” and claiming that rural towns like Enterprise are ill-prepared to handle the large number of Haitian parolees arriving under the program. His claims echoed concerns raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, where a city council meeting ended abruptly after residents voiced fears of “civil unrest” due to the growing Haitian population.

Misinformation and scapegoating in small towns

This anti-immigrant rhetoric is not limited to Alabama. In Charleroi, Pa., a small industrial town near Pittsburgh, Trump vilified the local Haitian community at a rally earlier this week, questioning whether the town has “changed” due to the growing presence of migrants. 

His remarks drew comparisons to Springfield, Ohio, where similar claims by Trump about Haitian migrants sparked outrage and fear, culminating in bomb threats and evacuations.

“Has your beautiful town changed?” Trump asked the crowd in Charleroi, suggesting that Haitian migrants had turned the town into a place run by “lawless gangs.” Although local officials, including Republican State Senator Camera Bartolotta, have repeatedly debunked these claims, the damage has already been done. 

“They are here legally,” Bartolotta said in a social media post, urging locals to “check the facts” before spreading misinformation.

Despite these efforts to set the record straight, many residents have bought into the fearmongering. During Trump’s Indiana rally earlier this month, attendees shouted “send them back!” in response to his comments about Haitians, echoing the anti-immigrant sentiment that has taken hold in many small towns across the U.S.

Spreading fear, not facts

The impact of Trump’s rhetoric is perhaps most visible in Springfield, Ohio, where fear of Haitian migrants has reached a tipping point. After Trump falsely claimed that Haitian migrants were stealing and eating pets, the community was plunged into chaos, with bomb threats and social unrest following his comments.

Local leaders and activists have expressed frustration over the misinformation being spread. “This rhetoric is dangerous,” said Joe Manning, the borough manager of Charleroi, in an interview with NPR. “We don’t want our town to turn into the next Springfield.”

Yet, the damage caused by Trump’s words extends far beyond Ohio and Pennsylvania. In states like Alabama, where Haitian migration has increased due to the parole program, towns like Enterprise and Sylacauga are struggling to maintain calm in the face of growing fear and hostility toward Black immigrants.

The parole program, designed to provide temporary legal status to migrants fleeing crises in countries like Haiti, has become a flashpoint for controversy. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nearly 530,000 people have entered the country under the program, including over 214,000 Haitians. Many of these migrants are settling in smaller towns across the U.S., leading to concerns about how these communities can absorb the new arrivals.

In Enterprise, concerns about housing shortages and cultural tensions have led to town hall meetings packed with worried residents. Police Chief Michael Moore told attendees there was no evidence linking migrants to a rise in crime, but many remain skeptical. As misinformation spreads, fueled by anti-immigrant rhetoric from national figures like Trump, local officials are struggling to address the fears of their constituents.

Haitian communities fighting back

Even though many Haitians in these communities have come legally, misinformation and xenophobia have painted them as a threat. “These aren’t sanctuary cities,” Palmer said, echoing a sentiment shared by many in Alabama. “But we’ve been forced into this role.”

For Haitians living in these communities, the rising hostility is deeply unsettling. At a recent meeting in Enterprise, Zulma Fleury, a Haitian-American who has lived in Alabama for over 40 years, pleaded for tolerance and understanding. “I love this town, but I’m scared now,” Fleury said, addressing the crowd. “The xenophobic language is getting worse.”

Amidst rising anti-immigrant sentiment, efforts to address the harmful rhetoric have intensified. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Representative Steven Horsford, moved on Wednesday, Sept.25 to force a vote to censure GOP Rep. Clay Higgins

Horsford’s decision was driven by Higgins’ recent inflammatory and vial remarks where he referred to Haitian immigrants as “thugs” in a now-deleted tweet on X and echoed the xenophobic language used by Trump and Vance against Haitian migrants. On the House floor, Horsford along with other Democrats emphasized that such rhetoric endangers Black and immigrant communities across the country, urging Congress to take swift action. 

Last Thursday, members of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) condemned the harassment and fear gripping the Haitian and Haitian American community following the racist remarks by Trump and Vance. They also outlined efforts to mobilize Haitian American voters and pursue legal action against those spreading the harmful rhetoric nationwide.

The New York Haitian community responded to Trump’s remarks last Wednesday during a counter-rally outside of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where the former president was speaking to supporters.

“We demand a formal apology from the Trump campaign as well as a restatement of the true facts,” said Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, a Democrat from Valley Stream, during the rally. “We will not tolerate dehumanizing lies about our community.”

“Our community has the power to make real change in this election, but we must show up at the polls,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida’s District 20, during NHAEON’s virtual press conference last week.  

“This isn’t just about responding to threats. It’s about using our votes to protect our rights and ensure our voices are heard.” 

The post Fear of Haitian Migration Grows in U.S. Cities, Fueled by Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric from GOP appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Fear of Haitian Migration Grows in U.S. Cities, Fueled by Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric from GOP was first posted on September 28, 2024 at 8:06 am.