Haitian American in Springfield shares why he’s voting Trump and keeping quiet about it 

Editor’s Note: As early voting gets underway, The Haitian Times is interviewing Haitian American voters across our communities to see how they’re casting their ballots. Here’s one installment from Springfield, Ohio, which focuses on Haitians for Trump.

By Wedly Cazy | Guest Author 

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — For nearly two decades, M.J. and his family lived on the Southside of town after relocating from Miami’s Little Haiti to Ohio. Drawn by the lower cost of living, more jobs and opportunity to be closer to family already in Columbus and Dayton, the family of five led a quiet life, working hard as store clerks, housekeepers and teachers. 

But earlier this year, as summer began, their neighbors—who displayed Trump yard signs—began to openly criticize M.J.’s family, saying they were straining local resources as more Haitians arrived in the town of 60,000. M.J., himself a Republican, said he also began getting anti-immigrant and ethnic slurs hurled at him online. 

“I have a Haitian license plate and sticker on my car,” said M.J., sounding exhausted. “I have been shouted and honked at while driving and received threats on Facebook by anonymous accounts.”

Yet, unbeknownst to the MAGA neighbors and online trolls, M.J., who asked that his full name not be used for fear of being shunned by fellow Haitians, said he and his Republican family support Donald Trump for president. 

Last Wednesday, M.J. walked out of the doors of the Clark County Board of Elections at 3130 East Main Street, a small Haitian flag in hand. He had just cast his ballot for Trump. 

“The situation is bad for us because we don’t even rely on public assistance for food or health insurance benefits,” he said, referring to certain help that the newcomers have received.  

A sliver of red in sea of blue

By and large, the majority of Haitians at the poll site that day said they were casting votes for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. The sentiment aligns with recent data gathered in a national survey, the first-of-its-kind about Haitians, which showed that Haitian Americans rate Democrats more favorably over Republicans. The survey also showed that 55 percent of Haitian Americans support more immigration from Haiti, but about 22 percent oppose it.

Walking around the poll site on Oct. 23, several people speaking in Creole said they would vote Democratic. At least one was highly critical of Haitian Trump voters.

“Moun ki vote pou kaka Trump, yo fou tankou’l,” he said in Creole. In English, he meant, “People who vote for Trump are as nutty as he is.”

Democrat-led programs such as the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the humanitarian parole process, the Biden Program, are among the reasons Haitians feel supported. They are also the triggers that Trump and the right-wing base have characterized for opening the borders and for bringing more Haitians to places like Springfield.

Why this Haitian family sides with Trump 

M.J.’s heart was not inclined toward those policies either. His concerns align with those who say they care more about the economy than immigration as a top issue. He and his family believe that the current administration is bringing in too many new people without adequately addressing the needs of those already living here. 

Despite Trump’s differing views on the Haitian population, M.J. still believes his family will be able to lead an affordable lifestyle with Trump as president again. The family has survived in the past couple of years, but economic concerns have led to feelings of abandonment. At the moment, he said, finding a job in this market has been crucial for his sisters since they graduated college. 

“Trump gave us a lot of money during Covid,” he said, recalling how his family received $5,000 in several stimulus checks during the pandemic. 

“Inflation is high,” he continued, listing several conservative views.

“They’re letting boys join girls’ teams,” M.J. added, referring to a trans person on a local sports team.

M.J.’s father had also told him about Bill and Hillary Clinton “destroying” Haiti’s economy through their involvement over the years. The critique is a perennial objection that first emerged in the 2016 elections when Hillary Clinton was on the ballot. At the time, many Haitians blamed the Clintons for various crises in Haiti, including the botched recovery after the 2010 earthquake. That’s when the family swore to vote Republican and helped elect Trump in 2016. 

“Yo kite nou seche,” said M.J. in Creole, meaning, “They left us high and dry.”

M.J.’s views echo those of others who support the Republican Party. Groups like Haitians for Trump mentioned protecting women and children, supporting the police, and deporting illegal immigrants.

The Haitian Times has reached out to the head of Haitians for Trump, Madgie Nicolas, and the Trump campaign. Neither has responded to requests for comment sent over the past month.

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