As former President Donald Trump falsely claimed during Tuesday's presidential debate that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were killing and eating pets, Johnson Salomon, a Haitian immigrant, was at home with his children, unaware of the unfounded accusations that were gaining national attention. When he learned of Trump's comments, Salomon, who moved to Springfield in 2020, was in shock. “This was a false claim. I couldn’t believe that such a high official could make such a claim,” he said.

Trump's baseless accusations, repeated by his running mate JD Vance and prominent Ohio Republicans, have left many of the town's 15,000 Haitian immigrants in fear. However, the origins of the false rumors didn't start with the political figures. They began circulating online in August through platforms used by far-right extremists, including the Blood Tribe, a neo-Nazi hate group.

Haitian immigrants began arriving in Springfield around 2017, drawn by job opportunities in local factories and produce packaging plants. The once-struggling blue-collar town had lost a quarter of its population since the 1960s, and community leaders initially saw the new arrivals as a way to revitalize the area.

“They came to us for one reason: they were looking for ways to find out how to work,” said Casey Rollins, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Society in Springfield. “We wanted workers here, and they want to work.”

Haitian immigrants took on roles in Springfield’s Dole Fresh Vegetables and automotive machining plants, which were facing labor shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As more immigrants settled in the town, new Caribbean restaurants, food trucks, and even a popular Haitian radio station began to emerge, further boosting the community. Every May, thousands gather in a local park to celebrate Haitian Flag Day.

Despite the positive economic contributions of the Haitian community, tensions have risen in recent years, especially following a tragic accident in August when an 11-year-old boy was killed in a school bus crash involving a Haitian immigrant. The driver, who did not have an Ohio driver’s license, became the target of local anger, fueling racist comments on social media and at Springfield city commission meetings.

As tensions mounted, neo-Nazi groups like the Blood Tribe seized on the unrest, staging armed demonstrations and spreading false claims about the Haitian community. During one march, members of the group flew swastika flags and shouted racist slurs at residents.

The neo-Nazi presence in Springfield has alarmed many in the town, especially following threats made during a city commission meeting by a Blood Tribe leader. A bomb threat targeting city hall and other government buildings soon followed.

The vast majority of Haitians in Springfield are in the U.S. legally under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows them to stay in the country due to violence and instability in Haiti. TPS is granted for 18 months and must be renewed by the federal government. It does not provide a direct path to U.S. citizenship, but it does allow immigrants to work and contribute to their communities.

Despite this legal status, Haitian immigrants in Springfield have been targeted by hate groups and faced violence. Last year, a local Haitian church was vandalized, and a Springfield man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for hate crimes after attacking eight Haitians. Longtime Black residents in the area have also reported being harassed, as they are sometimes mistaken for members of the Haitian community.

The false rumors and rising hate have led to a visible change in Springfield. Salomon, who once saw vibrant activity in Haitian neighborhoods, now notices fewer people on the streets. “For the past few days, I have seen far fewer people,” he said.

Rollins, whose organization has been instrumental in helping Haitian immigrants integrate into Springfield, has also faced threats. “People are messaging me, telling me that I’ve destroyed Springfield,” she said. Despite this, Rollins remains committed to helping those in need. “We’re just trying to help people,” she added.

The Haitian community’s contributions to Springfield have helped revitalize the town, but they now face growing fears and hostility fueled by false narratives and hate groups. The spread of misinformation and the rise of far-right extremism have left many Haitian immigrants uncertain about their future in the town they helped rebuild.