Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota argued at a press conference on Friday that the influx of 20,000 Haitian migrants has “breathed new life” into Springfield, Ohio.
Springfield residents interviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation described how the community has struggled to cope with an influx of immigrants who are causing an increase in traffic accidents and driving up home prices. Omar criticized former President Donald Trump and Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio for coming forward with unconfirmed reports that Haitian immigrants were stealing and eating pets in town. (RELATED: 'Co-opting racist tropes': CNN panelist claims saying Springfield is 'occupied' by Haitians 'dehumanizes' immigrants)
“As an immigrant, I know what it feels like to survive a harrowing journey to come to a country seeking safety only to have your community shine a spotlight on you and your very existence threatened,” Omar asserted. “I know what it means to have your hopes and aspirations of being welcomed into a new community dashed, so my heart goes out to all Haitian immigrants.”
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“These are people who have revitalized and breathed new life into communities that were desperately in need of change,” Omar continued. “The way their new employers and new neighbors describe them is how we hope every immigrant to this country would: hardworking, warm, friendly, and happy to be part of the new community they've found. At the end of the day, that's what immigrants do, and as a nation of immigrants, we should know it.”
The Biden administration has allowed Haitian migrants to enter the U.S. through the “CHNV” program, which allows Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to fly in on parole even if they would normally be unable to obtain a visa. According to to the Center for America First Policy.
“We need to know what it means for our country to hold every day a new promise to be a beacon of hope and to provide opportunity,” Omar said. “And that's the way we want to be seen by the world, not through the lens of vile men like Trump and J.D. Vance who are fearful and who seek to tear people down rather than uplift them. And so I'm so proud to be in this organization with colleagues who have the courage, the guts and the grit to say in the name of our country that we're not going to allow our Haitian brothers to come into this country and face this kind of degrading and humiliating narrative.”
While the DCNF could not corroborate reports of pets being stolen and eaten, the Heritage Foundation's Watch Project Posts Part of August 28th Police report In the case, obtained by Think Tank on Tuesday, a resident claimed his cat had been stolen and then killed. (RELATED: Gov. Mike DeWine claims Springfield bomb threat was overseas hoax)
Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican from Ohio, defended citizens who reported on the Sept. 11 events. post About X.
“There have been recorded police calls from witnesses who saw immigrants catching geese for food in Springfield. Citizens have testified before the City Council,” Yost wrote. “These people will be competent witnesses in court.”
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