The New York Times on Friday published an op-ed written by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, when he expresses his disappointment in how the city of Springfield has been caught in the crossfire of America's ongoing immigration debate.
"The Springfield I know is not the one you hear about in social media rumors. It is a city made up of good, decent, welcoming people," the Republican governor wrote. "They are hard workers — both those who were born in this country and those who settled here because, back in their birthplace, Haiti, innocent people can be killed just for cheering on the wrong team in a soccer match."
The letter follows false claims made by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance, about Haitian migrants in Springfield. Trump mentioned the debunked rumors during a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, falsely asserting that migrants were "eating the dogs ... eating the cats" owned by residents in the city.
The comments from both the former president as well as others have sparked outrage and confusion, and in the days since, Springfield has been inundated with safety threats.
DeWine was born in Springfield in 1947, frequenting the city during his youth while growing up in nearby Yellow Springs.
"The message I want to get out is that Springfield's a great place. This is a great community with great people," DeWine said in a Friday interview with 3News sister station 10TV in Columbus. "I think the rhetoric is hurtful. I think it's hurtful to everybody in Springfield. The reality is that the Haitians who are there came to work."
In the op-ed, the Republican governor condemned both Trump and Vance's actions by name, stating, "As a supporter of former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield."
Bomb threats have forced schools and public buildings to close countless times and also led to the cancellation of some community events. At a press conference on Thursday, DeWine promised a safe environment for all.
"We are doing everything that we can to create an environment where they (migrants) can live, where all the citizens of Clark County can live and thrive, have their kids go to school and be safe, and have them safe," he said.
According to The Times, Trump has announced plans to visit Springfield within the next two weeks, a move the city's mayor says will put a strain on resources. Despite his criticisms, DeWine still plans to vote for Trump in November.
"Springfield today has a very bright future. The people who live there love their families, value education, work hard, care about one another and tackle the challenges they face head-on, just as they have done for over 200 years," DeWine wrote in his essay. "I am proud of this community, and America should be, too."