Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy recently visited Springfield, Ohio, to hear from residents grappling with a significant increase in crime and social issues following a large influx of Haitian migrants into their community.
The town, which has seen its population swell by over 25% under the Biden-Harris administration, has become emblematic of the broader immigration crisis affecting many parts of the country.
During the town hall event, residents voiced their concerns about the rising crime, fear for their safety, and the lack of a timely response from local authorities.
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During the town hall meeting, a mother told Ramaswamy a terrifying story about her daughter being chased by a migrant wielding a machete.
The incident took place while her daughter was on her way to work, and the mother criticized the police for their delayed response.
“She’s been followed around Walmart, stalked, she ran to her car, threw stuff down, and was chased. They were immigrants.
She was chased by a man with a machete on her way to work,” the woman said. According to her, the police took over two hours to respond to her daughter’s call for help.
The audience responded with applause, signaling the widespread frustration over the current state of public safety.
Ramaswamy acknowledged these concerns, pointing out that the rule of law has eroded in cities like Springfield, which are grappling with the influx of migrants. “It’s uncomfortable to say this, but it’s true. If your first act of entering the country breaks the law, then you’re more likely to break the law when you’re already here,” Ramaswamy said.
He emphasized the need to restore law and order, noting that the increase in shoplifting and auto thefts in Springfield over the last two years is a direct consequence of the immigration crisis.
Ramaswamy squarely placed the blame for Springfield’s struggles on the policies of the Biden-Harris administration, which has allowed an influx of migrants into small towns like Springfield.
NEW: Springfield, Ohio, mother tells Vivek Ramaswamy that an immigrant with a machete chased her daughter, and the police didn’t respond to her call.@VivekGRamaswamy: “If your first act of entering the country breaks the law, then you are more likely to break the law when you… pic.twitter.com/BHw8HFzBdy
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) September 20, 2024
During the meeting, Ramaswamy stated, “I do think that criticism at every level is fair,” but he singled out federal policies as the primary cause of Springfield’s crisis. “It would be like the equivalent of sending 2 million additional people to New York City. Can you imagine that? That’s the effect of sending 20,000 people to Springfield.”
Under the Biden-Harris administration, Haitian migrants in Springfield have been given Temporary Protected Status (TPS), granting them legal status, work permits, and government subsidies.
According to Ramaswamy, the influx has overwhelmed local resources, including hospitals and schools, and has strained social services.
One attendee at the town hall expressed frustration, saying, “There simply are too many mass migrants here in this town, and they’re too richly subsidized. It’s pushing people out of their homes.
It’s pushing people out of their jobs.” Another resident said they were labeled “racist” by local officials for voicing their concerns, both in print and during city commission meetings.
Despite the gravity of the situation described by residents, Springfield’s mayor, Rob Rue, did not attend the town hall.
Instead, he issued a statement that downplayed the urgency of the residents’ concerns. “We are addressing these threats with the seriousness they warrant and are taking immediate steps to ensure the security of both our community and our employees. Our commitment to preventing harm is unwavering,” Rue said.
However, residents were not satisfied with the mayor’s response. One longtime Springfield resident criticized the absence of city officials at the meeting, stating, “I’ve been a resident of Springfield, Clark County, for 61 years, [and] if our City Council and everybody wants to be a part of the solution — I’ve been sitting right there by the door, I haven’t seen a single one of them.”
The failure of city leadership to engage with residents on such pressing issues has only deepened the mistrust and dissatisfaction within the community.
Local residents fear that the crime and instability brought about by the immigration influx will continue to worsen unless immediate action is taken.
Former President Donald Trump, a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, has weighed in on the situation in Springfield, promising to visit the town in the coming weeks.
“We’re getting them out of our country. They came in illegally,” Trump said, referring to migrants entering the U.S. under the Biden administration’s policies. “We’re getting them out. They’re going to be brought back to the country from which they came.”
Trump has made immigration reform and securing the U.S. border central tenets of his political platform, and his remarks about Springfield highlight the growing concerns about the impact of unchecked migration on small communities across the country.
Springfield is just one example of a broader issue facing many towns and cities that have seen a sudden influx of migrants.
Under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted by the Biden-Harris administration, thousands of migrants from various countries, including Haiti, have been given legal status, work authorization, and access to government assistance.
In Springfield, this influx has led to a sharp increase in crime, including thefts, traffic accidents, and even reports of unusual incidents involving pets and wildlife.
Residents have shared stories of pets and wild animals being eaten by migrants, though these reports remain unverified by local authorities.
The pressure on local resources has also caused a surge in insurance rates and an overload on hospitals and schools, further contributing to the challenges facing Springfield residents.
The strain on social services has displaced many long-time residents and has caused widespread frustration and fear.As Springfield grapples with the ongoing immigration crisis, residents are looking for solutions that will restore safety and stability to their community.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s visit to the town provided an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and frustrations with the current situation.
His message, placing the blame on federal immigration policies, resonated with many in attendance.
Watch the full meeting:
I don’t blame the people of Springfield for their frustrations, I blame the policies that created them. We’re here tonight to hear *directly* from the people, without any filters. Kicking off tonight with a shocking story of my own from today.https://t.co/2ihdE2vnmV
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) September 19, 2024
The challenges facing Springfield reflect a larger issue affecting many parts of the country as the Biden administration continues to implement its immigration policies.
The residents of Springfield hope that their voices will be heard, and that action will be taken to address the problems they face daily.
Whether through local leadership or federal reform, they are calling for immediate steps to ensure that their town can recover and return to normal.
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