After Biden defends Haitian migrants, Trump vows 'large deportations' from Ohio if elected

Hours after President Joe Biden said there was ‘no place in America’ for attacks on Haitian immigrants, former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday said that if he comes back to power he would initiate “large deportations” from the Ohio city that has seen a recent influx of Haitian migrants, whom he has baselessly accused of eating cats and dogs.

“I can say this: we will do large deportations from Springfield, Ohio, large deportations. We’re going to get these people out,” The Guardian quoted Trump as saying during a press conference in California as he spoke of how “barbaric criminals” including migrant gang members have been wreaking havoc in US communities.

While he did not repeat his baseless claim of pet-eating, Trump made a point of attacking the Haitian community in Springfield.“Springfield, Ohio, 20,000 illegal Haitian migrants have descended upon a town of 58,000 people, destroying the way of life," Trump was quoted as saying.

“People don’t like to talk about it, because even the town doesn’t like to talk about it, it sounds so bad for the town. They live there. They’re proud. They love the town. For years, it was a great place, safem," added Trump.

More from United States Of America

What the Zuck? Why Mark Zuckerberg’s neighbours are angry with him Explosion reported at US steel plant near Pittsburgh, one killed, dozens injured, and two missing

Meanwhile, Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, a Republican who backs Trump, said the migrants have filled jobs that were looking for workers, and he’s heard positive things about them from employers.

Earlier, Biden had condemned attacks on Haitian immigrants in Ohio made by Trump and his allies.

The president described Haitian Americans as a “community that’s under attack in our country right now” which he said was “simply wrong”.

“There’s no place in America. This has to stop, what he’s doing. It has to stop,” Biden was quoted as saying, without mentioning Trump’s name.

The former president and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have alleged that Haitians in Springfield have been eating pets, a claim that local officials deny.

Vance also attributed the death of a child in a car accident involving a Haitian driver to the entire Haitian community.

In response, the boy’s father has publicly urged that the tragedy not be exploited for “political gain.”

Haitians are currently shielded from deportation under the homeland security department’s Temporary Protected Status through 3 February 2026, due to their home country’s troubles. They are also allowed to apply for work permits under a government policy that applies to migrants from unstable countries.

With inputs from agencies