The small town of Springfield, Ohio, is facing an immigration crisis, with thousands of illegal Haitian immigrants resettling there under the Biden-Harris administration. Officials estimate that between 4,000 and 7,000 Haitians have arrived in the town of 56,000, causing a population surge of 33 % since Biden took office.
At a City Commission meeting last year, Springfield residents warned about the consequences of the influx, including the potential rise in crime. Those fears have materialized, with some locals reporting daily harassment from Haitian immigrants. One resident told the mayor this week that she can no longer tolerate the situation, saying, “I can’t take it anymore” after being harassed on her own property.
Many of the immigrants are on Temporary Protected Status, but their arrival has drastically changed the makeup of Springfield. Before Biden’s presidency, the town had experienced a 1.7 % decline in population over the previous decade. Now, long-time residents are grappling with overcrowding, rising housing costs, and increased competition for resources.
Community members have begun calling Springfield a “sanctuary city,” criticizing local leaders for allowing the surge of illegal immigrants. The Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies, combined with the town’s growing economic challenges, have left many residents feeling abandoned by their government.
The situation in Springfield highlights the far-reaching effects of federal immigration policies, with even small towns like this Ohio community feeling the strain.
