Port-au-Prince, HAITI – During the U.S. presidential debate between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump on Tuesday, Trump repeated the debunked claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating their neighbor’s pets, despite the town officials publicly refuting this.
By making this statement during the Sept. 10 televised debate, Trump once again demonstrates his racist and anti-immigrant stances, stirring unnecessary fear and hostility toward Haitian immigrants.
In every Haitian household, there’s at least one pet, whether a dog or a cat. In our culture, these animals are often seen as companions and protectors.
While hamsters and other small pets may not be common, cats and dogs are widespread, making the notion that Haitian immigrants would harm pets both misleading and harmful.
In Haiti, many are unsurprised by Trump’s reliance on a false statement to justify his anti-immigrant rhetoric, as this is the same disrespectful individual who – as president – referred to Haiti and African nations as “shithole countries” back in 2018.
One might argue that Trump has forgotten the fact that Haiti’s fragility has been exacerbated by over a century of U.S. interference and a consistent push to undermine Haitian sovereignty.
This historical context is detailed by Jemima Pierre in her 2023 analysis “Haiti as Empire’s Laboratory,” published in NACLA, a publication by the North American Congress on Latin America. I will not dwell further on this aspect here.
According to The Haitian Times newspaper, the influx of Haitian immigrants in areas like Ohio has revitalized industries struggling with labor shortages, especially in manufacturing. For example, local businesses such as the McGregor Metal factory noted that without Haitian workers, it would have been difficult to fill critical positions.
Jamie McGregor, McGregor’s chief executive, told The New York Times in a story published Sept. 3 that Haitians, who make up 10 percent of his workforce, show up on time and don’t cause any drama.
On a national level, Haitians are among the largest contributors to the nation’s healthcare workforce, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
These examples illustrate that immigrants – including Haitians – strengthen the economy by filling labor gaps and contributing to key industries.
As such, any political leader should focus on unity rather than division. There’s no country without immigrants, and fostering inclusion only enhances national strength.
Naika Jean is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
