Donald Trump has made bold claims regarding migrants in Springfield, Ohio, and Aurora, Colorado, alleging they possess “massive machine gun-type equipment.”
During a speech in Mint Hill, North Carolina, the former President criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, “Kamala should have closed the border years ago. We wouldn’t have hostile takeovers in Springfield and Aurora, where they actually come in armed with equipment beyond military scope.” He specifically pointed fingers at migrants from Venezuela, dubbing them “young street gang members sent here by the Venezuelan government.”
These remarks stem from a widely-shared video showing alleged Venezuelan gang members wielding firearms in an apartment complex.
In September, the Aurora Police Department identified ten members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) within the city, with eight arrests made. One suspect has been in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since July 28.
Trump has claimed that Venezuelan criminals have taken over two apartment buildings in Aurora. However, Mayor Michael Coffman contradicted this, stating that the gangs do not control the properties. Initially, Coffman suspected that TdA was running the show and charging residents rent, but it turned out that the property managers had disappeared, leaving tenants without guidance.
The issues at the two complexes on Dallas and Helena Streets are attributed to poor management and maintenance—problems that have existed for some time, according to the mayor.
In Springfield, Ohio, a group representing Haitian immigrants has filed criminal charges against Trump and JD Vance for spreading false claims, including allegations of illegal entry and even bizarre accusations of eating pets.
The Haitian community entered the U.S. legally under the Biden administration’s Humanitarian Parole and Temporary Protected Status programs, contrary to Trump’s “hostile takeover” claims.
These programs allow migrants from Haiti, as well as Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, to enter legally if they have sponsors and pass strict vetting. Eligible individuals can wait in the U.S. while their long-term immigration status is being determined.
Jamie McGregor, CEO of McGregor Metal, noted that the Haitian workforce has been crucial in meeting production demands following a recent investment surge. “The Haitians come to work every day. They don’t cause drama. They’re on time,” he shared with The New York Times.
City officials estimate that between 15,000 and 20,000 Haitian migrants have arrived in Springfield over the past four years, a significant number for a city that had under 60,000 residents as of 2020.