Erika Lee from Springfield, Ohio, recently made headlines after a Facebook post claimed that local Haitian immigrants were “eating pets.” However, she has since admitted she had no evidence to support this allegation, which gained traction, partly due to former President Donald Trump mentioning it during a recent debate.
During the debate, Trump stated, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs…It’s a shame,” amplifying the rumors that city officials have tried to quash. Despite their efforts, the ensuing tension led to bomb threats, causing schools and municipal buildings to close.
“It exploded into something I didn’t intend,” Lee expressed in an interview, revealing her guilt and anxiety over the fallout. Her original post stemmed from her neighbor’s missing cat and involved suspicions that Haitian residents were linked to the disappearance.
According to NewsGuard, an organization focused on misinformation, Lee was among the first to share this unfounded rumor, which quickly spread online. The neighbor, Kimberly Newton, reportedly shared her suspicions from a third party, adding to the confusion.
“I never thought my post would reach national discussion,” Lee said, distancing herself from the notion of racism, noting her mixed-race heritage and her daughter being half Black. “That’s not what I intended.”
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Springfield, with a history of economic challenges, has seen a surge of Haitian immigrants—about 15,000 to 20,000—over the last four years. They arrived legally, largely through the Immigration Parole Program.
Lee acknowledged that the city was unprepared for the challenges associated with this rapid growth in population, which has strained housing and healthcare resources. She expressed regret, particularly for the Haitian community, stating, “I feel for the Haitian community. I’d be scared if I were them.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, contended that these migrants aren’t truly legal, claiming they exploited asylum laws. Yet, Springfield’s Mayor Rob Rue confirmed the legality of these residents and emphasized the need for community embrace amidst cultural differences.
Trump has repeatedly promised mass deportation as part of his campaign, including a recent assertion that it would begin in Springfield and Aurora, Colorado, both focal points of the immigration debate this week. “We’re going to have the largest deportation in the history of our country,” he proclaimed.
In Aurora, there have been issues with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, complicating the community’s dynamics further, as Trump pledged to address these concerns as well.
Update 9/14/24, 11:28 a.m. ET: The headline for this article has been updated.