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How Springfield, Ohio, became center of US election debate

Aya Ibrahim
September 20, 2024

Springfield, Ohio, has been in the spotlight since Donald Trump spouted false claims about Haitian immigrants in his presidential debate against Kamala Harris. The unwanted attention has overshadowed the city's deeper issues. DW's Aya Ibrahim went to Springfield to find out more.

https://p.dw.com/p/4kssq

Before the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Springfield, Ohio, was best known as the hometown of the Simpsons.

But once Trump spread a conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants in Springfield eating pets, the city has received bomb threats targeting schools and been forced to cancel its annual culture festival.

Many Haitians looking to escape the violence and anarchy in their home country found a home in Springfield. Most are legally allowed to live in work in the US under a program expanded by the Joe Biden administration.

But an influx of immigrants to the city in recent years has put public services under much stress, and some Springfield residents feel that Trumps comments have brought to light concerns they feel have long been ignored.

DW's Aya Ibrahim reports from Springfield.