Opinion | Debunking the Rumor: The Truth Behind “Immigrants Eating Pets”

Yuan Media's Op-ed

By Editorial Board

Last Tuesday’s vice-presidential debate was surprisingly cordial. Republican nominee, Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Democratic nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz—both Midwesterners—defended their respective presidential candidates, Trump and Harris, in all the ways they’re supposed to do but without resorting to nastiness or personal attacks.

During the 90-minute debate, the only time the mic was cut was when Vance attempted to further explain the false claim about Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats—an outright lie he admitted was created to attract media attention. Trump quoted this claim during the presidential debate in early September, initially causing confusion across the nation and around the world. It quickly became the subject of mockery, with viral memes and remixed songs spreading online.

Let's debunk the rumor and reveal the truth behind the myths. We’ll break down how it escalated from a social media post to the presidential debate stage, deeply affecting a small Midwestern city and immigrant communities across the country.

It happened in Springfield, Ohio, a typical Rust Belt city facing decline. According to the 2020 census, fewer than 60,000 people remained, largely due to a significant brain drain. However, the city has recently seen revitalization, thanks in large part to Haitian immigrants.

City leaders promoted Springfield’s affordability and its convenient location near two interstates. The city developed a strategic plan to attract businesses, leading to a major Japanese auto parts manufacturer, Topre, selecting Springfield for a new plant in 2017. Subsequently, Springfield attracted food-service firms, logistics companies, and a microchip manufacturer. The influx of these businesses generated so many job opportunities that the local labor force was unable to meet the demand.

Beyond the sheer number, many working-age residents in Springfield had fallen into addiction, while others avoided entry-level, routine work. The influx of immigrants, particularly Haitians, helped fill this gap. They learned about the opportunities through word of mouth and, working diligently, took on jobs that locals often looked down upon. They go to work, pay their bills, and contribute taxes like everyone else.

It’s important to note that many Haitians in Springfield hold legal work permits. They are granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), an immigration designation available to Haitians and nationals from 15 other countries, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. With TPS, they can apply for a work permit immediately, so they are not the illegal workforce that many might assume.

Though Springfield once faced hard times, it has revitalized due to the arrival of manufacturers and population growth. As a result, housing costs have increased because many immigrants are seeking rentals. Several immigrants often share a house, allowing them to pay more in rent than local families with one or two breadwinners.

However, the influx of an estimated 20,000 Haitian immigrants over just a few years has put pressure on education and healthcare resources. A city once serving 60,000 residents suddenly had to accommodate 80,000, leaving locals in Springfield feeling overwhelmed.

Schools have had to hire additional teachers to teach English to the children of Haitian immigrants, whose native language is Haitian Creole. The language barrier also extends to healthcare, where a typical 15-minute medical consultation can take up to an hour. Additionally, some Haitians unintentionally violate traffic rules due to unfamiliarity with local roads. These challenges have led to growing resentment among Springfield locals.

The conflict came to a head after a tragedy no one had expected: a school bus carrying 52 students was hit by an oncoming minivan, resulting in the death of 11-year-old Aiden Clark and injuring more than 20 other children. The driver of the minivan was a Haitian immigrant.

Upon investigation, police found no evidence of drug or alcohol consumption—it was simply a traffic accident. However, the tragedy was the spark that ignited long-simmering tensions. Springfield locals, no longer willing to hide their grievances toward the Haitian immigrant community, crowded the City Commission meeting, accusing Haitians of 'invading' their town. Beyond previous complaints, some went as far as to claim Haitians had low IQ. Without any evidence, others blamed them for drug trafficking, retail theft, and spreading disease.

This whole situation took a very strange turn when a self-proclaimed influencer at a City Commission meeting alleged that Haitians are grabbing ducks from the park, cutting their heads off and eating them.

The rumor of 'immigrants eating pets' began here, initially circulating only within the local Springfield community.

In early July, Springfield’s city manager sent a letter to the Senate Banking Committee outlining the challenges the town faced due to the influx of immigrants and requesting federal assistance. The letter was also copied to Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who later became the Republican vice-presidential nominee. Seizing on the most sensational aspect of the situation, Vance latched onto the 'immigrants eating pets' rumor after doing some research. He amplified the claim through public speaking, interviews, and social media, eventually pushing it all the way to the presidential debate stage.

The outcome? Within two weeks after the debate, more than 30 bomb threats have been made against Springfield, driving the town paralyzed. Haitian immigrants’ children at school were being asked by other kids: “How does the dog taste? How does the cat taste?” And they returned home asking their parents: “Are we the kind of Haitians who eat this kind of stuff? Many parents, Haitian parents in particular, dared not send their children to schools.

If you think all Springfield locals are unfeeling and xenophobic, you'd be mistaken. Amid all the tension, no one was more devastated than the family of the child who died in the car accident. Yet, on the night of the presidential debate, the boy’s father spoke up:

"You know, I wish that my son, Aiden Clark, was killed by a 60-year-old white man. I bet you never thought anyone would ever say something so blunt. But if that guy killed my 11-year-old son, the incessant group of hate-spewing people would leave us alone. The last thing that we need is to have the worst day of our lives violently and constantly shoved in our faces."

A father grappling with the trauma of losing his son is advocating against the spread of hatred in a powerful and moving way. Unfortunately, the grievances continue to escalate, as politicians exploit the family’s trauma and the small town’s struggles for their own gain. This rhetoric has negatively impacted immigrant communities nationwide, not just the Haitian community.

Many have reposted the meme and remix song about 'immigrants eating pets,' but it's hard for us to find humor in it. We can deeply empathize with the pain the Haitian community is enduring, as decades ago, similar hatred and discrimination targeted our Chinese community, leading to the Chinese Exclusion Act. It's disheartening to see history repeating itself today, with so little progress, which is both frustrating and disappointing.

Some may believe that what happened to the Haitians in Springfield, Ohio is not our concern, as many of us in the AAPI community live in metropolitan areas far from there. We disagree. Irresponsible rhetoric like this harms all immigrant communities, and none of us can remain indifferent. Otherwise, it becomes like what German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller warned in his famous poem:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.