JD Vance Reiterates Unfounded Claim About Haitian Migrants and Cats

Officials in Springfield, Ohio, announced on Monday that they have not received credible reports regarding claims that Haitian immigrants have been abducting and consuming pets. These allegations, which have circulated widely on social media, gained traction after being shared by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, among others.

The claims suggest that Haitian migrants have been eating cats, ducks, and geese. Posts discussing these allegations have amassed millions of views on X, including one by Vance, which has drawn over 4 million views as of Monday evening. Vance, who serves as Ohio’s Republican senator, previously voiced concerns about Haitian immigrants supposedly causing disorder in Springfield. He claimed, “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.”

Additionally, prominent figures such as the House Judiciary GOP, Senator Ted Cruz, and Elon Musk have also shared or commented on these allegations. Cruz, a Texas Republican, even posted a meme that depicted two cats holding each other with the caption, “Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants don’t eat us.”

However, a spokesperson for the city clarified to CBS News that there have been no credible claims or reports of pets being harmed by immigrants. Karen Graves, Springfield’s strategic engagement manager, stated, “In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”

The origin of the claims remains unclear, but the Springfield News-Sun noted that they may be linked to a viral post in a local Facebook group. According to this post, a neighbor’s daughter reported that her friend’s cat went missing and later reappeared hanging from a branch near a Haitian neighbor’s residence. Screenshots of this post have been shared widely on X and other platforms, although it appears to originate from a private Facebook group, which CBS News has not been able to verify independently.

As the story has spread, some social media users have shared body camera footage of an unrelated incident in which a woman from Canton, located over 170 miles away from Springfield, faced accusations of killing and eating a cat. Records show that the individual, identified as Allexis Telia Ferrell, is not a migrant and has lived in Ohio for at least 18 years.

Furthermore, some users have created and shared artificial intelligence-generated images related to the claims about Haitian migrants. One notable image features former President Donald Trump holding a cat in each arm while running through a crowd of Black individuals, accompanied by the caption: “The kittens of Springfield have only one hope.”

Over the past few years, Springfield, a city with a population of just under 58,000, has seen a significant rise in the number of migrants. Local officials estimate that there are between 12,000 to 15,000 migrants in Ohio’s Clark County, with over 10,000 of them hailing from Haiti. In 2023, the Haitian Community Help and Support Center was established in Springfield to assist migrants, particularly those from Haiti, arriving in Clark County.

In addition to dispelling rumors about potential harm to pets, the city’s spokesperson emphasized that no confirmed reports have surfaced regarding migrants squatting, littering, or intentionally disrupting traffic. As concerns grow about the treatment of migrants and their impact on local communities, it is crucial to address misinformation and focus on verified facts.

Source: CBS News