Right-wing media figures and influencers have descended on Springfield, Ohio, looking for anything that can help them prove the veracity of racist rumors about Haitian immigrants in the community, relying on misleading and occasionally artificial intelligence-generated content to help them prove their point. Springfield, whose Haitian population has grown by an estimated 15,000 people, has become a microcosm of conservative concerns about immigration and demographic change.
One of the most recent examples comes from YouTuber and fellow MrBeast Tyler Oliveira, who posted a misleading video about Springfield on Wednesday. Oliveira’s film is interspersed with interviews with locals, including some Haitians, as well as AI-generated images and memes. For just five seconds, the video clearly shows an AI-generated video of a black man driving a white van surrounded by cats. The film also contains footage that has absolutely nothing to do with Springfield, including footage of a woman being arrested for eating a cat in Canton, Ohio, and footage of gang members marching through the streets of Haiti. This is a textbook example of disinformation.
Since the anti-Haitian slur first gained traction online, Republicans have largely embraced the anti-Haitian slur and encouraged others to spread it. Former President Donald Trump mentioned this in response to a question about border policy during this week’s presidential debate. Vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance encourages supporters to “copycat” even if rumors turn out to be false. Conservative firebrand Christopher Rufo is offering a “$5,000 reward” to anyone who can provide “hard, verifiable evidence of Haitian immigrants eating cats” in Springfield.
The rumor had real consequences for Springfield, especially its growing Haitian community. haitian times Some families have reportedly chosen to keep their children home from school out of fear of violent attacks. A Haitian woman who said she has lived in Springfield for six years told the outlet era Her car was recently vandalized. besides springfield news sun Several government buildings in Springfield were closed Thursday after bomb threats were made to “multiple facilities across Springfield,” according to reports. Springfield City Hall and a local elementary school were evacuated.
False claims about people eating cats aren’t the only disinformation coming out of Springfield. Oliveira’s film shows immigrants in Springfield taking advantage of public benefits meant for Americans, while politicians, including Vance, claim Haitians have recently crossed the border. but dayton daily news The majority of Haitians in Springfield are in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), an immigration designation that allows nationals of certain countries to live and work in the United States but does not provide a path to citizenship, the report said. TPS is for personal use only already In the United States; people cannot apply after crossing the border. Haiti was first designated as TPS in 2010, and President Joe Biden reissued TPS status in 2021, meaning anyone arriving after that time is ineligible. People with TPS are not eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or most other forms of public assistance.
The most obvious misinformation coming out of Springfield — a racist rumor about immigrants eating pets — belies the smaller, more insidious lies being spread in the community.
