Spotlight on influx of migrants in Springfield, Ohio prompts viral debate comment

WASHINGTON (TND) — It was a viral moment from this week’s presidential debate.

In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats," said former President Donald Trump.

That statement, likely stemming from an online conspiracy theory had no evidence to back it up, which didn't stop Trump or his running mate, JD Vance, from spreading it.

But those who live in Springfield say there are major issues related to the influx of migrants including local schools being overwhelmed, not enough housing and a healthcare system fighting to keep up.

During a news conference, Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio,gave more details.

Springfield's hospital and healthcare systems have seen a dramatic influx of new patients, increasing the need not only for healthcare but also for translation services."

At this point,15,000 have come from Haiti over the last three years, fleeing political violence and hunger, and enticed by a Biden administration program giving many Temporary Protected Statusdrawn to the region as word has spread.

"I have a friend here who told me I could get a job here, and I told another friend and another friend tell another friend. That's the way we get here," one individual said.

While there are indications the influx of migrants has also benefited Springfield's economy immensely, local leaders are begging for federal help.

There are similar situations in big cities like New York and Chicago, where local leaders have had to slash city budgets that provide services to residents to help care for migrants, as leaders from suburbs like Aurora, Colorado also sound alarm bells.

Recent videos allegedly show members of a violent Venezuelan gang terrorizing those who live in local apartment complexes.

In a recent interview with The National Desk, Mark Morgan, former acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection said, "I think there's a possibility if we don't proactively get out in front of this, which I think we're already behind. We're going to see this gang spread faster across the country than we saw with MS-13."