The governor also mentioned both Donald Trump and JD Vance, writing that he was 'saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence.'
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The New York Times on Friday published an op-ed written by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, when he expresses his disappointment in how the city of Springfield has been caught in the crossfire of America's ongoing immigration debate.
"The Springfield I know is not the one you hear about in social media rumors. It is a city made up of good, decent, welcoming people," the Republican governor wrote. "They are hard workers — both those who were born in this country and those who settled here because, back in their birthplace, Haiti, innocent people can be killed just for cheering on the wrong team in a soccer match."
The letter follows false claims made by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance, about Haitian migrants in Springfield. Trump mentioned the debunked rumors during a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, falsely asserting that migrants were "eating the dogs ... eating the cats" owned by residents in the city.
The comments from both the former president as well as others have sparked outrage and confusion, and in the days since, Springfield has been inundated with safety threats.
DeWine was born in Springfield in 1947, frequenting the city during his youth while growing up in nearby Yellow Springs.
"The message I want to get out is that Springfield's a...
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