Springfield, Ohio, once a struggling industrial city, has seen a significant economic boost fueled by the arrival of thousands of Haitian immigrants over the past three years. With up to 15,000 Haitians now calling the city home, their contributions to the local workforce have revitalized Springfield, even as the influx presents new challenges and puts the city at the heart of national debates on immigration.

Rose Joseph and Banal Oreus are among the many who moved to Springfield seeking job opportunities, with Joseph working in an Amazon warehouse and Oreus helping newcomers with legal documents. Their arrival, alongside thousands of other Haitians, has provided much-needed labor in a city once grappling with population decline. However, this growth has not been without its difficulties. Rising rents, strained public services, and misinformation about crime have stirred tensions within the community.

Local officials and police have been quick to debunk false claims, including allegations of violent crimes and harmful behavior by immigrants. Despite Republican candidate Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance amplifying these baseless accusations during a recent presidential debate, police data shows no significant increase in crime linked to the immigrant population. City leaders have emphasized that most Haitians are in the U.S. legally and contribute positively to Springfield’s economy.

Economic data supports this view, with rents rising due to increased demand, but wages also growing at an annual rate of over 6% during the surge in immigration. Springfield’s population boom, although causing short-term growing pains, is seen by many local officials as a long-term benefit for the city’s economic recovery.

Springfield Mayor Rob Rue acknowledged the challenges, including the need for additional resources like police, fire, and language services. However, he remains optimistic that the city’s expanding population will continue to fuel its revitalization, as more workers fill jobs in the manufacturing and warehouse sectors. “We needed a workforce,” said Amy Donahoe, director of workforce development for the Greater Springfield Partnership, noting the hardworking spirit of the new arrivals.