Springfield, Ohio
A look at a heartland town caught in the political crossfire.
For the Washington Post and The Financial Times.
After Donald Trump made debunked claims about Haitian migrants eating domesticated pets, the southern Ohio town became a focal point for the culture war. September 12, 2024.
Marie Paule Morris migrated from Haiti in 2022. She is in the process of opening a salon in her home. September 12, 2024.
Springfield residents Kaniesha Jeffries and her father Paul Jeffries found Trump's comments to be racist and insulting. September 12, 2024.
Volunteers at the Warden Literacy Center in Springfield attend an orientation. Navigating social services can be difficult for the newcomers and the mission of the volunteers is to provide Haitian migrants with basic English skills. Since Trump's remarks, interest in volunteering has surged. September 12, 2024.
Volunteers at the Warden Literacy Center learn strategies for teaching English to new migrants from Haiti.
Warden Literacy Center Director, David Smiddy. September 12, 2024.
18 year old Springfield resident Gage Jenkins after casting a vote for Donald Trump. November 5, 2024.
Haitian migrant Yvena Jean Francois was a television journalist in Haiti until she fled to the United States and settled in Springfield. She anxiously watched election coverage from her home studio. November 5, 2024.
A home in Springfield, Ohio on election day. November 5, 2024.
Haitian migrant Viles Dorsainvil founded a community center for fellow migrants in a disused fire house that has drawn the ire of some public officials.
First-time voter Selena Greene watches election coverage at home in Springfield, Ohio. Greene cast her ballot for Kamala Harris. November 5, 2024.
Selena Harris fidgets with a charm bracelet while watching election results. November 5, 2024.
Selena Harris in her bedroom in Springfield.
Covenant United Methodist Church in Springfield just before the polls closed. November 5, 2024.
Caitlin Smith watched election results from the bar at the Wayside Tavern in Springfield. Smith voted for Trump and shares his opinion of the Haitian community. November 5, 2024.