Six congressmen from Ohio have reached out to federal officials to seek emergency funding for law enforcement, healthcare, and local schools in Springfield, as the city faces an increase in legal immigrants from Haiti.

U.S. Representative Mike Turner, who represents Ohio’s 10th Congressional District that includes Springfield, mentioned in the letter that the city, home to nearly 60,000 people, has seen an influx of about 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants over the past four years.

Turner was supported in this request by fellow Republican Representatives Mike Carey, Michael Rulli, Brad Wenstrup, Warren Davidson, and Robert Latta.

He noted that recent media attention on Springfield has led to bomb threats targeting government buildings, such as city hall and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

“These threats have resulted in lockdowns at local schools, and colleges have had to cancel in-person classes. The need for enhanced security to address and prevent such threats is putting additional pressure on already limited police resources,” Turner expressed.

The heightened attention came after Ohio Senator JD Vance made unfounded allegations on social media about Haitian immigrants kidnapping and eating pets. Former President Donald Trump echoed these claims during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, despite assurances from local and state authorities that they are false.

Turner attributed the stress on city resources to the policies of the Biden-Harris Administration, including the temporary protected status.

The Biden administration extended the temporary protected status for Haitians in June 2024 due to ongoing violence and instability in several regions of Haiti, as well as damage from floods and earthquakes.