Immigration: Donald Trump's new campaign tool
Republican candidate Donald Trump has once again fanned the flames of controversy over immigration in his campaign for the US presidential election scheduled for November 5. At a rally near New York, the former president used shock language, calling migrants "terrorists," "criminals," and "animals," while promising a massive crackdown on illegal immigrants if he is re-elected.
Immigration, a central theme of his campaign, has become a major point of contention in this election. Trump has attacked migrants from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere, saying the mass arrivals are “destroying the fabric of America.” He has also mentioned plans to visit Springfield, Ohio, a city that has been rocked by unfounded rumors against Haitians that he himself has spread. Those rumors have included accusations that pets, such as dogs and cats, have been stolen, leading to heightened tensions in the small community.
A real social impact
Trump’s accusations about Springfield, a city of 60 that has taken in about 000 Haitians, have exacerbated divisions. Although rumors of pet thefts have been widely denied, they have had dire consequences. Since the first televised debate between Trump and his rival Kamala Harris, Springfield has seen several bomb threats and school closures.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine distanced himself from Trump’s comments, denouncing the rumors as a danger to public safety. He deployed additional law enforcement to protect the city. The threats against Haitians in Springfield, amplified by social media and Trump’s comments, have plunged the city into a crisis of identity and underlying violence.
Democrat Kamala Harris, meanwhile, has been a vocal opponent of Trump, criticizing him for his hateful rhetoric. At her own campaign events, she has emphasized support for minorities, particularly the Latino community. Harris has decried Trump’s strategy of amplifying fear of immigration to rally his most radical supporters.
She also criticized her opponent's anti-immigration policies, saying that the "mass deportations" and "detention camps" Trump has envisioned would only exacerbate racial and economic tensions in the country. Harris has positioned herself as the candidate of unity, trying to appeal to minority voters, while Trump has anchored himself in divisive rhetoric.
A calculated maneuver
Beyond the controversy over Haitian migrants in Springfield, Trump is using this strategy to refocus the campaign on a topic that is favorable to him: fear of immigration. For years, the former president has capitalized on this theme, seeing it as a lever to mobilize his most conservative voters. This strategy seems to be bearing fruit, despite the misinformation and false accusations it conveys.
The Republican candidate also faces challenges on the economic front, another key issue in the campaign. While the Federal Reserve has just announced a cut in its key rates, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have hailed this measure as “good news.” Trump, on the other hand, has denounced the Fed, saying that the rate cuts mask a deep economic crisis.
The 2024 presidential campaign is shaping up to be one of the most polarized in American history, with immigration and the economy at the center of the debates. While Trump continues to cultivate divisions, Harris is trying to build a bridge with minority voters and maintain a unifying narrative.
Donald Trump’s accusations about immigration and Haitian migrants in Springfield are yet another example of how the former president uses fear and misinformation as a political weapon. As the November election approaches, America faces an increasingly clear choice between two opposing visions of the future: a country closed in on itself, versus a diverse and inclusive nation.
