Sep 18, 2024 - News

Karl Racine blasts Trump's comments about Haitian immigrants

Cuneyt Dil

Karl Racine, the former attorney general of D.C. and a Haitian American, is warning about the "real possibility of violence" in the aftermath of baseless conspiracy theories about the Haitian community.

"It may seem like just politics," Racine, who made hate crimes a top priority as head of the National Association of Attorneys General, told the New York Times. "But it's serious business, with the real possibility of violence."

Context: The Republican presidential ticket has peddled a baseless rumor about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, with former President Trump even floating the falsehood during the recent debate.

Since then, dozens of bomb threats have targeted Springfield's schools, colleges and Haitian community specifically, the Times reports.

Racine said he was "horrified" by the remarks from the GOP ticket and that the nominees "dehumanized and diminished" immigrants who live and work in Springfield.
Before returning to private practice last year, Racine, while in office, sued Trump's business empire.

By the numbers: There are about 1.2 million people with Haitian heritage in the U.S., according to the census.

Many have recently joined the diaspora by crossing the border or through a Biden administration program that allows temporary entry if they have a U.S. sponsor, according to the Times.
Thousands of Haitians have moved to Springfield, with many taking on blue-collar jobs and helping rebuild its population.

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Karl Racine blasts Trump's comments about Haitian immigrants

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