New York City–– These past few weeks have shown us that a vote for the Trump and Vance ticket is a vote for lies, hate, and misinformation leveraged against immigrant and refugee communities. As Vance himself admitted, the lies about legal Haitian migrants in Springfield, OH are being used to help Trump and Vance gain media attention. As we said in our statement after the RNC and again in our endorsement of Harris and Walz, Trump and Vance use hateful and false rhetoric to advance their own careers at the expense of our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. 

Voice for Refuge Action Fund rejects the use of harmful rhetoric being used to spread lies and hate about the Haitian community. This rhetoric has consequences and has already led to students being kept home from school, over 30 bomb threats, and canceled city events in Springfield, OH as of September 19. 

“We cannot stand by while candidates peddle harmful, dangerous lies about the Haitian immigrant and refugee communities for political gain,” said Erol Kekic, Voice for Refuge Action Fund’s Executive Director. “The Haitian community in Springfield Ohio, like all immigrant and refugee communities since our country’s founding, are contributing to our shared home and making it stronger. Voters must make their voices heard at the ballot box, and put an end to this rhetoric seeking to divide us.”

We call on all candidates, community leaders, and voters to reject these lies and rise against the hate. 

About Voice for Refuge: Voice for Refuge is the first 501(c)4 organization created to advance pro-refugee policies at the national, state, and local level and to hold elected leaders accountable to upholding America’s legacy of welcome. Voice for Refuge is educating the public about the benefits of refugee resettlement, advocating for pro-refugee policies in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, and increasing civic engagement among refugees through non-partisan voter education. Voice for Refuge will also promote the representation of refugees in government by supporting former refugees and pro-refugee candidates running for office at the national, state, and local level. For more information or to get involved visit voiceforrefuge.org or contact info@voiceforrefuge.org.

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