Current:Home > ContactFather of slain Ohio boy asks Trump not to invoke his son in immigration debate -MoneyBase
Father of slain Ohio boy asks Trump not to invoke his son in immigration debate
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:33:12
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — The father of an Ohio boy killed last year when a Haitian immigrant hit a school bus is imploring Donald Trump and other politicians to stop invoking his son’s name in the debate about immigration.
Nathan Clark spoke Tuesday at a Springfield City Council hearing — the same day that the former president and Vice President Kamala Harris debated, and the city in Ohio exploded into the national conversation when Trump repeated false claims demonizing Haitian immigrants, saying they eat pets.
“This needs to stop now,” Nathan Clark said. “They can vomit all the hate they want about illegal immigrants, the border crisis and even untrue claims about fluffy pets being ravaged and eaten by community members. However, they are not allowed, nor have they ever been allowed to mention Aiden Clark from Springfield, Ohio. I will listen to them one more time to hear their apologies.”
Eleven-year-old Aiden Clark was killed in August last year when a minivan driven by Hermanio Joseph veered into a school bus carrying Aiden and other students. Aiden died and nearly two dozen others were hurt.
In May, a Clark County jury deliberated for just an hour before convicting Joseph of involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide. He was sentenced to between nine and 13 1/2 years in prison. A motion to stay his sentence pending an appeal was denied in July.
AP AUDIO: Father of slain Ohio boy asks Trump not to invoke his son in immigration debate
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports Donald Trump is amplifying false rumors that Haitian immigrants in an Ohio town are abducting and eating pets.
Trump’s campaign and others, including his running mate, JD Vance, have cited Aiden’s death in online posts. On Monday, the Trump campaign posted “REMEMBER: 11-year-old Aiden Clark was killed on his way to school by a Haitian migrant that Kamala Harris let into the country in Springfield, Ohio.” On Tuesday, Vance posted: “Do you know what’s confirmed? That a child was murdered by a Haitian migrant who had no right to be here.”
Clark’s death got wrapped up in a swirl of false rumors on Monday about Haitian immigrants eating pets, then Tuesday, Trump repeated the statements, which local officials and police have said are not supported by evidence.
There was no answer at the Clark house when a reporter knocked on the door Thursday. A message seeking a response to Clark’s statement was left with representatives of Trump and Vance, as well as Republican senate candidate Bernie Moreno, whom Clark also mentioned by name on Tuesday.
Many Haitians have come to the U.S. to flee poverty and violence. They have embraced President Joe Biden’s new and expanded legal pathways to enter, and have shunned illegal crossings, accounting for only 92 border arrests out of more than 56,000 in July, according to the latest data available.
The Biden administration recently announced an estimated 300,000 Haitians could remain in the country at least through February 2026, with eligibility for work authorization, under a law called Temporary Protected Status. The goal is to spare people from being deported to countries in turmoil.
On Tuesday, Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said he would send law enforcement and millions of dollars in healthcare resources to the city of Springfield, which has faced a surge in temporary Haitian migrants. DeWine said some 15,000 Haitians have arrived in the city of about 59,000 people since 2020 under the Temporary Protected Status program, and he urged the federal government to do more to help affected communities.
Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also drew attention to the crisis on Monday when he directed his office to research legal avenues — including filing a lawsuit — to stop the federal government from sending “an unlimited number of migrants to Ohio communities.”
___
Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey, and Smyth from Columbus, Ohio. Associated Press reporter Bruce Shipkowski in Troms River, New Jersey, contributed.
veryGood! (14)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- DWTS' Len Goodman Dead at 78: Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and More Pay Tribute
- Bachelor Nation's Sean Lowe Says Son Needed E.R. Trip After Family Dog Bit Him
- Bachelor Nation's Sean Lowe Says Son Needed E.R. Trip After Family Dog Bit Him
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- How to stay safe from the smoke that's spreading from the Canadian wildfires
- Lukas Gage and Chris Appleton Officially Obtain Marriage License
- There are plenty of doomsday climate stories — 'Extrapolations' is about the everyday
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- People smugglers keep trying to recruit this boat captain. Here's why he says no
Ranking
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Taylor Swift Gives Update After Fans Spot Hand Injury at Eras Tour Concert
- These Are the Best Hoka Running Shoe Deals You Can Shop Right Now
- Taylor Swift Gives Update After Fans Spot Hand Injury at Eras Tour Concert
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Queen Camilla’s Son Tom Parker Bowles Makes Rare Comments on Her Marriage to King Charles
- Paige DeSorbo Shares the No. 1 Affordable Accessory You Need to Elevate Your Wardrobe
- Climate change makes Typhoon Mawar more dangerous
Recommendation
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
How to stay safe from the smoke that's spreading from the Canadian wildfires
A skinny robot documents the forces eroding a massive Antarctic glacier
Climate change and a population boom could dry up the Great Salt Lake in 5 years
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Out-of-control wildfires cause evacuations in western Canada
Scarlett Johansson Makes Rare Comment About Ex-Husband Ryan Reynolds
This Off-Shoulder Maxi Dress With Hundreds of 5-Star Amazon Reviews Is the Perfect Summer Vacation Look