COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s campaign and its allies are spreading false rumors that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were kidnapping and eating pets, another example of the inflammatory and anti-immigration rhetoric Trump has promoted this throughout his campaigns.

There is no evidence that Haitian immigrants in any Ohio community are doing this, officials say, but Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s campaign aide and vice presidential candidate, and other Republicans repeated those claims this week.

Trump’s campaign team, which has criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her leadership role in President Joe Biden’s administration on the U.S.-Mexico border, issued a press release on Monday, a day before Tuesday’s presidential debate, suggesting: “Kamala migrants devastate Ohio City.” Trump’s running mate Vance wrote on Tuesday that his office had received “many inquiries” about Haitian migrants kidnapping pets.

Vance acknowledged on Tuesday that it was possible that “all these rumors turn out to be false.”

Officials say there are no credible or detailed reports of these allegations, even as Trump and his allies use them to reinforce racist stereotypes about black and brown immigrants.

During his presidency Trump asked why the US would accept people from so-called “shithole” countries like Haiti and from African countries. His 2024 campaign focused heavily on illegal immigration and frequently referred to crimes committed by migrants in his speeches. He argues that immigrants are responsible for the rise in crime and drug abuse in the United States and drain resources from American citizens.

Here’s a closer look at how the false claims spread.

How did this start?

On September 6, a post appeared on X that looked like a screenshot of a social media post from Springfield, Ohio. The retweeted post talked about how the “neighbor’s daughter’s friend” saw a cat hanging from a tree to be slaughtered and eaten, and claimed without evidence that Haitians lived in the house. The accompanying photo showed a black man carrying what looked like a Canada goose. This post continued to be shared on social media.

On Monday, Vance posted on X. “Reports say the pets were kidnapped and eaten by people who were not supposed to be in this country. Where is our border czar?” he said. The next day, Vance posted again on X about Springfield, saying his office had received inquiries from residents who said “their neighbors’ pets or local wildlife were kidnapped by Haitian migrants. It is of course possible that all of these rumors turn out to be false.”

Other Republicans shared similar posts, including Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who posted a photo of kittens with the caption saying people should vote for Trump “so Haitian immigrants don’t eat us.”

Hours before Trump’s debate with Harris on Tuesday, the former president posted two related photos on his social media page. One Truth Social post showed Trump surrounded by cats and geese. Another post showed gun-toting cats wearing MAGA hats.

What do officials in Ohio say?

Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck’s office issued a statement denying the rumors.

“In response to recent rumors that the immigrant population in our city is engaging in criminal activity, we want to clarify that there are no credible reports or specific allegations that pets belonging to individuals in the immigrant community have been harmed, injured or mistreated,” Heck’s office said in an emailed statement.

Springfield police said Monday Springfield News-Sun that they have not received any reports of stolen or eaten pets.

Republicans from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a news conference on Tuesday to discuss the influx of Haitian immigrants to Springfield. He declined to address the allegations, leaving comment to local authorities. But DeWine repeatedly spoke out in support of the people of Haiti, where his family has long run a charity.

What do we know about another case 281 km away?

A completely unrelated incident that occurred last month in Canton, Ohio, was quickly – and mistakenly – included in the discussion.

On August 26, Canton police charged a 27-year-old woman with animal cruelty and disturbing the peace after she “tortured, killed and ate a cat in a residential area in front of several people,” according to a Police report.

But Allexis Ferrell is not Haitian. She was born in Ohio and graduated from McKinley High School in Canton in 2015, according to public records and newspaper reports. Court records show she has been in ongoing trouble with the law since at least 2017. Several attorneys who have represented her did not respond to requests for comment.

According to prosecutors, she is being held in the Stark County Jail awaiting a competency hearing next month.

What do advocates for Haitian immigrants say?

The posts spread a false narrative and could be dangerous for Haitians in the U.S., says Guerline Jozef, founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a group that supports and advocates for immigrants of African descent.

“We are always the target of barbaric and inhumane representations and treatments of all kinds, especially when it comes to immigration,” Jozef said in a telephone interview.

Her comments echoed those of White House national security spokesman John Kirby.

“There are going to be people who believe that, no matter how ridiculous and stupid it is,” Kirby said. “And they might act on that information in a way that could harm someone. That has to stop.”

What is the broader context of Haitians in Ohio and the United States?

In Springfield, Ohio, a city of about 60,000 inhabitants, the Haitian population has grown in recent years. It is impossible to give an exact number, according to the CityHowever, estimates that there are a total of 15,000 immigrants living in the entire Springfield County.

The city also says the Haitian immigrants are in the country legally under a federal program that allows them temporary residency in the country. Last month Biden administration grants approval for a temporary legal status for about 300,000 Haitians already in the USA because conditions in Haiti are considered too unsafe for their return. Haiti’s government has declared a state of emergency due to rampant gang violence across the country.

Another factor that comes up, which Trump addressed in an email on Monday, is the death of an 11-year-old boy in August 2023, who died when a vehicle driven by an immigrant from Haiti struck his school bus. Afterward, residents spoke up at city council meetings demanding answers about the immigrant community.

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Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey, and Shipkowski from Toms River, New Jersey.