…Haitians here talk of a sense of fear created by the misinformation.

Laura Koveleski, 26, grew up in the city and along with her Haitian mother runs a business providing translation and other services to the immigrants. She recounted a number of incidents of harassment – beyond the bomb threats – which she says have created a climate of fear and paranoia.

“Haitians, who have just been minding their business, going to work and coming home, are now terrified to walk on the streets or to gather together,” she said.

She also said the immigrant community has been unfairly portrayed as “illegal”.

The city says most of the recent immigrants are legal asylum seekers who have been granted Temporary Protected Status, which gives them permission to work and receive social benefits.

At the same time, many long-term residents fear their concerns are being dismissed out of hand because of the cat-eating falsehoods.

One resident who did not want to give his name told the BBC that the Haitians were being taken advantage of, being charged high rent and offered lower wages – with corresponding knock-on economic effects for the existing population.

“They’re being used,” he said. “They’re not getting treated good at all.”

But “everybody’s cats are safe, dogs are safe,” he added.

He suggested that Haitians, who have been encouraged to move here by some local businesses to help with post-pandemic labour shortages, are being exploited by businesses and government officials.

Source: Springfield grapples with false cat-eating rumours – and real problems