SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – As President Donald Trump took the stage for his inaugural address on Monday, some Springfield residents at the center of the debate over immigration watched from inside a local Haitian restaurant.

Haitians in Springfield have long been preparing for this day. They've been the focus of a national spotlight since September when Vice President JD Vance posted claims without evidence about Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats.

Trump repeated the claims during the presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. Right after Trump's comments, the central Ohio city of 60,000 was plagued by bomb threats and poor school attendance as the situation gained national media attention.

In September, Trump promised "large deportations" from Springfield if elected.

"I can say this, we will do large deportations from Springfield, Ohio – large deportations. We're going to get these people out," he said.

Watching the inauguration felt weird, Springfield resident Dina Paul said, though she felt supported by the community after his comments.

"Most of the local residents knew what was up and stood up for us," she said.

Paul lives in Springfield during the tax season and also helps Haitian residents with job applications. She said the Haitian residents are most worried about their temporary protected status , a federal designation for immigrants from countries with dangerous conditions, such as a natural disaster or armed conflict. In June, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas extended the status for Haiti to February 2026.

Paul said she continues to feel support from the Springfield community and their appreciation of Haitian culture, like when people frequent the Rose Goute Creole restaurant for Haitian food.

Trainings for encounters with ICE

Vilés Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center , said he's spoken to friends nervous about the inauguration and the return of Trump to power.

"I think there is a kind of paradigm shift from the way the comments used to be to the way they are right now," Dorsainvil said. "Before it was more calling people names, all type of names. Now it's changing to like 'You guys have to start packing up because Trump is coming.'"

Dorsainvil said he's spoken to Haitian residents who've been shouted at and told to "pack their bags" while walking down the street.

The Haitian Support Center has hosted trainings so that residents know their rights and what to do if they encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Dorsainvil said the training prepares people to ask to speak to a lawyer or to ask to see a warrant if an agent comes to their house.

The trainings also focus on the right to remain silent and how residents can designate a guardian for their children in the event they are detained.

"We started way before today," Dorsainvil said on Monday.

He said he feels supported by Springfield's city leaders and the Springfield Neighbors United group.

"There are so many events that have been happening just to show some kind of solidarity. Those actions kind of lower the tension a little bit and give the immigrants that sense of hope," he said.

A protest in support of immigrants

A few protestors came from Cleveland on Monday to hold signs in support of the Haitian immigrants in the freezing weather at a busy intersection in Springfield. One driver shouted "Suck it up, snowflakes" out his window as he drove by.

Springfield resident Clara Copeland stopped by to see the protest. Copeland said she doesn't feel tension in the city but did notice the withdrawal of Haitian residents after the viral posts in September.

"The thing that hurt through all that - I live on the south side and walking around you could see children out playing. After (the national attention), the Haitian people just went inside," she said.