Haitian migrants changed this US town - Trump's deportation drive is reshaping it again

Image caption, Springfield, in south-west Ohio, was thrust into the spotlight in 2024 when Trump repeated a false claim about Haitian immigrants eating petsByTom Bateman reporting from OhioIn this closely fought midterm election campaign, the small town of Springfield, Ohio, has become a symbol of modern America. But it is a symbol that changes dramatically depending on who is describing it.To President Donald Trump, Springfield crystallises America's problems due to years of unchecked immigration. He once echoed a false claim that Haitian immigrants were eating pets here. Today, he says his mass deportation drive means its people are "getting their town back".But to others, Springfield represents a well-known cycle in the story of modern America. The decline of traditional industry, followed by a spike in immigration fuelled by cheap housing and low-paid labour. It is a familiar tale across the country.This story contains some distressing detailsPierre Damas Bel, 20, arrived in Springfield to join his father and stepmother in 2024. He fled his native Haiti, which was gripped by political instability and gang warfare. He entered the US with the government's permission under a now-d...