From the Republican perspective, however, the debate went largely as expected, including the comments about Haitian immigrants.
“It’s no secret that whenever Donald Trump is debating there are always some elements of drama,” said Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party when asked about Trump’s comments about Haitian immigrants in Ohio. “That certainly was apparent.” She complained that the moderators were unfair to Trump, echoing post-debate talking points from Trump allies.
As Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune took in Trump’s remarks Tuesday night, she said that one quote from author Toni Morrison filled her mind: “The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction.”
On one hand, “I want to ignore them and beat them [at the polls] like crazy in November, but at the same time, we need to condemn them,” saidLouijeune, the first Haitian American elected to Boston City Council in 2021. “Misinformation spreads.”
Louijeune said the presidential debate only served to further motivate her to enact policy that will help new arrivals settle peacefully in their new home. Massachusetts has seen a large influx of new arrivals since 2022, with many Haitian migrants fleeing poverty and crime at home. Many immigrants are drawn to Boston’s well-established Haitian community, and have traveled to the city — oftenwith children in tow — in hopes of starting a new life as part of the diaspora.
”We need to make sure that people who are here have access to jobs, and have access to be able to create a life here,” she said. “What are we doing on the policy level to improve country conditions in Haiti? I keep my eyes on those goals, even as the very vile attacks come our way.”
As jarring as the former president’s statements might have been, the Boston City Council president said that she was affirmed by the number of messages she received from her circle checking in on her well-being.
The wave of support showed that “the thoughts of the president and Vance are in the minority, and we have to push back against it,” she said.
Despite Trump’s comments last night, Louijeune said she hopes that Haitian American voters move with their feet, and make their stances known at the ballot box in November.
”I hope that Haitian voters in Florida, in Georgia, and around the country that may be disillusioned think about what J.D. Vance has said, think about what Donald Trump has said, and take that to the polls on Election Day,” Louijeune said. “It’s unforgivable, it’s unacceptable, and we need to show our impact.”
Sarah Sherman-Stokes, an immigration lawyer and professor at Boston University, watched the debate as she prepared to teach her class on immigration law Wednesday morning.
This semester marks her second time teaching the course in an election year, which she said poses a unique opportunity to talk about how rhetoric can put immigrants in danger.
“Not only did he repeat a completely unfounded story [about Haitian migrants in Ohio], but he put Haitian immigrants in danger. This kind of rhetoric leads to hate crimes, violence, and discrimination,” said Sherman-Stokes, who serves as the associate director of the school’s Immigrants’ Rights & Human Trafficking Clinic. “We should all be concerned about a potential president that would incite that.”
Jeff Thielman, who works to resettle migrants at the International Institute of New England, said while he thought the comments were “insulting” and “completely racist,” he also worried about the long-term implications of Trump’s campaign promise to deport millions of noncitizens. Immigrants make up a huge part of the American workforce, he said. Without them, the economy would suffer.
“I thought wow, I wonder if people are going to believe this craziness,” he said. “He is making racist comments to get votes and articulating policies that will harm the economy for all of us.”
Samantha J. Gross can be reached at samantha.gross@globe.com. Follow her @samanthajgross. Tiana Woodard can be reached at tiana.woodard@globe.com. Follow her @tianarochon.
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Publish date : 2024-09-10 13:00:00
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