Call for federal aid puts Springfield into national spotlight

A call for federal aid from the City of Springfield to help with an influx of Haitian migrants has catapulted it into the national spotlight.

Springfield Mayor Rob Rue appeared on “Fox & Friends” on Friday to speak about how the city’s public services are being overwhelmed due to the 14,000-20,000 migrants he said the city has seen.

City officials are asking the federal government for any financial aid to help law enforcement, emergency services and schools.

If the figure is accurate, that would be an approximate 25-33 percent increase over the city’s usual population of just under 60,000.

City officials said the immigrants have been traveling to Springfield since 2014 after the city launched a “Welcome Springfield” campaign to boost its economy.

Most of the migrants over the last five years are from Haiti, which is currently seeing a significant period of civil unrest.

Rue said he sees a potential crisis on the horizon with the potential for an oversaturated housing market and over-burdened public schools.

“We are doing the best we can to take care of those who have come to us as visitors, those who have come in due to protected asylum,” said Rue. “The growth has been so large that this is causing difficulties for us to safely serve this community.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.