WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement in response to false and disparaging comments about Haitian immigrants living in Springfield, Ohio made by a Senate colleague and the former President of the United States.
“From the neighborhoods of Springfield, Ohio, to the communities of Salisbury, Maryland, Haitian immigrants have woven themselves into the very fabric of our nation, serving as indispensable members of our shared home. To suggest otherwise with lies and xenophobic rhetoric belittles their contributions and undermines the values America has always stood for.
“True leadership recognizes the courage and resilience of those striving for a better future in the face of overwhelming adversity. It means standing with them in solidarity, not demeaning them for political gain. I urge all of my colleagues and those seeking public office to join in supporting the Haitian people, both at home and abroad, and to uphold the principles of humanity, respect, and empathy that define our role on the global stage.
“The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is acutely aware of the struggles Haiti faces, and we are working with our international partners to support stability and recovery in the region. At a time when Haiti is grappling with one of the worst humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere, the United States must be a leader in offering support and standing against racism and misinformation. The work of this Committee has always centered on diplomacy, cooperation, and building bridges – values we should and must reflect in our discourse here at home.”
###