The Miami Heat waded into the heated political waters surrounding Springfield, Ohio, on Monday when the team released a statement defending its Haitian employees.
“The Miami Heat staff, like Miami itself, is a diverse and vibrant mix of cultures, including many members of our Haitian community,” the organization said. “The false narrative surrounding them is hurtful and offensive and has unfortunately made innocent people the targets of hate speech and physical threats.
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A detailed view of the shot and play clock in front of the tarp with the Miami Heat logo covering the stadium seats during the second half between the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena in Miami on December 29, 2020. (Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
“Our Haitian employees, fans and friends deserve better.”
The city of Springfield became a political flashpoint last week over viral allegations that pets had been stolen and eaten, which authorities have vehemently denied. The allegations sparked a broader debate about the plight of Haitian immigrants since their arrival.
Thousands of Haitians have arrived in Springfield since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and residents have pointed to an increase in crime, chaos and car accidents due to the massive influx of new residents. In a city of 58,000, roughly 20,000 Haitians have arrived, according to city officials.
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Many of those immigrants have arrived in the United States with temporary protected status, which allows them to live and work in the country for a limited period of time.
However, as more refugees arrived in the city, tensions began to arise between the local population and the sudden influx of new immigrants. Those tensions escalated further after an incident in October last year, when a school bus carrying dozens of children collided with a minivan, injuring many of the students on the bus and killing one.
A general view of the scoreboard with the FTX Arena logo hanging at midcourt before the game between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets at FTX Arena in Miami on November 12, 2022. (Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
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The Heat appear to have been the first professional sports team to speak out on the issue. Springfield native John Legend urged his hometown to “embrace” Haitian immigrants.
Fox News' Michael Lee contributed to this report.
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