Donald Trump says he's coming to Springfield, mayor would prefer he didn't

Former President Donald Trump told a crowd Wednesday night that he is coming to Springfield in the next few weeks as the city remains in the national spotlight over immigration.

"I'm going to go there in the next two weeks. I'm going to Springfield," Trump told a crowd in Uniondale, N.Y.

More: 'We need help, not hate:' Springfield at center of national debate on immigration

Trump made unproven claims during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris last week that Haitian immigrants living in Springfield were eating dogs, cats and geese. Since then, the city has had to deal with bomb threats to schools, stores and other sites in the wake of Trump's comments.

Gov. Mike DeWine said the more than 30 bomb threats the city has received so far have turned out to be hoaxes from overseas. On Monday, DeWine said the Ohio State Highway Patrol will do bomb sweeps at Springfield schools as a precaution.

Springfield has seen a rise in legal Haitian immigrants in recent years as many flee Haiti and take jobs in Springfield factories and warehouses. City leaders have said the number is about 15,000-20,000 arriving over the course of several years.

Trump falsely increased the number of immigrants and lowered the time frame during the speech Wednesday.

"They had 32,000...illegal immigrants come into the town, 32, so they almost double their population in the period of a few weeks," Trump said.

Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who is running with Trump on the GOP ticket, has repeatedly said his office has received calls from Springfield residents saying their pets were taken, but has provided no proof.

On Tuesday, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said it would be "very, very difficult" on the city if either presidential candidate visited due to limited resources.

"So it would be fine with me if they decided not to make that stop right now," Rue said.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Donald Trump says he's going to Springfield Ohio