A small town in a crucial swing state is grappling with an influx of Haitian migrants, raising concerns about overwhelmed services, cultural anxieties, and a sense of being left behind by state and federal authorities.
Logansport, Indiana, a town with a population of around 20,000, has seen its population swell by 20-30% since 2021, with the majority of the increase attributed to Haitian arrivals. This surge has put a strain on the town’s resources, particularly its schools and housing, leading to frustration among long-time residents.
Candice Espinoza, a Logansport resident, expressed her concerns about the impact on her daughter, who has dyslexia and struggles to get the support she needs in an environment increasingly focused on assisting English language learners. “They don’t help her. They are holding her back because they’re trying to specialize with these kids that need more English, and they don’t know English, so it’s harder,” Espinoza said.
The school district, while acknowledging the significant increase in Haitian student enrollment – from 14 to 207 – maintains that it is meeting the needs of all students, including those learning English. However, Espinoza and other residents disagree, citing anecdotal evidence of overcrowded classrooms and limited resources.
Beyond education, concerns extend to safety and cultural anxieties. One mother shared her daughter’s experience of being accosted by Haitian migrants while walking to a nearby coffee shop. Other residents reported feeling uncomfortable and unsafe, describing encounters with Haitian men staring at them from their porches.
Logansport’s mayor, Chris Martin, has appealed to state and federal authorities for assistance, expressing frustration at being left to manage the influx without any prior notification. He emphasizes the strain on the town’s resources and the need for support to address the growing demand for services.
The situation in Logansport mirrors similar challenges faced by other small towns across the US struggling to accommodate an influx of migrants. This issue, already a hot topic in the 2024 election cycle, is gaining traction as towns like Logansport become focal points in the national conversation about immigration, highlighting the complexities and anxieties surrounding the issue on the local level.