CNN

For Gov. Mike DeWine, the attacks on Haitians near his Ohio hometown are personal – and so is the cost of Trump’s and J.D. Vance’s vicious demonization of legal immigrants.

Neither DeWine speaks, and few in the sanctuary even know the governor is in their presence until after the homily. That’s when a Haitian layman, speaking his native language, recognizes the visitor and necks crane to glimpse of one of the few white people present before the congregation collectively rises to give him an ovation. DeWine stands long enough to acknowledge the ovation, offers an appreciative wave and quickly sits back down. It’s his second consecutive Sunday attending the afternoon service at St. Raphael’s, but he’s heartened this time to see more Haitians worshiping with him: few showed up the previous week because they were so frightened.

The next morning, the DeWines are visiting Springfield’s McGregor Metal, a family-owned manufacturer of auto and farm parts. The company’s third-generation owner, Jamie McGregor, has had to close the bay doors he usually keeps open out of safety concerns. There’s a flyer that’s been posted in Springfield with an image of McGregor and “TRAITOR” branded on his forehead. That’s because McGregor employs Haitians and has praised their dedication and reliability.

After touring the factory floor and saying hello to the workers, a mix of white Ohioans and Haitians, DeWine is sitting at a conference room table with the same mix. The locals extol their co-workers — and one lightens the mood by joking about their forebears eating possum. The Haitians say they’ve felt welcome and are grateful for their jobs, but that recent weeks have been difficult, and they know people are wondering about them now.