Editor, Times-Union:
I cannot let my opponent's shameless blatantly racist political stunt go unanswered.
In a letter dated October 22, 2024 to the Secretary of Homeland Security that can only be charitably described as racist fear mongering, Congressman Rudy Yakym asserts without evidence, that Logansport has experienced a “surge of infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis” due to Black Haitian immigrants residing there. He closes the letter with a request for a formal briefing from the Secretary to “fully understand the crisis.”
Since Logansport is not even in Congressman Yakym’s district one wonders about his “concern” and why he chooses to demonize one group of people. The congressman could have saved himself some postage if he had merely picked up the phone to talk to Logansport’s mayor or other city officials. Or just read the local Logansport newspaper. But instead, banking that he can scare Hoosiers into voting for him by “trumping up” a crisis, Rudy, sadly takes the low road. Worth noting, these are legal immigrants, and the legal status was twice extended under the man Rudy bends his knee to every chance he gets, Trump. Why wasn’t Rudy complaining then?
If Rudy had consulted local leaders he would have learned that while the city of 18,000 has had a 30% increase in population since 2021, and a portion of that increase is composed of LEGAL hard-working Haitian immigrants, the increase is in part due to the two large Tyson meat packing plants seeking more laborers. Such grueling jobs often are hard to fill, just as are the back-breaking farm jobs. Traditionally immigrants do the jobs natives decline. They are attracted to an area where they can work.
Contrary to internet rumors, Logansport officials note there has been absolutely no increase in crime and, in fact, many types of crime have actually dropped as the population has risen. This is easy to fact check as the Cass County Commission posts these numbers after every regular meeting.
It is no surprise that a rise in population is taxing on the community. Logansport officials are seeking financial assistance from the federal government to help with that. Fear mongering distracts from finding solutions.
Make no mistake: Rudy’s letter to Homeland Security is a desperate election ploy. Since he can’t defend his record on the border and immigration reform, he attempts a smoke screen. Like every other Republican in Congress, Rudy Yakym bent his knee to Donald Trump when Trump ordered them to reject the tough bi-partisan immigration reform bill that their own conservative members had drafted. Now, in a twisted search for votes, Rudy appeals to fear of the immigrant, just as earlier nativists sought to exclude Poles, Hungarians, and the Irish.
While Rudy plays politics with immigration reform, I support the bipartisan, tough immigration bill and will always work my hardest for the security of all Hoosiers of the Second District. And I will never demonize any group, let alone hard-working people who have legally come to our country in search of the American dream and who literally put food on the table for the rest of us.
Your neighbor, your voice,
Lori Camp
Candidate for US Representative IN-D2
South Bend, via email