Since former President Donald Trump said Haitians are eating pets in Springfield, life in the central Ohio city has not been the same.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WSYX) — Former President Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters Wednesday night that he plans on visiting Springfield just days after the city’s mayor said he’s concerned about how a visit from either presidential candidate would impact the city.

When Donald Trump brought up debunked claims about immigrants eating dogs and cats in the Ohio city of Springfield, at last week’s presidential debate, Ohio-based reporters were not nearly as surprised as the rest of the country.

Springfield is now home to thousands of Haitians. Last week’s presidential debate thrust the small city into the national spotlight.

Former President Donald Trump said during a rally that he would travel to Springfield, Ohio, the focal point of unsubstantiated claims targeting Haitian migrants, "in the next two weeks."

Schools in Springfield, Ohio were open for classes Wednesday, but state troopers remain on duty guarding students. That's after a series of bomb threats related to wildly false claims of immigrants eating pets.

Ohio statehouse leaders address Springfield controversy