Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has launched an investigation into the federal government’s relocation of thousands of immigrants to Springfield, seeking legal means to limit the influx. Yost’s announcement follows complaints from local residents about the impact of the growing immigrant population, which now includes as many as 20,000 Haitian immigrants in a city of 60,000.

In a press release on Monday, Yost criticized the Biden-Harris administration for its “absurd” approach to handling immigration, particularly the strain it has placed on local resources. Springfield residents have expressed concerns about rising crime, including property theft and wildlife being killed for food, as well as the overall effect on the local economy. Yost stated his intention to bring the issue before a federal judge to challenge the federal government’s authority in sending large numbers of immigrants to Ohio communities.

“Springfield has swollen by more than a third due to migrants,” Yost said. “What are the limits to the federal government’s power? There’s got to be a limiting principle.”

Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted echoed Yost’s concerns, noting the strain on health care services and a rise in infectious diseases like tuberculosis. He emphasized that the current immigration policy is a deliberate choice by the Biden administration and criticized the lack of federal support for affected communities.

Gov. Mike DeWine also voiced frustration, calling on the federal government to offer assistance to overwhelmed localities. DeWine emphasized that the issue isn’t with the immigrants themselves, but with the sheer volume arriving in such a short time. He has allocated $2.5 million to aid the local health department and private clinics in coping with the increased demand for services.