Former President Donald Trump announced plans to visit Ohio and Colorado in the near future, shifting from the presidential swing-state map. His agenda includes promoting controversial claims related to immigrant communities in these regions.

During a rally in New York on Wednesday, Trump pinpointed Springfield, Ohio, and Aurora, Colorado, as cities he plans to visit. These locations have been highlighted by both Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, as adversely affected by immigration.

In the September 10 presidential debate, Trump made the unfounded assertion that Haitian migrants in Springfield were responsible for the disappearance of residents’ pets. This claim was swiftly corrected by debate moderators and faces ongoing dispute from state officials, including Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine. Yet, Trump persists in using Springfield to reinforce his hardline immigration stance.

While addressing supporters in Uniondale, New York, he reiterated that many migrants in the area were illegally present, inflating the number of recent arrivals to 32,000. Official estimates, however, suggest that between 12,000 and 20,000 Haitian migrants have come to the U.S. since 2020, with most possessing legal status.

Trump characterized Springfield and Aurora as unsafe, lacking evidence for his dire claims. “They’ve got to get much tougher,” he remarked about local leaders. He added a speculative comment about his fate in Springfield: “You may never see me again, but that’s OK.” Such statements aim to emphasize his focus on immigration as a primary campaign issue, despite neither state being among the top battlegrounds for the upcoming presidential election.

In a contrasting tone, the Trump campaign addressed immigration within the context of Hispanic Heritage Month during a press call. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, whose family emigrated from Cuba, claimed that life improved for all Americans—including Hispanic citizens—during Trump’s presidency compared to the current Biden administration. He linked economic concerns to the immigration narrative, emphasizing the aspirations of immigrant families.

President Biden, in a separate event for Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighted job gains for Hispanic Americans under his administration, citing a record-low unemployment rate. He criticized Republican immigration rhetoric and reaffirmed America’s identity as a nation of immigrants.

On a different front, a group called White Dudes for Harris launched a $10 million ad campaign aimed at appealing to white male voters in battleground states. The campaign targets demographics that historically lean Republican, reflecting voting patterns from previous elections where Trump held a significant advantage.

Moreover, the Harris campaign is set to host a virtual event with Oprah Winfrey, aiming to reach a broad audience just before Trump participates in an event addressing anti-Semitism alongside substantial donor Miriam Adelson.

Recent polling presents a mixed picture of the race. A New York Times/Siena College survey indicated a deadlock between Harris and Trump nationally. However, in Pennsylvania, Harris led with 50%, compared to Trump’s 46%. Additional polling from Marist Institute affirmed a tight race, especially in key states that may influence the election outcome.

Discussions are also underway regarding Nebraska’s electoral vote distribution method. Some lawmakers advocate for a winner-take-all system, influenced by Trump’s pressure for changes to the state’s current approach. This could significantly alter the electoral dynamics in a state where Trump is widely expected to win.