Influx: Small Ohio town struggles as influx of Mauritanian refugees nearly doubles population

The small Ohio town of Lockland, near Cincinnati, has seen its population nearly double after taking in over 3,000 Mauritanian asylum seekers within the past year. Originally home to just 3,500 residents, Lockland’s sudden growth has stirred local concerns as the community adjusts to an influx of refugees following a surge in Mauritanian migration to the U.S.

TikTok’s Role in the Migration Wave

Many Mauritanians have found their way to Lockland thanks to a widely shared TikTok route detailing how to reach the U.S. from Mauritania via Turkey and South America. The route’s final leg is made possible by Nicaragua’s relaxed entry requirements, allowing Mauritanians to enter easily and head north toward the United States. “Somehow, a good number of them have landed in Lockland,” noted Village Administrator Doug Wehmeyer.

Community Resources Under Strain

The town’s limited infrastructure is feeling the impact. Emergency calls to the fire service have surged by 12%, largely due to overcrowded housing conditions for the new arrivals. Fire Chief Wehmeyer recalls responding to a fire that forced the evacuation of “hundreds of Mauritanians” from an apartment complex.

Economic and Social Challenges

Lockland Mayor Mark Mason has called on federal leaders to address what he describes as an “unsustainable” situation. The town, he explains, has seen a $200,000 shortfall in tax revenue as many of the new arrivals are not yet working. “If the federal government is going to have an open border policy, they need to direct these immigrants to communities that can withstand such population growth,” Mason stated.

Root Causes: Repression and Social Media’s Influence

The migration from Mauritania, a country where slavery is reportedly still practiced in some areas, has been partly fueled by racial tensions and alleged government repression against Black Mauritanians. Following the police-custody death of a young Black man in May, the Mauritanian government reportedly cracked down on protests and internet access, spurring activists and citizens to seek asylum abroad.