A former congressman called Donald Trump an “anti-immigrant monster” on Thursday after repeating his debunked claim that Haitian immigrants were eating their pets in Springfield, Ohio. ” he criticized.
Luis V. Gutierrez, who represented Illinois’ 4th Congressional District from 1993 to 2019, was reacting as undecided Latino voters gathered at the Republican presidential candidate’s town hall on Univision Wednesday. At the town hall, Trump was asked if he really believed Springfield’s claims.
“This was just reported. I just said what was reported,” Trump said. “And they’re eating other things they shouldn’t be eating.”
President Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, said in early September that migrants in Springfield were killing pets and local wild animals, despite local officials and community leaders saying there was no evidence. He was one of those who repeated the rumor that he was eating living things.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at Univision Noticias City Hall in Doral, Florida on October 16th. President Trump addressed undecided Latino voters at the event. Former President Donald Trump speaks at Univision Noticias City Hall in Doral, Florida on October 16th. President Trump addressed undecided Latino voters at the event. Joe Radle/Getty Images
On Wednesday, President Trump went on to say that 30,000 Haitians were stationed in towns in Ohio. That’s double the official figure from Springfield officials. The majority of immigrants entered the country through legal humanitarian parole programs or were allowed to remain through Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Gutierrez told the news conference that President Trump is increasingly losing their freedoms and warned Latinos that his promise of mass deportation should scare them all.
Mr. Gutierrez warned that Mr. Trump would target Dreamers and TPS patients, saying, “Remember, gentlemen, he is coming for all of us.” “No one will be able to protect themselves from this anti-immigrant monster.”
At various rallies and speeches in recent months, Republican candidates have said they would carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants while also working to repeal Biden-era policies such as TPS and humane parole.
President Trump said Wednesday night that there had been no problems in Springfield before the migrants arrived, but the influx had created a “disaster.”
President Trump added: “We cannot allow that to happen to our cities, towns and country. It is not sustainable.”
A mural in an alley in downtown Springfield, Ohio, on September 16th. Springfield gained national attention after former President Donald Trump claimed members of the Haitian immigrant community were eating pets. A mural in an alley in downtown Springfield, Ohio, on September 16th. Springfield gained national attention after former President Donald Trump claimed members of the Haitian immigrant community were eating pets. Luke Charette/Getty Images
Democratic strategist Maria Cardona criticized the former president for standing by his claims and showing no remorse.
“This targets our entire community,” she said. “For his followers who are willing to take his word for it, we know what this rhetoric does and how it provokes violence and hatred in others. is.”
Another voter, a farm worker, asked President Trump what would happen to the agriculture industry if many of the people working in agriculture were deported.
President Trump said life was good for farmers during his first term in office, before repeating his claim that open borders policies were bringing criminals into the United States.
“They’re coming in from all over the world. No one has ever seen anything like this,” he said. “We want workers and we want them to come, but they have to come legally.”
Audience listens to former President Donald Trump’s speech at Univision Noticias City Hall on October 16. At the event, Trump repeated false claims that Haitian immigrants are eating pets. Audience listens to former President Donald Trump’s speech at Univision Noticias City Hall on October 16. At the event, Trump repeated false claims that Haitian immigrants are eating pets. Joe Radle/Getty Images
This week, the National Foundation for American Policy Studies released a report showing that mass deportation plans and increased immigration restrictions could have a negative impact on the U.S. job market.
According to the report, many of those being deported have been in the country for more than 10 years and work in a variety of fields.
Polls show divided opinion among both Democratic and Republican voters. Many say they support mass deportation but want a more legal route to the U.S.
“Don’t believe the polls that Republicans like to tout that show a majority of Americans approve of mass deportation. Those polls are misguided. They’re not asking the right questions. ” Cardona said, adding that many Americans believe that is the case. More anti-disruption than anti-immigrant.
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