Donald Trump has said he is considering releasing “illegal immigrants” in Democratic strongholds to punish his opponents for inaction on border security.
By Associated Press Reporters
April 12 2019 8:07 PM
Donald Trump has said he is considering releasing “illegal immigrants” in Democratic strongholds to punish his opponents for inaction on border security.
The President’s remarks came just hours after White House and Homeland Security officials insisted the idea had been rejected as fast as it had been proposed.
“Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only,” Mr Trump tweeted.
Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only….
He added: “The Radical Left always seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy – so this should make them very happy!”
He told reporters later on Friday he was “strongly looking at” the idea.
“They’re always saying they have open arms. Let’s see if they have open arms,” he said.
His comments, which appeared to catch officials at the Department of Homeland Security off guard, came as critics condemned news that the White House had at least twice considered a plan to release detained immigrants into so-called sanctuary cities as an effort to use migrants as pawns to go after political opponents.
“Sanctuary cities” are places where local authorities do not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, denying information or resources that would help ICE round up for deportation people living in the country illegally.
