Sen. Eric Schmitt says Democrats are unfairly criticizing President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to deport illegal immigrants when similar actions took place under past Democratic administrations.
Key Facts:
– Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., highlighted that former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama deported about 17 million people.
– Schmitt’s remarks were aimed at Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., who questioned the economic and social costs of large-scale deportations.
– Schmitt accused President Biden of trying to change how Americans view deportation.
– Several recent crimes allegedly committed by illegal aliens have stirred public concern.
– Cases mentioned include the subway attack in New York City and the murders of a nursing student and a 12-year-old girl.
The Rest of The Story:
Schmitt argues that the U.S. has always maintained clear laws regarding deportation.
He says the rule is straightforward: if someone enters the country illegally and does not have a valid asylum claim, they are eventually sent back.
He criticizes what he sees as a shift in attitude, claiming some Democrats now want to look the other way.
He also cites recent tragic incidents involving illegal aliens, including violent crimes and murders.
Schmitt insists this proves why the U.S. needs to consistently enforce its immigration laws rather than pay for benefits and ignore ongoing threats.
SENATOR ERIC SCHMITT (R-MO): “President Trump is going to come in, he’s going to enforce those immigration laws — bring back Remain in Mexico… and deport people who are here illegally.” 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/dhutdvc39r
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) December 29, 2024
Commentary:
Schmitt’s position seems fair. Past Democratic administrations used similar measures, so acting shocked now appears insincere.
Many voters supported Donald Trump because they wanted someone to enforce immigration laws and remove people here illegally.
For Democrats to act as though Trump is the first to propose mass deportations overlooks history.
It also ignores the fact that the public has seen crimes linked to illegal immigration and wants action.
The Bottom Line:
Schmitt’s message is that enforcing deportation laws has a long precedent.
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Debates over immigration rules and their enforcement are not new, and many believe consistent application of these laws is overdue.