In a passionate and winding speech delivered in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, former President Donald Trump made a bold promise to "liberate" the state from what he referred to as an overwhelming surge of migrants.
As the race for the 2024 presidency gains momentum, Trump is firmly sticking to his hardline immigration stance.
Addressing a lively crowd at the Prairie du Chien Area Arts Center on Saturday, Trump didn’t hold back when he turned his focus to Vice President Kamala Harris.
He blamed her for what he perceives as a crisis unfolding at the southern border. “I will liberate Wisconsin from the mass migrant invasion,” Trump declared emphatically, adding, “We’re going to liberate the country.”
Criticizing Recent Developments
These comments came on the heels of Harris’s visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, where she unveiled plans to tighten restrictions on asylum claims.
Trump took aim at both her border visit and Fox News for broadcasting her statements, insisting, “Everything she says is lies.” Immigration remains a contentious issue in Wisconsin and other battleground states, and Trump is keen to tap into voter frustration over the topic.
He reiterated his provocative view that illegal border crossers are “poisoning the blood of the country,” and promised to initiate “the largest deportation operation in American history” if he secures another term.
At the event, Trump showcased mugshots of individuals living in the U.S. illegally who have been charged with crimes, including one named Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate.
Local Police Chief Kyle Teynor informed the audience that Zarate, who has been arrested on several charges, including sexual assault, is not a U.S. citizen and was found with fake immigration documents.
A Competitive Landscape
Recent polling indicates a competitive race in Wisconsin. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll, Harris holds a slight edge over Trump, leading 49 percent to 47 percent among likely voters.
This poll, conducted from September 21 to 26, surveyed 680 participants and carries a margin of error of around 4 percentage points.
FiveThirtyEight's averages also show Harris maintaining a narrow lead of 2.1 points over Trump, with figures at 48.8 percent to 46.7 percent.
A recent poll by Redfield and Wilton Strategies found that 47 percent of respondents trust Trump on immigration, compared to 36 percent who trust Harris.
Interestingly, this gap has been narrowing recently, paralleling a significant drop in border crossings following President Joe Biden's executive order that limited asylum claims.
Harris's tougher approach to border security reflects the Democratic Party's efforts to close this trust gap and adapt to shifting public attitudes toward immigration.
Gallup recently reported that 55 percent of voters—nearly 30 percent of whom are Democrats—now support new immigration restrictions, marking the highest level since 2001.
Diverging Immigration Policies
The differing immigration policies championed by Harris and Trump illustrate the broader ideological divide between Democrats and Republicans.
The GOP prioritizes immigration, promising to secure the border and address what they label an "invasion."
Conversely, the Democratic approach focuses on reforming the asylum process while balancing enforcement with humanitarian considerations.
During his presidency, Trump’s immigration policies aimed to curb unauthorized immigration, highlighted by the partial construction of a border wall, enhanced enforcement, and stricter asylum regulations.
His controversial “zero tolerance” policy, which led to family separations at the border, faced heavy backlash and was ultimately discontinued.
Harris's Vision for Reform
Harris advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, emphasizing humanitarian protections and pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, including “Dreamers.”
She aims to modernize legal immigration systems and promotes immigration as beneficial to the American economy and society.
Trump and other Republicans have pointed fingers at Harris for her perceived inaction as vice president, blaming her for the uptick in illegal border crossings and labeling her as Biden’s "border czar."
During a recent ABC News presidential debate, Trump made unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, which have since been debunked.
He has also pledged mass deportations, a plan that raises eyebrows among both Democrats and some Republicans due to the logistical hurdles it presents.
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