It’s no secret that illegal immigration was one of the main issues that helped propel Donald J. Trump into the White House. During the 2016 campaign, then-candidate Trump pledged to give America’s law enforcement agents the tools needed to properly deal with the illegal immigration problem plaguing our nation.
After taking office, President Trump fulfilled this campaign promise, issuing several orders aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, which included hiring more border patrol agents and putting pressure on sanctuary cities.
Since taking office, the number illegal immigrants arrested by ICE has skyrocketed, with the agency arresting 41,000 individuals in President Trump’s first 100 days, a 37% increase.
ICE arrests 41,000 illegals in Trump’s first 100 days, up 37 percent https://t.co/w7bzYkZJvP pic.twitter.com/GKsbbgSVGF
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 18, 2017
From The Washington Examiner:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that those arrests reflect an increase of 37.6 percent over the same period in 2016. Nearly 75 percent of those arrested for deportation were criminals, said ICE.
The arrests occurred between Jan. 22 and April 29, 2017, by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations deportation officers. ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan said in a statement:
“These statistics reflect President Trump’s commitment to enforce our immigration laws fairly and across the board. ICE agents and officers have been given clear direction to focus on threats to public safety and national security, which has resulted in a substantial increase in the arrest of convicted criminal aliens. However, when we encounter others who are in the country unlawfully, we will execute our sworn duty and enforce the law. As the data demonstrates, ICE continues to execute our mission professionally and in accordance with the law, and our communities will be much safer for it.”
This is a powerful message to those thinking about entering this country illegally.
Unlike Barack Obama, President Trump will not tolerate the disastrous “catch and release policy” and instead has actively empowered ICE to deport criminal illegal immigrants in this country.
While deportations under President Trump are up, funding for a border wall with Mexico is being delayed by pro-illegal immigration members of Congress who don’t want to provide the money necessary to keep our country safe.
One part of the border wall has been completed, and it was paid for by Barack Obama, despite opposing the wall for years.
Both Republicans and Democrats have made it clear they have no interest in paying for a border wall, despite calls from the president to include such funding in any future budgets.
Do you believe that President Trump’s tough stance on illegal immigration has lead to a surge in illegals being arrested by ICE? Share your thoughts below!