Calls for increased border security and mass deportation of illegal immigrants were again in the air on the third night of the Republican National Convention, as the ongoing crisis at the border remains a top political issue.
Signs reading “Mass Deportation Now!” were seen on the convention floor, and the point was emphasized by former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Tom Homan, who said a new Trump term would bring new enforcement measures and more deportations.
“I have a message for the millions of illegal immigrants that Joe Biden has released into our country in violation of federal law: You better start packing your bags now,” Homan said to cheers from the crowd.
BORDER WALL GAP LEFT OPEN AFTER BIDEN STOPS CONSTRUCTION, FRUSTRATING OFFICERS: 'IT'S A BEACON'
People hold signs reading “Mass Deportation Now!” on the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians and supporters of the Republican Party are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, which concludes with former President Donald Trump accepting their party's presidential nomination. The Republican National Convention runs from July 15-18. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Former President Trump campaigned hard to restrict illegal immigration and build a wall along the southern border in 2016, and his supporters say the strategy worked.
President Biden took office reversing many of Trump’s policies and has since been gripped by a historic, record-breaking crisis at the southern border. The Biden administration has said it has been trying to resolve what it says is a hemisphere-wide crisis but needs funding and immigration reform from Congress — something it blames Republicans for blocking.
But Republicans say the crisis is a result of Biden-era policies and specifically the reversal of Trump-era policies, such as building the border wall and increasing security in the interior.
“Biden is the first president in American history to come into office and unsecure the border. Who the hell does that?” Homan asked.
Unaccompanied minors walk toward U.S. Border Patrol vehicles after crossing from Mexico on May 9, 2023 in El Paso, Texas. A surge in migrants is expected with the end of the U.S. government's COVID-era Title 42 policy, which for the past three years has allowed for the rapid expulsion of irregular migrants entering the country. (John Moore/Getty Images)
With the border crisis now a top issue, Republicans are promising to fix it if Trump is re-elected. Trump has promised the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history.
“America needs a president who will protect our border. America needs Donald J. Trump,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has repeatedly battled with the Biden administration over the crisis.
“Under President Trump, we had the lowest number of illegal border crossings in about four decades. Yet, in contrast, Joe Biden abandoned his duty on his first day in office, gutted President Trump's policies, and the result has been catastrophic,” he said.
On Tuesday, the second day of the convention focused on border security, with the theme “Make America Safe Again.” Speakers included the family of Rachel Morin, who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant last year.
“Joe Biden and his appointed border czar, Kamala Harris, opened our borders to him and others like him, empowering them to victimize the innocent,” said Rachel's brother, Michael.
Speakers on Wednesday included Arizona ranchers Sue and Jim Chilton.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS
Thomas Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), speaks on the third day of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
“On the screen you will see images from our ranch. Since Joe Biden took office, our hidden cameras have recorded over 3,500 drug packers and others dressed in camouflage marching north across our ranch,” Jim Chilton said.
“These are not asylum seekers“It looks, it feels like an invasion, because it is,” he said.
“Every time Jim leaves the ranch house, I worry that he won't come back alive,” Sue said. “Our house has been broken into twice. A Border Patrol agent was shot by drug traffickers at our ranch.”
The Biden administration has been pushing back against the narrative set by the Republican Party, accusing Republicans of blocking solutions. Meanwhile, the administration has said its actions are working.
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The White House The U.S. State Department said this week that since President Biden announced an executive order in June to limit entries into the United States, overall encounters have declined by more than 50% and the number of releases has dropped by 70%. Officials also say the administration has expelled and returned more than 50,000 people to more than 100 countries.
“While the President's action has produced significant results, it is clear that the only lasting solution to the challenges we are seeing at our border – the solution that would provide the additional authorities, resources and personnel we need to secure our border – is through action by Congress,” one official said.
