Former President Donald Trump reiterated his vow to forcefully crack down on illegal immigration during a visit to Arizona on Thursday, seeking to draw a contrast between his policies with those that Vice President Kamala Harris would implement should she be elected.
The event, part of a series of stops in battleground states, was also intended to shift attention from the Democratic National Convention. Trump stood beside a section of the border wall constructed during his administration alongside a pile of unused steel beams, which he claimed represented the Biden administration's inaction.
Paul Perez, president of the Border Patrol union and present at the event, labeled the erected wall as "Trump wall" and the unused materials as the "Kamala wall." Trump was joined by several other people, including the sheriff of Cochise County and mothers of children who were killed during the Biden administration by individuals who had entered the country illegally.
These mothers, often referred to as "Angel Moms," have become a focal point in Trump's immigration rhetoric. One of them, Alexis Nungaray, whose daughter was killed in Houston in June, urged for stricter border controls, citing the loss of innocent lives.
Democratic officials responded to Trump's statements during the DNC in Chicago. Rep. Pete Aguilar of California emphasized that securing the border and building an inclusive America are not mutually exclusive goals, saying that Harris is capable of achieving both. Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas, on her end, accused Trump of exploiting the border issue for political gain rather than seeking genuine solutions.
Immigration played a central role in the third day of the DNC, as the Harris campaign seeks to turn a political liability into an asset. Several speakers advocated for stronger border security and urged Congress to pass legislation to reform the immigration system.
Veronica Escobar highlighted how Republicans blocked a bipartisan border bill earlier this year at Trump's command, a message the party has been repeating throughout the convention. Similarly, House Democratic Caucus chairman Pete Aguilar, the highest ranking Latino in the House called for action to pass immigration bills.
"We don't have to choose between a secure border and building an America for all," the congressman said. "Under President Harris, we can and will do both."
Other immigration advocates included Bexar County, Texas sheriff Javier Salazar who attested to his faith in Harris on the issue at the border, as well as Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, who also highlighted the failed border bill.
Trump, on his end, will continue his tour with planned stops in Las Vegas and Glendale, Arizona, as he and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, aim to solidify support in key states ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
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