ERIE, Pa. — In a recent speech, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump painted a grim picture of immigrants, claiming that the Biden administration has allowed thousands of immigrants with homicide records to go free. His assertions, however, have been challenged by experts and allies of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“They’re coming into our cities and our small towns, here in Pennsylvania and all over the country,” Trump stated, weaving through various topics during his lengthy address. He added that towns are “petrified” of these immigrants, even if they haven’t yet arrived.
Trump cited a letter from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suggest that over 13,000 immigrants with homicide convictions had been admitted to the U.S. and subsequently released under President Biden. However, officials from the Department of Homeland Security clarified that Trump is misrepresenting the data. They noted that the individuals he mentioned entered the country over several decades, including during Trump’s own presidency. The term “non-detained” simply means that ICE is not currently detaining them, but many are still serving sentences in custody under other agencies.
“The data in this letter is being misinterpreted,” a spokesperson for Homeland Security stated. “It includes individuals who have been in the country for decades, with most custody decisions made long before this administration took office.”
Despite this clarification, Trump focused much of his speech on vivid descriptions of dangerous individuals he claimed were roaming the country, labeling them as “stone-cold killers” and “monsters.”
The ICE letter, which has drawn attention from other conservatives, was sent on Sept. 25 by Patrick J. Lechleitner, the agency’s deputy director, in response to a request from Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Tex.).
While immigration was a significant theme in Trump’s speech, he also reiterated his belief that he would win the election easily if Democrats did not manipulate the voting process. “If they didn’t cheat, I wouldn’t even be here today,” he claimed. He singled out cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Atlanta, calling them “out of control.” Investigations from both political parties have found no substantial evidence of voter fraud.
Trump also criticized Harris, labeling her as “mentally impaired,” remarks that have faced backlash from advocates for individuals with disabilities. “Crooked Joe Biden became mentally impaired,” Trump said. “But Lyin’ Kamala Harris, I believe she was born that way.”
Harris has dismissed Trump’s comments as part of his pattern of personal attacks. She aims to focus on a politics of uplift rather than insults.
Immigration remains a heated topic in the campaign. Polls show that many voters trust Trump more than Harris on this issue. While Trump intensifies his harsh rhetoric, Harris has countered claims of a lax immigration policy by highlighting recent enforcement efforts, which have reportedly reduced border crossings.
During her visit to the southern border, Harris emphasized the administration’s commitment to enforcement and criticized Trump for sabotaging a bipartisan immigration bill earlier this year. “Trump tanked the bill because he thought it would hurt him politically,” she said. “That’s not the kind of president we want.”
Harris also challenged Trump’s immigration record, asserting he had taken no significant action while in office and cruelly separated families. She called for comprehensive immigration reform that includes strong border security and pathways to citizenship.
In Nevada, Harris’s campaign is actively seeking to engage Latino voters. She was introduced by Noe Quintero, a local firefighter and son of Mexican immigrants, who expressed his support in both English and Spanish.
Trump continued his criticisms of Harris during his Erie speech, suggesting she lacked the capability to manage border issues and referring to her as a “communist.” He has struggled to define her since she became Biden’s running mate, attempting various nicknames, including “Lyin’ Kamala.”
After the rally, Erie County GOP Chair Tom Eddy commented that Trump’s remarks are meant to rally his core supporters, hoping they will persuade undecided voters. “He’s talking to his base,” Eddy said. “And the hope is that his base will go out and talk to other people.”
Much of Trump’s speech reiterated familiar themes. He recounted a poem about a snake in relation to immigration and referenced an assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pa. The crowd responded with chants of “lock her up” after he criticized Harris.
Trump also revisited the narrative surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, falsely claiming that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had declined offers of National Guard troops beforehand.
Even as he acknowledged running against Harris, Trump frequently mentioned Biden. He claimed Biden was a better candidate than Harris and speculated that if she performed poorly, Biden could be reinstated. Trump reminisced about their debate, mocking Biden’s golfing skills. “You ever see him play? That guy can’t play,” he said, imitating Biden.
In summary, Trump’s speech in Erie was marked by a mixture of immigration rhetoric, unfounded claims about election integrity, and attacks on Harris, aiming to energize his base as the election season heats up.
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