Former President Donald Trump criticized current President Joe Biden over his recent executive order on immigration reform, which offers a form of amnesty for millions of people who entered the United States illegally. The Hill reported that Trump made these remarks at a rally in Racine, Wisconsin, just south of Milwaukee where the Republican National Convention is set to take place next month.
Trump began his speech by addressing criticism regarding his previous comments about Milwaukee being a “horrible city” during a closed-door meeting with House Republicans. He clarified that he loves Milwaukee and chose it as a location for the convention. It was later reported that Trump’s initial comment specifically referred to crime in the city, not the city or its residents.
The focus of Trump’s speech quickly shifted to immigration, following an announcement from the Biden White House that executive action would allow certain undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens to stay in the country and work legally. Trump accused Biden of rewarding illegal entry, stating that it harms the black population, the Hispanic population, and unions – groups that largely supported him in 2020.
Polls have indicated that Trump is gaining support among black and Hispanic voters, which could impact Biden’s chances in November. Trump vowed to reverse Biden’s immigration measures if he is reelected, accusing the president of using the policy as a political maneuver to enroll new voters ahead of the election.
Biden announced his executive order while commemorating the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program at the White House with immigrant advocacy and Latino leaders. Measures aimed at making it easier for immigrants living in the country without documentation to apply for work visas will be implemented alongside the expansion of the parole-in-place program, as reported by The Hill.
The DACA program has faced legal challenges since its implementation by former President Barack Obama via executive order, despite his repeated claims that he lacked the authority to do so. In 2016 and 2020, the Supreme Court ruled on various aspects of the program, allowing it to stay in place despite ongoing court battles. Most recently, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that declared DACA illegal but sent the case back for review following changes made by the Biden administration.
