The Key Issues Facing Our Nation
There are many important issues facing our nation today. These range from the economy to healthcare, the climate crisis, and foreign wars. But without question, the primary issue that Donald Trump has latched onto for his campaign to reoccupy the White House is immigration.
Immigration: An Important Issue
Immigration is indeed an important issue. There have been some earnest attempts to deal with it responsibly. For instance, there was a bipartisan bill that passed in the Senate that would have addressed the matter in a comprehensive way. Unfortunately, Trump sabotaged the bill by coercing his MAGA confederates in the House of Representatives to kill it because it might help his Democratic challenger. And that wasn’t even the worst of his views on immigration…
Trump’s Obsession with Immigration and Crime
For the past week, Trump has been obsessed with a report that he said reveals shocking statistics about immigration and crime. He has posted numerous comments on his social media platform, Truth Social, and referenced the statistics at his recent rallies. There’s just one problem: He is grossly misrepresenting the data to advance his racist views on immigrants who he regards as mostly murderers, rapists, and other manner of ne’er-do-well. Let’s examine a sample of Trump’s remarks…
Trump’s False Claims
“14,000 CONVICTED thugs and slimeballs who have committed MURDER have been allowed to enter our Country, totally unvetted and unchecked, and roam free to KILL AGAIN…Kamala is a FOOL to have let this happen to our beautiful USA. It is totally unjustifiable, there can be nothing worse! She should be IMPEACHED for what she has done to our Country!”
The Truth Behind the Numbers
We can set aside Trump’s insults of Harris and his demands that she be impeached. Instead, let’s focus on his reference to the “14,000 CONVICTED thugs and slimeballs” that he says are “roaming free” to kill. That number was drawn from a report issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Trump is asserting that all of these criminal migrants entered the U.S. during the Biden-Harris administration and that they – and specifically Kamala Harris – are responsible for it.
Setting the Record Straight
However, Trump, as usual, is lying. As Politico reports, “The majority of these individuals with criminal convictions were already on the non-detained docket and living in the United States before Biden took office.” The “14,000” is actually the total for a period of some 40 years. The number increased by only 5% during Biden’s term. And the increase that occurred during Trump’s term was nearly twice as much.
Understanding the Data
What’s more, according to Politico’s research, “The numbers also include nonviolent and petty crime — 126,000 are for traffic violations, while 92,000 are for immigration-related crimes (like crossing the border illegally).” And whatever the actual number of violent criminals is, it would be fewer if the Senate immigration bill that Trump killed were to pass. The bill explicitly provided funding to process, and expedite deportation if necessary, migrants who committed crimes.
Realistic Perspective on Migrant Crime
It goes without saying that no amount of migrant criminals released into the U.S. population is acceptable. But being realistic, there are criminals in every subset of human groups, even native-born Americans. And as it turns out, “Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born Americans, studies find.”
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that a tiny fraction of a percent of undocumented immigrants have been convicted of any crime. The vast majority are harvesting our food, building our homes, and caring for our elderly. So contrary to Trump’s fear mongering that “If Kamala is reelected, your town, and every town just like it…across our country…will be transformed into a third-world hellhole,” bloodthirsty and/or jaywalking migrants are not taking over our country.
The Real Threat
The only criminal that America really needs to be worried about right now is Donald Trump. He’s the native-born miscreant with 34 felony convictions, civil liabilities for sexual assault and financial fraud, and 50+ more felonies pending for crimes ranging from election interference to inciting a deadly insurrection. Trump is by far the greatest risk to the safety and welfare of the American people.
Top 10 FAQs About Trump’s Claims on 14,000 Criminal Migrants
Here are the top 10 FAQs and answers related to the recent controversy over Trump’s statements on 14,000 criminal migrants:
1. What did Trump claim about 14,000 criminal migrants?
Trump claimed that there are 14,000 criminal migrants in the United States.
2. Is Trump’s claim about 14,000 criminal migrants accurate?
No, Trump’s claim is not accurate. Fact-checking organizations have found no evidence to support this number.
3. What evidence does Trump provide for his claim?
Trump has not provided any credible evidence to support his claim of 14,000 criminal migrants.
4. What are the consequences of spreading false information about migrants?
Spreading false information about migrants can lead to increased xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment, which can have serious social and political consequences.
5. How do fact-checking organizations verify information about migrants?
Fact-checking organizations verify information by analyzing credible sources such as government reports, academic studies, and data from reputable institutions.
6. What are some credible sources that debunk Trump’s claim?
Credible sources such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and independent fact-checking organizations have debunked Trump’s claim.
7. Can Trump’s false claims about migrants affect immigration policies?
Yes, false claims about migrants can influence public opinion and potentially shape immigration policies, even if they are not based on facts.
8. How do politicians use misinformation to sway public opinion?
Politicians often use misinformation to sway public opinion by presenting unverified or exaggerated claims as factual, which can be particularly effective in polarized political environments.
9. What role do social media platforms play in spreading misinformation about migrants?
Social media platforms can play a significant role in spreading misinformation about migrants by allowing false claims to go viral quickly without adequate fact-checking.
10. How can citizens critically evaluate information about migrants in the media?
Citizens can critically evaluate information about migrants by looking for credible sources, verifying claims through multiple sources, and being cautious of sensational or unverified reports.
