'You have to get people out': Trump defends immigration raids in US
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump says immigration raids have not gone too far, insists people must be removed, and maintains undocumented migrants in the US should be taken out, according to Bloomberg.
Videos circulating on social media show physical clashes between federal agents, migrants, and protesters, prompting questions about the conduct of US immigration authorities.
In an interview with CBS News, President Donald Trump was asked whether he approved of tactics seen in those clips, including agents throwing people to the ground, breaking car windows, and using tear gas in residential neighborhoods.
"I think they haven’t gone far enough because we’ve been held back by the judges, by the liberal judges that were put in by Biden and by Obama," Trump said.
He added that the methods used by immigration agents were acceptable because, in his words, "you have to get the people out." Trump also repeated his claim that many of those detained had criminal records.
According to Bloomberg, Trump’s comments came after his administration expanded a federal program delegating enforcement powers to local police to help carry out immigration laws. Around 16,000 officers in 40 states are now involved in these deportation efforts.
While the expansion has led to a rise in arrests, particularly in Florida, many local authorities have been reluctant to participate. The rollout has also sparked concerns over racial profiling, unlawful detentions, and political pressure on law enforcement to align with federal anti-immigration policies.
