On Wednesday, August 31, Donald Trump visited Mexico and met with President Enrique Peña Nieto. Later that same day, he gave a speech on immigration in Phoenix, Arizona: “We will build a great wall along the southern border. And Mexico will pay for the wall, 100 percent. They don’t know it yet, but they’re going pay for the wall,” he said.
Before Trump made his appearance, former Governor of New York City Rudy Giuliani and Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama— both close friends of Trump— spoke about the presidential candidates. Trump’s choice for Vice President, Mike Pence, then spoke and introduced Donald Trump.
His speech explained his plan for immigration in ten steps:
No. 1: Build a wall. Since the beginning of his campaign, Trump has wanted to secure our southern border by building a wall to keep undocumented immigrants out. Yesterday he confirmed that it remains part of his plan if he wins the election.
No. 2: End the catch and release policy for undocumented immigrants. Donald Trump has said he plans to detain immigrants who are here illegally and return them to their country of origin.
No. 3: Zero tolerance for undocumented immigrants with a criminal record. During his speech, he explicitly states that any illegal immigrant with a criminal history will be deported.
“You can call it deportation— you can call it whatever the hell you want. They’re gone.”
No. 4: Block funding for sanctuary cities and triple the number of deportation officers at the department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement: “there is one core issue in the immigration debate: the wellbeing of the American people. Nothing even comes a close second.”
No. 5: Repeal and terminate Obama’s non-enforcement policy which he stated was unconstitutional. The policy temporarily protected about 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation and allowed them to receive a work permit.
Ultimately, “All immigration laws will be enforced.”
No. 6: “We are going to suspend the issuance of visas to any place where adequate screening cannot occur.” Under Trump administration the issuance of visas to places like Syria and Libya will be removed.
No. 7: Make sure countries take back immigrants deported from the U.S.— this answers the question of where deported immigrants will be sent. Trump has stated that 23 countries refuse to do so.
No. 8: Complete a biometric entry and exit visa tracking system. During his administration, he wishes to implement tracking devices to ensure immigrants do not overstay their visa— how some immigrants stay in the U.S. illegally.
No. 9: Turn off the jobs and benefit magnet. “We are going to bring our jobs back home,” he said.
No. 10: Reform legal immigration to serve the best interests of America of and its workers. Throughout his entire speech, he emphasized that all of his plans to combat illegal immigration are for the well-being of the American people.
Once he laid out his plan, he welcomed multiple citizens with family members that have been killed by illegal immigrants in the U.S. to the stage. At the end of each of their speeches, they concluded with “vote for Trump.”
Trump ended his speech, telling the audience to keep up with the polls and to ensure a vote for him on November 8th.
For twitter coverage of the event, click here.
