During her inaugural press conference since President Trump's return to the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed recent immigration enforcement actions, asserting the administration's position that all undocumented immigrants are considered criminals. This stance stems from their violation of U.S. immigration laws, marking a significant departure from the previous administration's perspective.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at the daily briefing. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Leavitt's comments came in response to a reporter's inquiry regarding the approximately 3,500 arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since President Trump's recent return. The reporter sought clarification on the number of arrestees with criminal records versus those simply residing in the country illegally. Leavitt emphasized the administration's view that the act of entering the country illegally constitutes a criminal offense.
A suspected undocumented immigrant is processed by ICE and Homeland Security Investigations agents. (ERO Atlanta)
This exchange underscores the Trump administration's hardened stance on immigration enforcement, prioritizing the apprehension of individuals who have entered the country without authorization. While the administration has primarily targeted those with existing criminal records, Leavitt's statements highlight the broader categorization of all undocumented immigrants as criminals in the eyes of the current administration.
An individual is detained by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Border Czar Tom Homan indicated that the number of deportations is expected to increase in the coming weeks as the administration intensifies its immigration enforcement efforts. This suggests a continued focus on apprehending and removing individuals residing in the country without legal permission.
