Trump Still Laser-Focused on Illegal Immigration

President Donald Trump said in a Monday interview with “Fox & Friends” that he was every bit as committed to solving America’s illegal immigration problem now as he was on the campaign trail. Speaking to Ainsley Earhardt from the White House, Trump said that his administration had already taken significant steps towards deporting dangerous criminals.

“I’m talking about illegal immigrants that were here that caused tremendous crime, that have murdered people, raped people. Horrible things have happened,” Trump said. “They’re getting the hell out or they’re going to prison, and so many towns and cities are thanking me, because we’ve gotten rid of a burden that you would not believe. I mean it is a serious problem, and we never did anything about it, and now we’re doing something about it.”

On Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said that even a single DUI conviction could put an illegal immigrant on track for deportation. Asked if he agreed with Kelly’s assessment, Trump said, “I’m letting him run it. He’s a great general. He was a tremendously successful general, and I’m letting him run it.”

Trump’s supporters have accused him of flip-flopping on some of his stances, particularly when it comes to foreign policy, but he still seems to be the same Trump when it comes to illegal immigration. The larger questions, such as whether the WALL will be built and what it will ultimately look like, remain to be answered. But from every apparent indication, Trump is rapidly making good on his promise to secure the border and to deport dangerous criminals.

This isn’t a situation that’s going to resolve itself overnight, by any means. Especially not when Democrats in Washington and around the country are determined to push back on any efforts the administration makes towards enforcing U.S. immigration law.

But in just the last four months, Trump has done more to calm the waters than his predecessors did in their entire White House tenures. Officials estimate that border crossings have plummeted 70% since last year at this time, a stunning achievement that shows you just how important a consistent message can be.

As for deportations, the Trump administration is not rounding up illegal immigrants at a higher rate than Obama – at least not significantly so. And yet, we’re seeing results that we never saw under the last guy. Maybe that’s because while these deportations are happening, the president isn’t out there telling the world that amnesty is on its way.