Former US President Donald Trump addressed Hispanic voters at a town hall event in Miami on Wednesday, October 16, stating that under his administration, migrants will need to “love our country” to be granted entry.
During the forum, which was hosted by Univision and broadcast in Spanish, Trump emphasized his support for legal immigration, saying, “We want workers and we want them to come in, but they have to come in legally.” He reassured a concerned California farmer about the availability of migrant labor and food prices, insisting that immigrants must show appreciation for the nation and its people.
“The problem with this administration is they’ve totally lost control,” Trump stated, criticizing the current administration for the surge in illegal border crossings, which he claimed has put Hispanic workers in a difficult position. He argued, “A lot of the jobs that you have and that other people have are being taken by these people that are coming in,” specifically pointing to the negative impact on both the African American and Hispanic communities.
Trump further claimed that many of the individuals crossing the border are coming from mental institutions and prisons, stating, “Their jails are being let into our country – from Venezuela – but not just South America, from all over the world.” He asserted that this influx is undesirable, adding, “Nobody wants that,” and emphasized the need for "great people" to enter the country.
“I want them in even more than you do,” Trump declared, reiterating his commitment to facilitating legal immigration.
Recent polling data indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris holds a significant 19-point lead (56%-37%) over Trump among likely Hispanic voters, according to a New York Times/Siena College poll. However, the poll reveals a narrower margin among Hispanic men, with Harris only three points ahead (48%-45%)