Trump pledges to remove immigrants backing Hamas.
Trump Vows to Bar Immigrants Who Support Hamas from Entering the United States
Donald Trump promised on Monday that if elected president again he will bar immigrants who support Hamas from entering the United States and send officers to pro-Hamas protests to arrest and deport immigrants who publicly support the Palestinian militant group.
On a campaign stop in Iowa, Trump was responding to the Hamas killing of at least 1,300 Israelis.
Trump, president from 2017-2021, said that if elected to a second White House term he will ban entry to the United States of anybody who does not believe in Israel’s right to exist, and revoke the visas of foreign students who are anti-Semitic.
He also vowed to step up travel bans from “terror-plagued countries.” He did not explain how he would enforce his demands, including the one requiring immigrants to support Israel’s right to exist under what he called “strong ideological screening.”
Many of Trump‘s immigration policies were challenged in court during his presidency and his newest pledges could also face challenges.
A ban he imposed on immigrants from some Muslim-majority nations was struck down in lower courts but ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Biden ended that ban when he took office.
Trump said on Monday he would ban immigrants from Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen “or anywhere else that threatens our security.” Trump also read a poem that he used to liken immigrants to deadly snakes.
Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, described Trump‘s pledges as Islamophobic, extreme, and designed to exploit “fear and anxiety.”
Iowa is one of the earliest states to hold a Republican presidential nominating contest. A tough approach to immigrants was a cornerstone of Trump‘s first term as president.
He is the frontrunner to win his party’s White House nomination and take on President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election.
Promising to drastically tighten U.S. immigration laws, Trump said: “If you want to abolish the state of Israel, you’re disqualified, if you support Hamas or the ideology behind Hamas, you’re disqualified, and if you’re a communist, Marxist, or fascist, you are disqualified.”
Most of Trump‘s Republican rivals have condemned Hamas and offered full-throated support for an expected Israeli invasion of Gaza, but none has laid out such a tough series of proposals to keep people out of and expel Hamas sympathizers from the United States.
The United States and several other countries have designated Hamas a terrorist organization.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis, one of Trump‘s Republican rivals for the presidential nomination, said on Monday he favored the deportation of foreign students who support Hamas and would bar Gaza refugees from the country if elected president.
Trump last week accused Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being unprepared for the Hamas attacks and called Hezbollah—the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group—”very smart.”
His Iowa remarks appeared to be an effort in part to blunt that criticism.
“We will aggressively deport resident aliens with jihadist sympathies,” Trump said.
(Reporting by Nathan Layne in Clive, Iowa, and Tim Reid in Los Angeles; editing by Howard Goller)
How do Trump’s proposals on immigration go against the principles of inclusivity, diversity, and religious freedom that the United States has long stood for?
Fear and division among Americans. Harrison argued that Trump’s proposals go against the principles of inclusivity, diversity, and religious freedom that the United States has long stood for.
Critics of Trump’s stance on immigration argue that it is not only a violation of human rights but also ineffective in addressing the root causes of terrorism. They argue that by singling out individuals based on their religious beliefs or political affiliations, Trump is fostering a climate of discrimination and alienation, which in turn may serve to further radicalize individuals and fuel extremist ideologies.
Furthermore, Trump’s promise to send officers to pro-Hamas protests and arrest and deport immigrants who publicly support the group raises concerns about freedom of speech and the right to protest. Advocates for civil liberties argue that the government should not interfere with peaceful demonstrations or suppress dissenting voices, as it undermines the democratic values the United States stands for.
While Trump’s immigration policies faced legal challenges during his presidency, it is important to acknowledge that the issue of immigration and national security is a complex and sensitive one. The United States, like any other sovereign nation, has the right to control its borders and protect its citizens. However, striking the right balance between national security and respecting fundamental human rights remains a challenge.
As the debate surrounding immigration and national security continues, it is essential to approach the issue with sensitivity and pragmatism. Effective immigration policies should be based on comprehensive screenings, proper vetting processes, and a commitment to upholding the values of equality, fairness, and the rule of law.
Ultimately, the question of whether Trump’s proposed bans on immigrants who support Hamas and his other immigration policies are a necessary and effective means to protect national security or an unjust and discriminatory approach remains a subject of ongoing debate. It is crucial for policymakers, legal experts, and the public to engage in open and informed discussions to determine the best way forward in addressing the complex challenges of immigration and national security.
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