President Donald Trump’s focus on deporting undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes has sparked controversy, but it also resonates deeply with many in the Hispanic community. In fact, Trump earned an impressive 46% of the Latino vote in 2024, a testament to the fact that this issue crosses partisan and cultural lines.
I recently joined Al Jazeera to discuss – watch below.
The reason so many Hispanic Americans supported Trump is because we understand the impact of crime within our community. Particularly, migrant crime.
While the majority of undocumented immigrants are law-abiding individuals seeking a better life, there is a real concern about those who abuse the system. Undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes not only harm victims but also undermine trust in immigrant communities.
Deporting criminal aliens is not about scapegoating entire groups; it’s about ensuring that those who pose a danger to society are no longer able to victimize others.
At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge the compassion Americans feel toward immigrants living in fear of deportation—especially those who are otherwise contributing members of society. Most Americans do not want to see someone’s beloved “abuelita” torn from her family.
But here’s the hard truth – securing the border and deporting criminal aliens who pose a danger to the community is a necessary first step to fixing our broken immigration system. Without it, any effort to address otherwise law-abiding immigrants stuck in limbo would risk encouraging more illegal immigration. A secure border and a clear distinction between criminal aliens and other undocumented immigrants create the foundation for meaningful reform.
Two things can be true at once. We can advocate for justice and safety while also treating immigrants with compassion and humanity. President Trump’s policies on criminal aliens may be controversial, but they are the first step to solving the immigration crisis.
