Former President Donald Trump took his anti-immigration rhetoric to a new level during a rally in Aurora, Colorado on Friday. Addressing a crowd of supporters, Trump suggested the death penalty for migrants who murder US citizens, calling it a necessary measure to combat crime. He further proposed a nationwide operation, dubbed ‘Operation Aurora,’ to specifically target Venezuelan gang members if he wins the upcoming election. This proposal, part of his intensified anti-immigration campaign in the final weeks leading up to the November 5th election, highlights his ongoing focus on this issue.
Trump’s call for the death penalty expands upon his previous suggestions to broaden its application to other offenses, including sex trafficking. However, the death penalty is banned in nearly half of US states, and its federal use is rare. Any expansion of its application would require Congressional action.
While Trump pledged to focus enforcement efforts on Aurora if reelected, the city’s Mayor, Mike Coffman, has stated that concerns about Venezuelan gang activity have been “grossly exaggerated.”
This isn’t the first time Trump has made unfounded claims about migrants crossing the US border. His focus on “migrant crime” is a key feature of his third presidential run, despite numerous studies showing that immigrants do not commit crimes at a higher rate than native-born Americans. This emphasis on immigration was also apparent during a presidential debate with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, where he blamed illegal immigrants for drugs and murders.
Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), have consistently used the immigration issue as a central theme in their campaign speeches, blaming undocumented immigrants for a rise in drug trafficking. Despite this rhetoric, it’s important to note that these claims often lack factual basis.
Trump’s latest statements further underscore the divisive nature of his campaign and his focus on polarizing issues like immigration. His call for the death penalty, particularly in the context of migrants, is likely to generate significant controversy and highlight the deep political divisions surrounding immigration policy in the United States.
