Donald Trump on Sunday released his detailed immigration reform plan, encompassing the sentiment he expressed in an interview on “Meet the Press” that aired just an hour earlier: Undocumented immigrants “have to go.”
The plan lays out its message in three central parts: Build a border wall, enforce laws, and ensure improved jobs, wages and security.
Trump reiterates his promise to make Mexico pay for the wall, writing that “in short, the Mexican government has taken the United States to the cleaners. They are responsible for this problem, and they must help pay to clean it up.”
Related: Donald Trump: Undocumented immigrants ‘have to go’
Should Mexico refuse to pay for the wall, Trump lists a handful of repercussions, including increasing fees on all temporary visas issued to Mexican CEOs and diplomats — with a warning: “and if necessary, cancel them,” increase fees at ports of entry to the United States from Mexico, and more.
“We will not be taken advantage of anymore,” Trump writes.
In order to “defend the laws and Constitution of the United States,” as described in the plan, Trump says he will triple the number of ICE officers, instate nationwide e-verify, issue a mandatory return of all “criminal aliens,” and detain undocumented immigrants until they are sent home, among others.
Trump states that middle class workers have suffered from the status quo, writing that “the influx of foreign workers holds down salaries, keeps unemployment high, and makes it difficult for poor and working class Americans.”
Speaking from his private plane, Trump told “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd ahead of the plan’s unveiling, that he would reverse President Obama’s executive orders on immigration and deport all undocumented immigrants from the U.S. as president. Pressed on what he’d do if the immigrants in question had nowhere to return to, Trump said, “They have to go … we either have a country, or we don’t have a country.” Immigration has been front and center for Trump since he kicked off his campaign by deeming some Mexicans “rapists” and drug dealers. He has since doubled down on his comments, calling undocumented immigrants “bad dudes.” Trump also visited the U.S.-Mexico border in Loredo, TX, risking “great danger” to do so. At the first Republican presidential debate of the season, Trump credited himself for bringing the issue to the table. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be talking about illegal immigration,” Trump said. “This was not a subject that was on anybody’s mind until I brought it up at my announcement.” The business mogul is unfazed by a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll that found that 75% of Latinos have a negative view of him, saying on multiple occasions with confidence: “I will win the Latino vote.”
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