Page 6 - ARUBA TODAY

A6 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 17 May 2018

Trump rails against California for its immigration policies

By JILL COLVIN this looks like," said Rep.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., a
dent Donald Trump on leader of the lawmakers
Wednesday hammered trying to force the House to
California for its so-called address the issue. Conser-
sanctuary immigration poli- vatives had their own ses-
cies, in what appeared to sion with party leaders and
be his latest push to em- also suggested there had
bolden his base leading been movement, but of-
into the midterm elections. fered no specifics.
As the debate over immi- Many of the legislators
gration heats up on Capitol demanding action face
Hill, Trump surrounded him- potentially competitive re-
self with mayors, sheriffs and election races in congres-
other local leaders from sional districts with large
California who oppose the numbers of Hispanic, subur-
state's immigration policies ban or agriculture-industry
and who applauded his voters with pro-immigration
administration's hard-line views. Earlier this year, com-
efforts. peting bills aimed at pro-
"This is your Republican re- tecting young immigrants
sistance right here against and toughening border
what they're doing in Cali- security — including one
fornia," said California As- President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable on immigration policy in California in the backed by Trump — col-
semblywoman Melissa Me- Cabinet Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Washington. lapsed in the Senate. The
lendez, coopting a term measures never received
used by Democrats op- to support the lawsuit or illegally as "animals," not crats but opposed by most House votes. The discussion
posed to Trump's presiden- passed their own anti-sanc- people. Republicans, an outcome also comes as the Trump
cy. She, like others, said the tuary resolutions. Brown responded on Twit- that could anger conser- administration is under fire
president and his policies Republicans see backlash ter, writing that Trump "is vatives, according to Rep. for a new policy that is ex-
were far more popular in to the law as a potentially lying on immigration, ly- Jeff Denham, R-Calif., a pected to increase the
the state than people real- galvanizing issue during the ing about crime and lying leader of the effort to force number of children sepa-
ize. midterm elections, espe- about the laws of CA." the immigration votes. rated from their parents
"It's a crisis," Melendez said cially with Trump's anti-im- The Democratic governor House Majority Leader when families cross the bor-
of the situation. migrant base. And Trump added: "Flying in a dozen Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., der illegally. Trump, in his
They were responding to has held numerous events Republican politicians to issued the warning, said a remarks, wrongly blamed
legislation signed into law in recent months during flatter him and praise his second person who was Democrats for forcing his
by Gov. Jerry Brown last which he's drawn attention reckless policies changes in the room and spoke on administration's hand.
year that bars police from to California's policies. nothing. We, the citizens of condition of anonymity to "I know what you're go-
asking people about their During Wednesday's ses- the fifth largest economy describe the private con- ing through right now with
immigration status or help- sion, Trump thanked the in the world, are not im- versation. families is very tough," he
ing federal agents with im- officials, saying they had pressed." Asked about his remarks, told Homeland Security
migration enforcement. "bravely resisted California's The event came as top McCarthy said his objec- Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen,
Jail officials can transfer in- deadly and unconstitution- House Republicans worked tion to the procedure was "but those are the bad laws
mates to federal immigra- al sanctuary state laws." to head off an attempt by that it would in effect "turn that the Democrats gave
tion authorities if they have He claimed those laws are party moderates to force the floor over" to Demo- us. We have to break up
been convicted of one of forcing "the release of il- roll calls on four immigra- crats. families ... because of the
about 800 crimes, mostly legal immigrant criminals, tion bills. Republican lead- House Speaker Paul Ryan Democrats. It's terrible."
felonies, but not for minor drug dealers, gang mem- ers privately warned GOP said the petition would be Nielsen on Tuesday de-
offenses. bers and violent predators lawmakers Wednesday "a big mistake" that would fended the practice, telling
Brown insists the legislation, into your communities" and that such a drive could "disunify our majority." He a Senate committee that
which took effect Jan. 1, providing "safe harbor to damage the party's pros- said the leaders were "work- removing children from
doesn't prevent federal im- some of the most vicious pects in the fall's congres- ing with the administration." parents facing criminal
migration officials from do- and violent offenders on sional elections by dispirit- The moderates said later charges happens "in the
ing their jobs. But the Trump earth." ing conservative voters, Wednesday that House United States every day."
administration has sued to Trump also claimed oppo- according to people at the leaders were trying to end Trump also told Nielsen that
reverse it, calling the poli- sition to the policies was closed-door meeting. the immigration standoff she was "doing a good
cies unconstitutional and growing, insisting, "There's The House leaders fear the and that they could soon job," one week after berat-
dangerous. Some coun- a revolution going on in winning legislation would see a specific proposal on ing her during a cabinet
ties, including San Diego California." He referred to be a compromise bill how to do that. meeting for failing to halt
and Orange, have voted some who cross the border backed solidly by Demo- "We're willing to see what border crossings.q