Listen to this article

The U.S ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has detained at least 680 immigrants as a part of mass deportation raids on the same day Donald Trump visited El Paso. Trump scheduled his visit to El Paso following the shooting by a gunman who allegedly posted an anti-immigrant screed before the attack. The raids took place at 7 agricultural processing plants across Mississippi. It was announced in a press release by ICE just as Trump was landing in Texas. It is noteworthy that Trump has faced fierce criticism for the raids. Some are suggesting the action shows his comprehensive white nationalist agenda in action. The Chair of the pro-immigrant group Families Belong Together, Jess Morales Rocketto said, “Today’s massive immigration raid, which may very well have swept up American citizens and asylum seekers, was not executed in a vacuum”.

She added, “Dismantling our asylum laws, caging children, and separating families, all while El Paso mourns is Trump’s comprehensive white nationalist agenda in action. The raids are part of a broader strategy that is sadistic, cruel, and intentional, all in an effort to terrorize communities of color while scoring racist political points with his base”. Point to be noted that Trump’s El Paso visit drew large protests in the city. The demonstrators telling him to leave while denouncing the anti-immigrant rhetoric he employs that they say has created a dangerous environment for minorities in the United States.
The attacks on Trump’s rhetoric have come despite his attempts to call for unity in the face of racism. He delivered his words during a speech earlier in the week on the subject that was denounced as too little, too late. Trump said in response to criticism that he breeds racist rhetoric, has consistently claimed himself to be the least racist person alive. The visit of President Trump to El Paso also sparked a debate surrounding his last visit there, earlier this year. He gave a speech that stirred up anti-immigrant sentiment. Trump claimed during that speech the immigrants in the United States commit thousands of crimes a year. He said no federal database exist comparing crimes to immigration status. The research has indicated that the immigrant populations basically commit crimes at a lower rate as compared to native-born populations.