Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, emphasized during a press conference on Tuesday that individuals become "criminals by definition" when they enter the United States illegally. When asked by journalists about those detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without prior criminal records, the 27-year-old spokesperson clarified that Trump's immigration policy will not differentiate between undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes and those who merely entered the country illegally.
"If someone enters the United States without authorization, they are, by definition, a criminal and thus subject to deportation," Leavitt stated. "Drug traffickers, rapists, murderers... of course, these should be ICE's priority, but that doesn't mean the illegal criminals crossing our nation's borders are off the table," she asserted.
The spokesperson reiterated that the U.S. government considers unauthorized entry into the country a crime. "I understand the previous administration didn't view it this way, so it represents a significant cultural shift for our nation to see someone breaking our immigration laws as a criminal. But that is exactly what they are," she affirmed.
"Every one of them has a record because they have illegally violated our nation's laws. Therefore, they are criminals as far as this administration is concerned," declared Trump's press secretary.
The numerous arrests and deportations initiated since Donald Trump resumed the presidency have caused uncertainty among thousands of undocumented individuals residing in the United States. Despite the Republican president's promise to focus on the expulsion of "violent criminals," his administration has made it clear that all undocumented migrants—considered a federal offense in the U.S.—will be regarded as criminals and subject to deportation.
Leavitt's remarks follow statements by Colombia's Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, who claimed that the 201 deportees arriving in Bogotá on Tuesday have no pending legal issues in either Colombia or the United States, and "are not criminals."
Trump's threats of mass deportations have led to tensions with several Latin American governments, from where the majority of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States are believed to originate.
Key Questions on Trump's Immigration Policies
Why does the Trump administration consider illegal entry a crime?
The Trump administration views illegal entry as a crime because it constitutes a violation of U.S. immigration laws, thereby categorizing those who enter without authorization as criminals.
How does this policy affect undocumented immigrants without criminal records?
Undocumented immigrants without prior criminal records are still subject to deportation under this policy, as the administration does not distinguish between those with and without serious criminal offenses.
What has been the international response to these deportation policies?
The international response, particularly from Latin American countries, has been tense and critical, with concerns over the mass deportations of individuals who may not have pending legal issues in their home countries.