By Ted Hesson, Nathan Frandino and Kristina Cooke
AURORA, Colorado (Reuters) -Donald Trump portrayed migrants as harmful criminals throughout a rally in Aurora, Colorado, on Friday, calling for the loss of life penalty for migrants who kill U.S. residents as he escalates the anti-immigration rhetoric that has fueled his presidential run.
Flanked by posters of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, Trump additionally mentioned that if elected he would launch a nationwide “Operation Aurora” to focus on the gang members.
Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has noticeably hardened his anti-immigration rhetoric within the last weeks of the Nov. 5 election marketing campaign, the place he goals to defeat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Unlawful immigration is a prime voter concern, and Trump is seen by most voters because the individual finest in a position to deal with it, opinion polls present.
“I am hereby calling for the loss of life penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a regulation enforcement officer,” Trump mentioned to loud cheers from a big crowd of supporters.
Trump has already proposed an enlargement of the loss of life penalty for different offenders, together with individuals convicted of intercourse trafficking girls and kids.
Practically half of U.S. states ban the loss of life penalty. Whereas there’s a federal loss of life penalty, it’s hardly ever used, in keeping with the Loss of life Penalty Data Heart, a non-profit group. An enlargement of eligible crimes would require an act of the U.S. Congress.
One of many hallmarks of Trump’s third presidential run has been his deal with what he calls “migrant crime”, though educational research present immigrants don’t commit crimes at the next charge than native-born Individuals.
The Harris marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark associated to the loss of life penalty proposal.
Vice President Harris toughened her stance on border safety after turning into the Democratic nominee in August, and faults Trump for serving to stifle a bipartisan border safety invoice in Congress earlier this 12 months.
SPOTLIGHT ON AURORA
Throughout a Sept. 10 presidential debate with Harris, Trump claimed that members of Tren de Aragua managed a number of dilapidated Aurora residence complexes – allegations refuted by prime metropolis officers.
On the rally on Friday, he reiterated a pledge to focus enforcement on Aurora if reelected.
“I’ll rescue Aurora and each city that has been invaded and conquered,” Trump mentioned. “We’ll put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail or kick them out of our nation.”
Regardless of Trump’s dramatic statements geared toward rousing his base, no city in America has been taken over by migrants.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican, mentioned in an announcement forward of the rally that “considerations about Venezuelan gang exercise have been grossly exaggerated” and welcomed Trump to tour the town.
Main crimes in Aurora have dropped year-on-year, in keeping with Aurora Police Division statistics.
V Reeves, a neighborhood organizer with the Housekeys Motion Community, mentioned residents had been nervous in regards to the Trump go to.
“They’re nervous about Trump supporters displaying up and threatening them,” Reeves mentioned.
At two of the residence buildings on the heart of the controversy, Reuters noticed damaged home windows and litter on Thursday. One constructing had transportable police digicam stations that residents mentioned had been put in this week.
Jesus, a 30-year-old Venezuelan who works in landscaping and lives in one of many buildings, mentioned that every one Venezuelans are being blamed for the actions of some.
“We’re not all unhealthy individuals,” mentioned Jesus, who declined to supply his final title.
The dispute over gang exercise in Aurora stems from an effort by the town to drive the proprietor of a number of residence complexes the place migrants lived to deal with repairs, trash, pest infestations and different complaints.
A public relations agency employed by the owner, CBZ Administration, mentioned in early August that Tren de Aragua gang members had taken over the properties, in keeping with paperwork obtained by Reuters by way of a Colorado Open Data Act request.
CBZ Administration didn’t reply to requests for remark.
The allegations gained nationwide consideration in late August when a clip of gun-toting males in one of many residence buildings went viral.
Cindy Romero, a former resident on the residence complicated, captured the footage along with her two safety cameras. Talking on the rally on Friday, she mentioned she was a lifelong Democrat however that she would vote for Trump because of her expertise with crime.