Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for the creation of a reparations fund aimed at compensating victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. The idea, which was first introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), proposes a federal solution to address the rising crime rates attributed to the influx of illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. In a recent interview with Just The News, Trump endorsed the concept, pointing to the devastation experienced by families who have suffered due to crimes perpetrated by individuals who, in his words, “have no right to be in America.”
When asked whether he would consider such a fund, Trump responded, “I am. It was talked about, and then I guess people shut it down.” He went on to emphasize the personal impact of these crimes, stating, “I’ve met so many of the families. They’ve been just decimated by these people that are allowed to come into our country.”
Trump further criticized the Biden administration’s handling of border security, describing the situation as “unthinkable” and blaming the current leadership for the perceived lawlessness. “The murderers and drug dealers and the worst people are allowed to come into our country. And they’re poisoning our country,” Trump said, referencing the sharp rise in illegal immigration since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. He added, “What Biden and Kamala have done to this country is unthinkable.”
The former president outlined his vision for addressing the crisis, stating that his first priority in a potential second term would be to close the borders. “I would absolutely, without question,” Trump declared. “We have to get those borders closed.”
The idea of a reparations fund for victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants was initially proposed by Rep. Virginia Foxx as a solution to the rising crime associated with the surge of illegal immigration at the southern border. Foxx has argued that the federal government’s failure to address both issues necessitates federal intervention.
In her proposal, Foxx detailed several steps to implement the reparations fund, including:
- Accurate Crime Reporting: Requiring states to consolidate crime data in order to create an accurate system for reporting crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
- Prioritizing Victims: Directing state Attorneys General to certify that when distributing funds from the Crime Victims Fund, priority is given to victims of crimes committed by individuals who do not have legal status in the United States.
- Public Accountability: Mandating a public accounting of crimes committed by illegal aliens to increase transparency and provide Americans with detailed information about the issue.
Foxx has argued that this solution is necessary because of the federal government’s failure to protect its citizens, especially under President Biden’s administration. “Since this is a federal failure, a federal remedy is necessary, and Congress has the prerogative to encourage the states to help themselves,” she said, emphasizing that the plan would empower states to take control of a problem that the Biden administration has failed to address.
The situation at the southern border has reached crisis levels, with an estimated 10 million illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S. since Biden took office in 2021. The rapid influx of people is expected to continue, and potentially worsen, if Vice President Kamala Harris were to assume leadership in the White House, according to Trump and other critics of the current administration’s immigration policies.
While illegal immigration itself is a violation of U.S. law, concerns extend far beyond the act of crossing the border. Many of the individuals entering the country without legal authorization have been involved in serious criminal activity. Tens of thousands have gone on to commit heinous crimes such as armed robbery, rape, and murder, exacerbating the fears of communities across the country.
Supporters of the reparations fund argue that it would provide justice for families who have suffered from these crimes and would serve as a reminder of the consequences of lax immigration policies. Trump’s endorsement of the fund aligns with his longstanding stance on immigration, which prioritizes stricter border control and harsher penalties for those who enter the country illegally.
For Trump, the creation of this reparations fund also reinforces his America First agenda, a hallmark of his presidency. In his view, the federal government has an obligation to prioritize the safety and security of American citizens, which, according to him, is being undermined by the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to secure the borders.
Critics of Trump’s proposal argue that such a fund might scapegoat illegal immigrants and inflame already intense political debates around immigration reform. They contend that broader reform measures addressing the root causes of immigration, including poverty and violence in Central American countries, are necessary to fully address the issue.
As Trump continues to position himself for a possible 2024 run, immigration remains a focal point of his platform. His endorsement of a reparations fund is likely to resonate with his supporters who feel that the current administration’s approach to border security has failed. For them, Trump’s promise to close the borders and hold illegal immigrants accountable represents a return to a more secure and stable America.