From ABC NEWS: Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump has released his specific plan for immigration reform.
In the 6-page report titled “Immigration Reform That Will Make America Great Again,” Trump is calling for an end to birthright citizenship, saying it “remains the biggest magnet for illegal immigration.”
Trump again repeated his commitment to build a wall on the United States’ southern border. Outlining his plan, Trump’s policy seeks to “impound all remittance payments derived from illegal wages; increase fees on all temporary visas issued to Mexican CEOs and diplomats (and if necessary cancel them); increase fees on all border crossing cards — of which we issue about 1 million to Mexican nationals each year (a major source of visa overstays); increase fees on all NAFTA worker visas from Mexico (another major source of overstays); and increase fees at ports of entry to the United States from Mexico [Tariffs and foreign aid cuts are also options].”
“We will not be taken advantage of anymore,” Trump added in his most specific policy statement to date on immigration.
Trump’s plan also calls for tripling the number of ICE officers who secure the border from the current 5,000. The Republican frontrunner wants ICE officers to work with local police departments across the country targeting gangs in order to find undocumented immigrants.
Immigration has been one of the hot-button issues for Trump since kicking off his campaign in June. During his announcement speech, the real estate mogul took direct aim at Mexican immigrants, kicking off a firestorm of criticism.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said in the speech. “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Shortly after those remarks, many companies, including Univision, Macy’s and NBC Universal, ended their business relationships with Trump.
Trump also is pledging in today’s report to end welfare support for immigrants.
“Applicants for entry to the United States should be required to certify that they can pay for their own housing, healthcare and other needs before coming to the U.S.,” the report reads.
Trump told NBC News today, “We’re going to keep the families together, but they have to go,” referring to the illegal immigrants he would deport.
