State Democrats question Trump's immigration motives, policies ahead of Grand Rapids visit
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As former President Donald Trump prepares to visit Grand Rapids to talk about immigration, Michigan Democratic leaders held a conference on Zoom questioning his motives and opinions on the divisive issue.
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Congresswoman Haley Stevens and State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks are accusing Trump and his supporters of politicizing the death of Ruby Garcia, along with purposely killing a bipartisan immigration bill for political gain.
- Additional coverage: Former President Donald Trump to speak in Grand Rapids on Tuesday
"Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are hell-bent on exploiting Ruby's death for their own politics. Frankly, I think it's shameful," said Senator Stabenow.
"But the truth is, Donald Trump isn't interested in border security or making our immigration system work. He is only interested in scapegoating people for his own benefit. Here's the truth- Donald Trump is to blame for the ongoing border crisis," she added.
Senator Stabenow also said Senate Republicans had a chance to vote and pass a bipartisan immigration bill, but Trump told them to stop the bill to blame President Biden for the border crisis.
"Republicans walked away from a deal at Donald Trump's request so he could exploit horrible situations," said Representative Haley Stevens.
"Now Donald Trump is coming to Grand Rapids, to do what he does best- divide, distract, and fear monger instead of doing something to address real issues that matter to our country," Representative Stevens added.
"A leader of character would be mourning the loss of a young life and sympathizing with her family, her friends, and our community... But instead, Donald Trump is here today, using a tragedy as a political opportunity in stoking hate and discord," said State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Banks.
However, members of the Trump campaign said change is needed, and President Biden has been ineffective in ensuring a secure border.
"[Biden] alone has the power to reverse course and secure our border to protect our communities, yet he refuses to take action. Biden is prioritizing illegal immigrants over Americans,” Trump campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez told the Associated Press.
Trump has been leaning into inflammatory rhetoric about the surge of migrants at the southern border, the Associated Press reported. He has portrayed migrants as “poisoning the blood of the country,” questioned whether some should even be considered people, and claimed, without evidence, that countries have been emptying their prisons and mental asylums into the U.S.
He has also accused Biden and the Democrats of trying to "collapse the American system, nullify the will of the actual American voters and establish a new base of power that gives them control for generations.”
Trump is scheduled to speak at 2:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids about what his campaign calls "Biden's Border Bloodbath.”
After visiting Grand Rapids, the former president will hold a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
News Channel 3 will livestream the event on our website and social media pages.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this article.