Former President Donald Trump was in Michigan this week to talk about crime and the southern U.S. border.
Trump spoke in Howell with several county sheriffs at his side. Among them were Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit and Van Buren County Sheriff Dan Abbott.
Speaking later, Abbott said illegal immigration is affecting communities across the country, including Van Buren County.
“June 3, we had a fleeing illegal immigrant, 34-year-old female, who fled from our deputies,” Abbott said. “The reason she fled from our deputies is because she had an altercation earlier where she poured gas on a victim and lit them on fire.”
Abbott said rural communities are seeing an increase in serious crimes, and not just small misdemeanors.
State Senator Aric Nesbitt was also present at Trump’s event in Howell. He said he recently visited the southern border, and those on patrol are asking for two things.
“Reinstate Trump’s Remain in Mexico policy and to enforce the laws currently on the book, saying those who cross illegally or are in the country illegally have to go back to their home country and they can’t apply for any immigration status into the U.S. for at least ten years,” Nesbitt said.
The Trump campaign cites an average of 5,000 illegal immigrants being released in the U.S. every day.
As part of Trump’s press conference this week, several sheriffs from across the state told stories about crimes related to illegal immigration.
