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Trump calls for death penalty for migrants who kill Americans

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a rally at Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado, U.S., October 11, 2024. REUTERS/Isaiah J. Downing

Trump Escalates Anti-Immigration Rhetoric in Aurora, Colorado Rally

Call for Death Penalty for Migrants Who Kill U.S. Citizens

At a rally held in Aurora, Colorado on Friday, former U.S. President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump intensified his anti-immigration rhetoric. Addressing a large crowd of supporters, Trump called for the death penalty for migrants who are convicted of killing American citizens or law enforcement officers.

“I’m hereby calling for the death penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a law enforcement officer,” Trump stated, drawing loud approval from the crowd. He also reaffirmed his earlier proposal to expand the use of the death penalty for other serious crimes, including sex trafficking of women and children.

While the death penalty is banned in nearly half of U.S. states, there is a federal death penalty that is rarely used, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Any expansion of capital punishment would require congressional approval.

Focus on Venezuelan Gang Allegations

During the rally, Trump stood before posters depicting alleged members of the Venezuelan gang “Tren de Aragua.” He vowed to launch a national initiative, which he referred to as “Operation Aurora,” if elected. The initiative would target gang members across the country, with a specific focus on Aurora, where Trump claimed the gang had taken over several apartment complexes.

The alleged presence of Tren de Aragua in Aurora has been a contentious topic. City officials, including Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, have refuted Trump’s claims. In a statement, Coffman described concerns about Venezuelan gang activity in the city as “grossly exaggerated” but welcomed Trump to tour the city.

Campaign Strategy: Toughened Anti-Immigration Stance

Illegal immigration remains a key issue for U.S. voters, and Trump is widely viewed as the candidate most capable of addressing it, according to recent opinion polls. Throughout his campaign, Trump has consistently focused on the issue of what he terms “migrant crime,” despite academic studies showing that immigrants do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans.

This hardening of Trump’s stance on immigration comes as the November 5 presidential election approaches, where he seeks to defeat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Vice President Harris has also toughened her position on border security since becoming the Democratic nominee in August, and she has blamed Trump for blocking bipartisan border security legislation earlier this year.

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to Trump’s proposal regarding the expansion of the death penalty for migrant-related crimes.

Aurora in the Spotlight

Allegations of Gang Control in Aurora

Aurora became a focal point in the immigration debate after Trump made claims during a September 10 presidential debate that members of the Tren de Aragua gang were in control of several apartment complexes in the city. These allegations, however, have been dismissed by local officials. Despite this, Trump reiterated his pledge during the rally to focus law enforcement efforts on Aurora if he is re-elected, promising to “rescue” the city from what he described as an invasion by violent criminals.

“We will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail or kick them out of our country,” Trump declared, despite no evidence that any town in the U.S. has been taken over by migrants.

Local Response to Trump’s Claims

Mayor Coffman’s office issued a statement ahead of the rally, asserting that while gang activity in the city had been overstated, crime rates in Aurora have actually decreased. According to statistics from the Aurora Police Department, major crimes have declined year-over-year.

Nonetheless, some residents expressed anxiety about Trump’s visit, fearing potential tensions. V Reeves, a community organizer with the Housekeys Action Network, noted that residents were concerned about possible threats from Trump supporters.

Apartment Complex Dispute

Conditions at Aurora Properties

The controversy surrounding gang activity in Aurora traces back to efforts by city officials to pressure the owner of several apartment complexes, where many migrants live, to address various issues, including repairs, trash accumulation, and pest infestations. According to documents obtained by Reuters under the Colorado Open Records Act, a public relations firm hired by the property management company, CBZ Management, claimed that members of the Tren de Aragua gang had taken control of the complexes.

CBZ Management has not responded to requests for comment regarding these claims. The gang-related allegations gained further attention in late August when footage showing armed men in one of the apartment buildings went viral. The footage was captured by Cindy Romero, a former resident of the building.

Residents’ Perspectives

During Friday’s rally, Romero, who had previously identified as a lifelong Democrat, announced her intention to vote for Trump, citing her experiences with crime in the apartment complex as the reason for her shift in political allegiance.

However, not all residents share the same view. Jesus, a Venezuelan migrant who works in landscaping and lives in one of the complexes, expressed frustration over the generalization of all Venezuelans as criminals. “We are not all bad people,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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