WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump did not hold back during a recent Cabinet meeting where he openly criticized Somali immigrants, asserting that their reliance on the U.S. social safety net is excessive and that they offer little value to the nation. His statements come at a time when immigration and security issues are at the forefront of national discourse.
In response to a violent incident that resulted in the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, Trump has seized the opportunity to vocalize his stance on immigrants from various nations, specifically targeting Somalia. The suspect linked to the shooting is of Afghan descent, but Trump used this event to frame a broader narrative about immigrants.
“They contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88% or something. They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country,” he said, denigrating the homeland of Somali immigrants. “Their country is no good for a reason. Your country stinks and we don’t want them in our country.” These remarks have ignited a firestorm of criticism from various sectors, drawing attention to the intricacies of immigration policy and its societal impacts.
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