argumentative essay on immigration reform

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Argumentative Essay On Immigration Reform

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: United States , Law , Immigration , America , Reforms , Migration , Criminal Justice , Crime

Words: 1200

Published: 12/19/2019

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Immigration reform is a complicated, but necessary policy. Most people agree current immigration policies need to be updated to meet the current demands of the country; and legal immigration should be encouraged and illegal immigration should be discouraged. These ideas are agreed upon when it comes to immigration reform; but most groups diverge sharply regarding the following three ideas: what to do about people already here illegally; how to restrict immigration (legal and illegal) and how to eliminate inequities between different classes of immigrants. How to get opposing groups to come together and realize that immigrants are an essential part of the fabric of our society is an important determination. America is a nation historically built on the work of immigrants whether they came willingly or not. Even at this time in our history, immigrants provide a valuable class of workers essential to the American economy. Traditionally immigrants hailed from various areas of Europe and they have been the most successful, but not without problems. Beside interactions with Native American Indians, there has been a systematic problem of discrimination among and between members of these earlier immigrant groups. The sentiment to “become American” by shedding all vestiges of the “old country” seems to be shared by Roberto Suro, author of Strangers Among Us (Martin, “Strangers Among Us”). In his review, Martin outlines Suro’s belief that in order to stem the tide of illegal immigration, groups-specifically Hispanics-should close their doors to illegal immigration and embrace the status quo here in America. Legal immigration has been addressed at least since the 1800s; many groups were separated and only so many were allowed in the country at one time. Since then, changes have been made to accommodate the country’s political and economic situations. At this time, the changes need to be updated again. There are many people living in the United States illegally. There is a question of what to do with them. They have no rights essentially and although they provide economic help to the country, they cannot participate in society with their current status – an idea pointed out in the article “Why Immigration Reform?” (Starr). Although there has been a recent push to send them back to their home country, this feeling is based on a perception without regard to the valuable economic service they provide. A pathway to legal citizenship for those who are in this position would be a better idea. There are some alternatives, but no one solution will provide the answer for each person in this situation. The article “Neither Walls Nor Open Borders” (De La Garza) echoes the sentiments of many politicians who suggest that expanding guest worker programs and other practical solutions may be the answer to the problem. How do we restrict immigration? Any solution will need to involve restriction of some sort. Conservatives will have only so many from different groups allowed to enter the country. Legal immigrants are allowed on an individual basis; but illegal immigration is where the real problem is. Recent restrictions have included everything from rooting them out of the workplace to restricting them from renting apartments. Even the status of those born to illegal immigrant parents has been put into question. Luckily, most of these measures have been declared unconstitutional since they conflict with the theory of a free democracy. However the question still persists, what should their status be? There are realistic questions such as a person’s status before they enter the country; for example, are they a criminal either here or in their own country? Are they a terrorist? There are measures already in place that could be better enforced such as the use of biometrics that could aid in the restriction of immigration without resorting to measures mentioned in the article “Why Should We Restrict Immigration?” (Caplan). Inequities between classes of immigrants may never be truly resolved, but there are some measures that can minimize this. For example, there should be a more objective standard put in place for a person who enters the country with a VISA and joins to military to ensure his or her citizenship versus someone who enters illegally and has a child born in the country. Also what accounts for the inequity between certain ethnic groups such as Haitians mentioned in “Why Should We Restrict Immigration?” (Caplan) and other groups such as Cubans, Chinese, and other non-European immigrant groups? The unfortunate perception of illegal immigration and all of the ensuing issues rests at the feet of Mexicans who come illegally, but there seems to be little attention paid to those who are of other origins who have also entered the country illegally. Ines Novacic, a contributor to an Irish American media cite called Irish Central, (qtd. in Rubio, 52) says that many undocumented Irish workers are not required to provide VISAs in order to work in the United States. Laws and technology such as biometrics as well as education could help prevent this problem at least. In conclusion, there are many issues that provide a gulf between those involved with immigration reform. No one can seem to agree how to make the situation better; however, there should be some fairness applied. Applying existing laws equally, finding objective standards to applying those laws, and recognizing that immigrants are valuable to this country are needed if we expect to have effective immigration reform.

Works Cited

Martin, Phillip. “Strangers Among Us: How Latino Immigration is Transforming America.” The International Migration Review Fall 1999: 774-777. Proquest. Web 14 May 2012 Book review of Roberto Suro’s Strangers Among Us: How Latino Immigration is Transforming America. Martin highlights Suro’s view that issues with immigration, specifically Hispanic immigration, cannot be resolved without help from the Hispanic community. There is encouragement for Hispanics to embrace the status quo in the United States. Starr, Paul. “Why Immigration Reform?” The American Prospect July/Aug 2007: 3. Proquest. Web. 14 May 2012. Starr writes that reform needs to happen not only to update the system to adapt to the current needs of the country, but also to eliminate the illegal immigration underclass that it has created De la Garza, Rodolfo. “Neither Walls Nor Open Borders: A New Approach to Immigration Reform.” New Labor Forum Winter 2011: 65-71. Academic Search Complete. 23 May 2012. De la Garza’s article looks beyond the usual perceptions regarding illegal aliens and offers practical solutions of what to do amount undocumented workers already living in the United States. Caplan, Bryan. “Why Should We Restrict Immigration?” Cato Journal Winter 2012: 5-24. Proquest. Web. 14 May 2012. Caplan’s article suggests what are called “more humane” ways to restrict immigration. He insists that the current regulations are based on nothing more than quotas; his solutions involve alternatives to the use of quotas to restrict immigration while retaining immigrants as a viable labor force. Rubio, Angelica. “Undocumented, Not Illegal: Beyond the Rhetoric of Immigration Coverage.” NACLA Report on the Americas November/December 2011: 50-52. Academic Search Complete. 23 May 2012. This article examines the use of the word “illegal” referring to those who live in the United States but are not citizens and also points out the inequities between different classes of immigrants.

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Immigration — Immigration Reform

Essays on Immigration Reform

Brief description of immigration reform.

Immigration reform refers to the changes in immigration policy and laws aimed at improving the process of immigration and addressing issues such as illegal immigration, border security, and the status of undocumented immigrants. It is a significant and complex topic that has far-reaching social, political, and economic implications.

Importance of Writing Essays on This Topic

Essays on immigration reform are crucial for understanding the impact of immigration policies on individuals, communities, and nations. They provide a platform for critical analysis, debate, and the exploration of potential solutions to the challenges posed by immigration. Additionally, writing essays on this topic fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities and controversies surrounding immigration reform.

Tips on Choosing a Good Topic

• Consider current issues and debates in immigration policy, such as DACA, border security, or refugee resettlement.
• Explore the historical and cultural aspects of immigration to understand its impact on society.
• Choose a specific aspect of immigration reform, such as the economic impact, social integration, or human rights issues.

Essay Topics

• The ethical implications of deporting undocumented immigrants.
• The impact of immigration policy on the labor market.
• The role of immigration in shaping national identity.
• My family's immigration story and its influence on my identity.
• The challenges and opportunities of being an immigrant in a new country.
• The cultural exchange and diversity fostered by immigration.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of current immigration reform policies.
• The implications of border security measures on immigration patterns.
• The role of immigration policy in addressing the global refugee crisis.

Concluding Thought

Exploring immigration reform through essay writing offers a valuable opportunity to delve into the complexities of immigration policy, cultural integration, and human rights. By engaging with this topic, individuals can contribute to a meaningful dialogue and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by immigration reform.

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32+ argumentative essays topics on immigration with prompts [+ essay outline], dr. wilson mn.

• August 1, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Samples

There are a lot of immigration issues that people are passionate about. If you care about the immigration and want to make a difference, then you should consider writing an argumentative essay on one of these topics. Here are some ideas on Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration to get you started:

What You'll Learn

Interesting Topics On Migration

• Different Perspectives on Immigration Reform Essay Prompt: Over the past few years, people have moved to the United States for various reasons. Some have moved to the United States to reunite with their families, work, or look for safety.
• Arguments on Why Immigration Should be Stopped Essay Prompt: Immigration can be defined as the movement of an individual from one’s country of origin to set up new and permanent residence in another country. Immigration has been a pertinent issue in most countries, especially the United States.
• Effects of Immigration Essay Prompt: Immigration is moving from one place to another in order to live and work in that place. The history of immigration dates back to thousands of years ago when the first Africans arrived in Egypt.
• How does racism impact the way we view Immigration? Essay Prompt: In recent years, views of immigration in the United States have shifted with many Americans perceiving immigrants as a source of national prosperity, rather than an eminent burden. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Immigration, Essay Prompt: Consider any issues such as how to deal with illegal immigrants, how to encourage new, productive immigrants, cost of illegal immigrants.

As you continue,  thestudycorp.com  has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us . Select a Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration and we will write the essau for you.

Argumentative Essay Ideas On Immigration with Prompts

• What Role Should The State Of Texas Play In The Immigration Policy
• No One Is Safe.’ How Trump’s Immigration Policy Is Splitting Families Apart Essay Prompt: In the past, people who immigrated to the US illegally and had criminal records were some of the most targeted, but now the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can pick up family members and separate them from their families.
• The economic impact of Immigration on the US economy Essay Prompt: Immigration has a significant impact on the United States economy. Immigration has enhanced economic development and has small to no effects on employment and wages for native-born workers.
• Describe Immigration Laws And Potential Illegal Immigrants
• Essay Prompt: You explore your position on the topic of immigration laws. Select an immigration law for this Discussion and consider whether or not that law is justifiable.
• The bad impact of Immigration on the U.S. economy. Essay Essay Prompt: Immigration is a hotly debated topic in the United States, especially in political circles. Over the years, millions of people have immigrated to the United States from all parts of the world and it has become a melting pot of cultures. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Impact of Immigration on American Cities Essay Prompt: The issue of immigration is a sensitive national topic in the United States. The topic’s sensitivity is fueled by several misconceptions about immigration and its impact on the United States. (Argumentative Essay Ideas On Immigration)
• Research Assignment on Enforcement of Immigration Laws Essay Prompt: Explain at least one challenge related to enforcing the laws at the state level. Provide an insight you had about the effectiveness of enforcement of laws. A Research Project On Migration.

Further read on Creative Synthesis Essay Topics & Ideas in 2022

If you care about immigration and want to make a difference, then you should consider writing an argumentative essay on one of these topics . Here are some ideas on Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration to get you started:

Immigration Research Paper Topics

• Immigration is Good to America: Immigration Makes Americans Less Isolated Globally Essay Prompt: Incorporate analysis of the reading and somebody’s personal experience to make a clear and precise argumentative essay on immigration.
• Republican Party Restrictions on Immigration Law Essay Essay Prompt: The US president Donald Trump is from the Republican Party with the decision made following the policies of the party. Republican Party has a strong stand on restrictions on immigrants which have caused unrest to blacks and minority groups in the US.
• Discuss one specific issue position from either the Democratic or Republican parties’ platforms, indicating whether you agree or disagree.
• Why The United States Should Adopt An Open Immigration Policy Essay Prompt: Two Viewpoints explaining why Immigration Must Be Restricted to Protect American Americans Against Terrorists and why the United States Should Adopt an Open Immigration Policy.
• Liberal Critique And Reform Of Immigration Policy Essay Prompt: Immigration reforms have remained fundamental similar to civil rights and desegregation throughout the history of the united states (US). In the past centuries, immigration reforms have been greatly influenced by the civil rights movement. As noted, the civil rights movement was about winning full and…
• Immigration, Pluralism, and Amalgamation Essay Prompt: The world has significantly transformed into a global village mainly due to technological advancement that has made almost every part of the world accessible. Consequently, migration has become a common aspect of modern life. These changes have prompted different countries to establish immigration policies…
• Essay Prompt: In the current interconnected world, global migration has turned out to be a reality that affects approximately all countries across the world. With advanced modern means of transport, people find it easier, cheaper and more convenient to move from one nation to another searching for employment.
• How to Strengthen America’s National Security
• Essay Prompt: Enhancing border control and enforcement of immigration laws are the two primary ideas that can effectively manage the problem of illegal immigration in the US. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Immigration Policy Impact on Economic, Security & Humanitarian Policy Essay Prompt: The current immigration policy has a far-reaching impact on humanitarian, security, and economic aspects. For instance, Migrant Protection Protocols by former President Trump prevents the imprisonment of asylum seekers, especially women and children, until the hearing of their case.
• Should American Citizenship be a Birthright? Research Paper Essay Prompt: The belief that everybody born in American soil becomes subject to the jurisdiction, hence citizens of the United States was included in the Constitution in 1868, in the 14th amendment.

These are just a few examples of Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration. If you can find a topic that is relevant to your audience and that you are passionate about, you will be well on your way to writing a great argumentative essay .

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Impact on the Job Market

• Will Wages Drop?

Effect on the Treasury

The bottom line.

• Government & Policy

The Pros and Cons of Immigration Reform

How it affects job growth and wages

Daniel has 10+ years of experience reporting on investments and personal finance for outlets like AARP Bulletin and Exceptional magazine, in addition to being a column writer for Fatherly.

Immigration reform refers to the effort to make changes to the policy that governs the entry of immigrants into the United States. It can be a contentious issue for many Americans and one that has not yet been resolved by their political leaders.

The Trump administration reduced the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., a group that totaled roughly 10.5 million people in 2017, according to the Pew Research Center. While former President Trump cited an array of reasons for this action, from human trafficking concerns to abstract population caps—“our country is full,” he announced in April 2019—his argument was always largely an economic one.

The thinking of former President Trump and his supporters set up one of the biggest ideological battlefronts of the 2020 presidential election.

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris , and Cory Booker all advocated downgrading illegal border crossings to a civil offense. Even President Joe Biden, who served as vice president when close to three million undocumented immigrants were deported, was quick to play up their positive contributions to society.

So who’s right and who’s wrong when it comes to undocumented workers and the economy? We’ll look beyond the heated rhetoric and explain what researchers from both sides of the political spectrum have to say. 

Key Takeaways

• Former President Trump limited immigration into the U.S., especially across the southern border.
• The 2020 presidential election presented a stark contrast in the two parties' positions on immigration to the U.S.
• In terms of the impact on jobs, undocumented workers often take low-skill jobs in which American citizens have little interest, and they are more willing to work nights and weekends.
• In the long run, increased immigration has a very small positive impact on the wages of native-born Americans.
• First-generation immigrants cost the government more per capita, but their children cost less than native-born Americans.

Trump’s hard line on undocumented immigrants was wrapped in the assumption that those immigrants take jobs from American citizens.

On the surface, this seems a pretty logical conclusion for a cohort that represents nearly 11 million people. But immigration advocates said this argument ignores the dynamic nature of the  job market .

Contributions of Immigrants to the U.S. Economy

First, it’s important to recognize that immigrants aren’t just workers—they’re also consumers who buy goods and services. Some researchers believe mass deportation would therefore shrink overall economic output.

An analysis by New American Economy, a bipartisan research and advocacy organization focused on immigration policy, concluded that such a policy would result in a $1.6 trillion reduction in GDP.

What’s more, undocumented workers often take low-skill jobs in which American citizens have little interest, including those in labor-intensive fields such as agriculture and forestry. Another NAE report found that low-skilled immigrants were 18% more likely to work in jobs that required unusual hours than their U.S.-born counterparts.

Because birthrates are dropping in the U.S.—the average American woman in 2021 was having 1.7 children, according to The World Bank—some experts say immigrants can help fill a hole in the labor market that will ultimately boost the economy.

“The future growth prospects of the U.S. economy are severely constrained by a lack of working-age population growth,” the Conference Board's non-partisan Committee for Economic Development (CED) wrote in a 2018 policy brief.

Because roughly half of the immigrants from Latin America are between the ages of 18 and 35, the U.S. doesn’t have to shoulder the cost of their schooling. Bringing in even 100,000 of these immigrants annually would represent an injection of human capital that would otherwise cost us $47 billion in education and childcare costs, says the CED.

Immigration reform helped ramp up deportations, secured funds for a longer border wall, and suspended the entry of most new immigrants because of COVID-19.

Will Wages Drop?

One of the claims you’ll often hear amnesty critics say is that allowing more workers to compete for American jobs will suppress wages for existing employees.

Wages Increase and Decrease

The basic rules of  supply and demand  would seem to support that claim. When the number of workers goes up, the amount companies have to pay presumably goes down.

However, a number of studies have shown that the impact on wages among low-skilled workers is relatively modest. Most put it at less than 1%. Researchers Gianmarco Ottaviano and Giovanni Peri actually found that in the long run, increased immigration had a very small positive impact, 0.6%, on the wages of native-born Americans.

But even if pay for these jobs were to decrease, that might not be the case in every field. Supporters of immigration reform say that the availability of more workers is a  boon  for businesses, which benefit from lower  production costs .

Demand for Skilled Workers Can Grow

This theoretically strengthens demand for high-skill jobs that don’t face as much competition from undocumented workers, such as managers and accountants. Therefore, reform could presumably boost wages, at least marginally, for jobs that require a college degree.

According to one analysis, the fiscal impacts of immigrants are generally positive at the federal level when projected over a future time horizon of 75 years.  

One of the most contentious concerns is over the effect that illegal immigration has on government coffers.

A path to citizenship for workers who are already in the country means many of them would contribute federal and state income taxes for the first time. But they would also have access to a range of benefits to which they’re currently locked out—education at public schools, Medicaid , nutrition assistance, and the earned income tax credit .

Financial Cost vs. Contribution of Immigrants

In 2017, researchers Robert Rector and Jamie Bryan Hall of the right-leaning Heritage Foundation analyzed the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, which would limit the number of visas given to low-skilled workers.

They suggested that immigrants without a high school degree—the typical level from Latin America is a 10th-grade education—receive, on average, $4 in government benefits for every $1 they contribute in taxes.

Rector and Hall concluded that the 4.7 million low-skilled immigrants estimated to enter the U.S. in the next decade would be a net drag on the Treasury of $1.9 trillion.

But a 2016 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report paints a very different picture. Using data from 1994-2013, the authors agreed that first-generation immigrants cost the government more on a per-capita basis than citizens born in the U.S., based on their lower earning power.

However, the NAS found that their children are actually less of a drag on the federal and local budgets than their peers. That’s because second-generation immigrants exhibited “slightly higher educational achievement, as well as their higher wages and salaries.” As a result, they pay more in taxes.

Adding to Social Security

There’s also some evidence that immigrants help bolster Social Security, which retiring Baby Boomers are pressuring with withdrawals. Back in 2013, Chief Actuary Stephen Goss of the Social Security Administration and other researchers estimated that roughly 1.8 million immigrants used a Social Security card that did not match their name to gain employment in 2010.

The result? These individuals tended to pay far more into the system than they pulled out in benefits. At the time, Goss asserted that undocumented residents kicked $13 billion into Social Security through payroll taxes, but only gained $1 billion in benefit payments.

Former President Trump repeatedly drove home the idea that Honduran and Mexican immigrants take jobs away from U.S. citizens and suppress their pay. “We are proposing an immigration plan that puts the jobs, wages, and safety of American workers first,” Trump said on May 16, 2019, at a White House event announcing a new visa program that would limit Latino recipients.

What's a Good Immigration Policy?

Broadly speaking, a good immigration policy could be one that secures U.S. borders yet welcomes immigrants with an achievable path to legal residency and citizenship. It could support the nation's security and prosperity while strengthening its future by admitting people from around the world.

How Many Immigrants Entered the U.S. Illegally in 2022?

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were 2.2 million illegal border crossings, not including those at official checkpoints, just at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Do Undocumented Immigrants Hurt the U.S.?

This can be a primary point of contention among U.S. politicians. Some argue that undocumented immigrants are a severe drain on U.S. resources and threaten the financial lives of Americans. Others demonstrate that they often take lower paying jobs that are going unfilled, contribute to the economy as consumers and taxpayers, and support social welfare programs. Their children tend to go on to contribute to the U.S. economy more substantially.

Former President Trump energized his Republican base with his get-tough approach to immigration, arguing that unlawful residents are an unmitigated drain on the American economy.

However, those who cross into the U.S. without documentation also lower costs for their employers and represent a sizable consumer group. Indeed, some research indicates that they actually create more job opportunities than they take.  

While some studies have shown that illegal immigration suppresses wages in low-skill segments of the workforce, the effect over time, if any, appears to be minimal.

And while first-generation immigrants may cost the government more than native-born workers because of their lower incomes, many pay far more into Social Security than they receive. They also add younger workers to the nation's aging labor force.

Pew Research Center. " Key findings about U.S. immigrants ."

AP. " 'Our country is full': Trump says migrants straining system ."

The Washington Post. " Where 2020 Democrats stand on Immigration ."

New American Economy. " Undocumented Immigrants ."

New American Economy. " Immigrants Substantially More Likely to Work Nights and Weekends than U.S.-Born, New Study Finds ."

The World Bank. " Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - United States ."

Committee for Economic Development. " The Power of More Foreign-Born Workers ."

Committee for Economic Development. " The Power of More Foreign-Born Workers ," Introduction.

Whitehouse.gov. " Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak ."

NBER Working Paper Series. " Immigration and National Wages: Clarifying the Theory and the Empirics ," Abstract.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine. " New Report Assesses the Economic and Fiscal Consequences of Immigration ."

The Heritage Foundation. " Trump-Endorsed Immigration Bill Would Save Taxpayers Trillions ."

Social Security Administration. " Actuarial Note Number 151: Effects of Unauthorized Immigration on the Actuarial Status of the Social Security Trust Funds ."

WhiteHouse.gov. " Remarks by President Trump on Modernizing Our Immigration System for a Stronger America ."

New York Times. " Why Illegal Border Crossings Are at Sustained Highs ."

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trump-accuses-biden-of-causing-a-border-bloodbath-as-he-escalates-his-immigration-rhetoric

Trump accuses Biden of causing a border ‘bloodbath’ as he escalates his immigration rhetoric

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of unleashing a “bloodbath” at the U.S.-Mexico border Tuesday, escalating his inflammatory rhetoric as he campaigned in two midwestern swing states likely to be critical to the outcome of the 2024 election.

Trump, who has accused migrants of “ poisoning the blood of the country ” and vowed to launch the largest domestic deportation operation in the nation’s history if he wins a second term, accused Biden of allowing a “bloodbath” that was “destroying the country.” In Michigan, he referred to immigrants in the U.S. illegally suspected of committing crimes as “animals,” using dehumanizing language that those who study extremism have warned increases the risk of violence.

“Under Crooked Joe Biden, every state is now a border state. Every town is now a border town because Joe Biden has brought the carnage and chaos and killing from all over world and dumped it straight into our backyards,” Trump said in Grand Rapids, where he stood flanked by law enforcement officers in uniform before a line of flags.

While violent crime is down, Trump and other Republicans have seized on several high-profile crimes alleged to have been committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally to attack Biden as border crossings have hit record highs. Polls suggest Trump has an advantage over Biden on issues as many prospective voters say they’re concerned about the impact of the crossings.

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Trump continued to hammer the theme at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Tuesday evening as the state was holding its presidential primaries. Trump accused rogue nations of “pumping migrants across our wide open border,” and “sending prisoners, murders, drug dealers, mental patients, terrorists” — though there is no evidence any country is engaged in that kind of coordinated effort.

He also claimed that migrants would cost the country trillions of dollars in public benefits and cause Social Security and Medicare to “buckle and collapse.”

“If you want to help Joe Biden wheel granny off the cliff to fund government benefits for illegals, then vote for Crooked Joe Biden,” he said. “But when I am president, instead of throwing granny overboard, I will send Joe Biden’s illegal aliens back home.”

On Tuesday, the White House emphasized that immigration is a positive for the U.S. economy. They argued that recent gains in immigration have helped to boost employment and sustained growth as the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to bring down inflation.

“We know immigrants strengthen our country and also strengthen our economy,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Tuesday’s briefing, noting that immigrants were the ones doing the “critical work” on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore when it collapsed after being struck by a ship.

Trump on Tuesday focused on the killing of Ruby Garcia, a Michigan woman who was found dead on the side of a Grand Rapids highway on March 22. Police say she was in a romantic relationship with the suspect, Brandon Ortiz-Vite. He told police he shot her multiple times during an argument before dropping her body on the side of the road and driving off in her red Mazda.

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Trump incorrectly referred to the 25-year-old Garcia as a 17-year-old.

Authorities say Ortiz-Vite is a citizen of Mexico and had previously been deported following a drunken driving arrest. He does not have an attorney listed in court records.

Trump in his remarks said that he had spoken to some of her family. Garcia’s sister, Mavi, however, disputed his account, telling FOX 17 that they had not. “No, he did not speak with us,” the outlet said she told them in a text message, declining to comment further.

She also pleaded on Facebook last week for reporters to stop politicizing her sister’s story, and on Tuesday asked for privacy, saying she only wanted “justice to be served” and to “be left alone.”

Trump also again mentioned the killing of Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia. A Venezuelan man whom officials say entered the U.S. illegally has been charged. Riley’s family attended Trump’s rally in Georgia last month and met with him backstage.

Trump referred to the suspect in Riley’s death as an “illegal alien animal.”

“The Democrats say, ‘Please don’t call them animals. They’re humans .’ I said, ‘No, they’re not humans, they’re not humans, they’re animals,’” he said.

FBI statistics show overall violent crime dropped again in the U.S. last year, continuing a downward trend after a pandemic-era spike. In Michigan, violent crime hit a three-year low in 2022, according to the most recent available data. Crime in Michigan’s largest city, Detroit, is also down, with the fewest homicides last year since 1966.

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Top Republicans from across Michigan had packed into a conference room in downtown Grand Rapids to hear Trump speak in a county he won in 2016 but lost to Biden in 2020. Outside the event center, over 100 supporters stood in the cold rain to line the street where Trump’s motorcade was expected to pass.

At a nearby park, a small group advocating for immigration reform gathered to hold a moment of silence for Garcia while holding signs that read “No human being is illegal” and “Michigan welcomes immigrants.”

In Green Bay, some supporters braved snowfall for three hours outside to enter the venue.

Biden’s campaign, which has been hammering Trump for his role in killing a bipartisan border deal that would have added more than 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection personnel, in addition to other restrictions, preempted the speech by accusing Trump of politicizing the death.

“Tomorrow, Donald Trump is coming to Grand Rapids where he is expected to once again try to politicize a tragedy and sow hate and division to hide from his own record of failing Michiganders,” said Alyssa Bradley, the Biden campaign’s Michigan communications director.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, said Monday that there is “a real problem on our southern border” and that it’s “really critical that Congress and the president solve the problem.”

“There was a solution on the table. It was actually the former president that encouraged Republicans to walk away from getting it done,” Whitmer said. “I don’t have a lot of tolerance for political points when it continues to endanger our economy and, to some extent, our people as we saw play out in Grand Rapids recently.”

Trump has been leaning into inflammatory rhetoric about the surge of migrants at the southern border. 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.”

In Green Bay, Trump spoke beside an empty podium that read, “Anytime. Anywhere. Anyplace.” Trump said it was meant for Biden, whose campaign has not committed to participating in debates.

Gomez Licon reported from Green Bay, Wis. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

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