News   /   Human Rights

Obama raps Trump over immigration policy

US President Barack Obama rolls up his sleeves during a town hall meeting at the Summit on Worker Voice at the White House in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2015. (AFP)

US President Barack Obama has censured the immigration policies of leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

In a speech to Latino political leaders on Thursday, Obama said, "The greatness of America comes not from building walls," in apparent reference to Trump’s recent comments on building an anti-immigrant wall on the Mexican border to discourage migrants from trying to enter the states.

"The anti-immigrant sentiment that has infected our politics is not new, but it is wrong," Obama said, adding that "economists agree that immigration does not hurt our economy; it grows our economy."

Trump, a billionaire real estate developer who has never held elected office, has promised, if he wins the White House in 2016, to expel undocumented immigrants in the United States and build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

He has also proposed repealing the constitutional right to citizenship of anyone born on US soil.

Trump’s fiery remarks on immigration and other issues have dominated the 2016 election campaign, and on Thursday the US president condemned the logic of "saying clearly inflammatory things and then saying, 'Well that's not what I meant' -- until you do it again and again."

Although he did not name Trump specifically, Obama did denounce the overall tone of the Republican presidential field.

"They have invented this new reality where everything was terrific back in 2008," he said.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on October 8, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

 

Trump’s presidential campaign has been marked by controversial statements, including disparaging remarks about Mexican immigrants.

Back in August, the TV personality and business magnate said he was willing to spend $1 billion on his campaign if that is what it takes to win the White House.

This is while the latest polls show Trump and his potential Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, are leading in three swing states: Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

 


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku