Donald Trump’s immigration speech played well with supporters
Sep 1, 2016, 9:57 AM | Updated: 2:09 pm
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to the audience after delivering an immigration policy speech during a campaign rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s immigration speech was well-received by a majority of his supporters.
After he closed out his speech at the Phoenix Convention Center on Wednesday night, the reaction in the crowd seemed to be positive. It was the first time the nominee had laid out a detailed immigration plan and his supporters were excited by that.
“I’ve been completely onboard with him from Day One and what I’m really excited about now is that he’s really come up with a solid and detailed plan that has some real meat to it,” Richard Paine of Scottsdale said.
Jeannie Redding, who traveled from Tucson to see Trump, agreed.
“I thought it was great,” she said. “I think this was what everybody was waiting for – a great speech on his immigration stance.”
Redding said her favorite part was Trump’s promise to enforce immigration laws that are already on the books.
“We have the laws here for a purpose and they haven’t been upheld here in the last eight years,” she said.
While the crowd seemed to overwhelmingly support Trump’s idea to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, Redding isn’t sold on it.
“I think it’s impossible to have 100 percent of our border closed,” she said.
But Paine thinks Trump will build the wall.
“I think it’s incredibly realistic,” he said. “He’s going to get it done.”
Paine said Wednesday night’s speech has him ready to vote Trump in November.
“He doesn’t, frankly, care if people like him or not. He’s coming out and talking about what really needs to be done. He’s the only guy who’s done it. He’s for real.”
KTAR’s Mike Sackley contributed to this report.
