Trump slams Biden’s immigration plan, touts border wall in Yuma speech
Aug 18, 2020, 3:24 PM | Updated: 5:27 pm
President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd of supporters at the Yuma International Airport Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Yuma, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — President Donald Trump slammed Joe Biden’s immigration plan and touted continued construction of the border wall Tuesday during a campaign speech in Yuma.
Trump said Biden’s plan advocates for open borders and other immigration policies in which he disagrees.
“Biden’s plan is the most radical, extreme, reckless and dangerous immigration plan ever put forward by a major party candidate,” Trump said during the speech.
“It must be defeated and it will be defeated on Nov. 3.”
Trump’s comments on his Democratic presidential opponent came during the week of the Democratic convention.
Arizona is expected to be an important state in winning the presidency, with immigration to be an important issue like in 2016.
RELATED STORIES
Biden’s campaign pushed back on Trump’s comments on the Democrat’s immigration plan.
“Joe Biden’s going to make smart investments in border security, stop the inhumane practice of separating families, improve and reform our asylum and visa systems, help our Dreamers, and enforce the rules to protect American and foreign workers alike,” Geoff Burgan, Arizona’s Biden campaign communications director, said in a statement.
One of Trump’s 2016 campaign promises he harped on was the construction of the border wall in the southern U.S.
Trump visited a portion of the wall near Yuma and received an endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council before the speech.
“I’m the only candidate that gave you more than what I promised,” Trump said.
Trump praised Immigration and Customs Enforcement and said policies designed to curb illegal immigration have helped him gain favor with Arizonans, especially in border towns.
“I know who’s going to vote for me. I don’t doubt that. I think I’m going to win Yuma,” Trump said.
Arizona isn’t the only swing state Trump is traveling to this week. He hosted events Monday in Wisconsin, where Milwaukee hosted the opening night of the virtual Democratic National Convention, and Minnesota.
He started his Tuesday trip in Iowa.
Gov. Doug Ducey and U.S. Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona, who is up for election in November, were present at the campaign event.
U.S. Reps. Debbie Lesko, Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs of Arizona, along with Arizona GOP Chair Kelli Ward, also joined Trump at the campaign stop.
Vice President Mike Pence was in Arizona last week, visiting Mesa and Tucson.
An OH Predictive Insights poll released last week found Biden up 49%-45%, but it’s the third consecutive poll the Republican incumbent has whittled down the difference.
In a similar poll in July, Biden was ahead 49%-44%. In May, he led 50%-43%.
