In his first 100 days back in office, President Trump has acted on his campaign promises regarding border security. Since taking office, he has deported approximately 139,000 illegal immigrants, including individuals identified as violent criminals. According to available data, illegal border crossings have seen a significant decrease. In March, the number of illegal immigrants entering the United States fell to 7,181, showcasing a substantial decline compared to previous years. Also, between January 20 and April 1, only nine illegal immigrants were released into the United States, marking a 99.9% decrease from the previous year under President Biden.
Despite these developments, some elected officials remain resistant to current immigration enforcement policies. Mecklenburg County’s Sheriff, Garry McFadden, has been highlighted for his reluctance to cooperate with federal agencies on immigration matters. According to allegations, McFadden has declined to notify the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before releasing illegal immigrants from custody.
This stance has drawn criticism from Border Czar Tom Homan. He emphasized public safety, stating, “If you care about the safety and security of your community, give us that public safety trust to do our job… victims and witnesses of a crime don’t want the bad guy back in their neighborhood.” He further added, “Give us access to the jail to arrest the public safety threat. It’s safer for the officer; it’s safer for the alien. It’s certainly safer for the community.”
Additionally, questions have been raised about the positions of North Carolina’s Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson. Critics argue that both state leaders have not addressed issues related to immigration enforcement, despite their stated commitments to community safety.
The current discourse suggests a split in approaches to immigration and public safety, with different perspectives on how federal and local authorities should collaborate.
