U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) expressed skepticism about the feasibility of President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans, predicting widespread protests in response. Crockett appeared on far-left MSNBC to discuss the deportation initiatives, which will be overseen by incoming border czar Tom Homan, who has warned leaders in blue states that they could face criminal prosecution if they defy federal immigration laws or attempt to obstruct deportation efforts.
“Me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing; he’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him there,” Homan told Fox News in response to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s threats to block federal immigration enforcement efforts. “Because there’s a statute, it’s title 8 United States Code 1324-iii, and what it says is, it’s a felony if you knowingly harbor and conceal illegal immigrants from immigration authorities. It’s also a felony to impede a federal law enforcement officer. So if we don’t want to help, that’s fine. He can get to hell all the way. But we’re going to go do the job.”
On Saturday, Crockett was asked about Homan and Trump’s plans for deportations during an appearance on MSNBC. “Do you expect mass protests in response to mass deportations?” asked MSNBC’s Alex Witt. “I do, but I also don’t expect mass deportations. I think that it sounds good and they look like the tough guys, and we know that that has really been their brand, is to basically look like the bullies that they are,” the far-left congresswoman responded. “But, you know, when you start to get into the nitty-gritty and start to talk about details, that’s when they’re like, ‘well, we didn’t realize this or that,’ or even when you start to talk about the cost. When we start to ramp up what the cost will look like for us to actually effectuate this, but then also look at the cost to our economy, I just don’t really see it happening.”
Crockett then delivered a lengthy speech defending the use of inexpensive labor, highlighting its impact on American workers. “I can tell you that I have talked to countless farmers that talk about the need for these migrant workers. So listen, unless your viewers are planning to send their kids to school so that they can go and work on the farms, then God bless, we can make sure that we keep American agriculture going,” the congresswoman continued.
“But the reality is that that is not who’s been working the farms in recent years. It has been these migrants. When we look at our hospitality, it has been migrants. When we look at the restaurant workers, it has been migrants. And so, you know, when we start to look at the cost, not only coming directly out of our pocket to effectuate this, but also the cost to our economy.”
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Despite Crockett’s claims, a crackdown on illegal immigration and the deportation of undocumented immigrants remains popular among American voters, both before and after the 2024 election. According to a new YouGov poll distributed by CBS News, 73% of respondents want the Trump administration to prioritize deporting illegal immigrants. Of those, 45% believe it should be a “high priority,” while another 28% consider it a “medium priority.” The post-election survey, which polled 2,232 U.S. adults, also revealed that 57% of Americans support launching a national program aimed at deporting all undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.