Trump visits Colorado, amplifies anti-immigration stance

Over the past months, he has specifically mentioned small towns and cities experiencing increased migrant arrivals, highlighting Aurora after a viral video showed armed men walking through an apartment block housing Venezuelan migrants. While Trump claimed that gangs were taking over the area, local authorities said the incident was isolated and the area is now safe.

The crowd, eager to see Trump, gathered early in the morning, cheering and chanting his name as the former president took the stage. His backdrop featured images of prisoners alongside descriptions like “Illegal immigrant gang members from Venezuela.”

Alongside his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump has also made unsubstantiated claims about Springfield, Ohio, accusing Haitian immigrants of stealing and eating pets. Trump has vowed to begin his mass deportations with towns like Aurora and Springfield, despite local leaders, such as Colorado Representative Jason Crow, dismissing his claims as exaggerated. Crow stated, “There is no surge, no takeover of any city or apartment complex. It’s simply not true.”

Despite Colorado and Ohio not being key battlegrounds, Trump’s message is clearly aimed at energising his base in more competitive states. Vance, who has echoed Trump’s sentiments, recently campaigned in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, raising concerns about the impact of refugees on local resources. Both men claim that smaller communities have been “overrun” by migrants, though many local leaders disagree.

Trump has continued to target his Democratic rivals, particularly Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of being too lenient on immigration and vowing to deport not only criminals but also those he claims are “pro-Hamas radicals.” His critics have denounced these comments as inflammatory and lacking evidence. However, Trump’s immigration rhetoric has resonated with parts of his base, including attendees at the rally in Aurora.

Chris Haynes, a political science professor at the University of New Haven, described Trump’s strategy as “episodic branding,” aimed at stoking fears about immigration. “What’s worked for him from the beginning is vilifying immigrants and portraying them as a threat,” Haynes said.

Meanwhile, Harris, wrapping up a campaign event in Arizona, addressed concerns about hurricane recovery efforts, reinforcing that the administration is committed to helping those affected. Trump used the opportunity to attack both Harris and President Joe Biden, accusing them of spreading disinformation about government responses to recent natural disasters, calling it part of a larger pattern of misinformation from “extreme people.”

As the election nears, Trump remains focused on amplifying his hardline message on immigration, despite ongoing challenges to the accuracy of his claims.

(with inputs from AP)