Jorge Ramos challenged Donald Trump's stance on immigration at a press conference in Iowa on Tuesday August 25th. Trump's response was to command Ramos to "sit down." Trump relishes the soapbox America has granted him, wielding his influence with great disdain for any citizen that challenges his vision for America. Ramos, a celebrated and Emmy Award-winning journalist, brought up legitimate concerns regarding Trump's plans to deport 11 million immigrants, to build a reinforced fence on the southern border of the United States, and to deny children born to immigrants in America their citizenship.
Trump ignored the question at first, claiming Ramos wasn't called on. Trump went on to refer to Ramos as "emotional" and a "madman," rhetoric indicative of his anti-Latino mentality. Ramos has faced backlash for his tactics at the press conference, with some claiming he was out of line. However, it is clear that Trump has no intentions of legitimately addressing his tenuous grasp on immigration. Trump is all bark and no bite, using security to rid his press conference of the one reporter fielding him hardball questions. In other interviews, the best solution he has offered is "management." Does he plan to manage immigrants in the way he managed Ramos? It would be extremely convenient for Trump, as he would just have to point a finger and look the other way while somebody else did his dirty work.
This is not the first time Trump has made disparaging remarks against Latinos. His comments on Mexico sending rapists and criminals to the United States are still at the forefront of his campaign because they provide insight into how Trump truly views immigrants. The bottom-line is that Trump has no clue what he's talking about. Immigrants make up 13% of the population and 16% of the labor force. Not only is that a small percentage of the population, but immigrants also make up 18% of all small business owners in the United States. Those small percentages of immigrants are hard-working entrepreneurs building better lives for their families while creating new job opportunities in the process. In terms of crime, rates continue to fall as the immigration population grows. The percentage of foreign-born men ages 18-39 incarcerated is 0.7% compared to the 3.5% of native-born men. It's time for Trump to reassess where our criminals are bred.
There is solace in the fact that Trump's presidential campaign is a circus act with sideshows such as Ann Coulter. We all have laughed at some of his absurd statements, but the joke is slowly starting to turn on us. Trump continues to surge in the polls and steady his path to the White House. Americans appreciate Trump's honesty, yet I argue that he is dangerous. On one hand, Trump depicts a negative image of Latinos that his followers are citing to defend violent crimes. On the other hand, Trump is convinced that Latinos love him because of the jobs he provides them (some occupied by immigrants, ironically.) Does Trump think he can insult Latinos in one breath, and in another claim their support? What does he take us for?
It is imperative we see Donald Trump for what he is: deep pockets and shallow intellect.