Trump Faces Tough Questions on Immigration from Hispanic Voters at Pivotal Univision Town Hall

Former President Donald Trump, who has built much of his presidential campaign on claims that immigrants are “destroying” the U.S. and his push for mass deportation, faced direct and challenging questions from undecided Hispanic voters on Tuesday.

At a town hall hosted by Univision, the largest U.S. Spanish-language network, several dozen Latino voters questioned Trump on immigration, the economy, abortion, and other significant issues. Despite making recent efforts to win over Latino voters, Trump struggled to provide clear policy answers, especially on immigration, often repeating misinformation.

Latino Voters Key to Election

Polling suggests that Trump is gaining ground with Hispanic voters, many of whom, like other demographic groups, support him based on economic concerns. Latino voters, crucial in swing states, could heavily influence the 2024 election. However, during the town hall, in front of 100 voters, Trump avoided addressing his controversial plan for the largest mass deportation in U.S. history.

Misinformation and Dodging on Immigration

Trump sidestepped multiple questions on his stance regarding immigrants. When a Republican voter questioned him about a debunked claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pets, Trump doubled down, stating, “I was just saying what was reported,” and added more unfounded claims about migrants.

Guadalupe Ramirez, whose parents immigrated from Mexico, pressed Trump for details on his immigration proposals. Instead of specifics, Trump deflected by criticizing Democratic leaders, blaming migrants for increasing crime rates, and boasting about his “strongest border” policies.

Labor and Deportation Concerns

Jorge Velázquez, a California farmworker, questioned Trump on who would take on the physically demanding work of harvesting crops if undocumented workers were deported. Trump avoided answering directly, instead accusing newer immigrants of taking jobs from U.S. Hispanics and labeling many migrants as criminals.

“We need great people to come to our country,” Trump said, but did not offer concrete answers on his deportation policies.

Kamala Harris’s Response

In stark contrast, Kamala Harris, at her own Univision town hall, focused on addressing economic policies, inflation, and abortion rights. She criticized Trump’s divisive rhetoric, emphasizing unity and shared values. “I know that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us,” she stated, underscoring the difference in their approaches and its impact on national cohesion.

This town hall exposed the challenge Trump faces as he attempts to reconcile his hardline immigration stance while courting Latino voters, a critical demographic in the upcoming election.