In brief
In remarks made during a Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump stated his objections to Somali immigrants, suggesting they rely excessively on social welfare programs. This statement follows the announcement of a moratorium on asylum decisions by his administration, prompted by violence involving a suspect from Afghanistan. Trump's comments have reignited the national conversation about immigration policies and the treatment of refugees in the United States.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump stirred controversy during a lengthy Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, openly stating his disapproval of Somali immigrants in the United States. He characterized these immigrants as excessively dependent on the U.S. social safety net and claimed they add little value to American society.
His remarks come on the heels of his administration's announcement to halt all asylum decisions, a decision made shortly after the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington. While the suspect in the incident hailed from Afghanistan, Trump leveraged this event to question the contributions of immigrants from various countries, including Somalia.
“They contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88% or something. They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country,” Trump stated emphatically. “Their country is no good for a reason. Your country stinks and we don’t want them in our country.”
These comments have stirred up a national debate about immigration, raising questions about the treatment of refugee populations and the rhetoric surrounding them in American political discourse.
