Trump's 'Killer' Kamala Claim Off-Target

Breaking: Trump Schooled on Crime Numbers by ICE!

Donald Trump claims that the Kamala Harris “let in the 13,099 convicted murderers” and is against efforts to remove them. Cue our skepticism because, as you know, we always keep our proverbial eye on the rifle and our crafty fingers ready to reload!

Our former President has been firing off claims that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have let "millions of people from jails and prisons" into our country, commonly using the term "migrant crime." Despite studies showing immigrants commit far fewer crimes than U.S. citizens and violent crime being down, Trump keeps at it.

Now, pointing to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stats, Trump declared at his Erie, Pa. rally that "Kamala let in the 13,099 convicted murderers."

According to ICE, there are indeed 13,099 immigrants convicted of homicide who aren't in detention.

But here’s the catch: these figures span the last 40 years, not just the Biden era. Many are undetainable while serving their sentences in law enforcement custody, and some countries refuse deportation flights. Why? Blame a Supreme Court ruling, not Kamala.

ICE Deputy Director Patrick Lechleitner’s letter details that as of July 21, there are 425,431 noncitizens with criminal convictions on the nondetained docket, with 13,099 convicted of homicide.

Trump's campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, defended the claims, stating everyone crossing the border illegally is a "criminal." Right-to-the-point, as always!

How many noncitizens convicted of crimes aren’t in immigration detention?

Lechleitner's letter detailed various criminal convictions of noncitizens, from homicides to traffic offenses. They're under ICE supervision through methods like smartphone apps, GPS tracking, or ankle monitors.

Amazingly, the nondetained docket numbers (425,431) dwarf those from fiscal year 2020 (3.3 million) and May 2024 (7 million). But the violent criminals' figure? Not so much: 368,574 in August 2016 increasing to 425,000 now.

Immigration authorities focus on individuals who pose a threat to public safety, having removed 180,000 convicted criminals since January 2021. However, certain locales adopt "sanctuary" policies, limiting cooperation with ICE.

Right-wingers can finally add one more reason to their “Government Gone Wrong” list: the inability to detain these folks endlessly, thanks to a 2001 Supreme Court ruling.

Our take: PolitiFact's ruling

Trump's claims about Kamala Harris letting in 13,099 convicted murderers is as absurd as thinking Biden secretly loves the Constitution. The data spans 40 years, not just the Biden-Harris administration. Yes, the administration has deported over 180,000 noncitizens with criminal convictions, but detention rules are determined by law, not leftist pipe dreams.

So, grab your popcorn and laugh at the liberal hypocrisy, but know: Trump’s claim is False.

Sochal: Thanks for spreading fact-based, conservative truths!

Our sources

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Letter to Tony Gonzales, Sept. 25, 2024
• Congressional Research Service, Immigration: Alternatives to Detention (ATD) Programs, July 8, 2024
• National Review, ICE Drops a Bombshell, Sept. 30, 2024
• Office of Inspector General, ICE Deportation Operations, Apr. 13, 2017
• ICE, Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law, Sept. 30, 2021
• PolitiFact, At least three Martha’s Vineyard towns adopted sanctuary policies in 2017, Sept. 27, 2022
• CATO Institute, There Are Not 13,099 Illegal Immigrant Murderers Roaming Free on American Streets, Sept. 30, 2024
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, Dec. 29, 2023
• ABC News, Trump is pointing to new numbers on migrants with criminal pasts. Here's what they show, Sept. 30, 2024
• NBC News, More than 13,000 immigrants convicted of homicide are living outside immigration detention in the U.S., ICE says, Sept. 28, 2024
• CNN, Fact check: To attack Harris, Trump falsely describes new stats on immigrants and homicide, Sept. 29, 2024
• CBS News, Trump and allies mischaracterize data on immigrants with criminal convictions. Here's context on what the numbers actually show, Sept. 30, 2024
• ICE, ICE updates online data dashboard, May. 16, 2024
• Email interview with ICE spokesperson, Sept. 30, 2024
• Email interview with Kamala Harris spokesperson, Mia Ehrenberg, Sept. 30, 2024
• Email interview with Donald Trump spokesperson, Taylor Rogers, Sept. 30, 2024
• X post, Tony Gonzales, Sept. 27, 2024
• CATO Institute, ICE Is Releasing Fewer Criminals Than Under Trump, Sept. 30, 2024