White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declares all illegal immigrants criminals, sparking controversy and introducing new media access initiative.
Key Takeaways
- White House labels all illegal immigrants as criminals, marking a significant policy shift.
- ICE arrests 3,500 individuals since President Trump’s return to office.
- New “media seat” initiative grants press briefing access to influencers and podcasters.
- Experts argue that illegal presence is a civil violation, not a criminal offense.
- Administration aims to broaden media landscape and honor First Amendment principles.
White House Takes Hardline Stance on Illegal Immigration
In a bold declaration, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the Trump administration now considers all illegal immigrants in the United States as criminals. This stance marks a significant departure from previous administrations’ approaches to immigration policy.
“All of them, because they illegally broke our nation’s laws, and therefore, they are criminals as far as this administration goes,” Leavitt stated during the press briefing.
The administration’s hardline approach is reflected in recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Since President Trump’s return to office, ICE has made 3,500 arrests, with a focus on individuals with criminal records. In a single day, ICE arrested 1,000 individuals and lodged 554 detainers, signaling an intensified effort to address illegal immigration.
Karoline Leavitt schools a reporter: "If you are an individual—a foreign national—who illegally enters the United States of America, you are by definition a criminal, and so therefore you are subject to deportation." pic.twitter.com/xJWOTAvMzb
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 28, 2025
Controversy Surrounds New Immigration Policy
The White House’s stance has sparked controversy among immigration experts and advocates. Critics argue that illegal presence in the United States is typically treated as a civil violation, not a criminal offense. Less than 0.5% of immigration court cases involve deportation orders for crimes other than illegal entry. “I know the last administration didn’t see it that way, so it’s a big culture shift in our nation to view someone who breaks our immigration laws as a criminal, but that’s exactly what they are”, Karoline Leavitt went on to say.
Karen Tumlin of the Justice Action Center predicts that this labeling could be used to justify family separations and target non-violent immigrants. Studies have shown that immigrants, both legal and undocumented, commit crimes at lower rates than U.S. citizens.
New Media Access Initiative Unveiled
In addition to the immigration policy announcement, Leavitt introduced an innovative “new media seat” initiative for White House press briefings. This move aims to broaden the media landscape by granting access to influencers, content creators, and podcasters alongside traditional journalists.
Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle and Axios co-founder Mike Allen were the first to occupy the “new media” seats. Leavitt praised both outlets, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to honoring the First Amendment and including diverse media voices in the communication process.
The White House is encouraging various media content creators to apply for press credentials, ensuring a wide representation of voices in the press room. This initiative reflects the administration’s efforts to foster a transparent and inclusive environment for media coverage.
Sources:
All undocumented immigrants are “criminals,” Trump administration says
White House Declares All Illegal Aliens Are Criminals
