Rep. Byron Donalds, (R-FL), a key ally of former President Donald Trump, said last week that the United States should deport millions of illegal immigrants. The statement came both amid increasing support for such a plan as well as a recent endorsement of the idea from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a potential vice presidential candidate.
Donalds told Fox News this weekend that President Joe Biden’s border policies mean that the “country has suffered as a result.”
“So now, what we’re going to do is go back to ending catch and release, go back to remain in Mexico, we are going to have to deport millions of people who should not be here, because our cities and states simply cannot handle the flow of all these illegal migrants,” he said.
Under President Trump our border was SECURE.
Biden systematically broke our border by executive action ON PURPOSE & our nation is OVERRUN.
It's time to reinstate Remain in Mexico.
It's time to end Catch & Release.
It's time to deport MILLIONS of illegals.
It's time to pass HR2. pic.twitter.com/p00GQbtAht— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) May 26, 2024
The Florida Republican also called for stronger border enforcement, including a recent Republican-sponsored bill.
Donalds has also credited Trump with an effort to expand the electoral map this November, especially after his recent campaign event in New York City.
Rubio said in a press interview earlier this month that he would support deporting up to 30 million immigrants. The senator ran on a more supportive immigration policy when he sought the White House in 2016. However, Rubio said that the circumstances in the country have changed dramatically.
The senator has emerged as one of the potential picks for Trump as his running-mate. Despite running against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016, he has become one of the president’s top backers.
Furthermore, Donalds has also seen his political star rise. Although he has also been discussed as a possible vice presidential candidate, Donalds is expected to seek the Florida governor’s mansion when current Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) term is up in 2026.
Donalds has built a profile of being a strong supporter of the former president. Trump has made a number of supportive comments about the young representative.
A series of polls have shown a clear advantage for the former president over Biden on the issues of the border and immigration.
