GOP Rep. Abe Hamadeh Praises Trump’s Immigration Policy
In a recent interview, Republican Representative Abe Hamadeh commended former President Donald Trump’s decisive actions on illegal immigration during the early days of his presidency. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Hamadeh articulated his belief that Trump has “learned a lot from 2017” and expressed confidence that similar strategies will be rolled out moving forward.
Trump’s Campaign Promises Come to Fruition
“President Trump campaigned on this and he’s delivering it for the American people,” Hamadeh stated, citing favorable polling data that suggests even among Democrats, there is support for the deportation of illegal immigrants. As the Biden administration focuses its policies on illegal immigrants, Hamadeh reiterates the need for enforcement actions, stating unequivocally, “They treated American citizens as second-class citizens, and President Trump is about America first.”
As evidence of progress, he noted the rapidity of deportation raids, highlighting that Trump’s leadership style is characterized by immediacy and results. “He knows he has no time to waste and delivering the results for the American people as they already voted for these policies back on November 5th. So far, so good,” he emphasized.
The Laken Riley Act: A Bipartisan Effort?
The recent passage of the Laken Riley Act, which garnered support from 48 Democrats, was another point of discussion. Hamadeh remarked that the act should ideally have received unanimous support but acknowledged the complex reality of political alignment. “It’s kind of funny because many of the Democrats actually voted against the Laken Riley Act when it was in Congress last session, but now they’re supporting it because they see electorally that it’s beneficial to them,” he commented.
Hamadeh cautioned against taking this support at face value, suggesting that many Democrats lack a principled stand on immigration issues. “They just saw that they got shellacked in the end in the election, November 5th. So they’re trying to moderate themselves or appear to be moderate. But honestly, it should have gotten unanimous support,” he said.
A Preventable Tragedy: The Case of Laken Riley
Further underlining the urgency of effective immigration policies, Hamadeh referred to the “tragedy” of Laken Riley’s murder at the hands of an illegal immigrant, which he characterized as “totally preventable.” He criticized the Biden administration for what he perceives as a failure to control borders and a resulting surge in illegal immigration. “They opened the floodgates to millions of illegal immigrants,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to addressing these pressing concerns.
Navigating a Fragile Political Landscape
As House Republicans prepare to advance Trump’s agenda, they must contend with a narrow majority. Yet, Hamadeh expressed optimism about the likelihood of achieving their goals. “I see my colleagues all the time, and everybody understands that President Trump delivered the victory for many of them,” he explained. He contrasted the current unity within the party to past divisions, saying, “Now, a lot of Republicans, you know, they’re on the same page, leadership’s on the same page. We’re all working together, no matter if you’re moderate, no matter if you’re MAGA.”
This cohesive approach was highlighted by the successful election of Speaker Mike Johnson, who won his speakership on the first vote, marking a significant shift from previous leadership struggles. “It’s something to be seen. It’s really beautiful out here,” Hamadeh remarked on the newfound party unity.
Support for Trump’s Executive Orders
Hamadeh expressed appreciation for the executive orders issued by Trump, noting that they have garnered widespread support among Republicans. “It’s been a lot easier for me as a freshman congressman to see us all united, unlike how it used to be in the past. Every Republican is all in favor of them,” he stated.
One of the executive actions that resonated with him was the designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This classification reflects growing concerns about the rising violence and drug trafficking associated with these groups, particularly impacting states like Arizona. “We understand we have to go to war against these cartels,” Hamadeh asserted, viewing this designation as a necessary step in tackling the larger issue of immigration and border security.
A Vision for the Future
In concluding remarks, Hamadeh reiterated the significance of strong leadership and swift action in addressing immigration and border issues. “Just seeing the action that President Trump is doing so fast and his team is doing so fast is a testament to his leadership style and something that Congress must emulate and must back him up,” he urged.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the interplay between party unity and effective governance will be critical in shaping the future of U.S. immigration policy. The GOP, with figures like Abe Hamadeh advocating for strong enforcement measures, appears poised to make immigration a key focus as they navigate their responsibilities in the House.
