Trump derides some immigrants in sanctuary cities as 'animals'

(Image credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

In a roundtable meeting with California lawmakers and law enforcement officials, President Trump said that immigrants in sanctuary cities are "animals."

During the Wednesday meeting, which was intended to discuss sanctuary policies in California that protect some immigrants from deportation, Trump criticized immigrants who commit crimes and applauded officials who said the policies were dangerous to their communities.

"These aren't people. These are animals," said Trump, referring to undocumented immigrants who are deported from sanctuary cities. Trump additionally said that the U.S. has "the dumbest laws on immigration in the world," blaming Democrats for creating unfair policies. "We have to break up families," he said, referring to a policy that separates parents and children who cross the border illegally. "The Democrats gave us that law."

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California officials shared anecdotes of violence that they attributed to sanctuary laws. Trump agreed that local law enforcement should have more authority to prosecute immigrants. "We cannot let this butchery happen in America," he said.

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Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.