Trump says he wants immigrants 'to come into our country in the largest numbers ever'

President Trump painted a dark picture of the land along the southern border during his State of the Union address, calling it "dangerous" and "lawless."

Republicans and Democrats must come together to tackle the "urgent national crisis" that is illegal immigration, Trump said, adding that he wants to "put the ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers out of business." The government has a "moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens," he said, adding that he wants "people to come into our country in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally. Tonight, I'm asking you to defend our very dangerous southern border out of love and devotion to our fellow citizens and our country."

He described the wall he wants erected along the southern border as being a "smart, strategic, see-through steel barrier," and said it will be "deployed in the areas identified by border agents as having the greatest need." After introducing one of his guests, Department of Homeland Security investigator Elvin Hernandez, Trump said he will "always support the brave men and women of law enforcement, and I pledge to you tonight that I will never abolish our heroes from ICE."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up