In brief
During a Cabinet meeting, President Trump expressed his opposition to Somali immigrants, claiming they do not contribute positively to the U.S. and are overly dependent on social safety nets. His remarks followed a violent incident involving National Guard soldiers, during which he linked his comments to ongoing concerns about immigrants from various countries.
WASHINGTON (AP) — During a lengthy Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Donald Trump criticized Somali immigrants, suggesting that their reliance on the U.S. social safety net renders them unworthy of being in the country. He stated, 'They contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88% or something. They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country.' Trump’s remarks came in the wake of an incident where two National Guard soldiers were shot in Washington, allegedly by an individual from Afghanistan, prompting the President to question the value of immigrants from various nations, including Somalia.
Trump’s comments highlighted his administration's broader stance on immigration and societal contributions, framing the discussion around the implications of such immigration on the U.S. welfare system. In light of the recent violence, the administration has paused all asylum decisions, creating a heated debate about immigration policy and societal responsibilities.
