California Sen. Alex Padilla (D) addressed immigration issues on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, referring to illegal immigrants currently residing in the U.S. as “long-term residents.”
His remarks come amid President Donald Trump’s second administration, which has enforced stringent immigration policies leading to a significant reduction in illegal border crossings.
During the interview with NBC correspondent Kristen Welker, Padilla was asked if he would give President Trump credit for the record-low numbers of illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Rather than offer direct praise, Padilla urged a broader perspective on immigration policy.
“We need to look beyond just the numbers,” Padilla said. “Everyone agrees on the necessity of a secure and humane border.”
“At the same time, immigration programs must be modernized to reflect the realities faced by those who wish to come here legally.”
Padilla emphasized his primary concern: the millions of illegal immigrants who have made the U.S. their home for years.
“My focus remains on those long-term residents who have been subjected to the administration’s increasingly aggressive arrest, detention, and deportation policies,” he said.
Padilla characterized these enforcement actions as harsh and criticized the administration for what he called “cruel” immigration policies.
He further questioned the rationale