Rubio Openly Supports Trump’s Immigration Deportation Policy

(RepublicanPress.org) – Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) sat down for a wide-ranging interview with host Kristen Welker on the May 19 edition of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” program. Welker introduced the Florida senator as one of Donald Trump’s “potential vice presidential picks” and welcomed him to the show. At one point, Rubio contradicted his earlier position and openly supported the former president’s proposed immigration deportation policy.

After discussing abortion in the context of the upcoming presidential election, Welker turned her attention to immigration. She pointed out that Trump has spoken about his willingness to erect migrant detention camps and deeply US troops to deport more than 11 million illegal migrants, the largest such operation in American history. Welker asked Rubio if he supported the former president’s plan.

Rubio exclaimed, “11 million?” noting that the figure reflected the number of undocumented immigrants in the country a decade ago. He said nearly 10 million had “unlawfully” entered the country in the last three years. He pegged the figure at “upwards of 20, 25, maybe 30 million” now.

Welker restarted her question, pressing him to respond.

Rubio said, “The answer to your question is yes.” He explained that America couldn’t “absorb” the roughly 25 to 30 million people who illegally entered the country. “They’re here illegally,” he noted, adding, “What country on earth would tolerate that?”

Welker pointed out that Rubio had a different take on immigration in the past. She cited a 2016 event, but a quick review of the record shows Rubio made those remarks during a November 2015 appearance at a Hilton Head, South Carolina forum.

Rubio told attendees he didn’t think it was “reasonable to say you’re going to round up and deport 11 million people.” He claimed the plan wouldn’t work, adding that he didn’t think it was a “realistic policy.”

Welker asked Rubio why he changed his mind. Rubio explained that the number of illegal migrants had risen to an untenable level. He called the flood of people across the border “an invasion of the country” and said he believed several of them were terrorists and criminals who would attack the US “given the opportunity.”