Little backs Trump immigration, deportation policies

Idaho Gov. Brad Little joined 25 other Republican governors in signing a public statement supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration and deportation policies, Little announced late Wednesday.

Trump has promised to take executive actions to increase immigration enforcement beginning on his first day in office as part of his pledge to deport a record number of undocumented immigrants who are in the United States. Such actions include giving federal immigration officers the ability to arrest people with no criminal records, increasing American troops at the U.S. border with Mexico and resuming building the border wall, Reuters reported. 

In this week’s public statement, Little and the other Republican governors said they are “fully committed to supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals.”

“As Republican governors, we stand united in support of President Donald Trump’s unwavering commitment to make America safe again by addressing the illegal immigration crisis and deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security,” the statement read, according to a copy provided by Little’s office.

“We are proud to welcome President Trump back to the White House, a leader who has consistently put America first,” the statement continued. “His leadership is exactly what our nation needs to restore law and order at the border, and we are eager to work alongside his Administration to tackle the critical challenges facing our nation.”

Little’s communications director, Emily Callihan, told the Idaho Capital Sun on Thursday that the statement is a written statement that was issued to the public and the news media, not a signed letter to Trump. 

“Republican governors remain fully committed to supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists who are in this country illegally,” the statement continued. “We understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose to public safety and our national security, and we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities.”

“Together, we will continue to defend the American people, uphold the rule of law, and ensure our nation remains safe and secure for future generations,” the statement continued. “We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposal — whether through state law enforcement or the National Guard — to support President Trump in this vital mission.”

“The time for action is now,” the statement concluded. “Together, we will make America safe again.”

According to a written statement issued by Little, the governors signing the statement include: Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon.