During a rally in Aurora, Colorado, on Friday, Donald Trump intensified his anti-immigration rhetoric, describing migrants as dangerous criminals and advocating for the death penalty for those who kill U.S. citizens. He also announced a potential national “Operation Aurora” to target Venezuelan gang members, specifically the Tren de Aragua. Trump’s hardline stance on immigration has become a key element of his campaign against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris as the November 5 election nears.
Trump, flanked by images of alleged Tren de Aragua members, declared his plan to introduce harsher penalties if elected. He specifically called for the death penalty for migrants who commit murders, drawing loud support from his audience. His proposal follows his previous calls to expand capital punishment to include other crimes, such as sex trafficking.
Currently, the death penalty is banned in nearly half of U.S. states, and while it exists at the federal level, it is rarely used. Trump’s proposal would require Congressional approval to expand the list of eligible crimes.
The focus on “migrant crime” has been a hallmark of Trump’s third presidential campaign, despite studies indicating that immigrants do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born citizens. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee in August, has also adopted a stricter border security stance and criticized Trump for hindering a bipartisan border security bill.
In the spotlight is Aurora, where Trump previously claimed that Tren de Aragua controls local apartment complexes—an assertion disputed by city officials. Aurora’s Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican, has refuted claims of widespread gang activity, noting that major crimes in the city have decreased year-over-year.
While Trump’s statements have raised concerns among residents, local authorities and community members assert that the city is not “conquered” by migrants. However, some residents, like Cindy Romero, have voiced their support for Trump, citing personal experiences with crime as influencing their choice.
