Debate on Immigration Policies Escalates on “The View”
On Tuesday night, Ana Navarro, a co-host on “The View,” confronted a panelist from “CNN Newsnight” over comments about illegal immigrants and the assertion that many detainees aren’t criminals.
Recent unrest at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in Chicago and Portland highlights growing dissent against the agency’s operations aimed at illegal immigrants. Hal Lambert, the former Finance Chairman of the Texas Republican Party, questioned mainstream media narratives surrounding ICE activities during a tense exchange with Navarro.
Navarro challenged Lambert’s claims, stating, “No, that’s not the narrative the media wishes to portray. We witness this daily. If there was a Torren de Aragua—whatever that means—there would be proof. And if someone were a criminal, there would be proof of that too. What evidence are you relying on?”
In response, Lambert claimed, “Most people taken in have no criminal past,” but Navarro interrupted, emphasizing that many are in the country illegally due to the expiration of Temporary Protected Status. She asserted, “Don’t come here saying that the majority of these individuals are criminals because that’s just not accurate.”
Statistics have shown that millions of illegal immigrants were encountered during the Biden administration, with many being released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after initial detention.
Navarro added, “You can make your arguments about the border, but it’s misleading to suggest most of these folks have criminal records. That’s simply untrue.”
Lambert attempted to shift the focus, saying, “You’re making an emotional argument here,” to which Navarro swiftly replied, “No, this is about facts. Most individuals caught and deported don’t have criminal backgrounds.”
Lambert struggled to provide statistics but was cut off again by Navarro, who urged him to consult CNN for the relevant data.
During a separate interview, Tom Homan, the Border Czar, provided insights on ICE’s activities. He stated to Fox News that he reviews extensive data daily, noting, “About 70 percent of those arrested by ICE are indeed criminals.” Homan underscored the agency’s need to comply with legal orders regarding removals, admitting that collateral effects arise from their operations.