On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a strong rebuttal to a liberal reporter who suggested that ICE was deporting gang members solely based on their tattoos and clothing. Andrew Feinberg, the White House Correspondent for The Independent, cited a document outlining the criteria for identifying members of the Venezuela-based gang Tren de Aragua (TDA). He claimed, “You can be classified simply by having specific symbols in your tattoos and wearing certain streetwear brands. Is that enough for someone to be labeled as TDA and deported to El Salvador?”
Leavitt promptly countered, stating, “That’s not true, actually, Andrew,” before criticizing him and the mainstream media for opposing President Donald Trump’s initiatives to swiftly deport illegal migrants affiliated with designated terrorist organizations. “Have you spoken to the agents who risk their lives to detain these foreign terrorists that are threatening our communities?” Leavitt inquired. “TDA is a brutal gang responsible for the deaths of American women, and our frontline agents approach the deportation of these individuals with the utmost seriousness.” She continued, “There is a comprehensive set of criteria they utilize to determine eligibility for deportation. The president has made it abundantly clear to the American public that there will be a mass deportation campaign targeting not only foreign terrorists but also illegal criminal aliens who have been causing chaos in American communities. Shame on you and the mainstream media for attempting to defend these individuals! This is a ruthless gang.”
She concluded, “You are questioning the integrity of these agents who are risking their lives to safeguard yours and the lives of everyone in this country. Shouldn’t their credibility be upheld?”Since assuming office in January, Trump has escalated initiatives aimed at addressing illegal immigration by markedly increasing deportations and enhancing border security in the United States. His administration has stationed thousands of military personnel at the U.S.-Mexico border, reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy for individuals seeking asylum, and broadened the application of expedited removal processes.
Additionally, his administration has been transporting suspected terrorists out of the country, typically to a high-security facility in El Salvador, despite federal court decisions seeking to limit these flights. On Friday, the Justice Department submitted an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to obtain a ruling regarding Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act for the swift removal of members of terrorist organizations.
