Ramaswamy urges mass deportation to address illegal immigrant crisis

INDIAN AMERICAN entrepreneur and politician Vivek Ramaswamy has called for the largest mass deportation in American history to address the crisis of illegal immigration in the US.

While speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) event in Washington, Ramaswamy emphasised the seriousness of the situation, comparing it to war.

He also highlighted the need for action due to the significant influx of migrants into the country.

“We are in the middle of a war in this country. If we've had the largest influx of migrants into our country in American history, then yes, it is time to have the largest mass deportation in American history as well," Ramaswamy was quoted as saying.

Last year, he expressed his intention to end birthright citizenship if he were to become president. This idea aligns with a proposal made by former president Donald Trump during his 2015 presidential campaign.

Ramaswamy responded to questions about expelling undocumented immigrants and their children who were born in the US. He suggested measures such as militarising the southern border, defunding sanctuary cities, and ceasing foreign aid to Mexico and Central America.

Trump, during his campaign, also promised to address illegal immigration aggressively. He proposed halting illegal entry into the country and initiating a significant deportation effort, targeting individuals with extremist ideologies and tightening visa regulations.

Trump's plan included reallocating military personnel and federal agents to immigration enforcement and expanding the construction of the border wall.

In January, Ramaswamy, who sought to shake up the 2024 presidential race by challenging more established candidates, announced that he was pulling out of the US presidential race and endorsed Trump.

"I called Donald Trump to tell him I congratulate him on his victory, and now going forward he will have my full endorsement for the president," he said then.

Meanwhile, a straw poll conducted at CPAC indicated that Ramaswamy and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem were tied as the leading candidates to become Trump's vice-presidential running mate.

Reports said that Noem and Ramaswamy each garnered 15 per cent of the vote.