Rep. Tom Keene Jr. (RN.J.) paused after being asked questions by the debate moderator and his Democratic opponent. Support enacting mass deportation Reducing immigration is a policy called for by former President Trump.
that moment came during the discussion The race to represent New Jersey's 7th Congressional District took place Sunday between Keene and Democratic candidate Sue Altman. Mika Rasmussen, director of the Lebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics and one of the moderators, asked Keene whether he supported the policy, and if so, how the costs of the policy would be treated. We asked what the priorities are to ensure that. I can accomplish it.
Keene said millions of illegal immigrants from various countries have entered the United States over the past several years, and that the situation would have been resolved had the Trump administration's “remain in Mexico” policy continued. . The policy, which the Biden administration has repealed, would have required migrants to remain in Mexico while awaiting trial on whether to be admitted to the United States.
Keene said deporting individuals who are “criminals” “needs to go,” and accused Altman of taking an “extreme” position, saying people are being held without any testing. He said he supports allowing people to cross the border illegally.
“We need to make sure we have people who can lead to find common ground, protect our southern border, and make our communities safe.”
Altman said he dodged the question and asked again if he supported deporting immigrants.
The event then went silent for eight seconds as Keene did not respond. Another host intervened and told Altman she had 35 seconds to respond with her rebuttal, after which Keene would have a chance to add more.
“Now I understand how reporters feel,” Altman said, referring to an instance on Capitol Hill where Keene didn't answer reporters' questions, something she used in an ad. attack the republican party.
Keene said: will not participate In interviews in the hallways while on government property and during voter hours as a “long-standing policy.”
Altman said he “obviously” does not support deporting immigrants. Keene reiterated that investigating people who enter the country illegally and commit crimes or have criminal records is “something we need to start doing.”
The Hill asked Keene's campaign for comment on the current situation and whether Keene supports mass deportation.
The 7th District race is the most competitive House race in New Jersey, an otherwise solid state dominated by Democrats. The Hill/Decision Desk HQ's predictive model rates the race as “leaning Republican.”
