Trump team hits Haley over past comments declaring people shouldn’t call illegal immigrants ‘criminals’

Groups allied with former President Donald Trump are taking aim at Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who is rising in the polls, recently calling illegal immigrants “criminals.” He is attacking her over his past statements that he did not.

On Wednesday night, MAGA War Room, affiliated with MAGA Inc., posted a video clip of Haley speaking at an Aspen Institute event in 2015 while serving as South Carolina's governor.

“What we have to remember, and what I've always believed, is that we are a nation of laws. That's what makes us strong,” Haley said during the panel discussion. Told. “We should always be a nation of laws, and that's why a lot of people are so frustrated when they see illegal immigration showing up so often. Even though it's been years since Washington, D.C. It's really amazing that DC doesn't understand how to do that by building walls. Considering all they've put into it, it really is. ”

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“That being said, we are a nation of immigrants,” she continued. “I'm a proud daughter of Indian parents. It reminded us every day how blessed we are to live in this country. People are outraged by those who come here illegally. But keep in mind that the people who want to come to this country want to come.'' “You too are here in search of a better life.'' They're coming. They have children too. They have hearts too. So we don't have to be disrespectful. We don't have to talk about them as criminals. They're not.”

Annemarie Graham-Burns, a spokeswoman for Haley's campaign, hit back at pro-Trump supporters, saying Haley has a history of being tough on illegal immigration.

“She passed one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration laws in the country in 2011 when President Trump was still a Democrat,” Graham Burns told Fox News Digital. “She also says she has a different style and approach than Trump and doesn’t necessarily agree with his inflammatory language. They should take more time to explain why they didn't, instead of desperately trying to mislead voters.''

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Republican presidential rival Vivek Ramaswamy said on Wednesday that he was “strongly opposed” to Mr.[s]” is Haley's position.

In 2011, Haley signed an immigration bill that requires police to “stop or arrest for other reasons or to verify the immigration status of persons suspected of being in the country illegally.” Associated Press It was reported at the time.

Haley has been at odds with her Republican primary rivals on several issues, including her good relations with China as South Carolina's governor and the intense scrutiny she has received from members of the media following her rise in the polls in recent weeks. has been exposed to criticism from

Also resurfaced on Wednesday, an excerpt from Haley's 2012 book, Can't Is Not an Option, resurfaced, in which Haley talks about how people call her now-husband, Michael Haley. He told me what he had fixed. This post garnered her nearly 7 million views on her X.

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Haley has gained momentum in the polls in recent months after receiving positive reviews in the first three Republican presidential primary debates. In New Hampshire, the first primary and second overall contest on the Republican nominating calendar, he came in second place, leapfrogging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

She is also eyeing a fight in Iowa. According to the latest polls, he is tied with DeSantis and a close second behind Trump. Trump has been in the White House for the third consecutive year and remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. bid.

Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.

Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.