Trump’s Campaign Tactics Target Immigration Ahead of North Carolina Election
With just five days remaining until the election, Donald Trump’s campaign has intensified its focus on immigration, asserting that illegal immigrants contribute to drug-related crime in North Carolina. The message is being underscored by figures like Sheriff Sam Page of Rockingham County, who links an "uncontrolled border" to local crime, believing drug cartels have infiltrated areas far removed from the US-Mexico border. He cites the devastating impact of fentanyl, an opioid linked to more than 107,000 deaths nationally last year and over 3,500 in North Carolina alone.
Fentanyl’s tragic reach extends to families like that of Barbara Walsh, who lost her daughter to an accidental overdose. Walsh campaigns for educational solutions on drug toxicity and advocates for introducing naloxone, an overdose antidote, in schools. Although she acknowledges the politicization of the issue, Walsh emphasizes the need for effective policy and prevention strategies without placing blame.
While North Carolina is home to approximately 300,000 undocumented migrants, research indicates they are not disproportionately involved in violent crime or the drug trade. Many work in essential but low-paying agricultural jobs. Despite these facts, Trump’s campaign rhetoric conflates migrants with crime and drug trafficking, wielding messages that create fear within immigrant communities.
Iliana Santillan, a US citizen who once faced similar struggles, expresses concern over the hostile climate fostered by campaign language. She highlights the anxiety experienced by families in her community, recalling past deportations during Trump’s administration. As the election approaches, the discussions around immigration and crime remain charged, reflecting broader national debates that intersect with local realities.
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