Donald Trump drew strong attacks from rival presidential candidates John Kasich
and Jeb Bush over his controversial views on immigration during Tuesday night’s main GOP Debate. Comprehensive immigration reform has divided Republican candidates and not just over the questions of human rights, foreign policy and cultural assimilation. It also divides them on financial questions, the focus of The Fox Business Network debate. That division came to a head when the moderators asked Trump about the financial implications of deporting millions of immigrants, as he has promised to do.
Trump began by applauding the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to strike down Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration that created DAPA, a deferred action program that would have provided deportation relief for an estimated 5 million immigrants. The GOP debate went into full swing.
"We are a country of laws. We need borders. We will have a wall. The wall will be built,” Trump said, arguing that such a wall would be successful.
The Fox Business moderator then clarified the question, asking about the costs of the economic disruption caused by deportation (the number of immigrants in the country illegally in the question is a very low estimate, probably incorrect).
"Can you just send 5 million people back, with no affect on the economy?"
Already, Trump’s opponent, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich was beginning to squirm. Trump wouldn’t answer the question directly.
"You're going to have to send people back,” Trump said. “Look, we're a country of laws. We either have a country or we don't have a country. We are a country of laws. They're gonna have to go out."
Kasich has been critical of his opponents proposals, particularly taxation and immigration plans offered up by leading outsider candidates like Trump, Dr. Ben Carson and former CEO Carly Fiorina.
"But for the 11 million people?” Kasich said. “Come on folks, we all know you can't pick them up and ship them across the border. It's a silly argument. it's not an adult argument.”
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush didn’t think that it was an adult argument either, and attempted to enter the discussion. However, Kasich and Trump were lost in attacks on each other. Trump insinuated that Ohio only had job growth because of oil. Kasich fired back on Trump’s business record.
"You should let Jeb speak,” Trump said.
He and Kasich exchanged a few more barbs before the moderator tried to reign them in, interrupting Trump and directing the conversation back to Jeb.
“You yourself said we 'let Gov. Bush speak.'”
"Thank you Donald," Jeb responded sarcastically. “Even having having this conversation sends a powerful signal. They’re doing high-fives in the Clinton campaign right now.”
And high-five they did, in a way, taunting Republicans for their positions on immigration reform.
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