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Society & Culture

They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists.

That statement is a direct reference to a controversial remark made by Donald Trump during his 2015 presidential campaign. He said it about some Mexican immigrants, framing immigration in terms of crime and moral threat.

Context



  • When: June 16, 2015, during Trump’s campaign announcement speech in New York.

  • What he said: He described some immigrants coming from Mexico as people "bringing drugs, bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people."

  • Reaction: Immediate widespread backlash from political leaders, media, and civil rights organizations. Many criticized the remark as racist and inflammatory.


Consequences & Impact



  • Political polarization: The comment solidified Trump’s support among certain voter bases while galvanizing strong opposition.

  • Media coverage: It dominated national and international headlines, shaping early narratives of Trump’s candidacy.

  • Immigration debate: It intensified discussions on border security, immigration policy, and the rhetoric used in political campaigns.

31 Aug, 2016

Sources