INDIAN AMERICAN entrepreneur and politician Vivek Ramaswamy has called for the largest mass deportation in American history to address the crisis of illegal immigration in the US.
While speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) event in Washington, Ramaswamy emphasised the seriousness of the situation, comparing it to war.
He also highlighted the need for action due to the significant influx of migrants into the country.
“We are in the middle of a war in this country. If we've had the largest influx of migrants into our country in American history, then yes, it is time to have the largest mass deportation in American history as well," Ramaswamy was quoted as saying.
Last year, he expressed his intention to end birthright citizenship if he were to become president. This idea aligns with a proposal made by former president Donald Trump during his 2015 presidential campaign.
Ramaswamy responded to questions about expelling undocumented immigrants and their children who were born in the US. He suggested measures such as militarising the southern border, defunding sanctuary cities, and ceasing foreign aid to Mexico and Central America.
Trump, during his campaign, also promised to address illegal immigration aggressively. He proposed halting illegal entry into the country and initiating a significant deportation effort, targeting individuals with extremist ideologies and tightening visa regulations.
Trump's plan included reallocating military personnel and federal agents to immigration enforcement and expanding the construction of the border wall.
In January, Ramaswamy, who sought to shake up the 2024 presidential race by challenging more established candidates, announced that he was pulling out of the US presidential race and endorsed Trump.
"I called Donald Trump to tell him I congratulate him on his victory, and now going forward he will have my full endorsement for the president," he said then.
Meanwhile, a straw poll conducted at CPAC indicated that Ramaswamy and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem were tied as the leading candidates to become Trump's vice-presidential running mate.
Reports said that Noem and Ramaswamy each garnered 15 per cent of the vote.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)