Trump Proposes UFC Migrant Fighter League, Calls Migrants ‘Bad’

Former President Donald Trump proposed a “migrant league of fighters” to the UFC during a speech at a conservative Christian conference organized by the Faith and Freedom Coalition in Washington D.C. Trump recounted suggesting the idea to UFC President Dana White, envisioning a league where migrant fighters could face off against UFC champions. He humorously noted that White didn’t embrace the idea but claimed it wasn’t his worst suggestion. Trump emphasized the toughness of migrants, stating, “the migrant guy might win,” and repeated his characterization of immigrants crossing the southern border as “bad” and “nasty” people. He also referenced the 1991 horror film “The Silence of the Lambs,” a frequent allusion in his speeches, seemingly mocking media outlets for highlighting his comparisons of migrants to the film’s cannibal villain, Hannibal Lecter.

These remarks come just days before the first of two scheduled presidential debates between Trump and President Joe Biden, as immigration continues to be a hot-button issue. Polls indicate that a significant portion of voters disapprove of Biden’s handling of immigration and border security, with 56% of respondents in an April AP-NORC poll stating that Biden’s policies have harmed the country in this area. In contrast, only 37% expressed the same sentiment about Trump. In swing states, a recent Ipsos poll found that many voters view inflation and rising costs as the most pressing issues, but immigration remains a key concern.

Trump has consistently made immigration a cornerstone of his political campaigns. He has repeatedly promised to curb migrant crossings and deport undocumented individuals. His statements have frequently ignited controversy, as seen in 2015 when he accused Mexico of sending criminals, drug dealers, and rapists to the U.S. During his 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to remove “bad hombres” and build a border wall, which became a central theme of his platform. If elected again, Trump has vowed to reinstate his previous border security measures and eliminate automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. He has also proposed criminal penalties for future presidents who allow large numbers of undocumented immigrants into the country and has blamed Biden for “migrant crime,” citing incidents like the murder of Augusta University student Laken Riley, allegedly committed by an undocumented Venezuelan migrant.

Meanwhile, President Biden has taken various steps to manage the surge in border crossings. His administration has limited the number of asylum seekers permitted entry under specific conditions and supported legislative efforts to strengthen border controls. Although Biden faced criticism for a slow response, he has also worked to make legal immigration more accessible. His administration announced a program to grant lawful residency to an estimated 500,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 children, aiming to address the complexities of immigration and border security with a more comprehensive approach.