Trump says ‘can’t rule out’ building detention camps in US for illegal migrants

Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has not ruled out building detention centres in the country for illegal migrants if he gets re-elected. In an interview with Time magazine published Tuesday (Apr 30), Trump said he would“not rule out anything"when asked if he would build new detention camps as part of his campaign pledge.

"But therewouldn'tbe that much of a need for them,"he added, saying his plan is to deport the illegal migrants as quickly as possible."We'renot leaving them in the country,"Trump said."We'rebringing them out."

Immigration a top poll issue

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National opinion polls show immigration is a top issue for voters, and the former president has madeBiden’schaotic border management a key focus of his election campaign.

In his interview, Trump said hewon’tshy away from deploying active military forces to assist his deportation efforts and would also bring in National Guard troops to get the job done.

“Ithink the National Guard would be able to do that. If theyweren'table to, thenI’duse the military,"he said.

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WhenTrump was questionedwhether he should use the military against civilians, he replied:"Well, thesearen’tcivilians. These are people thataren'tlegally in our country. This is an invasion of our country."

‘Dictator for a day’

Trumpwas also askedabout an interview that he gave last year in which he said he wanted to be“a dictator for a day”in relation to theUSA’sborder crisis and energy production.

"That was said sarcastically. That was meant as a joke,"Trump responded.

On Ukraine, Trump did not clarify whether he would continue military assistance but said Europe needs to get its house in order.

"I’mgoing to try and help Ukraine, but Europe has to get there also and do their job,"the former president said.

On Gaza, Trump said hedoesn’tbelieve a two-state solution would work.

"I'mnot sure a two-state solution anymore is gonna work,"Trump said, adding,“The animosity between Israelis and the Palestinians, was now so intense it makes a two-state solution very, very tough."

(With inputs from agencies)