President Donald Trump was met with boos and hissing Tuesday night when he mentioned a new office within the Department of Homeland Security, created to highlight crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
“We must support the victims of crime,” Trump said before introducing his new office, created via executive order in late January.
“I have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create an office to serve American Victims. The office is called VOICE – Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement,” he said. “We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests.”
Trump then launched into the stories of guests in attendance whose relatives had been murdered by undocumented immigrants.
Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens, the New York Times and several others have reported.
“Joining us in the audience tonight are four very brave Americans whose government failed them,” Trump said, before introducing his guests one-by-one.
Watch the reaction to Trump’s new office below, via the ABC News:
Trump announces, to some groans from lawmakers, new DHS office called VOICE: Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement https://t.co/kGvWeh6lji pic.twitter.com/rLviJhG0tT
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 1, 2017
