Washington, Feb 11 (NationPress) The White House has taken a stand to support its immigration enforcement record, dismissing the criticism that the majority of arrests made during President Donald Trump's tenure involve individuals who are not violent offenders. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the administration is committed to removing criminals from the country.

“From the outset, the Trump administration has made it clear that any illegal alien within our borders is at risk of deportation,” she stated. “Our primary focus remains on apprehending convicted criminals, particularly those categorized as the worst of the worst, including murderers, pedophiles, and rapists.”

Leavitt reacted to reports suggesting that a minor fraction of those arrested are violent offenders, asserting that such statistics were being misrepresented.

“Almost 60 percent of those arrested by ICE in the past year faced criminal charges or had convictions,” Leavitt noted.

She added that “around 70 percent of illegal aliens detained under President Trump have either pending charges or prior convictions.”

According to Leavitt, many crimes labeled as nonviolent should still be regarded as serious offenses.

“These so-called nonviolent offenses, such as drug trafficking, child pornography distribution, burglary, fraud, DUI, embezzlement, solicitation of a minor, and human smuggling, are just a few examples,” she remarked.

“The absence of violence does not equate to a lack of victims in these crimes,” she emphasized.

Leavitt asserted that critics who highlight these statistics would not welcome such offenders in their neighborhoods.

“I can assure you that anyone currently on television citing misinterpreted statistics, as reported by CBS News, would not want an illegal alien convicted of child pornography distribution or fraud residing in their community,” she said.

She reaffirmed that the administration will persist with its strategy.

“The Trump administration will maintain its commitment to deporting all illegal aliens present in our country, particularly focusing on the most dangerous criminals,” Leavitt stated.

During the briefing, Leavitt also referenced a federal appeals court ruling that upheld the administration's policy of detaining migrants who illegally enter the country.

“A federal appeals court has recently affirmed the Trump administration's policy concerning the detention of illegal aliens, validating the robust measures that have significantly reduced illegal crossings,” she said.

She highlighted that for “an unprecedented ninth consecutive month, there have been zero illegal border crossings at the southern border.”

Immigration enforcement has been a crucial element of Trump’s policy agenda since his initial campaign in 2016. The administration argues that stringent detention and deportation measures deter illegal crossings and enhance public safety.

However, critics, including numerous Democrats and immigrant advocacy organizations, have raised questions about the priorities in enforcement and expressed concerns regarding due process as well as the repercussions on families and communities.