Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) endorsed the idea of mass deportations should former President Donald Trump win November’s election. The senator’s comments come amid increasing concern over the approximately seven million illegal immigrants believed to have entered the country since President Joe Biden took office in 2021.
The senator said during a weekend interview that he would support a proposal from the former president to deport millions of illegal immigrants.
“Eleven million, that was the number ten years ago. We’re talking upwards of 25 to 30 million,” he said.
“The answer to your question is yes. We cannot absorb 25, 30 million people who entered this country illegally. What country on earth would tolerate that?” said Rubio.
“We don’t even know who most of these people are. They’re talking about vetting them, vet what? They’re coming with nations that don’t have document systems,” he added.
Rubio’s comments came after 2023 saw the highest number of attempted crossings of the border in the nation’s history at more than three million. This included more than 300,000 in December 2023, the highest monthly figure on record.
“Unfortunately, we’ll have to do something dramatic to remove people from this country that are here illegally, especially people we know nothing about, and 10 million, 11 million was the number 15 years ago. Today, it’s upwards of 25, 30 million, maybe more,” he said.
“This is not immigration; you asked me about immigration. This is mass migration, mass migration. This an invasion of the country, and it needs to be dealt with dramatically,” he said.
Rubio cited the changes in illegal immigration since he said that such a plan was not realistic. The senator said that the situation “needs to be dealt with dramatically.”
WATCH: In 2016, @SenMarcoRubio (R-Fla.) said Donald Trump's mass-deportation proposals weren't "realistic." @kwelkernbc: "Why have you changed your mind now?"
Rubio: "The issue has completely changed. … This is mass migration … and it needs to be dealt with dramatically." pic.twitter.com/bYiKxPctLL
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) May 19, 2024
The senator is also reportedly being considered by the former president as a potential running mate. Rubio ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2016.
Despite criticizing Trump during that campaign, Rubio has since become one of the most consistent defenders of the former president, especially in recent years.
