Washington, D.C. : Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent Indian-American figure and key advisor to President-elect Donald Trump, has voiced strong support for Trump’s proposal to mass deport illegal immigrants, asserting that the United States’ legal immigration system is fundamentally flawed. In an interview with ABC News, Ramaswamy stated that individuals who have entered the country unlawfully have no entitlement to remain and should be removed. “Do we have a broken legal immigration system? Yes, we do. But I think the first step is going to be to restore the rule of law, to do it in a very pragmatic way,” Ramaswamy explained. He emphasized the need to target recent arrivals who have not established significant ties to the U.S. and stressed the importance of deporting those who have committed crimes.
“That alone would be the largest mass deportation,” he noted. He also mentioned the potential impact of eliminating government assistance for undocumented immigrants, suggesting it could lead to “self-deportations.” Ramaswamy’s comments came during a series of appearances on Sunday talk shows following the unexpected victory of Trump in the November 5 presidential election. As discussions regarding his future role in the administration and the Republican Party unfold, Ramaswamy has transitioned from being a competitor in the Republican primaries to a committed ally of Trump. Reflecting on Trump's leadership, Ramaswamy stated, “I think he cares about uniting the country. That’s very much Donald Trump’s headspace.”
He expressed optimism about Trump’s second term and his potential to achieve objectives that were not realized during his first term. Ramaswamy described the Republican Party as a “multi-ethnic working-class coalition," highlighting the growing support among Black, Hispanic, and young voters. “These are some of the common threads that bring together what is a pretty diverse and broad tent coalition to restore those basic constitutional principles,” he said, advocating for core ideals like free speech, anti-censorship, and meritocracy. He also addressed the concept of restoring self-governance, criticizing the influence of the “deep state” and asserting that elected officials should reclaim control over government functions.
“Donald Trump is going to be the president of the United States in the real sense of that word,” Ramaswamy asserted, emphasizing the importance of aligning presidential decisions with the democratic will of the people. In a message aimed at Democrats and skeptics of Trump, Ramaswamy urged individuals to be open to the administration’s potential to improve their lives. “A lot of people across the country... are going to be pleasantly surprised to find more money in their paychecks, prices coming down, and a secure border. Those are things most Americans actually care about,” he concluded. As Ramaswamy and Trump prepare to navigate the challenges ahead, their commitment to reshaping immigration policy and reinforcing the Republican Party's new coalition will be crucial in the coming years.