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Trump rails against illegal immigrants in fiery speech in key swing state Pennsylvania

In Erie, Pennsylvania, Donald Trump unleashed a tirade against undocumented migrants and urged a violent police crackdown on criminals

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Donald Trump believes immigration is a winning campaign issue. Photo: AP

Donald Trump railed against immigrants in the country illegally in an often-graphic speech in Pennsylvania on Sunday, his fourth campaign stop in a month in what has become the presidential campaign’s most hotly contested state.

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The Republican presidential candidate called some categories of immigrants “vicious” over 10 times during his nearly two-hour address in Erie, and described several violent incidents.

While there is no nationwide data on crimes committed specifically by undocumented immigrants, research shows they do not commit crimes at a higher rate than people born in the US.

Trump’s speech was short of new policy details and the ferocity of his rhetoric suggests he is focused mainly on driving core supporters to vote, rather than winning over middle-of-the-road voters, ahead of Election Day on November 5.

Supporters cheer as Donald Trump speaks in Erie, Pennsylvania. Photo: AP
Supporters cheer as Donald Trump speaks in Erie, Pennsylvania. Photo: AP

Trump believes immigration is a winning campaign issue, and he has at times said he believes immigration weighs on voters’ minds more than other major topics, such as the economy.

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