Michigan State Senator Aric Nesbitt, who is running for governor, is facing backlash after a viral video resurfaced of him advocating for a ban on sanctuary cities in Michigan and for stronger deportation policies while tying them to homeland security and stating that those who “hate America” should leave the country or go to jail.
The video was posted by One America News Network, and it shows Michigan State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Aric Nesbitt speaking about immigration and public safety. The post says he details how he would work with the Trump administration, which includes barring sanctuary cities in Michigan and increasing the deportation of those in the US illegally. The post has garnered a lot of comments and quote reposts from users reacting to his comments.
In the video, Nesbitt says, “First and foremost, we need to shut down the sanctuary cities here in Michigan.” Nesbitt goes on to say that those who “hate America” should “leave” or “we will put you in jail.” It appears he goes on to say, “as far as I’m concerned, when we take our oath of office…these are the enemies.” The recounting of the footage does not include what was said directly before or after the remarks.
In the caption that comes with the clip, Nesbitt is seen saying he has a plan to “deal with illegal immigration,” and would “work with the Trump administration to ban sanctuary cities”, as well as “expand deportations. And he would return to using E-Verify to help stop businesses from hiring illegal aliens, save jobs for Americans, and raise wages for Americans, here, in Michigan.”
Online Reactions to Nesbitt’s Remarks
The video sparked responses on social media. A viewer characterized Nesbitt’s comments as “a strong stance on immigration and security” and inquired how proposals dealing with such issues could also ensure fairness to localities, making a reference to the potential consequences. Several others fully supported his wording, and one respondent stated, “Yes, they need to go back where they came from.” They labeled those mentioned “ungrateful” and asked, “Why would they hate this country, and still not leave?”
Some comments were very negative about Nesbitt’s chances as a politician, with one user writing, “He will never be governor. He’s polling at one percent in Michigan.” Another wrote about the issue strictly in political terms, stating that “the illegals were promised freedom from the law by Obama.” There were also a few who expressed their support for Nesbitt and his larger campaign, with one user commenting, “Excellent and win big.”
This footage is going viral because it shows a candidate for governor of a pivotal swing state yoking his campaign to Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, complete with a call to ban sanctuary cities, and includes some not-minced words about people who “hate America” — raising questions about the approach Republicans are taking to the issues of immigration and law enforcement in advance of the midterms.
It remains to be seen if the clip will have a life beyond social media. For the time being, it’s making the rounds as people continue to comment on Nesbitt’s remarks and speculate about what it all could mean for the Michigan governor’s race.
