Here & Now

Trump Rallies Around Immigration Policy

Frederica Freyberg:

As the Trump Administration’s policy of so called zero-tolerance separated children from parents coming over the border into the U.S. caused nationwide upset this week, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker sent two dozen National Guard troops to Arizona on Monday to help secure the border. Wisconsin’s troops will assist the Arizona National Guard and U.S. Custom and Border Patrol. Images of immigrant children in federal custody dominated the news cycle and by mid-week, President Trump signed an executive order ending family separations. We know of one father and son that were on their way to Milwaukee when they were detained at the border and separated. Meanwhile, immigrant advocates Voces de La Frontera says they have been devastated since the zero-tolerance policy was instituted.

Mario Garcia Sierra:

So the separation of families at the border, it impacts the families here because on one, we are seeing that separation of families here already, but also increases the fear in people’s lives.

Frederica Freyberg:

In the midst of the immigration uproar, President Trump held a rally in Duluth mid-week. Wisconsin Public Radio’s Superior Bureau Reporter Danielle Kaeding was there. She joins us now with that and an update on flood recovery in the northwest part of the state. Danielle, thanks a lot for being here.

Danielle Kaeding:

No problem, Frederica.

Frederica Freyberg:

So even as President Trump signed an order ending the separation of parents and children just before traveling to Duluth, he maintained his zero-tolerance policy at this rally?

Danielle Kaeding:

Yes, he touched just briefly on the actual order itself and the signing of it, saying that they were going to keep families together at the border but they were going to be as tough as they’ve ever been on immigration. And then he really talked to his supporters in terms of repeating over and over again that they were going to build the wall. That they already had resources put towards that, and that they were going to continue do that. Drawing chants from the crowd, “Build that wall, build that wall.” So he was definitely saying they were going to do more, not less, to control immigration.

Frederica Freyberg:

What else stood out at that rally?

Danielle Kaeding:

The number of people. I mean there were more than 8,000 people in the AMSOIL Arena. It was a packed house. People came from all over Minnesota and Wisconsin to see him speak. He talked about a number of other topics too including his recent visit with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, and efforts to shore up denuclearization there, tax cuts and also the economy and how well it’s doing.

Frederica Freyberg:

As for flooding in northwest Wisconsin, I know the governor declared a state of emergency in five counties and at least two people were killed in the high water. What’s the situation at week’s end?

Danielle Kaeding:

Well, now the waters are beginning to subside and county and state road crews are being able to get in there and see exactly what the damage is. There is still some areas of northern Wisconsin where flood waters re still covering the road including U.S. Highway 63 near the Bibon Swamp Area in Bayfield County. They’re beginning to develop plans to repair state highways including U.S. Highway 2 by north Fish Creek, near Ino, where that project could take several months to replace a bridge that was entirely washed out there. And also on U.S. Highway 53, where they’re currently restricted to one lane northbound and southbound on Highway 53 as far as traffic goes. They’re going to try and get in there next week and begin repair so they can have that up and running for the July 4th holiday.

Frederica Freyberg:

Okay. Tough stuff. Danielle Kaeding, thanks very much.

Danielle Kaeding:

Thanks, Frederica.