President Trump on Friday greets people holding posters of loved ones killed by undocumented immigrants. (Photo: Mandel NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump addressed the immigration crisis during a live-streamed event on Friday in Washington, D.C., and his comments are making some watchers cringe.

Family members who Trump called the “victims of illegal immigration” took the stage while holding large photos of their loved ones killed by undocumented immigrants. Trump appeared to have autographed the pictures.

They do appear to be Trump's signature – autograph. I have no words…

pic via @AndrewKirell pic.twitter.com/kemZnrFfUZ — Polly Sigh (@dcpoll) June 22, 2018

Perhaps in an attempt to reference the more than 2,000 migrant children who were separated from their families in the past weeks, Trump said these “angel families” had to deal with “permanent separation” from their loved ones. One family member went on to say, “We’re not lucky enough to be separated for five days, for 10 days.”

Trump said, “We’re gathered today to hear directly from the American victims of illegal immigration. You know, you hear the other side. You never hear this side. You don’t know what’s going on. These are the American citizens permanently separated from their loved ones.”

Trump is now giving family members of people who have been victims of crime committed by undocumented immigrants a chance to detail the crimes in grisly detail pic.twitter.com/QOLXyFEW1g — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 22, 2018

At one point during the live-stream, Trump held a picture of a victim and said, “This is Tom Selleck, except better looking.”

Trump holds up an autographed photo of a murder victim, quips that the man is "Tom Selleck, except better looking." pic.twitter.com/8iOsdCT4xo — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 22, 2018

The president claims that 63,000 Americans have been killed by undocumented immigrants since 9/11, a fact that is unverified, according to the Washington Examiner.

Story continues

Are people who enter the country illegally more inclined to commit crimes? Not any more than people born in the United States, according to Richard Pérez-Peña of the New York Times.

In his report, “Contrary to Trump’s Claims, Immigrants Are Less Likely to Commit Crimes,” the author alludes to studies that suggest “immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than people born in the United States.” He adds, “And experts say the available evidence does not support the idea that undocumented immigrants commit a disproportionate share of crime.”

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.



