Immigration, top issue for Florida voters

2024-03-20 14:42:44, Kosova & Bota CNA

Primary elections were held in five American states on Tuesday. Presumptive presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump have already won enough votes to win their parties' nominations. Former President Trump voted in Florida, where he now resides. As "Voice of America" ??correspondent Carolyn Presutti reports, immigration is the main issue for the residents of this state.

Lucie Sophie tries to protect the chickens near her shop. In Key West, Florida, harming chickens is an offense for which people can be punished with heavy fines.

French-American Lucie Sophie on Tuesday voted for the first time as an American citizen. Like many other Florida residents, she is a supporter of Mr. Trump.

“I love how his supporters feel about the country and the pride they have in being Americans. I'm not too keen on the slogan 'I'll Make America Great Again'. I wish he would focus on the Americans," she says.

Key West, the town where Ms. Sophie lives, is full of energy, especially along Duval Street, with lots of restaurants and visitors.

Key West is located in the southernmost part of the United States, at a distance of 145 kilometers from Cuba. Haiti is a little further away. For this reason, immigration is one of the most controversial issues.

Since October, the U.S. Coast Guard has rescued and repatriated 100 Haitians who tried to cross into South Florida. In the same period, about 300 other people were repatriated to Cuba.

Tami Spurlock, up to a certain point is open to their arrival.

"They help the economy of our city, they make it special. I think everyone should come here legally. But they are vital for the city," she says.

Donald Trump, who has promised mass deportations of illegal immigrants if elected president, voted Tuesday near his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

"They have to close the borders. Our country is dying, drowning. This is an invasion," he said.

President Joe Biden was not on the ballot in Tuesday's Florida election. He campaigned in the southwest of the country, criticizing Mr. Trump.

"He (Donald Trump) says that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country, what is he talking about," said President Biden.

Some of these immigrants, particularly those from Haiti, are fleeing violence in their own country. But Natalie Steindl, who yesterday voted for the first time, says that no exceptions should be made.