CNN segment descends into verbal fistfight over race, illegal immigration

Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton and “The View” co-host Ana Navarro verbally brawled over illegal immigration on CNN Wednesday night.

Upon taking office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump issued several executive orders to address the border crisis, including designating Mexican drug cartels, the Venezuelan crime syndicate Tren de Aragua (TdA) and the El Salvadoran gang MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations. He also invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on March 15 to speed up the deportation of  TdA and MS-13 members.

Navarro claimed Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s grandfather was in the United States illegally and under a deportation order, setting off the verbal fireworks on “CNN NewsNight.”

“We‘re not talking about Marco Rubio,” Singleton said, with Navarro responding, “Oh, no, we’re not? That’s not relevant?”

WATCH:

“It’s not relevant,” Singleton shot back with Navarro saying, “I’m talking about Marco Rubio because Marco Rubio used to be an advocate for TPS [Temporary Protected Status] for Venezuelans, and Marco Rubio used to be an advocate for Nicaraguans and Cubans.”

TPS is usually granted when it would be unsafe to return people illegally in the United States to their home country due to a natural disaster, armed conflict or other situations, according to the website for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

“If you come to this country illegally, you are going home. Simple as that,” Singleton said. “We do not have unlimited resources in this country to take care of other people.”

“There’s a hell of a lot of people, other than the black people who were brought here as slaves, who came to this country illegally,” Navarro claimed with Singleton responding, “They’re not the same as black people, who were brought here against our will.”

Navarro and Singleton continued to exchange heated comments, until “The View” co-host claimed she had “advocated for black people” after saying Singleton “purposefully misheard” her comments.

“Because you’ve advocated for black people. Great. Congratulations. Last time I checked, I’m black. You’re not,” Singleton said, with Navarro responding, “That’s right. I’m Latino, and my people are being racially profiled and unfairly treated.”

“And do I have to remind you the history of my people? If you want to go there — do you really want to go there?” Singleton shot back at Navarro.

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