Elizabeth Warren: “I Am Open To Suspending Deportations”

Warren made the extreme statement in response to a question asked of her by the wife of an illegal alien who is now in ICE custody.

Here's the clip of Warren's answer during the event from The News & Observer on Youtube:

Fox News has more to say about Warren's openness to halting deportations:

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said Friday that she is open to halting deportations of illegal immigrants in order to force Congress to pass “comprehensive immigration reform” -- a day after a leading 2020 rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., made a deportation moratorium part of his immigration plan.

The response from Senator Warren, D-Mass., came after a question at a town hall in North Carolina. A woman, who spoke in Spanish, told Warren about her husband, who she says was arrested for drug possession, served his sentence and was then detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She asked if any moratorium would include those with criminal records.

“So I am open to suspending deportations, particularly as a way to push Congress for comprehensive immigration reform,” Warren responded. “I believe that what we’re doing right now, with ICE focusing on people who do not pose a threat -- that when ICE comes into our communities, takes our neighbors, our friends, our family members -- that they do not make this country safer.”

Warren said she wants ICE to focus on things like fighting terrorism and tackling the import of drugs such as fentanyl. She also said she opposes the Trump administration’s view, which she summarized as "anyone who has violated any law means they can’t even be considered to stay.”

She did not say if that moratorium would include any exceptions for those with convictions for violent or other serious crimes.

The Hill also stated:

White House hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Friday that, as president, she would be "open to suspending deportations" to pressure Congress to pass immigration reform legislation. 

“I am open to suspending deportations, particularly as a way to push Congress for comprehensive immigration reform,” Warren said at a town hall in Raleigh, N.C., focused on issues facing Hispanics.

Immigration has emerged as a chief issue among Democratic presidential contenders as the crowded primary field debates how to reverse hard-line policies implemented under the Trump administration.

Democrats have particularly criticized the White House for its now-abandoned “zero tolerance policy” that separated families at the border, as well as increasing efforts to deport undocumented immigrants who don’t have histories of violence.