Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance has reaffirmed his controversial stance on immigration and crime, citing the 2002 Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York as evidence to support his arguments.
Advocating Mass Deportations
During a campaign appearance at the Milwaukee Police Association on Friday, Vance drew parallels between the film's depiction of 19th-century New York and modern issues related to ethnic enclaves and crime, according to Hotnews.
Vance's comments echo his previous statements advocating for mass deportations to address crime, a position he initially expressed during his 2021 Senate campaign.
In that interview, Vance linked high crime rates and ethnic conflicts to waves of immigration, particularly noting Italian, Irish, and German communities in early 20th-century America.
“We had this massive wave of Italian, Irish, and German immigration, right? And it had its problems, its consequences,” he said, referring to these historical groups.
Fictional Movie Portrays Real Issues
At the Milwaukee event, Vance reinforced his argument, using Gangs of New York to illustrate what he sees as the dangers of unchecked immigration.
“Has anyone seen the movie Gangs of New York?” Vance asked the audience.
“That’s what I’m talking about, these ethnic enclaves in our country that can lead to higher crime rates.” He suggested that these fictional portrayals reflect real issues related to large-scale illegal immigration and resulting ethnic conflicts.
The film, set in a turbulent New York City, depicts the violent struggle between various immigrant groups and native-born Americans, which Vance argues mirrors current immigration challenges.
