Trump blasts European immigration policies at UN General Assembly address
Former president criticizes Europe’s migration approach at the United Nations, linking it to U.S. border policy and citing a May letter from European governments on deportations.
NEW YORK — In a 80th United Nations General Assembly address, former President Donald Trump used the podium to assail European nations over immigration policies, arguing the UN should stop invasions rather than finance them and urging governments to defend their citizens. He described Europe as being in serious trouble, saying the continent has been invaded by a force of illegal aliens and that no one is taking steps to remove them. Trump tied Europe’s choices to the United States, contrasting the European experience with what he said is happening at America’s southern border under the Biden administration.
Trump framed his critique as a defense of national sovereignty, telling world leaders that countries should act to protect their borders and social safety nets. He stated, "The UN is supposed to stop invasions, not create them and not finance them." He added, "You're destroying your countries. They're being destroyed. Europe is in serious trouble. They've been invaded by a force of illegal aliens like nobody's ever seen before. Illegal aliens are pouring into Europe. Nobody is doing anything to change it to get them out. It's not sustainable. And because they choose to be politically correct, they're doing just absolutely nothing about it." The remarks reflected the candidate’s long-standing emphasis on strict borders and American sovereignty as a political priority.
In the United States, Trump said, the country cannot permit mass migration by foreign nationals to cross half a world, trample borders, violate sovereignty, fuel crime, and strain social safety nets. "In the United States, we reject the idea that mass numbers of people from foreign lands can be permitted to travel halfway around the world, trample our borders, violate our sovereignty, cause unmitigated crime, and deplete our social safety net. We have reasserted that America belongs to the American people, and I encourage all countries to take their own stand in defense of their citizens as well," he said.
As Europe grapples with inflows from Africa and the Middle East, a May letter from several European governments criticized the European Court of Human Rights for restricting deportations of migrants who commit crimes, arguing such rulings undermine national policy autonomy. Signatories Denmark, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, and Poland argued that while many migrants arrive via legal pathways and contribute to society, others fail to integrate and create parallel societies with values at odds with democracy, equality, and freedom. The letter stated, "Many have come here via legal pathways. They have learned our languages, believe in democracy, contribute to our societies and have decided to integrate themselves into our culture," while noting concerns about crime and nonintegration.
The May letter, which foreshadowed ongoing debates over deportation policies and court rulings, underscored a broader tension in European politics as governments seek to balance humanitarian obligations with border security and public safety. In Washington, Trump has framed immigration as a core issue of national sovereignty and economic security, arguing that the United States must prioritize American citizens and national interests.
The remarks at the UN come as Trump’s 2024 campaign messaging and policy proposals continue to emphasize a tougher stance on immigration and a reassessment of multilateral institutions. His team has pointed to U.S. border enforcement efforts and deportation initiatives as a template for how other nations might address migration pressures, even as European governments navigate complex legal frameworks and humanitarian standards.
Images from the event show Trump addressing the chamber during the UN General Assembly and arriving in New York on Marine One, underscoring the high-profile nature of the address and its international salience. 
Public sentiment around immigration policy remains deeply divided across the Atlantic, with European leaders urging measured, law-based approaches and U.S. conservatives advocating stricter border controls. The UNGA remarks add a high-profile flare to a longstanding, bipartisan debate about the role of international institutions in national immigration policy and how best to balance humanitarian obligations with sovereignty and security concerns.