The director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement might have undermined one of President Donald Trump's key talking points.
Acting Director Thomas Homan told reporters during an off-camera gaggle he didn't say immigrants coming into the country illegally commit more crimes than U.S. citizens.
The statement somewhat contradicts implications from Trump that immigrants crossing the border illegally are criminals and a threat to public safety.
But Trump's controversial statements on immigration started when he announced his run for president.
"They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us," Trump said. "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists."
Several studies have found that immigrants illegally entering the U.S. are actually less likely to commit crimes than native U.S. citizens.
But Homan previously said any such person living in the U.S. "should be afraid."
He echoed that message again at the off-camera meeting and said people entering the U.S. illegally should "not be comfortable" because they're breaking the law.
