On October 12, 2024, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Colorado, where he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the ongoing illegal immigration crisis. Trump claimed that Harris has allowed gangs from Venezuela to infiltrate communities, particularly in Aurora, Colorado, despite local officials disputing his assertions.
During the rally, Trump stated, “Kamala has imported an army of illegal alien gang members and migrant criminals,” suggesting that these groups threaten public safety. However, Aurora's Republican Mayor Mike Coffman refuted Trump's claims, emphasizing that the concerns about gang activity have been exaggerated and that the city remains safe.
Trump also addressed his removal from the Colorado primary ballot, attributing the effort to Governor Jared Polis, which he claimed was politically motivated. He urged supporters to vote for him as a form of protest against the actions taken to exclude him from the ballot.
In response to the rally, Harris participated in a town hall with Univision, where she discussed the need for immigration reform and criticized Trump for obstructing legislative efforts aimed at improving border security.