The RNC puts a spotlight on immigration and border control, Trump's signature issue

Republicans, who are billing their national convention as a show of unity after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, focuxed the event's second day on immigration, an issue that generates a lot of his vitriol and some of Trump's strongest support.

Since he first entered presidential politics in 2016 trashing Mexicans as rapists and vehicles of drugs and crime, Trump has made immigration his "us vs. them" cudgel. His rhetoric set the tone for many other GOP leaders, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis,who is part of the Tuesday lineup and who signed a sweeping state immigration law giving local and state officials immigration enforcement powers.

Trump was addressing the issue of immigration in his rally speech Saturday when the shooter opened fire against him, killing one spectator and leaving two others critically injured. Trump had turned his head slightly to the right to view a large chart of immigration statistics, which he has credited with saving his life.

Trump frequently stirs his base by railing against violent crime committed by immigrants, and the theme on the second day convention, "Make America Safe Again," was built on the often misinformed portrayal.

"Democrats have done everything in their power to undermine public safety and law enforcement," the super PAC Maga Inc. said in a statement that accused prosecutors of allowing criminals to walk free "while an open border floods our communities with untraceable, potentially dangerous criminals."

Trump's usually fact-challenged immigration messaging has found a wider audience this election cycle, as border officers and communities across the country have been grappling in the past few years with large numbers of people arriving at the