Photo by Diego Cambiaso

by Met Middleson

June 18, 2025

In an off-the-cuff moment outside the White House, President Trump gestured toward the cameras and warned that anyone undocumented would be “checked” and have their life “destroyed” simply for appearing at a press conference.

The comment came during a brief exchange with reporters in front of construction workers installing two 100-foot flagpoles. When asked about illegal immigration, Trump responded with mock suspicion—“Any illegal immigrants here?”—before escalating: “They’ll be checking you and you won’t believe. Your whole life will be destroyed because of this press conference.”

While the tone may have been half-joking, the message was clear. Trump directly tied “being an illegal” to media scrutiny, surveillance, and personal ruin. Whether the warning referenced ICE, journalists, or both, the implication was unmistakable: if you’re undocumented, even being near a camera could end your life as you know it.