CJ Pearson, Co-Chair of the GOP Youth Advisory Council, said MSNBC falsely linked the Black community to illegal immigration and condemned the network for promoting harmful narratives.
“I asked Karoline Leavitt to respond to recent comments made by MSNBC’s Symone D. Sanders Townsend,” said Pearson. “Black people will be “next in line” for deportation. I, like Karoline, find it egregious that those on the Left are attempting to spread baseless misinformation. Equating the black community to violent criminal illegal aliens.”
On April 19, 2025, MSNBC host Symone D. Sanders-Townsend responded to the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia by expressing concern that “people of color” could be “next in line.” According to Fox News, Sanders-Townsend said, “If they can do it to them… they will do it to any of us,” highlighting concerns about racial implications associated with aggressive immigration enforcement. Her comments reflect fears among some commentators that racial and ethnic minorities may face disproportionate targeting under intensified deportation policies.
A November 2024 survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that 59% of Americans supported increased deportation efforts for undocumented immigrants. A follow-up report from Pew in March 2025 indicated a sharp division along party lines: 89% of Republicans support arrests at protests, compared to just 44% of Democrats. These findings underscore how immigration and race-related issues are deeply polarized in U.S. media and public discourse.
In 2023, U.S. immigration authorities conducted approximately 1.1 million repatriations, marking a significant increase in deportation activity. According to USAFacts, this figure includes returns at the border and interior removals, reflecting the Biden administration’s continued enforcement focus amid record migrant crossings. However, detailed racial or ethnic breakdowns of deportees are not provided by the agency, limiting public insight into potential disparities.
Pearson is a conservative political activist serving as National Co-Chair of the GOP Youth Advisory Council and is affiliated with “Black Americans for Trump.” As reported by The Augusta Press, he gained prominence as a teenage commentator and has focused on outreach to young and Black voters through digital platforms and national media. His advocacy emphasizes promoting limited government and conservative values within younger demographics.
The GOP Youth Advisory Council is an initiative by the Republican National Committee aimed at engaging younger voters from Gen Z and millennial groups. According to Fox News, the council advises party leaders on strategies to improve outreach among young conservatives and includes high-profile members like Pearson. In 2024, some members resigned due to dissatisfaction with the GOP’s efforts to meaningfully engage young audiences.
