In the Portuguese club of Waterbury, Connecticut, Luso-American voters assured Lusa to trust Trump to "rebuild" the country they chose to live in decades ago, then leave Portugal, although admitting that the Republican may seem "rude" or "arrogant" in his interventions.
Kamala Harris, the current vice president and Democratic candidate, is viewed with distrust by the Luso-American community of Waterbury, and neither Democrats nor undecided can point to qualities that could be the first woman to preside over the country.
"For me it's Trump. He speaks half my language: I don't have popes in the language, he speaks the language, which I perceive. Already in relation to Kamala and the other one who goes there to sleep [President Joe Biden] .. I don't know why, but politicians today are very angry, they don't tell the truth and many people go to this conversation," said Manuel Silva, 73 years old.
Although registered as a Democrat, Silva assumes that he has voted for Trump before and will do so again on November 5, once he had four years of prosperity under the tycoon's presidency, in opposition to Kamala Harris, "who was the last four years in Government and never did anything for the country.
Asked about Trump's problems with justice, the Portuguese-American devalued: "If I wanted a perfect person, I would call God. (...) There are no saints in this world and we all make mistakes."
Along with the economy and inflation, illegal immigration is another of the problems that most concerns these members of the Luso-American community, although most have also arrived in the US irregularly.
"When I came here, I came illegally. But whoever enters here comes through the door, as it should be, comes with papers and comes to ask for help, because all the people are welcome. (...) This does not happen Only in America it is the same. They are letting in many people who do not belong here," said Reinaldo Sousa, 65, president of the Portuguese Sport Club of Waterbury.
A recent poll shows that 68% of Americans want a tougher approach to immigration policy, after a record number of undocumented immigrants crossed the border during the Biden-Harris Administration.
Donald Trump has promised to deport millions of people who are illegally in the country.
Kamala Harris has been responsible for the border situation, once Joe Biden gave her responsibilities on the issue, in negotiating with countries of origin or transit of migrants.
However, earlier this year, bipartisan legislation aimed at reforming the immigration system failed in Congress after Trump urged Republicans to oppose it.
"[Kamala's] sincerity could have been a little better. (...) When asked what she will do to improve the economy and our borders, nothing is said. We are always saying the same thing: that she saw a poor family (...) The problem is that until today she has not been able to say what she will do", criticized Reinaldo Sousa.
Also José Gonçalves, a Portuguese who has lived in the US for 60 years, told Lusa that he will vote for Trump, assessing that "America is not yet ready to have a woman as President"
To the septuagenarian, Trump may be "a cocky mouthpiece," but he's the "right person" to "lift the country up again."
Among the voters of the former president is also Manuel Freitas, 59 years old and has lived in the US for 36 years, who believes that Trump "did a good job" while in the White House: "I think we need him again"
"He may not be the most beloved man by the way he speaks. But without a doubt he is a great business man and he proved it in the four years he led this country. (...) He was a great man for this nation and for all of us," he advocated.
Freitas "does not trust" Kamala Harris and does not see in the Democratic candidate "capabilities" to lead the country.
Already the policeman Orlando Oliveira, who left Portugal with only five weeks of life, is today 50 years old and his priority is the end of wars and illegal immigration. For that, he will vote for Trump.
"As I have a son who is going to be 16, I don't want to see him go to World War III. I think that's important, as well as stability - financial and security. Lately we've had a lot of immigration and a lot of changing of laws" , observed.
"I'm for Donald Trump. There are things I don't like about him, I think it could be a little easier to talk about, but his ideas can bring work. It will bring more opportunities," he said.
Orlando stresses not being against immigration, but asking for limits, arguing that the entry of uncontrolled immigrants "makes the situation more difficult for those" already in the US.
On the other hand, voters Maria Monteiro and Diamantino Oliveira remain uncertain about whom to vote for on November 5.
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