Trump ties NFL death to illegal migrants

PIC: US President Donald Trump. (Credit: AFP)

POLITICS

US - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday sought to use the death of a NFL player in a car crash - which police say was caused by an undocumented migrant - to bolster his campaign to tighten border security.

Two days after Indianapolis Colts player Edwin Jackson and another man were killed, Trump highlighted that the suspected drunk driver - who had been deported twice in the past - was again in the country illegally.

"So disgraceful that a person illegally in our country killed @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson. This is just one of many such preventable tragedies. We must get the Dems to get tough on the Border, and with illegal immigration, FAST!" Trump tweeted.

Jackson and the driver of his ride-share car were killed after a black Ford F-150 pickup driven by a 37-year-old man struck both of them as they were standing on the side of a highway by their stopped vehicle.

Indiana police identified the suspect as Manuel Orrego-Savala, a Guatemalan national. Immigration authorities are working with local police on the case.

Since coming to office, Trump has repeatedly tried to link migration with crime.

Later on Tuesday, he is scheduled to host law enforcement agents at the White House for a roundtable on the violent MS-13 gang, which originated in California, but has ties to several countries in Central America.

Most of the estimated 10,000 members in the US trace their heritage to El Salvador, Honduras or Guatemala.

Trump has demanded that Democrats in Congress agree more spending to build a "wall" on the Mexican border and on America's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation force.

Linebacker Jackson, 26, was signed by the Colts in January 2016 and played parts of one season in the league. He started eight games for Indianapolis, making 66 tackles.

Police said after the truck hit them, Orrego-Savala then tried to flee the scene on foot before being arrested.

"My prayers and best wishes are with the family of Edwin Jackson, a wonderful young man whose life was so senselessly taken," Trump also tweeted.

AFP