Former President Donald Trump made a visit to Downtown Grand Rapids on Tuesday to address President Joe Biden's immigration policies. His plane landed at Gerald R. Ford International Airport at 1:30 p.m., and road closures were expected according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. The exact roads affected by the closures were not disclosed by the Secret Service.

A group called the Kent County GOP "Trump Welcome Team" organized a Roadside Rally, scheduled to take place from 1-4 p.m. along Monroe Ave. and Lyon St. The group urged people to RSVP for the event, which aimed to show support for Trump's stance on immigration.

Trump's speech, scheduled for 2:30 p.m., took place at DeVos Place. The event was described as a closed press conference with local law enforcement by the former president. Police Chief Eric Winstrom stated that the event was not expected to attract thousands of attendees but a few hundred, which the local police department could manage.

The visit comes in the wake of the tragic death of 25-year-old Ruby Garcia, whose body was found along US-131 in Grand Rapids on March 22. Garcia's boyfriend, Brandon Ortiz-Vite, who is an undocumented immigrant, has been charged in connection with the crime. This incident has sparked concerns about illegal immigration and its impact on community safety.

Ahead of Trump's speech, Michigan GOP Chair Pete Hoekstra expressed his dissatisfaction with the immigration situation, stating that West Michigan suburban families now face issues similar to those occurring at the Southern Border. Hoekstra emphasized that the murder of Garcia is the second widely publicized case involving an illegal immigrant in the past year in Kent County, highlighting the need for increased border security.

Kent County Democratic Party Chair, Kim Gates, released a statement that criticized Trump's visit, accusing him of exploiting the lives of those affected by immigration issues for political gain. Gates highlighted that the focus should be on discussing immigration in a bipartisan manner to promote unity and reduce polarization.

The visit by the former president garnered significant attention, and FOX 17 provided full coverage of the day's events. Interested individuals were encouraged to sign up for the Breaking News Newsletter to receive up-to-date information.