Ohio Senator JD Vance's recent remarks about "ethnic enclaves" during a campaign event have ignited a flurry of backlash on social media. The former running mate of President Donald Trump faced questions about his previous comments on immigration waves and their consequences.

During a news conference held at the Milwaukee Police Association, a New York Times reporter confronted Vance about an interview he had done with podcaster Jack Murphy in 2021. In that interview, Vance discussed how previous waves of immigration had brought both benefits and challenges to the United States.

The reporter quoted Vance as saying, "You had this massive wave of primarily Italian, Irish and German immigration, and that had its problems and that had its consequences." The journalist questioned whether Vance believed the U.S. should have implemented similar measures, including mass deportations, to address those issues.

Vance's response referenced the movie "Gangs of New York," comparing the formation of ethnic enclaves to the potential for higher crime rates. The 2002 film, directed by Martin Scorsese, depicts a historical feud between rival gangs, one representing Anglo-Protestants and the other comprising Irish Catholic immigrants.

The comments made by Vance quickly spread on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), garnering widespread criticism. Users expressed confusion and labeled Vance's statement as "strange" and "weird," with some Democrats seizing the opportunity to highlight what they consider peculiar behavior from Vance and other Republicans.

Critics pointed out that Vance's reference to "Gangs of New York" appeared to overlook the fact that one of the gangs depicted, led by "Bill the Butcher," was actually the antagonistic force against the Irish Catholic immigrants. The irony of Vance's concerns about "ethnic enclaves" being directed at the Irish population was not lost on social media users.

While Vance's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the controversy highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and their impact on crime rates. Former President Trump, whom Vance previously supported, gained attention for his hardline stance on immigration, promising to enact mass deportations, reinstate the "Remain in Mexico" policy, and complete the construction of a border wall.

However, research from nonpartisan law and policy institute, the Brennan Center for Justice, has consistently shown that immigration is not linked to higher crime rates. In fact, numerous studies indicate the opposite, suggesting that immigration contributes positively to communities.

As the discussion around immigration policies continues, Vance's remarks have reignited conversations about the portrayal of different ethnic groups in popular media and the importance of understanding the nuances of historical narratives.