CNN interrupted for 'breaking news' as host caught out - it's great news for Trump

Newsnight anchor Abby D Phillip was caught out live on CNN claiming that it is not a criminal offence to enter the USA illegally during a "breaking news" announcement. The presenter ended up locked in a battle over what constitutes as an illegal immigrant during a conversation with Conservative political strategist Scott Jennings. The pair were discussing the amount of people that Trump is threatening to deport, and Phillip criticised the president's plans, saying: "I don't think anybody disagrees with that. 7 million means they're not just going after criminals."

However, former advisor quickly hit back, asking: "Well they're going after people who are in the country illegally, right?" Phillip begrudgingly agreed, but went on to claim that it is not a criminal offence to cross the US border illegally.

An incredulous Jennings responded: "Doesn't that make you a criminal? To come across the border illegally?" Although Phillip continued to deny that it does, calling it a civil offence rather than a criminal offence, Jennings quickly made his thoughts on deportation clear.

He told viewers: "Okay, if you come into the country illegally, here's the message: we're gonna find you and send you back. I mean, I'm sorry, that's the way it is and I think the government should pull all the levers at its disposal to find people and pull this off. It's what the American people asked Donald Trump to do."

The Republican went on to describe the types of people he thinks should be a priority when it comes to deportation, adding: "Yes, they should be deporting violent people. Yes, they should be deporting people who committed violent acts before they came here. But in some juncture, if you're going to allow any illegal immigration at all, the message then goes out: just get here, it will probably work out for you. That was the last administration. This is the different one."

This conversation came after the Internal Revenue Service chief decided to resign this April following the agency's new deal where they agreed to share the tax data of undocumented migrants with federal agents.

Donald Trump has been implementing a crackdown on illegal immigration, recently threatening to fine migrants under deportation orders up to $998 for each day that they do not leave the US. Those who do not pay up will face having their property assets seized.

Reuters also has reported that the Trump administration is hoping to apply these penalties retroactively for up to five years, which would leave illegal immigrants dealing with fines of over $1 million. Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin encouraged migrants who are facing deportation to turn themselves in and leave the country now, adding: "If they don't, they will face the consequences. This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order."