Ohio Senator JD Vance sparked controversy by citing the movie 'Gangs of New York' to argue that 'ethnic enclaves' lead to higher crime rates, drawing criticism for linking historical immigration waves to modern policies. At a Milwaukee campaign event, Vance reiterated his belief that massive ethnic enclaves foster crime, a notion he first expressed in a 2021 podcast interview. He tied these views to former President Donald Trump's immigration policies, including mass deportations and the 'Remain in Mexico' policy. Critics, including those from The Lincoln Project, labeled his comments as racist, and research contradicts his claims by showing that immigrants are no more likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans. Vance emphasized the need for an immigration policy that promotes assimilation and suggested deporting illegal immigrants to maintain a 'common American culture.' Despite backlash, Vance defended his stance by referencing his personal life and successful assimilation of his immigrant wife.