Republicans leaders attitude toward immigrants is troubling
OPINION Ive been active in politics for almost three decades and I can’t recall a policy issue that so rattles our political system as does…
Rep. Michele Bachmann against immigration reform. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
OPINION
Ive been active in politics for almost three decades and I can’t recall a policy issue that so rattles our political system as does immigration.
Lately, politicians have been all over the media giving their two cents worth about the current border crisis.
It would be good if the politicians stick to making constructive comments about how to solve not only the border crisis but also what to do about the millions that are living in this country without legal documents. But they dont, especially the leaders of the Republican Party.
SEE ALSO: Texas Democrats weigh in on Congress failure to act on border crisis
Its almost as if these individuals are waging hate not only against Latino immigrants but against those of us of with Hispanic heritage who were born and raised in this country.
A young migrant girl waits for a freight train to depart on her way to the U.S. border, in Ixtepec, Mexico, Saturday, July 12, 2014. The number of unaccompanied minors detained on the U.S. border has more than tripled since 2011. Children are also widely believed to be crossing with their parents in rising numbers. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Some of the comments made against immigrants are particularly troublesome especially when you listen to elected officials such as Congresswoman Michelle Bachman from Minnesota who said during an interview on Fox News on August 4:
If we made Mexican food illegal, illegal aliens wouldnt be able to eat in the U.S. and all illegal border crossings would stop.
Seriously, Doesnt the Congresswoman know that the majority of those crossing from south of the border arent from Mexico? Making Mexican food illegal, even in jest, is so far off the mark and insulting that she should be ignored; but is she? In any case these kind of comments strike those who come into this country to seek a better life as having been made by their enemy and for a politician that means their party is the enemy.
Congresswoman Bachman ought to know better. But thats not all, in a conference call with Numbers USA last week, she said, What we have to recognize is that this truly is a war against the American people. And if we dont act like it and take this border seriously, were going to have even more gangs. War? Gangs? It may be time for a crash lesson on Latin American studies for that chica.
The very idea that its all gang members coming into this country and and that all who come are doing so to wage war against Americans is almost too ludicrous to repeat; but she said it! And unfortunately her comments, ridiculous as they may sound, reflect a negative stereotypical view of immigrants and Americans of Hispanic heritage by some Americans.
The Minnesota congresswoman isnt the only one with preconceived notions about immigrants. Her view is held by way too many of her colleagues in Congress, all of whom are members of the Republican Party.
Take Congressman Steve King from Iowa who has made disparaging comments against Latino immigrants and only last week conducted himself less than gentlemanly when Erika Andiola, a dreamer from Mexico confronted him at a fundraiser in Okoboji, Iowa.
Republican Rep. Steve King was confronted at his own fundraiser by activist Erika Andiola who argued with the Iowa congressman over his stance on immigration.(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Ms. Andiola wasnt rude, wasnt loud and didnt bring a large group to discuss the congressmans stance on the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) legislation.
She spoke for herself. She wanted to discuss her allegiance and patriotism to this country as a dreamer.
But instead of being welcomed to the table, Senator Rand Paul who was sitting next to Congressman King, stood up and left hurriedly, leaving his meal half finished while ignoring Ms. Andiola without saying as much as, Excuse me. Congressman King, meanwhile, stood up to listen and then argued with the young dreamer.
While the conversation between King and Andiola lasted longer than any Ive witnessed between a congressman and a constituent at a public event, it was more of an acrimonious nature especially on the part of the congressman. It would have been better if Steve King had graciously offered a seat to Erika and had a learning conversation, she hearing his side for opposing DACA and he listening to her experience in this country as a dreamer. And if Senator Rand Paul had stayed in his seat, he might have learned something.
Ive been a member of the Republican Party for many years and I am beginning to ask myself what do I have in common with the Kings and Bachmans of the world?
Surely, not all Republicans say and do stupid things like those two. But unfortunately, its the negative and ugly words that stick in the publics mind—it would be a good idea for other elected Republican leaders to say nice things about immigrants but especially about Hispanic Americans, otherwise there will be even greater tension between the brown and white populations. And if there is a war, so called by the Bachmans of the world, it’s a war of their making.
SEE ALSO: Jeb Bush to GOP: Dont use border crisis to delay immigration reform
