Editorial: Double Message by Republicans

The Republicans’ effort in translating to Spanish the State of the Nation speech is both laudable and politically clever, as it allows their message to reach a large Spanish-speaking sector. But it is also misleading, as the difference is not in the language but the content: This happens when an issue is approached but different concepts are said depending on what each audience wants to hear, as is the case with immigration.

The Republican response to the presidential message delivered by Congressman Mario Díaz Balart was largely identical to that of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. It is understandable that the Congressman, unlike Haley, talked about Cuba and Venezuela, because this is a subject of interest for part of the Latino community. What is unfair is that both approached a central issue such as immigration in a very different manner.

Haley spoke twice about illegal immigration, linked terrorism with refugees, and mentioned the border several times. Díaz Balart’s speech was different in this subject, less harsh on immigration. What is surprising is the paragraph in which he says that it is “essential… a legislative solution to… offer a permanent and human solution to those who live in the shadows…” This was the message for Spanish-speakers that failed to appear in the English version.

There is no doubt that the congressman, like many other Republicans, supports comprehensive reform, but his message was not a personal opinion. Today – courtesy of the Republican Congress – there is nothing further from the truth than a legislative solution involving any kind of legalization. It is unthinkable that Haley would have said Díaz Balart’s words in English without creating a commotion both in the Republican bench and among the presidential candidates.

This sounds like a deception, a gigantic lie, obvious to anybody who has followed the immigration debate in Congress. This is because what Trump says today about immigration was previously heard from the mouths of the Republican legislators who control the House.

The problem with the two messages is not about immigration policy, but about honesty and respect.  Perhaps if Republicans can someday overcome their hypocrisy and offer the same message about immigration to Spanish and English speakers, they will be able to seriously compete for the Latino voter.