We are not 'dogs'
PUBLICADO: May, 23, 2012 12:00 am EST
May 23, 2012 12:00 am EST
Republicans continuously complain that Democrats try to make them look bad on the immigration issue to take Latino support away from them. But in reality, this is not necessary when you have a U.S. congressman like Steve King (R-Iowa), who compared immigrants to dogs.
The congressman made the comment on Monday during a campaign re-election event in Pocahontas, Iowa, where he told attendees his experience with bird dogs would be useful in choosing which immigrants should remain in the United States. The lawmaker explained that you should look at the puppy litter and select the most aggressive one instead of the one sleeping in a corner. In the U.S., we can choose from all types of dogs, because everyone wants to come in and it's hard to enter.
This is not the first time King compares immigrants to animals. A few years ago, the lawmaker proposed electrifying a border fence with the kind of current that does not affect the livestock, so it would not affect immigrants too much.
We are concerned that these comparisons of immigrants to animals, today dogs and earlier livestock, are coming from an important voice in Congress on this issue, such as the vice chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee. Unfortunately, this individual, from his position, is one of the daily and constant GOP voices on the immigration issue.
Congressman King is not Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who conveniently took a DREAM Act out of his sleeve in the middle of a presidential campaign as a response to immigration concerns. King's power on immigration goes beyond the election season. His influence in the House of Representatives made him a strong banner carrier.
It's unusual that while the GOP's strategy reminds Latinos how bad the White House is because it didn't fulfill its immigration reform promises, at the same time a legislative leader on immigration compares immigrants to animals.
It would be great for Senator Rubio, Latino Republican lawmakers and the GOP's immigration moderates to cut off King's statement and distance themselves from it. They should say immigrants are not dogs, and the comparison is humiliating for any human being. There is no excuse or love of dogs that can justify such an insult.
This is an opportunity to show Latino immigrants that Republicans condemn Congressman King's recent outrageous comment. Let's not forget that silence gives consent.
The congressman made the comment on Monday during a campaign re-election event in Pocahontas, Iowa, where he told attendees his experience with bird dogs would be useful in choosing which immigrants should remain in the United States. The lawmaker explained that you should look at the puppy litter and select the most aggressive one instead of the one sleeping in a corner. In the U.S., we can choose from all types of dogs, because everyone wants to come in and it's hard to enter.
This is not the first time King compares immigrants to animals. A few years ago, the lawmaker proposed electrifying a border fence with the kind of current that does not affect the livestock, so it would not affect immigrants too much.
We are concerned that these comparisons of immigrants to animals, today dogs and earlier livestock, are coming from an important voice in Congress on this issue, such as the vice chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee. Unfortunately, this individual, from his position, is one of the daily and constant GOP voices on the immigration issue.
Congressman King is not Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who conveniently took a DREAM Act out of his sleeve in the middle of a presidential campaign as a response to immigration concerns. King's power on immigration goes beyond the election season. His influence in the House of Representatives made him a strong banner carrier.
It's unusual that while the GOP's strategy reminds Latinos how bad the White House is because it didn't fulfill its immigration reform promises, at the same time a legislative leader on immigration compares immigrants to animals.
It would be great for Senator Rubio, Latino Republican lawmakers and the GOP's immigration moderates to cut off King's statement and distance themselves from it. They should say immigrants are not dogs, and the comparison is humiliating for any human being. There is no excuse or love of dogs that can justify such an insult.
This is an opportunity to show Latino immigrants that Republicans condemn Congressman King's recent outrageous comment. Let's not forget that silence gives consent.
