A group of University of Texas students affiliated with the Republican Party has organized a controversial game of "hunting illegal immigrants."
According to CNN, the student group, Young Conservative Texans (YCT), planned to award a $25 gift card to other students for catching students wearing badges inscribed with "illegal immigrant."
The event took place on Nov. 20 at the campus of the University of Texas, stoking the ire of the university's Democrat groups as well as other students.
According to CNN, YCT stated its intention was to "generate a debate on campus regarding the illegal immigration problem and how it affects our daily lives."
Despite the group's claim, Democrats and groups that advocate immigrant rights have condemned the so-called "game," and said that Lorenzo García, president of YCT, collaborates with Texas Attorney General, Republican Greg Abbott, who might run for governor next year.
Abbott's office has distanced itself from YCT and its president, and said that García currently doesn't work for Abbott, but that he used to work there as a paid intern, a position he quit two months ago.
"Our campaign has no affiliation with this repugnant effort. The policies of Obama's administration are no joking matter," said Avdiel Huerta, press secretary for Abbott's campaign.
According to ABC, on Tuesday, University of Texas authorities condemned the event and said that students participating in the "game" would break the institution's code of honor.
Bill Powers, director of the University of Texas, said in a press release that the event goes against the university's values, explaining that "the group was invited to join the debate on immigration, and to find more productive and respectful ways to do so."
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