Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez took to the House floor to call Republicans to join together for immigration reform, Colorlines reported on Thursday. The Illinois congressman used his time to introduce Latinos to the GOP.
In a video posted to the congressman's YouTube channel of the incident, Gutierrez is seen saying, "I would like the Republican Party to meet America's Latinos."
"It's hard to meet us all at once," he continued. "There are more than 53 million of us, but let me tell you a little bit about who we are and what we do." Gutierrez went on to give some statistics on Latinos in the U.S., most of which he said were citizens. "Most of us have been here for many generations. We live all over the United States and our population is growing fast," he said.
Gutierrez added that immigrants "work and they work hard," taking jobs that are difficult to fill. "You know what else they do," he asked. "They pay taxes, regardless of their legal status."
"But here's another fact Latino about Latinos, they love America," the congressman said. "And my Republican friends, I promise you in time, you'll love us too."
He admitted, however, that his introduction might be too late for Republicans after their devastating loss on Election Night. Citing derogatory language used by the GOP to describe Latino immigrants during the campaign, Gutierrez said they nominated a candidate that carried a "to-do list of creative ways to offend Latinos."
"I believe Election Day was check-mate for extreme, unfair and intolerant anti-immigrant policies," he said. Gutierrez did not just lay blame on the GOP, saying that some Democrats failed at acknowledging the issue of immigration. "We need to set aside the mistakes of both parties and do what is right for the American people, including Latinos and immigrants," he said.
He called for leaders from both parties to come together to tackle immigration reform. "Whatever your reason for coming to the table, please come," the congressman said. "Together we can fight for justice for immigrants."
Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez took to the House floor to call Republicans to join together for immigration reform, Colorlines reported on Thursday. The Illinois congressman used his time to introduce Latinos to the GOP.
In a video posted to the congressman’s YouTube channel of the incident, Gutierrez is seen saying, “I would like the Republican Party to meet America’s Latinos.”
“It’s hard to meet us all at once,” he continued. “There are more than 53 million of us, but let me tell you a little bit about who we are and what we do.” Gutierrez went on to give some statistics on Latinos in the U.S., most of which he said were citizens. “Most of us have been here for many generations. We live all over the United States and our population is growing fast,” he said.
Gutierrez added that immigrants “work and they work hard,” taking jobs that are difficult to fill. “You know what else they do,” he asked. “They pay taxes, regardless of their legal status.”
“But here’s another fact Latino about Latinos, they love America,” the congressman said. “And my Republican friends, I promise you in time, you’ll love us too.”
He admitted, however, that his introduction might be too late for Republicans after their devastating loss on Election Night. Citing derogatory language used by the GOP to describe Latino immigrants during the campaign, Gutierrez said they nominated a candidate that carried a "to-do list of creative ways to offend Latinos."
“I believe Election Day was check-mate for extreme, unfair and intolerant anti-immigrant policies,” he said. Gutierrez did not just lay blame on the GOP, saying that some Democrats failed at acknowledging the issue of immigration. “We need to set aside the mistakes of both parties and do what is right for the American people, including Latinos and immigrants,” he said.
He called for leaders from both parties to come together to tackle immigration reform. “Whatever your reason for coming to the table, please come,” the congressman said. “Together we can fight for justice for immigrants.”
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