A Democrat Latino lawmaker said this Congress is "possibly one of the most anti-Hispanic" in generations as Republicans Friday tried to pass last-minute border and immigration bills.
“We are looking at possibly one of the most anti-Hispanic Congress’ in generations,” said Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla..
Their comments came after the House delayed its August recess to try again to pass a border bill that would appease conservatives in the GOP and to possibly vote on a bill preventing the president from extending deportation deferrals as well as stopping the renewal of such deferrals for young immigrants.
In addition to those 11th hour efforts, Republicans have kept immigration reform from moving forward. Garcia said.
“It is as though the Republican caucus that began to reach out …as we re-elected President Barack Obama and they said … ‘we need to reach out to that Latino community,’” Gutirrez said. “It’s as though they have amnesia and forgotten and have abandoned that road.”
Wadi Gaitan, spokesman for the House Republican Conference, responded that the House GOP was taking action to “advance a fair, effective solution that will support our Border Patrol, provide emergency care and reunite children who don’t qualify for asylum with families in their home countries. He chided Democrats for not working on a bipartisan solution.
IN-DEPTH
House To Give Border Bill Another Try