WASHINGTON, D.C.–The Hispanic Leadership Fund today released the following statement from its President Mario H. Lopez in response to President Obama’s announcement that the Department of Homeland Security will place a low enforcement priority on certain individuals who were brought to the United States illegally prior to the age of sixteen, and who meet other criteria:
“It is clear that President Obama is pulling yet another political stunt to try to draw attention from the many ways in which he has failed Hispanics across the country. This is a blatant attempt at pandering in an election year to cover up for 11% Hispanic unemployment, an economy that Obama has made worse at every step, the record number of deportations for which he is responsible, and the fact that Democrats failed to achieve anything meaningful on immigration when they controlled every branch of government for two full years. President Obama is all-too eager to cynically use Latinos as his political pawns.
“The other part of Obama’s campaign strategy with regard to Latinos is to set traps like this and sit back while come Republicans say inaccurate and hurtful things about kids who are undocumented through no fault of their own. Republicans would be wise to realize this dynamic, as well to as come to the conclusion that punishing kids for their parents’ transgressions is neither good politics nor good policy.”
