WASHINGTON, D.C.–Hispanic Leadership Fund president Mario H. Lopez issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address tonight:
“Over the past year we have seen significant economic progress, from historic tax reform to a reduction in cumbersome government regulations that impede job creation, to a drop in the unemployment rate. The Hispanic Leadership Fund have been working all year advocating for these policies and will continue to work to foster even more economic progress.
“On immigration, we are pleased to see that President Trump is offering a constructive path forward for Dreamers–people who have been proven to be overall productive members of society and contribute positively to the American economy. We are encouraged by the ongoing talks in Congress on the various aspects of immigration and border security, and we will continue to shed light on the fact that immigrants as a whole–from all skill levels–contribute substantially to our country’s economic growth, pay their own way as taxpayers, spur job creation and growth as consumers, workers, and entrepreneurs. Smart reform should acknowledge these realities in addition to securing our borders from bad actors. And while we wholeheartedly support efforts to go after violent gangs and traffickers, conflating those criminals with immigrants who come in pursuit of liberty and opportunity–as they have done throughout American history–is severely misguided, at a minimum.”
