An immigration expert said Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, a United States Senator from New York, showed a lot about herself in choosing a supporter of illegal immigration to work for her. Ira Mehlman, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) made the comments about Raul Yzaguirre, the former President of the National Council of La Raza, who will lead outreach to Hispanic voters. The comments were reported today.
Ira Mehlman claimed La Raza has long been an "advocate for illegal immigrants" in the United States. He said La Raza has long had an agenda, and Senator Clinton's choosing Yzaguirre says a lot how the Senator feels about issues.
For its part, the National Council of La Raza, on its official website, claims it is the largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. It claims to reach millions of Hispanics in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., to conduct policy analysis, applied research, and advocacy to provide a Latino perspective in five key areas.
It says the areas are assets and investments, civil rights and immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. It claims to seek to advance opportunities for individuals and families.
Ira Mehlman says because Senator Clinton chose someone whom he claims supports illegal immigration shows how a President Hillary Clinton would work on the issue. He also claims that although La Raza has supported illegal immigration, the organization does not represent the view of mainstream Hispanics in the United States.
The FAIR spokesman claimed La Raza has worked hard to make certain that immigration laws are not enforced, and that illegal immigrants are not held accountable under the law. He also claimed La Raza has been an advocate for amnesty and other benefits for those who are in the country "illegally."
Ira Mehlman said that by contrast mainstream Hispanics in the United States want good jobs, a quality education for their children, affordable healthcare, protection from crime-in other words the same things most Americans are concerned about.
Mehlman said Senator Clinton could win the Hispanic vote without Raul Yzaguirre. He added the fact someone was chosen from an organization that supports illegal immigration, shows that she is trying to gain an even bigger percentage of that voting group.
For his part, Yzaguirre said in a statement that Senator Clinton has spent three decades working for those "who are invisible in America." He called her "the most experienced and qualified candidate to be President."
An Associated Press article noted that national election polls have showed 69% of Hispanic voters supporting Democratic candidates, compared to 30% support for Republicans. Nevertheless, the article noted, 44% of Hispanic voters supported President Bush.
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