October, 29 2010, 02:31pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Marjorie Valbrun,202-463-8602 x305,press@americasvoiceonline.org
The Immigration "Dirty Dozen"
Twelve of the Most Outrageous Statements about Immigrants in the 2010 Election
WASHINGTON
The
2010 mid-term campaign season is shaping up to be the most vicious,
vitriolic election cycle in recent memory. The issue of immigration is a
perfect example. Distortions, lies, and stereotypes dominate the
airwaves when it comes to immigrants and Latinos. From threats of
violence against immigrants to calls for mass deportation, candidates
across the country are unleashing a torrent of hate speech that is both
alarming and un-American.
Who's the worst of the worst? To be honest, it's hard to choose. Here's a dozen of the most outrageous statements thus far, plus a couple of honorable mentions. Consider this the Immigration Politics 2010 Wall of Shame.
According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America's Voice, "Maybe
candidates think immigrant-bashing comes at no cost, but they are
wrong. Rhetoric like this is offensive to citizens with immigrant roots
and anyone with a conscience."
The Immigration Dirty Dozen are:
- Sharron Angle, U.S. Senate candidate (R-NV)
- State Representative John Yates, GA Dist. 73 (R)
- U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX-1)
- Governor Jan Brewer (R-AZ)
- Joe Miller, U.S. Senate candidate (R-AK)
- Kris Kobach, Secretary of State candidate (R-KS)
- Senator David Vitter (R-LA)
- Brian Sandoval, gubernatorial candidate (R-NV)
- State Representative Peter Palumbo, RI Dist. 16 (D)
- Allen West, congressional candidate (R-FL-22)
- Ruth McClung, congressional candidate (R-AZ-7)
- Meg Whitman, gubernatorial candidate (R-CA)
Honorable Mentions:
- Harold Johnson, congressional candidate (R-NC-8)
- Sixty-six candidates for federal office who signed the Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) candidate pledge
Access the full list of the Immigration "Dirty Dozen," with explanations for why they made the listhere.
View summaries of candidate positions on immigration in fifty-four raceshere.
Read more about the politics of immigration in the 2010 electionshere.
America's Voice -- Harnessing the power of American voices and American values to win common sense immigration reform. The mission of America's Voice is to realize the promise of workable and humane comprehensive immigration reform. Our goal is to build the public support and create the political momentum for reforms that will transform a dysfunctional immigration system that does not work into a regulatory system that does.
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