Win McNamee/Getty Images
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Ted Cruz responds to Rep. Ilhan Omar's claim that Latinos couldn't hack it in a merit-based immigration system
May 29, 2019
The congresswoman's tweet has since been deleted
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) weighed in on Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D-Minn.) recent claim that implementing a merit-based immigration system would put Latinos at a disadvantage in seeking U.S. citizenship.
What are the details?
The freshman congresswoman tweeted Tuesday: "A 'merit-based' immigration policy is fueled by racism toward the Latinx community. Our immigration policies shouldn't be based on discrimination, fear, or bigotry. We should welcome immigrants to our country and offer a simple pathway to citizenship."
Omar was presumably voicing her opposition to a recent proposal introduced by President Donald Trump, which Politico reported would implement a point-based merit standard for legal U.S. citizenship. Yet the freshman congresswoman apparently realized her claim of racism had backfired, and deleted the message from her feed — but not before the Daily Wire's Ryan Saavedra captured it for all to see.
Conservative pundit Michelle Malkin also shared Omar's comments, pointing out the irony in the freshman congresswoman's claim.
Sen. Cruz reacted to Omar's comments by saying, "As the son of a Cuban immigrant whose Dad came to get a math degree & become a computer programmer, I'm troubled that Dems seem to believe Hispanic immigrants can't qualify for skills-based legal immigration. Bringing in more scientists, engineers & doctors is good for U.S. jobs."
Anything else?
While Omar removed her own words asserting that Latinos could not hack it under a skills-based immigration system, she kept an analysis from the Washington Post on her Twitter feed (as of this writing) along with the quote, "Our research suggests that prejudice against Latinos is an important, if veiled, reason that some Americans advocate admitting primarily highly educated, highly skilled immigrants."
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
Breck Dumas
Breck is a former staff writer for Blaze News. Prior to that, Breck served as a U.S. Senate aide, business magazine editor and radio talent. She holds a degree in business management from Mizzou, and an MBA from William Woods University.
more stories
Sign up for the Blaze newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.