Democratic Party of Georgia

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DPG Latino Caucus Chair Statement on GOP Candidate Michael Williams “Deportation Bus Tour”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 15 2018

CONTACT:

Antonio Molina

DPG Latino Caucus Chair

Democratic Party of Georgia

(678) 557-8292

ATLANTA – Antonio Molina, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Latino Caucus, issues the following statement:

“Michael Williams is not the only Republican dividing our state along hate-filled racial lines, he’s simply the latest. His ‘Deportation Bus Tour’ is a disgusting way to pander for votes in a Governor’s race.

“As a military veteran and a person of Latino descent, I find it disgraceful and in violation of our American values. Instead of creating hate and division, Williams’ could be sharing a positive view toward a more inclusive Georgia.

“Our state’s motto is ‘Wisdom, Justice, Moderation’. This bus tour has none of these traits.”

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Background: Michael Williams’ Deportation Bus Tour, accessed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCvtj0DqY4Y

DPG Statement on Trump Administration Rescinding DACA

Release:  Tuesday, September 5, 2017                                                                                           
Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Latino Caucus Chair Antonio Molina issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“Donald Trump’s decision to rescind DACA is a cruel and calculated political move that punishes 800,000 immigrants looking to build a better life and contribute to our economy. Georgia ranks in the top ten states hit the hardest by Trump’s shortsighted move. With 23,405 DACA recipients, Georgia stands to lose $994,182,808 in state GDP annually.

“Contrary to today’s remarks by Attorney General Sessions, DACA does not place our nation at risk of crime and terrorism—DACA recipients must pass extensive background checks. Using immigrants as a fear tactic is a cowardly move that could force almost one million people back in to the shadows. Targeting our neighbors and driving wedges into our communities does absolutely nothing to keep our country safe.

“Ahead of next year’s elections, Trump’s action underscores the importance of electing Democrats to statewide office—it was, after all, a group of rightwing state attorneys general who threatened to sue the Trump Administration unless it began to dismantle DACA by September 5th.

“Georgia Democrats proudly stand with the immigrants in our state who make us stronger. We will continue to fight for commonsense immigration reform that strengthens families and continues to strengthen our economy.”

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BACKGROUND

CNBC – Here’s how much DACA deportations would cost your state’s economy

NYT – ‘Dreamer’ Plan That Aided 800,000 Immigrants Is Threatened

Trump’s Immigration Plan: Tearing Apart Families and Dividing our Country

Trump’s Immigration Plan: Tearing Apart Families and Dividing our Country

 

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Latino Caucus Chair Antonio Molina issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s immigration speech.

 

“Donald Trump isn’t fooling anyone. He began his campaign by labeling immigrants as ‘rapists’ and criminals. Trump wants to deport 16 million people from this country—including Americans whose parents are undocumented. He wants to end birthright citizenship. These plans aren’t just dangerous—they’re a betrayal of American values. Democrats will continue to champion policies that keep Latino families together and guarantee a fair path to citizenship.” – Antonio Molina, Latino Caucus Chair

 

Information on Hillary Clinton’s plan for comprehensive immigration reform can be found here.

 

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Latino Caucus Statement on Sen. David Perdue’s Partisan Games with Nomination of Dax Lopez

Latino Caucus

 

Release:  Friday, January 22, 2016                                                                                     

Democratic Party of Georgia Latino Caucus Statement on Sen. David Perdue’s Partisan Games with Nomination of Dax Lopez

 

 

Atlanta, GA – Today, Democratic Party of Georgia Latino Caucus Chair Antonio Molina issued the following statement on Sen. David Perdue’s decision to block the nomination of Dax Lopez to a federal judgeship.

 

“Senator Perdue’s decision to block a hearing for such an accomplished Georgian as Dax Lopez shows us just how out of touch and disconnected the Georgia GOP has become. Perdue even admitted on the record that the reasoning behind his decision was Dax Lopez’s participation with GALEO—an organization committed to increasing civic engagement in the Latino community—made him ‘uncomfortable.’

 

“These kinds of partisan games only reinforce what we already know about the GOP—there is no room at their table for Latinos. They’ve now gone from blocking commonsense immigration reform and opportunity for DREAMers to depriving Georgia of a talented legal mind for no other reason than his association with the Latino community.

 

“Senator Perdue campaigned as a self-described ‘outsider,’ but now it’s clear he’s nothing more than your typical Washington politician willing to capitulate to the extreme, xenophobic wing of his of Party.”

 

 

Background

 

AJC 1-20-2016 – Perdue puts end to nomination of Lopez to Georgia’s federal bench

 

The nomination that would have produced Georgia’s first lifetime-appointed Latino federal judge was scuttled Wednesday after Republican U.S. Sen. David Perdue declined to back his appointment to the bench.

Perdue on Wednesday declined to provide a “blue slip” for Dax Lopez, a severe blow to his nomination. Each home-state senator customarily must send in the slip, signaling approval of a nominee, before he or she goes to the full Judiciary Committee.

… Perdue said in a statement that he became “uncomfortable” with Lopez’s participation with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials after a review of his professional and judicial record.

“I am particularly concerned with his continued participation with this organization…”

Excerpts from Press Call in Advance of Cruz’s GA Visit with DPG Latino Caucus Chair Antonio Molina

Release:  Friday, December 18, 2015                                                                                              

 

Excerpts from Press Call in Advance of Cruz’s Georgia Visit with Democratic Party of Georgia Latino Caucus Chair Antonio Molina

 

 

Atlanta, GA – Today, as Ted Cruz begins a two day swing through Georgia, Democratic Party of Georgia Latino Caucus Chair Antonio Molina held a press call outlining just how dangerous the policies of Ted Cruz and the Republican Party are for the Hispanic community. Find excerpts of the call below.

 

“It’s been two years since the GOP released their autopsy report, and the only thing that has changed is that the Republican Party’s divisive, xenophobic rhetoric has gone from bad to worse.

 

“2013’s autopsy recommended that the Republican Party change how they ‘engage with Hispanic communities to welcome in new members of our Party.’

 

“Well, look no further than Ted Cruz’s immigration plan—a plan he touted on Tuesday night in Los Vegas—to see how the GOP “welcomes” my community.

 

“Cruz’s plan would end the 14th amendment’s guarantee to birthright citizenship. It would limit legal immigration, and suspend the popular H1-B visa program for high-skilled foreign workers. Cruz has also vowed to undo President Obama’s executive actions to keep families together. Ted Cruz is more interested in emulating immigration extremists like Donald Trump and Marco Rubio than in actually improving the lives of Georgia’s immigrant families.

 

 

“The complete and utter disdain Ted Cruz and his Party have for the Hispanic community is evident, and we are listening and we are watching. And we will remember when we head to the polls next November.

 

“Democrats believe that immigrants make our country stronger. And while Ted Cruz and the GOP degrade and dismiss immigrants and the Hispanic community, Democrats will continue to work to keep families together. And we will continue to hope that the Republican Party will stop playing politics and join us in our efforts.”