Critics slam Rep. Ilhan Omar over tweet claiming the ‘Latinx community’ would be harmed by merit-based immigration

Make sure to let us know what you think... we now have comments turned ON below the article!

With hopes of strengthening the economy and protecting American workers, President Donald Trump recently announced a new proposal that would move the U.S. away from an immigration policy based on family ties and toward one based on merit — and as expected, Democrats weren’t too fond of the idea. But one freshman congresswoman took things a step too far.

Critics pounced on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) after she tweeted that proposals of a merit-based system are “fueled by racism” and would adversely affect the “Latinx community.”

The congresswoman later deleted the tweet after reporters and Republicans alike pointed out that her message wasn’t exactly “Latinx”-friendly.

Fueled by racism

Rep. Omar may have deleted her ill-advised tweet that backfired, but not before screenshots were captured of her controversial comment that seemed to suggest that Hispanic immigrants wouldn’t measure up under a merit-based system.

“A ‘merit based’ immigration policy is fueled by racism toward the Latinx community,” Omar wrote on Tuesday. “Our immigration policies shouldn’t be based on discrimination, fear, or bigotry.”

Called out

That tweet from Omar caught the eye of Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the self-described son of a Latino immigrant from Cuba.

The 2016 presidential hopeful tweeted on Tuesday that he was “troubled” to hear “that Dems seem to believe Hispanic immigrants can’t qualify for skills-based legal immigration.”

Low expectations

Omar also faced critique from Mark Krikorian, director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a non-profit think tank.

“Omar’s statement assumes that Hispanics could not make the cut in a merit-based system, which I assume is why she deleted the tweet,” Krikorian said. “But whatever the final criteria are when the White House plan is actually released, they’re guaranteed to be race-neutral, and there will be people of all kinds who could meet them.”

Krikorian added: “Omar is herself making a racialist argument — i.e., she [is] saying that any policy change that changes the national-origins makeup of the current immigration flow is ‘racist,’ which is ridiculous.”

Omar may have initially thought she’d hit on a winning message. After all, accusing the president of racism has become a favorite pastime of liberals as of late.

But the freshman congresswoman’s plans backfired in a humiliating fashion — and unfortunately for her, while she can delete as many tweets as she wants, screenshots of her controversial messages will live on forever.

233 Responses

  1. Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!

  2. Thank you for your own effort on this web site. Kate delights in doing investigations and it is easy to see why. Most of us know all relating to the compelling medium you render valuable information via the blog and as well increase participation from others on this content while our girl is certainly becoming educated a lot. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. You’re the one carrying out a powerful job.

  3. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. Nevertheless imagine if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this website could definitely be one of the best in its field. Great blog!

  4. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  5. Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and on no account appear to get something done.

  6. Hi there, simply was alert to your weblog via Google, and located that it’s really informative. I’m gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful in the event you proceed this in future. A lot of other folks might be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  7. whoah this weblog is fantastic i love reading your posts. Stay up the good work! You know, lots of individuals are looking round for this info, you could aid them greatly.

  8. I wish to express my thanks to you just for rescuing me from this trouble. Because of checking through the search engines and getting views which are not helpful, I thought my entire life was well over. Being alive without the strategies to the difficulties you’ve solved all through the posting is a serious case, and the ones which could have badly damaged my entire career if I had not discovered your web site. Your primary skills and kindness in handling a lot of stuff was precious. I’m not sure what I would have done if I had not encountered such a subject like this. I am able to at this time relish my future. Thanks a lot so much for the high quality and results-oriented help. I won’t hesitate to endorse your site to anybody who ought to have direction on this matter.

  9. I absolutely love your website.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own personal site and want to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Thanks!

  10. Get help to stop drinking. Helping women quit drinking alcohol. Coach Mary Wagstaff. Feel better, mind, body and soul. Mindfulness based coaching and alcohol recovery. Yoga for recovery.

  11. Thanks for your entire efforts on this website. Debby really loves engaging in investigation and it’s obvious why. Most people learn all concerning the powerful ways you create important tips and tricks on the blog and in addition cause participation from visitors on this article then our favorite simple princess is without a doubt studying a lot. Take advantage of the rest of the new year. You have been carrying out a wonderful job.

  12. I carry on listening to the rumor talk about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?

  13. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually bought me dinner simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this subject here on your web site.

  14. This is the right webpage for anybody who would like to understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic which has been discussed for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!

  15. I’m impressed, I must say. Actually rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Your thought is excellent; the problem is one thing that not sufficient people are talking intelligently about. I’m very blissful that I stumbled across this in my search for something referring to this.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Popular