A Minnesota congresswoman suggested that Latinos could not qualify to immigrate to the United States under a merit based system in a now-deleted Tweet that some viewed as racist.
“A ‘merit based’ immigration policy is fueled by racism toward the Latinx community,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). “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 later deleted the Tweet, and received backlash from Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
“As the son of a Cuban immigrant whose Dad came to get a math degree and 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 and doctors is good for US jobs,” Cruz Tweeted.
Imam Mohamad Tawhidi took a shot at Omar, too.
“Remind us please, who did your brother marry to get to the USA? I forgot,” he said, referring to several reports that Omar married her brother in an alleged immigration fraud scheme.
Omar is no stranger to racism controversy, having been accused of anti-Semitism several times during her short tenure as a freshman congresswoman.
Big League Politics reported:
Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have decided to try to formally denounce Minnesota Democrat congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s anti-Semitism with a House floor resolution to be introduced Wednesday, though it remains unclear if Democrats will formally denounce Omar by name for her anti-Israel comments.
Politico reports that “The resolution, which is still being finalized, comes after a backlash from top Democrats who accused Omar of anti-Semitism for referring to pro-Israel advocates’ ‘allegiance to a foreign country’…House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), began drafting the text of the resolution over the weekend as the confrontation between Omar and her colleagues unfolded on Twitter. Two of the House’s most senior Democrats — Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel and Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey — called Omar out in public statements, demanding she apologize.”
Omar’s anti-Semitism is finally riling the corridors of responsible rhetoric, albeit months after Omar was elected to Congress.
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