Clinton: Immigration reform depends on her becoming president

  • By Wire Service
  • Thursday, July 14, 2016 12:23pm
  • Local News

By John Wagner

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON – Speaking to a gathering of Latino activists, Hillary Clinton said Thursday that the fate of comprehensive immigration reform — and the broader character of the country — rests on whether she or Donald Trump prevails in November.

“We’re not just choosing a president and commander in chief this fall,” Clinton said at a conference of the League of United Latin American Citizens in Washington. “The choices we make will say a lot about who we are.”

The presumptive Democratic nominee derided her Republican opponent for “running the most divisive campaign of our lifetime,” calling him “someone who thinks Latino outreach is tweeting a picture of a Taco Bowl.”

Seeking to make a sharp contrast, Clinton pledged she would introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill within the first 100 days of her administration and said she is committed to expanding President Obama’s plan to defer deportations, despite a major legal setback in the Supreme Court last month, an aide said.

“I know how important family is, and I want to do everything I can as president to keep families. together,” Clinton said. “There’s nothing more important to families who live in fear and anxiety.”

Immigration became a flash point early in the 2016 presidential election cycle, with Trump calling for mass deportations and sparking controversies over his characterization of Mexicans as “rapists” and of a federal judge of Hispanic heritage as unable to impartially preside over a lawsuit against Trump University.

Clinton referenced those controversies in her remarks Thursday, dwelling on Trump’s characterization of U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel as a “Mexican judge” — which Clinton called “a cynical calculated attempt to fan the flames of racial division.”

“Judge Curiel was born in Indiana,” Clinton said. “Last time I checked, it was part of the United States.”

Clinton’s appearance Thursday came less than a month after a deadlocked Supreme Court did not revive Obama’s stalled plan to shield millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation and give them the right to work legally in the United States.

Clinton stressed her commitment to pursuing Obama’s initiative, known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, and to continue the use of executive actions to broaden the stalled program’s scope.

She also pledged to push Congress to adopt broader immigration reforms, warning that Trump’s election would be a huge setback in that regard.

“Whether we get it done will depend on this election,” Clinton said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.