Gutierrez calls Trump deportation plan ‘sick and hateful fantasy’

SHARE Gutierrez calls Trump deportation plan ‘sick and hateful fantasy’
afp_dk61g_62699200.jpg

US Rep. Luis Gutierrez speaks during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 25, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA — Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., referred to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in a prime-time Democratic convention speech as a bigot and a bully and slammed his plan to deport 11 million immigrants as a “sick and hateful fantasy.”

Gutierrez, one of the Democrats’ best attack dogs, was one of several opening night speakers who sought to energize immigrant voters, particularly Latinos, that Hillary Clinton hopes will be driven away from the Republican Party by Trump’s rhetoric.

The Chicago congressman invoked the discrimination his parents faced in the 1950s after moving here from Puerto Rico despite being born American citizens.

“Nobody spoke up against the bigotry and hatred my parents endured — so you better believe I’m using my voice against discrimination,” Gutierrez told the crowd.

“I will raise my voice against a bigot who thinks a judge born in Indiana can’t do his job because of where his parents were born. I will raise my voice against a bully who calls hardworking immigrants criminals and ‘rapists.’ Someone who promises to round up and deport families, and then put up a wall between them and us.”

Related: Sanders to convention: ‘Clinton must become the next president’ Michelle Obama: ‘Hillary . . . never buckles under pressure’ Madigan on Durbin bid for governor: ‘We talked about it’ Brown: Baby T steps into political spotlight at DNC Michelle Obama 2016 Democratic convention speech. Transcript. DNC apologizes to Bernie Sanders Conventional wisdom: What to watch for Tuesday

Gutierrez never mentioned Trump by name but returned later to the same theme:

“No matter what others say, it is simply a fantasy that we’re going to round up and deport 11 million people,” he said. “It is a sick, hateful fantasy.”

Gutierrez kept a busy schedule as a campaign surrogate in Hispanic communities on behalf of President Barack Obama and now is doing the same for Clinton.

In an interview before his speech, Gutierrez said he believes Clinton will be able to achieve greater success on immigration than Obama because Republicans in Congress will be forced to take note after November, when he predicts immigrant voters, especially Latinos, will resoundingly reject Trump.

The Latest
A look back at last year’s transfer portal rankings shows Domask wasn’t even among the top 50 transfer prospects on many lists. Lucky for the Illini, coach Brad Underwood doesn’t recruit based on college basketball pundits’ rankings.
In 1983, Gossett became the third Black Oscar nominee in the supporting actor category. He won for his performance as the intimidating Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger.
Chances are, if you live in an American city, particularly in the South — the most violent part of the country since forever — these things are familiar to you.
For the first time since 2019, the water taxi will offer daily service between Ogilvie and Union stations, Michigan Avenue and Chinatown.
Busch found an unconventional way to score in the loss to the Rangers.