Conservative Latino Group Denounces GOP Presidential Candidates’ Immigration Views

By Kenrya Rankin Sep 10, 2015

The Libre Initiative—a right-leaning group funded by Charles and David Koch, the billionaire brothers who use their money to influence elections—is taking issue with the immigration policies proposed by the current crop of Republican presidential candidates.

In an open letter released yesterday, the organization’s executive director, Daniel Garza, denounced many of the immigration policies being pushed on the campaign trail, saying that enforcement efforts “should not unduly intrude on the lives of law-abiding Americans, or impose unwarranted cost on the taxpayers.” The organization, which says it was founded to advance “the principles and values of economic freedom to empower the U.S. Hispanic community” vowed to reject any proposal that suggests:

  • An end to the longstanding practice of birthright citizenship in the United States; and,
  • The mass deportation of millions of immigrants and U.S. citizens, particularly those who have obeyed U.S. laws and contributed to society since arriving in the country.

The immigration views championed by Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal and Donald Trump all support abolishing birthright citizenship, and many of the candidates are in favor of deportation over a pathway to citizenship.

In the letter, The Libre Initiative also suggested a refocusing of rhetoric, writing:

May those who wish to work hard and contribute to the U.S. remain welcomed while we focus on curtailing the big government efforts that threaten to distinguish the very self-reliance and ingenuity that is essential to greater prosperity.

Garza spoke to NPR about the missive, which was meant to formalize the organization’s opposition to the current wave of policy proposals. “We will raise our voice against unrealistic, and what I feel are ineffective policies, that move us away from much needed reform,” he said. “If you’re somebody who’s proposing bad policies, we’re going to call you out. Period, without regard to political consequences, what the political winds are. We are going to stand on sound ideas and sound policy.”