LULAC Calls Upon John Kelly to Step Down After He Accuses Dreamers of being “too lazy to get off their asses”
Washington, D.C. – The League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation’s largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization, called upon Chief of Staff John Kelly to step down after he insulted hard working young immigrants by accusing them of being “too lazy to get off their asses.” Despite being characterized as being the “adult in the room” at the White House, Kelly’s immigrant bashing has turned out to be only slightly less demonizing than President Trump’s hateful rants.
“John Kelly’s grossly uninformed comments underscore how hateful stereotyping of immigrants permeates the White House,” stated LULAC National CEO Brent Wilkes. “In the last month alone, President Trump ended Temporary Protection Status for 200,000 immigrants from El Salvador, referred to Haiti and African nations as ‘shithole countries,’ and shamelessly implied the gang-related crimes of a few apply to the entire immigrant population during his first State of the Union address.”
“Kelly’s comments show his true colors and demonstrate that he is completely out of touch with what it means to be a Dreamer. He is unfit to advise the White House on immigration legislation and policies,” stated Abigail Zapote, LULAC National Vice President of Young Adults. “Dreamers are exceptionally hardworking young people. We are determined to contribute to our country and make a better life for our families, often balancing school and long work hours under looming fear of deportation. We exemplify courage every day, turning our fears into action by mobilizing and using our voices to urge Congress to pass the Dream Act.”
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org..