Hillary Clinton called for an end to the “vicious debate” about immigration and warned about the consequences of a Donald Trump presidency at the League of United Latin American Citizens on Thursday.
“The choice we make will say a lot about who we are and whether we understand and celebrate the diversity of our country,” Clinton said of the November election at LULAC’s national gathering in Washington, D.C.
“Donald Trump is running the most divisive campaign of our lifetime. He is running a campaign that says you should be afraid,” Clinton added. “My friends, this is no dog whistle anymore or innuendo. So we have to come back twice as clear. We have to say with one voice that Latinos are a vital part of the American community.”
Latinos will play a crucial role in the major swing states in November, as they make up a large part of the Colorado, Florida, Virginia and Nevada populations. On the campaign trail, Clinton has attempted to pit her policies to help Latinos against presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump’s.
“Next week in Cleveland they will nominate someone who thinks Latino outreach is tweeting a picture of a taco bowl,” Clinton said of Trump at LULAC.
Clinton also vowed to overhaul the immigration system.
“For long time the question of whether to reform our immigration system was hotly contested. Now there’s been agreement, except in some circles,” Clinton said. “I deeply regret the kind of campaign the presumptive Republican nominee started with and is still running today. We have to be strong and create credible path forward for reform that is truly comprehensive.”
As she tries to reach Latino voters, Clinton is considering several Hispanic running mates, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Labor Secretary Tom Perez. She is also considering Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who speaks fluent Spanish and has deep connections to the Virginia Latino community.
“We need to put opportunity in reach of every family, we are going to do that together,” Clinton. “I for one want all Americans of all background to charge our future. And I hope and expect that Latinos will play a leading role.”
