If you like Barack Obama’s immigration policy, you’ll love Martin O’Malley’s.
At least that was that was the theme of former Maryland governor’s first public event since kicking off his 2016 presidential campaign. O’Malley vowed to use executive action to pass comprehensive immigration reform during his first 100 days in office.
Speaking to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, O’Malley used the Q&A session to try to separate himself from the rest of the Democratic field on issues of interest to Latinos.
O’Malley consistently brought back every issue he discussed to immigration reform, whether the questions were about fixing the education system, helping small businesses or enhancing U.S. foreign policy.
“It creates an atmosphere that is ripe for scapegoating of the latest arrivals. Its not the first time that we’ve gone through that as a country, but the longer reach of our history says that were all in this together and we need to help each other if we are going to succeed, so that’s the sort of campaign I’m intending to run,” O’Malley said. “And that is not a message I will issue to one audience or to Latino audiences, I think we need to see immigration reform as national, economic priority, as a national security priority, not for this group or for that group, but for us as a country.”
In his campaign announcement, O’Malley described America as a “nation of immigrants,” and said it is essential to “bring 11 million of our neighbors out of the shadows by passing comprehensive immigration reform.”
“I would absolutely do everything in my power,” O’Malley said when asked if he would issue an executive order on immigration. “I mean, we have to persuade the Congress but I would not give up. Look, there are many things. I would use my executive authority to protect public safety, but also guided by the truth that we should not be breaking up families.”
As governor he signed the Maryland DREAM Act, a bill that allows young undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition. He also backed drivers licenses for illegal immigrants, an issue that flummoxed Clinton’s campaign in 2008.
“It’s not just words but actual actions,” Cesar Vargas, co-director of the DREAM Action Coalition, said. “It’s a day and night difference from O’Malley and Secretary Clinton.”
O’Malley avoided direction comparisons with Clinton himself. Asked if he was “ready for Hillary,” he said that all candidates run because they have a vision for America.
