Latino Action Network PAC Announces Congressional Endorsements; Senator Menendez Praised as Champion of Immigrant Rights

NEWARK: The Latino Action Network Continuing Political Committee (LAN-PAC) today released their 2018 Congressional endorsements after weeks of careful review and study. The endorsements were based in part on personal interviews and an analysis of the career and in some cases voting records of the candidates.

“We believe that we need to send a clear message to Donald Trump and elect Democrats to Congress,” said LAN President Christian Estevez. “Donald Trump has spent the last few years scapegoating Latinos and the immigrant community in general. Many of those running on the Republican side have done nothing to distance themselves from the President’s objectionable remarks and hatred.”

Estevez continued: “Trump’s hateful rhetoric, incarceration of immigrant children and demagogic appeals to build a border wall speak volumes about the GOP agenda. Anyone who stand with Trump does represent us.”

US Senate: Bob Menendez

During his career in Congress, Menendez has proven himself to be a champion of comprehensive immigration reform and a voice of reason in the US Senate. Several years ago, the Senator worked with LAN to insure affordable housing would be part of the Superstorm Sandy recovery plan. In stark contrast, his opponent is an unethical businessman, who as a pharmaceutical executive, was responsible for a steep cost increase in badly needed medicine. Now he wants to use his wealth to buy a U.S. Senate seat, all the while lying about his close ties to Trump.

District 1: Donald Norcross:

Congressman Norcross has shown himself to be a progressive champion of labor rights while in Congress. We are especially happy to see him advocate for a $15 an hour minimum wage.

District 2: No recommendation:

District 3: No recommendation:

District 4: No recommendation:

District 5: No recommendation:

We are very disappointed with Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Despite being elected as a Democrat, he has sided with the Republican majority far too often in his short time in Congress on key issues such as immigration and health care. His Republican opponent adheres to the same anti-immigrant principles as Donald Trump.  Therefore, we cannot recommend that anyone vote for either of these candidates.

District 6: Frank Pallone

Congressman Pallone has been a champion of expanding health care which has benefited countless Hispanic and working poor families in New Jersey and across the United States during his tenure in Congress and deserves to be sent back to continue his advocacy.

District 7: Tom Malinowski:

As an immigrant himself, Tom Malinowski understands the struggles that our community often goes through. Malinowski has shown himself to be a progressive and believes in causes such as the $15 an hour minimum wage.

District 8: Albio Sires:

Albio Sires is another champion of comprehensive immigration reform. We strongly endorse his re-election.

District 9: Bill Pascrell:

Congressman Pascrell is a consistent supporter of progressive issues and has used his senior position in Congress to benefit Latino and working poor communities.

District 10: Don Payne, Jr.:

Congressman Payne has called out the lack of progress rebuilding Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria and Trump’s poor response to it. For that, and his progressive stance on the issues, he deserves to be re-elected.

District 11: Mikie Sherrill

We believe Mikie Sherrill would be a welcome change over incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen and her opponent Jay Webber. Sherill served with distinction in the U.S. Navy and has been superb as a lawyer in tackling criminal justice issues. She will bring new energy and a bipartisan approach to Congress.

District 12: Bonnie Watson Coleman

Bonnie Watson Coleman has been a staunch supporter of issues that are important to Latinos and the working poor living in New Jersey. She has been at the forefront in the fight to ensure Dreamers are guaranteed a pathway to citizenship. Furthermore, Congresswoman Watson Coleman has expressed her strong displeasure with the Trump administration’s policies regarding separating families at the Mexican border.

New Jersey Latino Communities React Strongly to Trump’s Immigration Plan

http://youtu.be/PubDaxkrJXk

By Brenda Flanagan
Correspondent - NJTV

“We couldn’t live back home, because of threats by gangs, poverty, lack of education,” said Li Adorno.

Adorno came to the US from Mexico with his family at age 7. He’s got an office job, goes to college but can’t get financial aid because he’s not here legally. He shudders at Republican presidential primary candidate Donald Trump’s immigration policy which would deport all undocumented immigrants — as Trump told NBC’s Chuck Todd.

“We have to make a whole new set of standards. And when people come in,” said Trump.

“You’re gonna split up families?  You’re gonna deport children?,” said Todd.  

“Chuck, we have to keep the families together.” Trump said 

“But you’re gonna keep them together out,” said Todd. 

“They have to go,” Trump said.

“What if they have no place to go?,” asked Todd.  

“We will work with them. They have to go,” said Trump.

“Right, but I feel like he doesn’t fully understand like we don’t come here by choice.  We’re not here to see Disneyland. We’re here because there are better opportunities here,” said Adorno.

Trump lists more reforms on his website — complete the Mexican border wall and hike immigration fees to pay for it, raise penalties for those who over stay their visas and end birthright citizenship — the 14th Amendment, which confers citizenship automatically on anyone born in the US. 

“My parents were immigrants. If Trump got his way — I would lose my citizenship,” said Latino Action Network Vice President Christian Esteves.

Esteves says Trump would discard an entire segment of society, that his extreme views have pushed more moderate Republicans further to the right. Gov. Chris Christie now says he questions birthright citizenship.

“It’s sickening. It truly is sickening that they would take this type of bigoted, racist approach to trying to get themselves into power,” Esteves said.

“There’s the perception a Hispanic undocumented worker comes here to get on welfare — those aren’t the statistics. They aren’t the statistics.  They’re working two-three jobs and they’re sustaining the American economy,” said NJ Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chair Carlos Medina.

“I don’t think it’s attracting Latinos. I think it’s making them feel like they’re the target of this immigration discussion,” said Louis Zayas.

But Republican attorney Zayas says Trump’s plan does have merit.

“It has some good points — namely, secure the borders. I think everyone would agree, you need to secure the borders. But how you go about doing that is the issue. I don’t think constructing a wall is the way to do it in the 21st century.  I think it’s symbolic and is catering to a certain group within the Republican party,” Zayas said.

“The way it’s set up, it’s not working. Not only for the US but also for other different countries,” said NJ Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Member Luis De La Hoz. 

The latest Rutgers Eagleton poll says 64 percent of New Jersey residents believe undocumented immigrants who came here illegally should be allowed to stay — to seek US citizenship. Which means 64 percent of New Jerseyans don’t agree with Donald Trump on this issue.