By Maria Ortiz
Sep 19, 2024, 11:57 PM EDT
The President Joe Biden gave a speech Thursday at the Institute of the Arts’ annual Awards gala. Congressional Hispanic Caucusin which he recognized the contribution of immigrants to the United States.
“We have to stop saying that immigrants are poisoning the blood of America. They are the blood of America,” Biden saidreferring to comments made last year by former president and Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
Biden said his administration has made “the most significant investment in the history of the Latino community” in the United States, but admitted that there is still much work to be done, including a comprehensive reform of the immigration system.
In several allusions to Trump, Biden, who ceded the Democratic presidential nomination to his vice president, Kamala Harris, warned that the country cannot “go backwards” regarding the right to votethe aaccess to abortion wave positive discrimination in universities.
The president participated in the annual Congressional Hispanic Caucus gala, which featured a performance by the historic Mexican band Los Tigres del Norte.
On Thursday, during a reception at the White House to commemorate the Hispanic Heritage Month of the United States, which is celebrated every September, Biden also had words of support for the country’s migrant community.
“We do not demonize immigrants. We do not attack them. We do not believe that they are poisoning the blood of our country,” The president declaredaccompanied by actress Jessica Alba.
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! This week, President Biden welcomed guests to the White House to celebrate the contributions, sacrifices, hard work, and dreams of the Latino community. pic.twitter.com/uoPcteWJsJ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 19, 2024
Immigration is a central issue in the November election campaign and was further under fire after the Trump campaign spread a rumour that Haitian migrants were eating neighbours’ pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump’s comments about immigrants living in Springfield, have caused a security crisis in that citywith bomb threats and attacks that have forced the temporary closure of schools and other establishments.
Continue reading:
• Harris warns of mass deportations if Trump is re-elected
• Biden and Harris will attend the Congressional Hispanic Caucus conference
• Harris and Walz campaign announce historic efforts to reach Latino voters