WASHINGTON, D.C.— In response to reports that Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is a leading contender for the position of Homeland Security Secretary, PFAW Political Director and Director of the PFAW Latinos Vote! program Lizet Ocampo released the following statement:
“It would be hard for the administration to find a person more hostile to immigrants, their rights and basic decency than Ken Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli’s recent speaking appearance at an event hosted by the Center for Immigration Studies, an anti-immigrant hate group, is just the latest in a series of hateful statements and activities for which he is responsible. Earlier this year he famously blurted that the welcoming words on the base of the Statue of Liberty only applied to European immigrants. Perhaps most appalling is the fact that when he was running for governor of Virginia, Cuccinelli compared immigrant families to ‘rats.’ Putting this person in charge of our policy at the borders would send the strongest possible signal that this administration views immigrants as less than human and has no intention to honor their rights or treat them humanely.”
PFAW’s Right Wing Watch has reported on Cuccinelli throughout his political career. Read more here, here, and here on the PFAW website.
About Latinos Vote!
People For the American Way’s Latinos Vote! program exposes and counters anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policies. Through electoral work and issue-based campaigns, we hold groups, leaders and influencers accountable for the harm they do to immigrant and Latino communities. Over six election cycles, we’ve run bilingual paid and earned media campaigns in swing states where the Latino vote can be decisive.
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.
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