WASHINGTON, D.C  – Following reports that President Trump plans to promote acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ken Cuccinelli to the position of acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, after plans to appoint Cuccinelli to head the department were scuttled a few weeks ago, People For the American Way Political Director and Director of PFAW’s Latinos Vote! program Lizet Ocampo released the following statement:

“Ken Cuccinelli, who openly compared immigrants to rats when he was running for governor of Virginia, shares the same racist and hostile attitude toward immigrants that Donald Trump has shown. So it’s not surprising that Trump keeps trying to install him in more influential positions at DHS even though these attempts are probably on shaky legal ground. We can only hope this latest proposed promotion doesn’t come to fruition, because it is terrifying to think about the harm someone like Cuccinelli could do to immigrant families if he gains even more power.”

PFAW’s Right Wing Watch program has also documented Cuccinelli’s activities for years; see entries here: https://www.rightwingwatch.org/people/ken-cuccinelli/

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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