Washington, D.C. - - Eliseo Medina, Secretary Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released the following statement on behalf of the union’s 2.1 million nurses, janitors, home health care workers and other members:

“Last night, during the Republican presidential debate, GOP candidates showed that they are short on solutions when it comes to immigration. Recognizing the growing strength of the Latino vote, most of them decided to dodge questions on immigration by pivoting to their predictable but impractical talking points on the economy. However, the candidates missed yet another opportunity to detail how they would put millions of unemployed workers back to work.

“Moreover, the Republican frontrunners continue to push plans that would benefit the rich and large corporations while increasing taxes on working and middle class people. Unfortunately, many voters, especially Latinos and people of color, fall into these categories. Their callousness was further illustrated by their refusal to speak out against Alabama's racial profiling law HB 56 that has spread fear throughout Alabama schools by, among other things, asking children about their immigration status.

“Candidates for president are sadly mistaken if they think they can court Latinos and people of color by promoting economic plans that coddle the wealthy while ignoring voters' demands for smart solutions on immigration, education, health care and other issues that are important to workers and families. Until Republicans in Congress and presidential candidates get serious about bolstering the economy through comprehensive immigration reform, our communities will continue to suffer.”

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