Cristina Jimenez
Latinos: Responding to the Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Nov. 4
After so much controversy over Spanish language ads on immigration, used by both presidential candidates to attract the Latino electorate, a recent survey reveals numbers that bring good news for the Obama campaign.
The survey by the Pew Hispanic Center found that 66% of Latino registered voters support Barack Obama and 50% believe that Obama is better for immigrants. This should be of no surprise for Senator McCain and the Republican Party.
As the rest of Americans, Latinos care about the same issues: the state of the economy, the Iraq war, health care and education. However, immigration is at the heart of the Latino community. The survey reveals that 57% of Latinos worry that a family member or friend will be deported and close to 10% of those surveyed had been stopped by authorities and asked about their immigration status.
The Latino electorate knows very well that Republicans and their conservative friends have been the main source of the current anti-immigrant state. The failure to pass immigration reform, the DREAM Act and the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics have served to galvanize Latinos to vote on Nov. 4th. Their vote will be especially decisive in key swing states such as New Mexico, Colorado and Florida.
In a discussion held by the Center for New York City Affairs last week, Arturo Vargas from the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials said that an estimated 9.2 million Latinos will vote in the presidential elections. He also pointed out that Latino youth and naturalized citizens are the driving force of this electorate. Indeed, the role of immigrant youth in the political process is a powerful new trend this election.
As a result of the anti-immigrant approach of the Bush administration following 9/11, immigrant youth educated and mobilized their communities for immigrant rights and immigration reform. In 2006, immigrant youth coordinated walkouts, press conferences and rallies advocating for immigration reform. Today they are mobilizing their communities to vote.
Cristina Jimenez: Author Bio | Other Posts
Posted at 8:46 AM, Sep 30, 2008 in Election 2008 | Immigration
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Comments
I agree that the Latino youth are a driving force in this electorate. The Latino vote will be very important in this election that's why we need to get as many people to register to vote as we can. McCain has launched some TV ads on Hispanic TV networks that are just completely unbelievable and the Hispanic community has to be careful not to believe those ads. Overall, I agree with everything you said Christina.
Posted by: Jenny Alcaide | October 1, 2008 01:39 PM
Well, I would certainly hope that the Latino vote will be important in this election. They are the biggest minority group in the US and their needs are just as important.
While immigration is very important, healthcare is definitely another one. So, Cristina Saralegui, the talk show host, has teamed up with AARP to help spread the word about their great benefits.
If you want to know more info about this, check out: http://www.upclosewithcristina.com
...you can also make a customized video with you and your friends and be an online TV star with Cristina's video, "Amigos Live!"
There's also a chance for you to enter to win an all inclusive trip for 2 to Miami and see The Cristina Saralegui Show.
Check out AARP for yourself, a loved one, or a client.
AARP has great benefits, including (but not limited to):
-Exclusive travel discounts
-Prescription discounts
-Retirement planning
-Free companion membership
I hope you don't mind that I told you about this. I just wanted to come by and let you know about the fun video with Cristina and AARP's great benefits . If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Have a great day!
Amelia Lopez
AARP Ambassador
ameliaaarp@yahoo.com
Posted by: Amelia Lopez | October 1, 2008 03:28 PM