So in response to what Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar tweeted a few hours ago (see below), here is what MALDEF said:
MALDEF Statement on Arizona Congressman’s Call for Immigration Raid at State of the Union Address(LOS ANGELES) – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to a call by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) for U.S. Capitol Police to carry out immigration enforcement actions at tonight’s State of the Union address:
“Continuing his overt campaign to lead the Neanderthal Caucus of the House, Arizona Congressmember Paul Gosar today revealed even more about the depths of his stupidity by bragging about calling on Capitol police to arrest Dreamers who attend the State of the Union address tonight. Invoking the ‘Rule of Law’ while betraying no actual understanding of the law, especially the supreme law of our Constitution, Gosar is undoubtedly absorbing accolades from the fringe far-right. His actions actually demonstrate acute desperation, suggesting that he does, at least subconsciously, know that Neanderthal policy preferences are headed toward rapid extinction. Gosar should crawl back under his rock and let serious policymakers get to work on protecting immigrant youth.”
Here are the tweets in question:
Today, Congressman Paul Gosar contacted the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asking they consider checking identification of all attending the State of the Union address and arresting any illegal aliens in attendance.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
Additionally, Congressman Gosar asked that they arrest those using fraudulent social security numbers and identification to pass through security.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
“Of all the places where the Rule of Law needs to be enforced, it should be in the hallowed halls of Congress. Any illegal aliens attempting to go through security, under any pretext of invitation or otherwise, should be arrested and deported," said Congressman Gosar.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
Just so you know, several DREAMers and other undocumented people will be at the State of the Union tonight.