Staff Reports
In a recent development, House Republicans and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) have lashed out at GOP presidential primary candidate Nikki Haley for her 2015 remarks, in which she suggested that Americans should not label illegal aliens as criminals because “they’re not.” The comments resurfaced this week, thanks to the diligent reporting of Breitbart News, and have since ignited outrage among the conservative members of the Republican Party.
During a panel discussion at the Aspen Institute back in July 2015, Haley, who is of Indian descent, expressed her thoughts on immigration, emphasizing the importance of abiding by the country’s laws while acknowledging the aspirations of immigrants for a better life in America. However, her plea for kindness and respect towards illegal immigrants did not sit well with her fellow Republicans, who swiftly condemned her stance.
July 1st, 2015: criminal illegal alien murders Kate Steinle
July 21st, 2015: Nikki says we shouldn’t call illegals criminals.
She is not fit to be Commander-in-Chief.
Trump 2024 https://t.co/7tpTbU5U03
— Greg Steube (@gregsteube) January 4, 2024
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) took to Twitter, asserting that Haley is unsuitable for the presidency, pointing out that her remarks coincided with the high-profile death of Kate Steinle at the hands of a criminal illegal alien in San Francisco. The tragedy, which occurred on July 1, 2015, sparked national outrage and renewed the debate on sanctuary cities and the need for stricter immigration policies.
The anger towards Haley further escalated as Tuberville and Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) joined in criticizing her, boldly affirming that individuals entering the country illegally are unequivocally “criminals.” Their unequivocal rejection of Haley’s views underscored the deep divide within the Republican Party over immigration and the enforcement of immigration laws.
Notably, Vivek Ramaswamy, another GOP presidential primary candidate, vehemently opposed Haley’s characterization of illegal immigration, while Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) also denounced Haley’s lenient stance on illegal border crossings. The backlash against Haley has exposed the party’s internal strife over the immigration issue, setting the stage for a contentious battle within the GOP as the presidential election approaches.
The fierce backlash against Haley underscores the palpable rift within the Republican Party on the issue of illegal immigration, with conservative lawmakers staunchly advocating for rigorous enforcement of immigration laws and rejecting any attempts to downplay the criminality of illegal border crossings. As the GOP grapples with internal divisions, the stage is set for a tumultuous battle over the party’s stance on immigration in the lead-up to the presidential election. For Breitbart News, this is John Binder reporting.
