Obama denounces Trump migrant policies

“It’s a problem when candidates use offensive terms like “anchor babies” or even talk about changing the Constitution to take citizenship away from those who were born here”.

“That’s not leadership, turning against what’s right the moment the politics of your base gets tough”, Obama said. “Fanning the flames of intolerance then acting all surprised when fire breaks out” is not how one leads the nation, Obama said, indirectly referring to comments made by candidates such as Donald Trump about illegal immigrants. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) told members of the crowd earlier that they must show they will organize against candidates who disrespect Latinos.

“You can’t just feed on fear”, he said.

A few Republican presidential hopefuls, including Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, say they want to revoke so-called “birthright citizenship”, which automatically grants citizenship to anyone born in the USA, including the children of undocumented immigrants.

During her brief speech introducing chef José Andrés, a young person claiming affiliation with activist group United We Dream heckled Clinton at the front of the stage before being forcibly removed.

This year, things were decidedly friendlier for the president.

While speaking at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Awards Gala Thursday night, President Obama called for an overhaul of the immigration system while denouncing a few of the GOP contenders without using any of their names, reports CNN.

“You’ve got to realize that America’s greatness doesn’t come from building walls, our greatness comes from opportunity”, Obama said. But a few of his references were obvious, particularly to Sen.

While immigration reform is not going to happen in the current Congress, the issue will help define the 2016 elections.

“Now a few of the very same Republican politicians who championed reform in the past – a few of whom sponsored these efforts – suddenly they want nothing to do with it”, Obama said.

“In these circumstances, I always say, ‘Don’t boo, vote, ‘” he continued.

“They can’t hear the boos; but they can hear your votes”, he said. He contrasted that message to a few GOP candidates calling for more walls on the U.S. border with Mexico.