URGENT UPDATE: During a pivotal moment on CNN’s Election Night coverage, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) called for the Republican Party to revise its immigration policies to attract Latino voters. Malliotakis emphasized the need to focus on deporting criminals rather than long-term residents with no criminal records, stating, “I think we need to move a little more in the middle.”
The remarks come as the Republican Party reassesses its strategies following recent election outcomes. Malliotakis highlighted that targeting individuals who have lived in the U.S. for decades, have no criminal history, and contribute positively to society could be detrimental to the party’s appeal. “They’re paying taxes, they have American citizen children… I think that’s going to hurt and backfire,” she warned.
During the broadcast, Anderson Cooper raised concerns about former President Donald Trump‘s past definitions of criminals, which included anyone in the country illegally. Malliotakis responded, asserting that the GOP must avoid alienating the Latino community by focusing on serious offenders, such as gang members and drug traffickers. She stressed the importance of balancing security with compassion, stating, “I think that the pendulum cannot go too far, or else you’re going to lose that Hispanic vote.”
Malliotakis pointed out that under Trump, there were 16,000 crimes linked to individuals from migrant shelters in New York City, but indicated that stricter enforcement has led to a reduction in such incidents. She noted that, “Those shelters are closing, and that’s good,” referencing the administration’s commitment to deporting criminal offenders.
The representative also addressed broader economic issues, claiming that the Biden administration’s policies have swung the political spectrum too far left. “People did not like the open borders, they didn’t like 9% inflation,” she stated. Malliotakis believes that Republicans need to communicate their successes, such as securing the border and implementing tax cuts for middle-class families, to regain trust among Latino voters.
As the GOP contemplates its next moves, Malliotakis urged party leaders to take heed of the electoral results. “We need to learn from tonight,” she said, emphasizing the necessity of moderating their stance on immigration to better resonate with voters. This crucial dialogue about immigration policy and voter engagement may significantly shape the Republican Party’s future strategies as they approach upcoming elections.
Stay tuned for updates on how the Republican Party responds and adjusts its strategies in the wake of these urgent discussions.
