Immigration is a gateway basically. It's a check-off point for Latino voters.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The immigration issue is a gateway issue for Hispanics, no doubt about it.
If Latinos stay at home, we determine the outcome of an election.
Immigration is important. We're a nation of immigrants.
Immigration is the issue that tells us who is with us and who is against us; there's no question about it. And it's very simple to understand why - half of all Latinos over 18 years of age were born outside the United States. It really makes no sense to attack them and criticize them if you want their vote.
Latinos are concerned about the same pocketbook issues that matter to most middle class Americans - creating good-paying jobs in this country, making sure our children get a quality education, and ensuring that our families have access to affordable and quality healthcare.
Nearly one-fifth of our fellow citizens are Latino. They are families who are impacted by our education system, by our economy, by our healthcare delivery, and by every policy we make here in Washington.
We're at a point right now in our development in this country - setting the immigration issue aside - that you can't ignore the sheer population of us in metropolitan areas all across the country, of how significant Latino-ness is in the United States.
To truly utilize the full potential of every person in our nation, our laws and representation must track the needs, concerns, and goals of the Latino community.
Reaching out to Hispanics is critical to our future. The fastest-growing, and most conservative, segment of the population are natural Republicans.
Immigration is not the top issue for Latinos. Latinos are like every other American - economy, jobs, healthcare, education.