Watch: Republican Congressman’s Very Awkward Encounter With Two Undocumented Immigrants
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) were approached by two activists in a restaurant in Okoboji, Iowa, and they told the Republicans that they are undocumented.
Activists Erika Andiola and Cesar Vargas told King that they did not want him to kill an executive action that grants temporary legal presence to DREAMers, a colloquial term used to describe some undocumented immigrants illegally brought to the country as children, like themselves, Think Progress reports.
Andiola pointed to King’s infamous “cantaloupe calves,” remark.
The dialogue courtesy of Think Progress:
ANDIOLA: I’m actually a DREAMer. I’m originally from Mexico, but I was raised here. I graduated from Arizona State University. I know you want to get rid of DACA. And I wanted to give you the opportunity, if you really want to get rid of DACA, just rip mine. You can go ahead and do that. You take my DACA, you will literally take away everything.
KING: This is not what I do. […] I don’t call you names–
ANDIOLA: I mean, cantaloupe calves?
KING: That’s drug smugglers. You’re very good at English. [Grabs Andiola’s arm] You know what I’m saying. So you can understand the English language. You’re saying something that’s not true. I spoke of drug smugglers… Your ears work too, I was speaking of drug smugglers only.
ANDIOLA: You’re the one who’s trying to get rid of DACA.
KING: And you heard why. I told you why. The president has no constitutional authority to do what he has done.
ANDIOLA: Yes he does. [She turns to Vargas] He’s actually an attorney, he’s a DREAMer. He graduated from law school.
KING: Oh and that makes you an authority. […] You keep your card. I don’t do individual policy. I do national policy for everyone. It troubles me a great deal that you have such disrespect for the laws of the United States of America. You’re telling me that you don’t have to abide by the laws.”
(my bold)
Watch:
H/T: LL BFF @TiredOfTea with thanks.
Image: Think Progress
Rusty Shackleford August 5th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Rand Paul’s statist and racist stance on immigration is a perfect illustration of how “Libertarian” now translates to “Republican who smokes pot.”
R.J. Carter August 5th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Does Obama really want undocumented immigrants stating on the record that he wasn’t born in this country but was raised here?
tiredoftea August 5th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
I think that we all should learn more about these young adults as examples of the kind of accomplishments they bring to our nation. I’d easily trade as many Steve Kings as there are for another Mr. Vargas!
R.J. Carter August 5th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
What he should have asked her is, “At what stage is your present application for citizenship, and when do you think it will be fully achieved?”
tiredoftea August 5th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
That would have required a degree of empathy and concern that Rep. King has never demonstrated on any topic, ever.
Kick Frenzy August 5th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
She was talking about Vargas as being an attorney, DREAMer and having graduated from law school.
R.J. Carter August 5th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
I know. But this is going to get played on radio talk shows nationwide. Do you think they’ll hear her turning to Vargas?
Think about the spoken words of the conversation, and then what people in their cars will “see” unfolding.
Kick Frenzy August 5th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Oh yeah… no doubt. When I read the article I thought the same thing.
But then I watched the video and realized what was going on.
Even just hearing it is better than print… since you immediately hear Vargas talk about how he went to law school and then Steve King replying (dismissively and condescendingly) with “Oh and that makes you an authority?”
(And yes, Mr. King, that does make him a bit of an authority on legal matters. It at least means he knows what he’s talking about.)
wpadon August 5th, 2014 at 3:37 pm
Obama was born in the state of Hawaii. Only tea bag people still think Hawaii is not a state.
not_buying_it August 5th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
The Rand Paul Shuffle, at the very beginning, is right up there with the Rubio Water Moment.
Kick Frenzy August 5th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
The entire table for that matter!
Kick Frenzy August 5th, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Steve King – Professional Condescending Asshole
uzza August 5th, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Steve King is in favor of dog fighting. Just a reminder.
labman57 August 5th, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Once again, Rand demonstrates that he lacks the courage of his convictions.
Meanwhile, King probably thought he was being punk’d — for to his great surprise, the DREAMers confronting him were not the illiterate, drug-smuggling gang-bangers that his party continually has been describing in their efforts to gin up fear and loathing about these Latino immigrants.