LULAC Response to Presidential Debate on September 10

Washington, D.C. — Last night’s debate highlighted the need for both candidates to focus on the issues that matter most to Americans, not on falsehoods, distractions, and hysteria.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) strongly condemns the xenophobic and inflammatory comments made by former President Donald Trump during last night's debate. His rhetoric on immigration not only misrepresents the facts but also promotes fear and division, unfairly targeting immigrant communities, particularly Latinos.

We are encouraged by Vice President Harris’s commitment to delivering bipartisan immigration reform in Congress, which would uphold our nation’s dedication to addressing the humanitarian crisis at our southern border, tackle the root causes of displacement abroad, and strengthen our homeland security. We urge Vice President Harris to maintain her commitment to the critical goal of creating a more fair and humanitarian immigration system.

LULAC remains committed to advocating for the rights of all Latinos and immigrants, and we will continue to stand against divisive rhetoric that seeks to undermine the progress we have made. We urge the American public to reject hate and instead focus on the positive role that Latinos and immigrants play in building a stronger and more united nation.

Donald Trump’s Xenophobic Comments on Immigration

Trump’s claims about immigrants "pouring into our country" from prisons and mental institutions, as well as his baseless accusations of widespread "migrant crime"¹, are not only false but dangerous. These comments are rooted in fearmongering and are designed to vilify immigrants as threats to American society. Such rhetoric only serves to harm the Latino community, a vital part of the fabric of the United States.

Let’s be clear: Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric is not just inflammatory—it’s dangerous. It incites division and violence, and it ignores the tremendous contributions that immigrants, particularly Latinos, make to this country every day.

One of the most egregious examples is Trump’s false and outrageous claim that immigrants are “eating pets” in American towns. This statement has no foundation in truth. Not only is it completely baseless, but it also serves as a reprehensible attempt to dehumanize immigrants by spreading ridiculous and harmful lies. Fact-checkers have already debunked this claim, and it is nothing more than an insult to the hard-working immigrant communities who contribute so much to this country².

Contributions of Latinos to the U.S. Economy

For decades, Latinos have contributed immensely to this nation’s economy and culture. Immigrants and their descendants have played an indispensable role in industries ranging from agriculture and construction to healthcare and technology. Today, Latinos are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. workforce, and their entrepreneurial spirit is driving economic growth across the country. In 2022 alone, Latino-owned businesses contributed over $800 billion to the U.S. economy³.

Latinos continue to make substantial contributions in sectors such as construction, real estate, and technology. Latinos account for over 18% of the U.S. population and 25% of all new small business startups⁴.

The Latino contribution to the U.S. GDP is also rapidly growing, reaching over $3.7 trillion by 2023⁵ . These contributions highlight the importance of policies that support, rather than vilify, immigrant communities.

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1 FBI Releases 2024 Quarterly Crime Report and Use-of-Force Data Update
2 Springfield police say no reports of pets stolen, eaten, after viral social media post
3 The Unstoppable Growth Rate Of Latino-Owned Businesses In America
4 Latinos Are Starting U.S. Businesses at a Torrid Pace
5 U.S. Latino GDP skyrockets to record $3.7 trillion, with growth rate outpacing China, India

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About League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1929, LULAC has worked to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of Latino Americans through community-based programs and advocacy. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.