URGENT UPDATE: During CNN’s Election Night coverage on November 7, 2023, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) called for the Republican Party to moderate its immigration policies to attract Latino voters. She emphasized the importance of focusing on deporting criminals rather than targeting long-term residents with no criminal records, a strategy she believes could significantly impact the upcoming elections.
Malliotakis stated, “I think we need to move a little more in the middle, and I think that that is something we need to learn from tonight.” She highlighted that the current hardline approach, which often targets law-abiding individuals who have been in the U.S. for decades, could backfire and alienate Latino communities.
Speaking with host Anderson Cooper, she addressed concerns over the Republican messaging, stating, “The president did secure the border and he is deporting the criminals. But the issue, I believe, with the Latino vote… we need to make sure that we’re focused on the criminals, not people who have been here a long time.”
Malliotakis, who identifies as half Hispanic and is a member of the Republican Hispanic Caucus, pointed to troubling trends in immigration enforcement that could jeopardize the party’s standing with Hispanic voters. She mentioned that “16,000 crimes committed” in New York City were linked to individuals traced back to migrant shelters, but noted that those shelters have since closed under current policies.
“Where you’re seeing them go way too far, going after people who have no criminal history, that have been here for decades, that are contributing to society, they’re paying taxes, they have American citizen children,” Malliotakis warned. “I think that’s going to hurt and backfire.”
The Congresswoman urged the GOP to reassess its strategy in light of recent election results, cautioning that swinging too far to the right could lead to losing critical voter support. “I think that the pendulum cannot go too far, or else you’re going to lose that Hispanic vote,” she stated, signaling a need for a balanced approach.
Additionally, Malliotakis criticized the Democratic Party’s energy policies, linking them to affordability issues that resonate with voters. “People did not like the open borders, they didn’t like 9% inflation,” she noted, suggesting that the electorate’s mood has shifted and Republicans must adapt their messaging accordingly.
As the political landscape evolves, Malliotakis’s statements highlight a growing awareness within the GOP about the necessity of appealing to diverse voter groups, particularly as the 2024 elections approach. The party’s ability to moderate its stance on immigration could prove pivotal in securing the Latino vote, which has historically leaned Democratic.
With the election season heating up, all eyes will be on how Republican leaders respond to these calls for moderation. Will they heed the advice of Rep. Malliotakis, or will they continue down a path that risks alienating vital voter demographics?
This developing story underscores the urgency for political parties to evolve in response to shifting voter sentiment. As the landscape changes, the implications for both the Republican Party and Latino communities across the country remain to be seen.
