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Alabama’s senior U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville ignited controversy on Tuesday when he referred to recent immigrants as “garbage” during an appearance on Fox Business’s “Kudlow.” Tuberville, while criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris’s qualifications as a presidential candidate, veered into a harsh critique of immigration policies. Host Larry Kudlow served as the Director of the National Economic Council under the Trump Administration from 2018 to 2021.
“I mean, how can you put somebody in charge of a situation where you let 15, possibly even 20 million people come into our country? Now some of these people are good, but most of them are garbage. They come from jails and prisons in other countries,” Tuberville stated.
Tuberville’s remarks echo a series of false or misleading claims prevalent in Republican talking points, including exaggerated figures on migrant numbers, misconceptions about Harris’s role in border management, and the unfounded assertion that Latin American countries are deliberately sending criminals to the U.S. border.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported approximately 8.4 million encounters with foreign nationals at the Southwest border from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2024. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates a net population increase of 7.3 million people from 2021 to 2024 due to arrivals, including those who crossed the border without registration — often referred to as “gotaways” — and visa overstayers.
Tuberville’s claim that “most” migrants come from jails and prisons is a variation of a claim former President Donald Trump has made, alleging countries like Venezuela are emptying their “insane asylums.”
In response to Tuberville’s comments, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued a call for civility in the political process. Roman Palomares, LULAC National President, expressed the organization’s stance on the issue: “LULAC is calling for all political candidates to reflect and reconsider the use of their words and messages that they share in their stump speeches, ads, and on social media. Political campaigns are about bringing your best and most persuasive views forward, where every candidate puts themselves in the best possible light before voters. It should not be about personal attacks or condemnations of the opponent.”
Palomares emphasized the importance of respectful and constructive political discourse, urging candidates to avoid demeaning language and focus on the issues that matter to the American people. “We didn’t get here overnight, and it may take time, but this is the year we should begin to restore respect and civility in the American democratic process,” he added.
Tuberville is not alone in his controversial rhetoric. Bill Eigel, a candidate for governor of Missouri, recently used the term “illegals” and perpetuated harmful stereotypes about immigrants using social services. Alongside him, a Latino man pretended to translate and finished with the words “ay caramba” in a feeble attempt at humor that insulted many hardworking Latinos.
Similarly, a 2024 presidential candidate has made the offensive claim that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.”
LULAC remains steadfast in its belief that the American political process should exemplify integrity, respect, and constructive debate. The organization calls on all candidates to rise above negativity and focus on the pressing issues facing the nation, advocating for a restoration of dignity and respect in American democracy.
