Univision Highlights How Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric May Be Inspiring Violence Against Latinos

From the May 20 edition of Univisión's Noticiero Univisión:

Video file

Translated transcript:

MARÍA ELENA SALINAS: Something is happening in the country that we haven't seen in many years -- an anti-immigrant sentiment that is turning violent. For many, this is a result of the negative rhetoric from the presidential campaign. What is certain is that the examples of hate against immigrants are increasing from coast to coast. And this attitude has a name: xenophobia.

Xenophobia. Origin, Greek. “Xeno,” foreigner. “Phobia,” fear. The fear, hate, or rejection of a person or group of people from a different country. It manifests itself as disdain, threats, aggression, or murder. This is what we've been seeing recently. Denigrating comments, racist declarations, and violent acts directed primarily at minorities. José Antonio Machado lived this during a campaign event for magnate Donald Trump in Doral, Florida.

JOSÉ ANTONIO MACHADO: They tore down my banner, they pushed me, they stepped on me, they kicked me.

SALINAS: Why do you think this was the reaction from the people who support Trump?

MACHADO: Hate. I think Trump, his words, raises an anti-immigrant sentiment.

SALINAS: Since Trump started his presidential campaign, reports of xenophobia have been increasing. The organization America's Voice has documented some 30 cases of attacks against Latinos.

[START CLIP]

DONALD TRUMP: When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime. They're rapists. Some, I assume, are good people.

[END CLIP]

SALINAS: In 2013 you met with Trump along with a group of DREAMers. Is this Donald Trump that you see today the same one that you met that day?

MACHADO: He invited us, and I told him my story. And at the time he said that we convinced him, but now he is singing a different song.

SALINAS: Many Trump followers seem to be singing to the same rhythm as the businessman.

ROAN GARCIA-QUINTANA: I haven’t heard of any evidence of what you've cited. Some people have come, and they support him.

SALINAS: Roan Garcia-Quintana is the executive director of America Has Had Enough, which is considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

GARCIA-QUINTANA: I don't hate anyone. The only thing I'm saying is that illegals don't belong in any country.

SALINAS: You are an immigrant, you came from Cuba. Why are you against immigrants?

GARCIA-QUINTANA: I'm not against immigrants, I'm against illegals.

SALINAS: There are 5 months left until the presidential election, and while many immigrants are worried for what will come, millions of Latino voters are preparing themselves to combat racism that is considered to be proliferating. If Trump were to win the presidency in November, what do you think will be the destiny of the country? Of immigrants?

MACHADO: We are ready to vote and we are going to prevent that from happening. But if that is the wish of the American people, then we'll have to start protecting ourselves.

Previously:

Despite Saturating The Airwaves, Trump Has Yet To Sit Down With Hispanic Media

To Understand Trump's Latino Problem, Just Look At Hispanic Media

On Univision, Trump Supporter Doubles Down On Claim That Latinos Oppose Trump Because They Are “Highly Emotional”