President Joe Biden was criticized by Democratic lawmakers on Thursday after he used the term “illegals” during his State of the Union address..
Biden referenced “illegals” after Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) pressured him into referencing Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, according to police. Biden flubbed Riley’s name during his speech, calling her “Lincoln Riley.”
“Lincoln Riley!” Biden said. “An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. That’s right. But how many of the thousands of people being killed by illegals? To her parents, I say, my heart goes out to you having lost children myself. I understand.”
Biden went on to say that amnesty should be granted to millions of illegal immigrants in the country and said he needed Republicans to pass a Democrat-backed bill in order to have the ability to secure the border. Despite his push for leftist policies, many Democrats were not happy with his reference to “illegals.”
“As a proud immigrant, I’m extremely disappointed to hear President Biden use the word ‘illegal,’” Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL) said.
“Disappointed that @POTUS would use such dehumanizing right wing rhetoric to speak about immigrants tonight. No human being is illegal,” Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) said.
“Let me be clear: No human being is illegal,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) posted on X after the speech.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told the Associated Press that she was disappointed with Biden’s reference to illegal immigrants. “I wish he hadn’t engaged with Marjorie Taylor Greene and used the word illegal,” she said.
“Just like we should not be implementing Republican policy, we should not be repeating Republican rhetoric,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) said.
The Biden administration has previously pushed to rid the government of any use of the term “illegal alien” or “illegal immigrant.” Instead the administration has referred to the flood of illegal immigrants who have crossed into the United States in the last several years as “newcomers” or “undocumented.”
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“This change is designed to encourage more inclusive language in the agency’s outreach efforts, internal documents and in overall communication with stakeholders, partners, and the general public,” the Department of Homeland Security said of its decision to stop using the term “illegal alien.”
Biden has come under fire from Republicans over his handling of the border, and House Republicans wore pins that read “Stop The Biden Border Crisis” at the State of the Union.