‘So, we don’t need to be disrespectful. We don’t need to talk about them as criminals. They’re not,’ Haley said in 2015.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley at one time defended illegal immigrants from being referred to as “criminals.”
Haley’s defense of the illegal invaders came during a panel of Republican governors at the Aspen Institute in 2015, where she explained her stance on immigration.
“But let’s keep in mind, these people that are wanting to come here, they want to come for a better life, too. They have kids, too. They have a heart, too,” Haley said.
“So, we don’t need to be disrespectful. We don’t need to talk about them as criminals. They’re not. They’re families that want a better life and they’re desperate to get here.”
Haley’s claim was so bad it received a fact-check from X’s Community Notes, which pointed out that US law states: “Entering the United States without following immigration laws is illegal. Anyone who does so is a criminal.”
Other Republicans also seized on the footage, chastising Haley for being an apologist for the globalists’ open border agenda.
“Strongly disagree,” GOP opponent Vivek Ramaswamy responded, sharing the years-old clip.
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign also seized on the video recirculating on social media, issuing a press release exposing Haley’s sentiments.
Haley appears to have modified her stance on the subject in recent months, using the term “illegal immigrants” in one social media post last month.
Haley seems to be getting closer to grasping the big picture, as the term “illegal” implies “unlawful,” and a person who breaks laws is a “criminal.”
Will Haley revise her stance now that her remarks are being revisited and called out?
