Looking to buck President Trump’s message on immigration, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke countered the commander in chief’s rally Monday with one of his own, telling activists that it is time to take a stand against the administration’s proposed border wall and to be more welcoming to immigrants.
Mr. O’Rourke said that El Paso, Texas is one of the safest cities in the country — “not because of walls, but in spite of walls” — pushing back against Mr. Trump ongoing push for more border security.
“We are making a stand for the truth, and against lies and hate and ignorance and intolerance,” he said.
The political world has been filled with speculation over what’s next for Mr. O’Rourke following his stronger than expected bid against Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in the 2018 midterm elections, in which energized grassroots activists and raised tens of millions of dollars.
The 46-year-old told Oprah Winfrey last week that he is considering to run for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and plans to make a final decision before the end of the month.
Mr. O’Rourke weighed into the immigration debate, saying “every single” young illegal immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” should be granted U.S. citizens and their parents should be granted a path to citizenship.
He also called for more investment in the nation’s ports of entry.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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