Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) sparked controversy this week when he referred to illegal immigrants as “undocumented Americans” and the people “we care about most.”
He said this on Wednesday during a conversation with MSNBC host Chris Hayes when he was asked about the failed border bill. In his response, he took issue with fellow Democrats for advocating for Ukraine funding instead of pushing for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in border legislation negotiations.
In his words, “Well, I mean, Chris, that’s been a failed play for 20 years. So you are right that that has been the Democratic strategy for 30 years, maybe, and it has failed to deliver for the people we care about most, the undocumented Americans that are in this country.”
🚨 Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy admits Democrats' "strategy" on immigration "has failed to deliver for the people we care about most, the undocumented Americans that are in this country," so they're adjusting it pic.twitter.com/IPXCh0WQi2
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 8, 2024
His comments, which went viral, sparked backlash on two fronts – for calling illegal immigrants “the people we care about most” and for his use of the term “undocumented Americans.”
Amid condemnation he received for calling illegal immigrants “undocumented Americans,” many pointed out that the Connecticut lawmaker, who serves as a negotiator for Democrats on immigration policy, was only voicing the Democratic Party’s view on the issue.
Former Trump senior advisor and immigration hawk Stephen Miller called Murphy’s remarks “giving away the entire game.”
“This is why Democrats angrily oppose every enforcement measure. This is why Democrats bitterly oppose detention and deportation. This is why Joe Biden and the Democrats eradicated the border and orchestrated the invasion,” he said.
Conservative radio personality Tara Servatius weighed in, writing, “FINALLY! Sen. Chris Murphy admits illegal immigrants are the people Democrats care about most.”
FINALLY! Sen. Chris Murphy admits illegal immigrants are the people Democrats care about most. https://t.co/oQkaWKBTJh
— Tara Servatius (@TaraServatius) February 8, 2024
“When Democrats tell you who they are, believe them,” Townhall columnist Derek Hunter tweeted.
When Democrats tell you who they are, believe them. https://t.co/uNn7P1d9V4
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) February 8, 2024
Conservative commentator Andrew Klavan stated, “Points for clarity and honesty. Points off for wicked anti-American dirtbaggery.”
Journalist Katie Pavlick wrote, “Democrats want to “rescue” “undocumented Americans. Ridiculous and exactly why Republicans refused to go along with their scheme.”
Democrats want to “rescue” “undocumented Americans.”
Ridiculous and exactly why Republicans refused to go along with their scheme. https://t.co/fj5HiS8eiK
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) February 8, 2024
