OPEN LETTER from Newt 2012
rec'd Jan. 27, 2012
OPEN LETTER
TO GOVERNOR ROMNEY FROM HISPANIC LEADERS-January 26, 2012
Dear Governor Romney:
We are a group of Latino Republicans invested in the growth of the
economy and the support of Hispanic communities. Some of us have
supported Newt Gingrich from the beginning of his campaign, and others
of us have supported you. Our purpose here is to advise you that those
of us who have stood by you are now withdrawing our backing in favor of
Newt Gingrich. We’ve come to our decision based on our belief that your
support of the Hispanic community is not a clear representation of what
we need.
For example, in Iowa you stated that you would immediately veto the
Dream Act. Mr. Gingrich proposes to push an essential part of the Dream
Act which offers citizenship to those young men and women who serve in
military. Last Tuesday in Florida, you openly agreed with Newt on a
partial acceptance of the Dream Act, reversing your original stance on
the matter.
It appears you find it “dishonest” to consider yourself
Mexican-American, even though your father was born in Mexico. Under
that same pretense, would those of us born in the United States, but
have parental ancestry from Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia, Cuba, and
other Latin American countries, be dishonest in claiming ourselves as
Americans?
It is clear to us that you have not provided a real solution on behalf
of the 12+ million immigrants who live in the shadows of the American
communities. You fail to dignify the economic refugees who reside,
work, pay taxes, and are otherwise productive citizens in this country.
In stark contrast, Mr. Gingrich has a true history of supporting our
community. He says we he means, and means what he says.
As examples:
- As
Speaker, he pushed through the Cuban LIBERTAD Act, which codified
the embargo on Cuba, authorized aid to dissidents, and set the
framework for principled engagement to support a genuine transition to
democracy
- Newt
Gingrich pushed humane immigration laws, including the NACARA act
(authored by former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) to ensure that we kept
our pledge to those who fled the Sandinistas in the 1970’s.
- Newt
Gingrich is the only candidate that has offered a humane approach
to our immigration problem. He understands how inhumane and unrealistic
it is to deport 12 million undocumented immigrants. He proposes to
secure the border, deport criminals, and recognize the remainder
through temporary work permits, and through establishing legal status
for those with American sponsorship and deep ties to their communities.
- Newt
Gingrich proposes to push an essential part of the Dream Act which
offers citizenship to those young men and women who serve in the
military.
- Newt
Gingrich supports a referendum for the people of Puerto Rico to
decide between independence, statehood and continued commonwealth
status. Newt
Gingrich has for years shown active support by reaching out to us, our
organizations and our community to better understand the real concerns
of American Hispanics. His interest in us did not begin last Tuesday in
a Florida debate.
Mr. Gingrich has showed active support for the Hispanic community by
reaching out to us, our organizations, and our communities to better
understand the real concerns of American Hispanics. This is a quality
that we respect, value, and appreciate.
Mr. Romney, without an open dialogue with us you are unable to
understand issues important to the Latino community. Due to this
absence, we are unable to support you.
Sincerely,
Rosario Marin - Former US Treasurer, California
Mario Rodriguez - Hispanic 100 Chair, California
Massey Villarreal - Former National Chair of the Republican National
Hispanic Assembly, Texas
Vinicio Madrigal, MD - Former Chair Louisiana Republican Hispanic
Assembly, Louisiana
Theresa Speake - Former National Secretary of the Republican National
Hispanic Assembly, Virginia
Al Zapanta - President & CEO. U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce,
Texas
Lionel Sosa – President of Bromley Communications, Texas
Miguel Orozco – Immigration lawyer, California; Outstanding Americans
by Choice Recipient; Actor & Producer
Elizabeth Orozco – Business Executive
Eduardo Verástegui – Pro-life activist, actor, singer.
California
Joe Galvan - Former regional director HUD, Former chair RNHA. Illinois
Teresa Hernandez – Restaurateur
Saul Delgado – President of Caboraca
Fortino Rivera – CEO
Bertha Rivera – Business Executive
Nancy C. Acevedo – Chair National Republican Hispanic Alliance Florida
Robbie
G. Munoz – Hispanic 100 Youth Chair, California
Julio Gudino – President, Gudino Financial & Insurance Services,
Inc.
KV Kumar – Nat’l Vice Chairman, Asian American & Pacific Islanders
Nat’l Republican Assembly