Jorge Ramos, the lead news anchor for Spanish-language channel Univision, was thrown out of a press conference Tuesday by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after Ramos attempted to press him on his immigration policy. While Ramos was arguably just trying to do his job, it’s evident that his stance on immigration reform is just as extreme as Trump’s — albeit it in the other direction.
In a subsequent interview with CNN “New Day” host Chris Cuomo, Ramos asserted his belief that “no human being is illegal,” even if they violate the law by crossing the border:
Chris Cuomo: Well, [Trump] doesn’t like to be tested. Many politicians don’t. But in fairness, you were making comments and asking questions. You said in the past he’s the face of hatred in America. When he said, “I only want to deport illegals, not immigrants.” You said no human is illegal. When you understand that when someone comes in here and they don’t have proper paperwork, they’re illegal in any country. Those are points of view, they are not questions. Are you making this too personal?
Jorge Ramos: Well, first of all, it cannot be too personal, because no human being is illegal.
Cuomo: But I don’t understand what that means Jorge. Of course human beings can be illegal if they break the law. I don’t understand what your point is. Your point is about human dignity. Why are you making it that way?
Ramos: No, the fact, that as a reporter, I believe that you have to take a stand here when it comes to racism, discrimination, corruption, public life, dictatorships, and human rights. The best of journalism that we’ve seen and that you’ve seen Chris is always when reporters take a stand in front of those are in power. And I think the most important social responsibility as reporter is to prevent and denounce the abuse of those who are in power. That’s when you see the best journalism. That’s what happened with Watergate, with Edward R. Murrow. We’ve seen it plenty of times. So as reporters, I don’t think that you have to sit down because Donald Trump tells you to sit down. You have to ask the question. And it is not that I’m advocating a specific ideas. Of course I’m an immigrant. Of course I believe that if he wants to deport 11 million people, can you imagine, just stop for a moment what that would mean? He would have to bring the army. Imagine the human rights violations that would provoke. Is that the kind of country that we want? So I believe honestly as reporters we have to take a stand.
It seems that Ramos needs a basic lesson in the rule of law.
