Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) hit the campaign trail Tuesday evening for an event at the Harbor Palace Seafood Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. The gathering, which was geared toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, took an unexpected turn when Biden was approached by a group of individuals.
Biden was confronted by the United We Dream Action group, according to the Daily Mail. It has been reported that approximately 10 women — identified as “undocumented activists” — were seen holding a sign that read, “Biden Commit 2 Stop All Deportations”. The ladies reportedly screamed at Biden about his previous stance and policies on deportation.
Outside @JoeBiden’s event in Las Vegas tonight following his remarks: A @UNITEDWEDREAM member spoke w/Biden on the rope line before a group began chanting at Biden asking him to end deportations in 1st 100 days. His supporters counter-chanted in support of Biden pic.twitter.com/ZyPUAvsqpy
— Molly Nagle (@MollyNagle3) February 19, 2020
One of the ladies — only identified as an undocumented immigrant named Carla from South Carolina — shed some light on the group’s perspective and their expectations of Biden if he’s elected in November. They are demanding that he commit to stopping deportation, altogether.
“We are here just to ask Joe Biden to give us a strong commitment to stopping all deportations,” said Carla. Although Biden has offered some form of commitment in regard to deportation policy changes, the group insists his efforts aren’t enough.
Carla went on to explain their concerns about the limitations associated with the deportation policy.
“His constant answer is I will, but if people have criminal backgrounds they will be deported,” she said.
Their sign read “Biden commit 2 stop all deportations!” Biden was outside the restaurant where his event had been, taking photos with supporters who’d been unable to get inside his event, when they started chanting. Biden’s staff moved him inside to continue the photo line. pic.twitter.com/AI5EG8pJgN
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) February 19, 2020
We’re in Las Vegas, Nevada to demand that @joebiden commit to stopping all deportations within the first 100 days of his presidency. Biden’s moderate proposals on immigration will not energize the base we need to defeat Trump in November. https://t.co/gMrEz3nK7j pic.twitter.com/LpOIWJdzCp
— United We Dream Action (@UWDAction) February 19, 2020
Despite the group’s concerns, it has been reported that Biden’s speech actually focused on increasing immigration leniency. In fact, Biden also alluded to the fact that he speculated his grandfather may have also moved to America from Ireland “illegally.”
“The people who come are people who are resilient,” Biden said of American immigrants.
