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03/28/2024 06:17:19 pm

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Immigration Activists Seek Answers From Hillary Clinton Ahead Of 2016 Election

Hillary Clinton

(Photo : REUTERS/John Sommers II) Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the crowd about U.S. Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes during a campaign event in Louisville, Kentucky October 15, 2014.

Years before the 2016 presidential elections, activists are already demanding answers from potential presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to the nation's immigration issues.

After Clinton's speech in North Carolina, where she was campaigning for Senator Kay Hagan, immigration activists began chanting about the possible deportation faced by an illegal Mexican immigrant.

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The immigrant's son, Oliver Merino, 25, was among the North Carolina crowd that Clinton spoke to, and was holding a sign which asked Clinton if she "stood with immigrant families."

According to Merino, his mother feared that the government can deport her anytime.

In response, Clinton thanked the activists for what they were fighting for and added that she was aware of the gravity of the immigration issue and appreciated the people's response to it.

The small demonstration on Saturday was the most recent incident where a group of young and undocumented immigrants, who call themselves "Dreamers," have confronted the former Secretary of the State.

Despite the aggressive public confrontation with Clinton, another "quieter" group of Latinos are encouraging others to think twice before pledging their support for Clinton if she runs in the 2016 presidential race.

According to United We Dream's managing director Cristina Jimenez, if Latinos choose politics before family, the "constituency should not be taken for granted."

The attack on Clinton comes following the disappointment over U.S. President Barack Obama's lack of action on the growing issue of immigration and illegal immigrants in the United States.

Obama promised that he will amend the current immigration policy after the midterm elections. But immigration activists are already turning to Clinton for answers instead of waiting for the incumbent president's action.

Immigrants and their families are beginning to be disillusioned about the president's failure to address the issue and are criticizing Obama's response to the thousands of immigrant children who have crossed the border.

Several members of the Dream Organizing Network, who were part of Saturday's rally, urged Clinton to back executive plans that will put a stop to the deportations.

According to the Times, the group's plan is to pressure Clinton to act regarding immigration issues two years ahead of the next presidential elections or have her risk losing the votes of Latinos.

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