DENVER – Donald Trump traveled to Mexico on Wednesday, displaying a more diplomatic look despite his past combative rhetoric on illegal immigration.
Democrats, however, aren’t buying the orchestrated affair, saying Trump has too often insulted immigrants and Mexicans.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign in Colorado says the candidate’s meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto is in no way a sign that he is walking back his immigration stance, which includes making Mexico pay for a border wall and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants.
“From day one Mr. Trump has stated that he will stop illegal immigration; his message has never wavered or softened,” said Jerry Natividad, a former U.S. Senate candidate who is now Trump’s Colorado Hispanic coalition co-chairman.
“A Trump presidency ensures us that our southern border will be secured, our current laws will be enforced and sanctuary cities will be put to an end.”
Colorado surrogates for Democrat Hillary Clinton called Trump’s visit to Mexico a stunt, saying voters won’t be fooled.
“We all know what Trump’s plans are if he’s elected: build a wall around our border and deport millions of people,” said House Democratic Leader Crisanta Duran. “No matter how much he tries to soften this approach, it won’t work. Colorado Latinos know better, and they will not stand for his divisive policies.”
Trump’s visit to Mexico came ahead of a much-anticipated speech on immigration policy set for Wednesday night in Arizona.
“No amount of trips to Mexico or major policy speeches on immigration will erase the fact that for the past 14 months, Trump has made divisive policies like building a wall and deporting 16 million people a central part of his campaign,” added Senate Democratic Leader Lucia Guzman. “Donald Trump ... is unqualified and lacks the temperament to lead our great and diverse country.”
Trump said Wednesday that he and Peña Nieto discussed building a border wall, but not who would finance it. Trump has famously said that if he were president, Mexico would pay for a border wall, something Peña Nieto said would never happen.
Peña Nieto has been critical of Trump, comparing his “strident rhetoric” to Hitler and Mussolini. But on Wednesday, the Mexican president’s tone shifted, appearing grateful that Trump accepted his invitation to speak with him in Mexico.
“Mexican people have felt hurt by the comments that have been made, but I’m sure his genuine interest is to build a relationship that will give both of our societies better welfare,” Peña Nieto said at a news conference after meeting with Trump, according to a live translation of the remarks.
Natividad said Colorado voters understand that Trump’s controversial stance on immigration is about security.
“America deserves a president who will not only make it great again, but also secure again,” Natividad said. “Mr. Trump is the right guy for the job.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
