Washington, DC – Citing a set of disturbing ads from both the Republican and Democratic parties in recent weeks,* Janet Murguía, President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., called on the leaders of both political parties to refrain from campaign tactics demonizing immigrants and Latinos.

“Campaign ads on immigration from both parties are crossing the line. The issue of what to do about immigration is fair game for this election, demonizing an entire community is not,” stated Murguía.

“Poll after poll shows that the American people want action, not grandstanding, on immigration. And poll after poll also shows that Latinos view the scapegoating of immigrants as a personal attack. These ads are not only inflammatory, they are counterproductive,” continued Murguía.

“While we appreciate that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) removed one ad** from its website, we are asking for strong leadership from both parties at the national level to stop these types of ads and to start work on passing long-overdue comprehensive immigration reform. To the Latino community, it is time to stand up and be counted. And there is no better place to be heard if you are concerned about these tactics than at the ballot box this November,” concluded Murguía.

*To view National Republican Senatorial Committee ad, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE6De4VqFfg

**To view DSCC ad, go to www.factcheck.org/article417.html