Latino Representative Tells Trump What He Can Do With His Wall
June 6, 2016

Texas Democratic Representative Filemon Vela took a few minutes out of his schedule to write an op-ed directly to Donald Trump about Trump's recent attacks on Judge Gonzalo Curiel. It was brutally honest.

After pointing out that Mexicans have served in our Armed Forces and other roles, that Ronald Reagan even honored them, Vela laid out his own family history, and ended with a bang.

Before you dismiss me as just another "Mexican," let me point out that my great-great grandfather came to this country in 1857, well before your own grandfather. His grandchildren (my grandfather and his brothers) all served our country in World War I and World War II. His great-grandson, my father, served in the U.S. Army and, coincidentally, was one of the first "Mexican" federal judges ever appointed to the federal bench.

I would like to end this letter in a more diplomatic fashion, but I think that you, of all people, understand why I cannot. I will not presume to speak on behalf of every American of Mexican descent, for every undocumented worker born in Mexico who is contributing to our country every day or, for that matter, every decent citizen in Mexico. But, I am sure that many of these individuals would agree with me when I say: 'Mr. Trump, you're a racist and you can take your border wall and shove it up your ass.'

I second that motion, Rep. Vela.

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