Progressive Reaction to Biden’s State of the Union Remark

Progressive lawmakers express frustration and disappointment with President Joe Biden’s use of the term “illegal” to describe a Venezuelan migrant during his State of the Union address.

Context of the Remark

Biden’s impromptu comment came after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene drew attention to Laken Riley, a nursing student killed in Georgia by Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national who entered the country illegally. Holding up a pin with Riley’s name, Biden referred to her as “an innocent woman who was killed by an illegal.”

Progressive Response

During Biden’s speech, Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Greg Casar, prominent members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, remained visibly unenthusiastic. They had previously voiced concerns about a Senate border security deal, which collapsed due to its perceived harshness.

Disappointment and Criticism

Progressive lawmakers expressed disappointment with Biden’s use of the term “illegal,” considering it dehumanizing and not reflective of their understanding of the immigrant experience. Rep. Delia Ramirez and Rep. Chuy Garcia voiced their discontent, emphasizing that no human being is illegal.

Progressive Caucus Deputy Chair’s Response

Rep. Ilhan Omar, the deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the dehumanizing nature of the term “illegal.” She reaffirmed the progressive stance that no human being should be labeled as such.

Pelosi’s Perspective

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledged Biden’s use of the term but downplayed its significance, suggesting that he should have used “undocumented” instead. She dismissed the controversy surrounding the remark as insignificant.

White House Response

The White House has not issued an immediate response to the criticism leveled against Biden’s remark during the State of the Union address.