Nikki Haley defends immigrants in response to Obama’s address | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Nikki Haley defends immigrants in response to Obama’s address

ByAP, Washington
Jan 13, 2016 09:23 AM IST

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley used the formal Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday to try softening the tough stance toward immigrants embraced by some of the party’s leading presidential candidates, urging Americans to resist “the siren call of the angriest voices

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley used the formal Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday to try softening the tough stance toward immigrants embraced by some of the party’s leading presidential candidates, urging Americans to resist “the siren call of the angriest voices.”

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley used the formal Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday to try softening the tough stance toward immigrants embraced by some of the party’s leading presidential candidates, urging Americans to resist “the siren call of the angriest voices(REUTERS)
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley used the formal Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday to try softening the tough stance toward immigrants embraced by some of the party’s leading presidential candidates, urging Americans to resist “the siren call of the angriest voices(REUTERS)

Haley, herself the U.S.-born daughter of Indian immigrants, said the country is facing the most dangerous security threat since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. That was a reference to the Islamic State group, which has taken credit for attacks in Paris and elsewhere and may have inspired last month’s mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices,” she said in her prepared remarks. “We must resist that temptation.”

Haley did not mention the Republican presidential race. But the front-runner so far, real estate mogul Donald Trump, has called for deporting millions of immigrants in the US illegally. Two other contenders, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz have battled over which of them has the tougher record on the issue.

No one who works hard and follows the laws “should ever feel unwelcome in this country,” she said.

Mentioned by some as a potential vice presidential candidate, Haley said the US should continue admitting “properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion” - an apparent reference to calls by Trump to temporarily bar Muslims from entering the country. She also hewed closely to long-time Republican demands in the immigration debate, saying: “That does not mean we just flat out open our borders.”

The nation’s youngest governor at 43, Haley also seemed to try smoothing some of her party’s more combative edges. She said Republicans “would respect differences in modern families” - perhaps suggesting more tolerance toward same-sex couples - and said it isn’t necessary “to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference.”

Without offering specifics, she said that while Democrats bear much responsibility, Republicans “need to accept that we’ve played a role in how and recognize why our government is broken.”

Haley has gained national prominence for helping to end the display of the Confederate battle flag on Statehouse grounds last year after half a century, a move that followed last June’s slaying of nine people at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina. The flag was flown by forces supporting the secessionist, pro-slavery Southern states in the American Civil War.

Polls have shown public concerns over terrorism and national security have become a top issue ever since the November attacks that killed 130 people in Paris and the December mass shooting by a radicalized Muslim couple that killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California. Ever since, Republicans on the presidential campaign trail and in Congress have been emphasizing the issue.

At the same time, many Republicans feel the party must do a better job of appealing to Hispanics and other minority voters if they are to compete effectively in national and many statewide elections.

They’re also eager to win more votes from women, who preferred Obama over his Republican opponents by more than 10 percentage points in his 2008 and 2012 elections and have favored the Democratic presidential candidate in each election since 1992.

Haley is the third consecutive woman chosen by Republican leaders to deliver their party’s response to Obama.

Haley said the nation’s problems also include an economy that’s not boosted family income, a national debt that’s too high and Obama’s health care law, which Republicans have long asserted has failed.

She said a Republican president would lower taxes, curb spending and debt and strengthen the military.

___

This story has been corrected to show that nine people were killed in the Charleston church shootings.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On