Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., on Friday lashed out at Democrats for prioritizing the safety of illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens, telling Newsmax TV, “I don’t understand it.”
In an interview on “Spicer & Co.," Lesko dismissed calls for allowing those in ICE detention on the border to be released during the coronavirus outbreak. More than 160 immigrants have already been released by ICE in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
"It's a concern for their safety," she said of Customs and Border Patrol agents and TSA officers on the southern border during the pandemic.
But, she declared, “I’m opposed to just letting people in ICE detention center go. Unless there’s really some reason… we should not.”
“Some of my Democratic colleagues often use these crises to do their pet projects or things that they really want to do,” she charged,
“I know all too clearly being I’m [on the House] Judiciary and Homeland Security committees, is that they seem to want to prioritize illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens…. I don't understand it. It’s a head scratcher for me.”
Lasko also defended GOP Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey for delaying a lockdown order for the state, and carving out golf courses and hair and nail salons as essential businesses so they wouldn’t have to close down.
"He’s for freedom not for the strong arm of government mandates," she said.
But she said she saw the rationale for golf courses, and noted the designation as essential for nail and hair salons was later changed.
"You’re six feet away when you’re playing golf… it’s logical even if it sounds illogical," she said, adding since the lockdown order, “he has said hair and nail salons need to close.”
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