As Election Day nears, President Barack Obama has a message for U.S. citizens whose family members are undocumented immigrants:
“If you have a family member who maybe is undocumented, then you have an even greater reason to vote,” he said in a recent interview with actress Gina Rodriguez.
“Part of what is important for Latino citizens is to make your voice heard because you’re not just speaking for yourself,” he said. “You’re speaking for family members, friends, classmates of yours in school who may not have a voice ... they’re counting on you to make sure that you have the courage to make your voice heard.”
The “Jane the Virgin” star sat down with Obama for the Latino-focused digital outlet Mitu to discuss some of the top myths and concerns facing voters this election cycle. Her questions were drawn from viewer comments posted to the outlet’s social media pages.
One key question: What message does Obama have for supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)?
“They’re both good people,” the president said of Sanders and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. “But I tell you what ― Hillary’s our nominee, and I’d put her record next to Bernie’s record, next to my record, in terms of championing civil rights.”
“Sometimes I think young people feel like, well, I don’t want somebody who compromises. But the truth of the matter is that’s how stuff gets done. You never get 100 percent of what you want right away. You chip away at it,” he said.
“Sometimes I think young people feel like, well, I don’t want somebody who compromises. But the truth of the matter is that’s how stuff gets done.”
Rodriguez also brought up a fear among some voters about casting ballots on Election Day. “If I vote, will immigration know where I live? Will they come for my family and deport us?” she said.
“Not true,” Obama responded. “There is not a situation where the voting rolls somehow are transferred over, and people start investigating.”
The pair also talked swing states and election rigging ― and Rodriguez even took a phone call from her aunt, who had a special question for the president. Watch the entire interview above.
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