Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with Hillary Clinton’s former running mate Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia Tuesday over the Trump administration’s decision to declare Afrikaner farmers as refugees.
The Trump administration granted refugee status to the white South African farmers in a Feb. 7 executive order issued by President Donald Trump. During a hearing held by the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Kaine questioned Rubio about the decision.
“Can you have a different standard based upon the color of somebody’s skin? Would that be acceptable?” Kaine asked Rubio, who shot back, “I’m not the one arguing that. Apparently, you are, because you don’t like the fact that they’re white.”
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White House senior advisor Elon Musk has called out South African politicians for anti-white rhetoric, including one known for leading people in a song called, “Kill the Boer.”
“The United States has a right to pick and choose who they allow into the United States,” Rubio said, with Kaine responding, “Based on the color of somebody’s skin?”
“You’re the one that’s talking about the color of their skin, not me,” Rubio shot back. “These are people whose farms are being burned down and they were being killed because of the color of their skin.”
Kaine and Rubio then clashed some more over immigration policy. Trump ordered a review of American refugee admissions on Jan. 20, freezing many admissions.
“Our immigration policy should be based on the national interest of the United States Period. End of story. If there is a subset of people that are easier to vet who, we have a better understanding of who they are and what they’re going to do when they come here, they’re going to receive preference, no doubt about it,” Rubio said. “There are a lot of sad stories around the world, millions and millions of people around the world. It’s heartbreaking. We cannot assume millions and millions of people around the world. No country can.”
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