Liberals call for “MAGA” to ‘give thanks to undocumented immigrants’ on Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving, several liberal figures urged conservatives and President-elect Donald Trump supporters to express gratitude to illegal immigrants for their role in harvesting and packing the food enjoyed during the holiday. Former Obama Housing & Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro specifically called on MAGA supporters to acknowledge the contributions of undocumented immigrants in providing the Thanksgiving feast.
Castro’s statement received mixed reactions, with some respondents questioning which crops were being harvested by migrants in cities like New York and Chicago. Others labeled the characterization as racist assumptions about farmworkers. Additionally, some individuals expressed gratitude for Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming border czar.
During a segment on MSNBC, Rep. Robert Garcia of California discussed the role of noncitizen farmworkers in the Thanksgiving supply chain. Host Jonathan Capehart highlighted the significant cost savings for consumers and the reliance on immigrant labor in agriculture. Capehart also raised concerns about the potential impact of Trump’s immigration policies on agricultural workers.
Garcia echoed Capehart’s sentiments, criticizing Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and emphasizing the vital role immigrant labor plays in the American economy. He stressed the importance of recognizing the contributions of food service workers without legal status and warned against mass deportations that could harm the economy.
Actor and occasional Trump critic John Fugelsang took to social media to draw parallels between the Thanksgiving story and the modern-day treatment of undocumented immigrants. He humorously referenced the Wampanoag Native Americans feeding the pilgrims as an early example of supporting undocumented immigrants.
In light of the holiday, a meme circulated online depicting a pilgrim receiving a roasted turkey from a Native American with the caption, “Thanksgiving: Celebrating the day Americans fed undocumented immigrants from Europe.” The meme aimed to highlight the historical context of immigration and gratitude.
Overall, the conversation surrounding Thanksgiving and immigration underscored the complex interplay between politics, history, and social issues. As the nation reflects on the holiday season, discussions about immigration and labor rights continue to be important topics for consideration.
(Original article source: Fox News)
