In an effort to defend a new Trump administration rule aimed at making it more difficult for poorer legal immigrants from staying in the U.S., acting Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ken Cuccinelli offered a new take on the famous poem attached to the Statue of Liberty.
When NPR's Rachel Martin said the new rule seems to alter the definition of the American dream, Cuccinelli said it did not. Cuccinelli said"all immigrants who can stand on their own two feet" and"pull themselves up by their bootstraps" are welcome.
Come here legally. That’s what they had to do in the past. Why don’t they want to do that
Cuccinelli: Devoid of even the smallest amount of common sense. He fits right in with all of the other Trump appointments that lack common sense and a rational thought process.
Which is what that poem ALWAYS meant. There was NO welfare back then. All were welcome, but expected to make their own way.
Zero
Sounds good to me. Why should every swinging dick who come to the country by hook or crook get all the bennies? Free med, free housing, free education, food stamp card..etc...etc...
The Cucc agains proves that the entire R party is full on racist.
The poem isn’t federal law, wasn’t part of the Statue originally, and even during the Ellis Island days there were many reasons why people trying to emigrate here were denied entry. But why let facts get in the way of a misleading clickbait tweet.
The Cucc is a straight up monster.
It’s common sense. And if you disagree there are plenty of charities you can stroke a big check to to help out the takers.
The plaque was not originally on the statue and should not be there.
That is absolutely hard-line creepy So ashamed of being an American under their watch. The ugly american did its damage to our 'image' overseas. Now ugly american is in our own back yard. Their must be more people than myself that sees it as cringeworthy.
“Acting” employees no longer get to make important decisions
America value is changing as struggling facts. America is still America and America is no longer America.
TrumpAdministration
And we still refuse to pick up our guns and stop this.. lol The hate that I have for the Republican Party is larger than the expanding universe that surrounds us.. I will never stop fighting for every person of color and for every immigrant..
Shame on you NBC. Since WWII more refugees have found homes in the U.S. than any other nation.
Cuccinelli. Sounds like he stepped off the Mayflower?
BudGothmog44 Here's my heartfelt reply to Cuccinelli (that's not an aboriginal north american name btw) ....... 🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕
Every other country operates this why. One needs a sponsor and financial responsibility. Costs Rica for example requires $85,000 on the bank and a sponsor. Wake up people this is far from new
This is a joke, right?
What a creep.
Pander much
Fake news
That’s sounds great! Written with 2019 in mind.
This is some bullcrap!
Are people aware that trump's father took millions from FDR's social program for real estate development? I mean really, the gall of these republican parasites.
Like billionaires that haven’t paid taxes in decades, lives in and on government property, has a taxpayer paid security detail that runs in the millions per year? That kind of charge?
OK this is too much. The last straw. These trump admin assholes have spit in the face of every poor, hard working human being on the planet. I feel gravely insulted for my (& all) ancestors & families who work(ed) their bones down to build this country. A lot harder than the rich
Months before emigrating from Russia, Sergei Brin’s parents had no choice but to work at low paid temporary jobs. If Cuccinelli’s new wording for the Statue of Liberty had been in place, Brin would never have founded Google - and over 70,000 jobs would not have been created.
Legally yes don’t forget this country has laws always has.
Cuccinelli is not an ethical leader. He’s kind of gross. And terrible.
The American Dream is dead.
Hides your heads in shame. What has become of some citizens that they do not recognize the American values that made our country so special.
Poor immigrants don't necessarily become public charge. Republicans want to spread the lie that the moment an immigrant gets legal status, they start mooching off. That's not true. The true moochers are people and corporations who pay no taxes for decades.
Rentre à la maison maintenant. Ta place n’est plus ici. Ils finiront par faire fondre ta carcasse 😩
So, those people they arrested AT WORK. They were standing on their own two feet and bc we put them in jail, they are now on the public dole. WTG, morons. Bigots who can’t see the forest for trees.
Uhh, those immigrants had to pass through Ellis Island in those days
NationalDisgrace
Time to riot
FreakShowPresident This administration is trying to remake immigration policy in contradiction to the very fabric of what makes us unique in the history of nations......... “e pluribus unum...out of many, one”. This administration needs to be voted out in 2020.
AND AGAIN....immigrants came to the EXACT location to be processed and given citizenship. What's your point? I see you showing a pic of LEGAL entry!
Cuccinelli has been on the public dole since 2002.
SenMikeLee SenatorRomney this is APPALING.
The poem on Statue of Liberty is NOT THE LAW!!! Are you 'newsppl' really this stupid? Start reporting news or STOP calling yourself a news outfit!
Cuccinelli's hatred runs just as deep as Trumps and Millers! These clowns are acting all tough. They really are assholes! That White nationalist mentality. Privilege. Poor little boys are scared.
No way those changes is worth it.
KattyKay_ Do you think this administration would be brave enough to remove the poem from the statue of liberty? Maybe under the guise of restoring it back to its original state. I would believe it would be dark times if anyone ever did.
These people have no shame. The cruelty is the point.
Morning_Joe Amen!
But the immigrants who came a century ago (before entitlements, before even health insurance companies) had no option but to work hard to get started. So why would the poem need to mention the redundant?
We’ve gotten more of our share of tired & poor. When are we going to admit ppl who are professionals, no matter where they are from, to build our country. We are depleting it financially & dumbing down our schools by putting kids in classes acc to age w/ no formal education.
My first thought was, my ancestors would not have wanted Cuccinelli's ancestors to move to immigrate here; he is a hypocrite. Second thought, Cuccinelli attended a high school named after, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who took a vow of poverty & died tending to victims of the plague..
The 'tired & poor' didn't come dreaming of welfare checks. They came for the American Dream of freedom & self sufficiency. Immigrants were checked for medical issues, criminal records, & faced quotas. Dems are fine with hordes of people coming for freebies that WE pay for.
Libs want to change the constitution by changing gun laws. They want to change history by removing statues paintings or anything THEY find offensive. So why do you have a problem with changing this to reflect the times we live in? Just because YOU dont like it? Not good enough.
Don't come here if you're looking for free stuff. Is that so bad? You just see this as an assault on Illegal Democrat Voters.
Sickening how RacistGOP supports RacistTrump This is disgusting & if this 'Temp' ACTING Director of US Citizenship & Immigration Svcs thinks this is a funny joke, he has a sick sense of humor. Cuccinelli is a sick, twisted person to say it. Karma will come back 10x.
Perfect! Let's do it! Can we add, 'take the bums back'?
Big difference between the 1800s and 2019. No comparison.
He needs to resign. Now
This rule is simpley re-implimenting LAWS passed by Congress in the 1880s. Nothing more. Nothing new! America is NOT a welafer state to ALL comers.
You don’t revise Emma Lazarus.
Those teaming masses didnt expect or receive a Government handout
Beyond comprehension
It's disgusting how this Administration is changing our country. We can no longer say, 'This is not who we are,' because now it is who we are. Horrifying.
I am ashamed of what has happened to our country
Please come to our country illegally . We will give you everything you seek. Free healthcare, a place to stay, free education & countless benefits including a license to disobey our laws. “Things our own citizens don’t have”. All for FREE! At expense of us the TaxPayers.
This is embarrassing -you can do what you want ,even change the law however ,why change the perception of beautiful America ? These are true ignorant morons of the highest order .
A boat full of Italian Americans entering New York harbor early last century. Cucinnelli’s grandparents probably arrived on one of these boats teeming with the poor & unfortunate looking for a new chance & a future for their children & grandchildren. shameful hypocrites
Sick, disgusting, alarming. Don't think he can do that though.
So disgusting! Send him to France!
😡🤬
Let’s triple the quota of “huddled masses” and silence the MAGA men who mainly horses asses.
BoutDamnTime MeritBasedImmigration Trump2020
A meme has existed for two years now showing TrumpIsARacist standing at the statue trying to rip the sign off her. I don’t have a copy but if someone has please tweet it.
This is gross. My grandparents fled anti-Semitism on the rise in Europe in the early 1900s. They were children on their own. The horrifying realDonaldTrump administration is a dark stain on our history. May they all rot in hell. ImpeachTrump
...this coming from a man with the last name CUCCINELLI! Are you serious? He needs to sit his Italian immigrant behind down and be quiet for life. When Trump is gone he'll be running from the press saying he's sorry for what he said.
This is disgusting
These people r a disgrace
What has America become
Fine “Send Her Back” no problem
The people coming into the Harbor went through the proper immigration procedures, Unlike the people climbing over the border structures
Ok so we welcome immigrants! No one never said we don’t want immigrants! The Left continues to acknowledge the most important word..”LEGAL” immigrants! We welcome legal immigrants we deport illegal aliens!! That’s the law of the land!
What a silly man
And yet another horrible person in the Trump administration making us all aware that he too is an Ass
PillLlc All the immigrants in the mid 20th century came legally and got zero welfare.
News flash, when that poem was written America had no social service programs and the tired and poor were forced to be self reliant. So if anything the Trump administration is simply providing the same opportunities America provide back then. Nothing more, nothing less.
I’m definitely tired of paying for illegals to eat and have health care when I can’t get the services I need for my special needs son. Pay for your own shit I have too. I always know when the food stamps come in, they throw parties and eat like kings on my money. Ridiculous
Only the best people. I say another POS.
My family and myself came to America as immigrants. We paid our own expenses and have been working to support ourselves. I don’t mind supporting the needy, homeless, the older folks with no means BUT I won’t to support abled bodies who refused to work
These people just have to throw gas on the fire!!!
Remember the French made for us
Wow.
About time
Foreigners stand on their own two feet would not want to come to live in America. America is full of guns, kkk and a the president is a racist.
This sounds like a job for CleverTitleTK
Wow. USCISCuccinelli is out of touch with American values. The rule he is pushing - at Trump’s behest - would have kept a lot of our ancestors from immigrating to this country. Did the Cuccinellis come here wealthy with private insurance? Terrible.
447 DAYS TIL WE THROW THESE JACKALS OUT.
That's actually how our laws read
They are disgusting. But why what do they get out of it. Is it all based on their fear of the other.
If they change 1 word on the statue of liberty there should be wave opon wave of protesters marching to 1600 Pennsylvania ave to let this TURD know it's NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!.
Since we're in the mood for rewriting shit, can we give the 2nd amendment another go too?
You truly are the enemy of the people.
Selfish and disgusting!
Let’s go with this. Now please explain why this administration is removing hard working people who are supporting families with no government help. Mississippi
He's every bit a racist just like Trump!
And there you are... fueling not reporting. Well, expectations met.
Send him back to Italy, now.
Why shouldn't we help others. Our politicians live off us for decades. I'd rather help the needy than support welfare for the rich.
come here legally and you won't have a problem
Half the people in MoscowMitch 's district should be deported, by this logic.
The real and right words that reflect our American values are, “give me your tired your poor your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, send these the tempest-tossed to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
So Christian like not
There are no words.
Morning_Joe WHY WON'T media DRILL 24/7 Trump's illegal employees. Pressure ICE 2 RAID Trump business'. Pressure administration 2 LOCK UP the EMPLOYERS who ILLEGALLY hire illegal immigrants! DRILL the FACT that WHITE PEOPLE r MAJORITY WELFARE RECIPIENTS! WHY WON'T U GUYS DO THAT?
DumpTrumpHisCorruptionAndHisCorruptAdministration2020
It’s funny that MAGA’s fear what they interpret to be socialism but fascism doesn’t seem to be a problem.
😂😂😂😂😂 I love it!
Somewhere, there is a tear in the eye of Emma Lazarus.
Emma Lazarus wrote 'The New Colossus' in 1883. Do you know what requirements on immigration there were at that time? Look ~
Exactly the way it should be !! 🇺🇸
I’ve been waiting for the trump pence fox camp to tear the Statue of Liberty down - since they’ve declared the the country is full.
This would be coming from Stephan Miller. Anyone else remember when he argued about the plaque on one of the Sunday morning shows?
That was a poem that was added later to the SOL Not an amendment to the constitution so take your silly sap BS and ...........................
What an embarrasment of a government... day after day
I'm good with that! HELL YES! MAGA BUILDTHEDAMNWALL FINISHTHEWALL
disgusting man!
Wow! Who does this? Takes a beautiful sentiment and makes it ugly. Oh, of course, it's another tone deaf Trump appointee. Yikes
This is just another show of disrespect shown by the Trump administration. Their lack of respect & decorum when it comes to the USA is nauseating.
He will not change it, fuck him and the people who birthed him.
NO THEY WILL NOT! U GONNA SIT BY & TALK ABT IT, OR DO SOMETHING?
This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
progress
Sounds good to me
vile
One thing that makes America strong, envy of world, is it’s being a refuge for anyone seeking freedom. USCISCuccinelli & realDonaldTrump just making America weaker. Trump reign of hate/racism does NOT represent most Americans. Voting them OUT BlueWave2020
I think 'yearning to breathe free' covers it quite nicely.
Evenstar888 This has always been the case, in the past, taking in immigrants, they had to be sponsored, by churches, relatives, businesses, etc. Not to be a burden on society. The sponsor takes full financial responsibility, if the person cannot support themself.
Purveyors of Fake News.
Anyone else think this is way more un-American than kneeling for the national anthem?
My eye roll emoji is tired 🙄
The poem written by a far left activist is not, and has never been, our immigration policy. Being self sufficient and not a public charge has been our immigration policy for more than 100 years. But you know, muh narrative.
Discussing. There people, Trump and his administration are the absolute lowest of the low.
Better than living off the taxpayers.
KattyKay_ Time to send the Statute of Liberty back to France. The Trump admin just can't honour it's promises.
Next thing on his agenda will to send out his supporters to KILL immigrants he isnt to far off from that.. he is playing the racism card and inciting racist all over the U.S to create chaos TrumpIsAWhiteSupremacist
At this point just take it down. She once met something to those with hope who saw America as the better option. This country was built by immigrants now they aren’t even welcomed(at least not the white passing ones)
Someone check this fredo cuccinelli's immigrant history... Just 'how American' is he?
Breaking News Good, but Jerry re-wrote it first.
Buddhist68 This is a different America being imagined and it sounds awful.
It's the 1 per cent that hoard all the wealth in America. They rely on the people to get rich and they sit on their money while the country's debt grows by the moment.
Obviously something bigger is brewing behind the scenes and this is an attempt to divert attention.
It's not going to end well for the alt-right......
I don’t believe this. Even if the guy does offer a change, no one will go for it. Sorry but NBC is no longer a credible source for info. Seems like you are just trying to stoke anger.
KenCuccinelli is a vile vomitous mass of hypocrisy. This baboon faced warthog is Irish & Italian American. His obscene response to immigration, if applied to his Italian & Irish ancestors, would've meant them being shipped back to their countries to live in dire poverty. [1/2]
Uhh.... there is no call to change the plaque and I will guess that 90% of responders here didnt read the story. You are all sheep.
If you dont vote these fukrs out I don't know what's wrong with you. I know I am.
Does this mean we can send several red states packing? Several don’t even come close to standing on their own two feet.
Well, it was written by a frog
What do you expect from the RacistInChief?
How Christian of him.
Evil Trump & Evil Republicans
It’s a poem
Well that’s a statue that was gifted to us by the French we don’t make policies based of a statue. Nice try though. We have to see what benefits Americans
Gimme a break You know who's a 'public charge' ? TRUMP And his criminal cabinet. So SICK of this bunch of AWFUL HUMANS
Nooooooop
I can't understand the issue here. Why do we want immigrants that do not contribute to the country, rather the Libs want immigrants to be wards of the state. The Libs want to control these individuals to ensure they vote Dem. There can be no other possible reason
FAKE NEWS GARBAGE. realDonaldTrump
Morning_Joe Cuccinellini's Ancestry is ........? How does he think that he has any room to demand * MERIT * for citizenship. Neither he nor 45 can rightfully go there considering their Ancestors hadn't any so called Merit of Entitlement when they arrived to America seeking a better life .
perfect, thanks for making sure it's going to be this way.
CarlaChamorros People actually believe you.
Yes, well in the days when that was carved on the Statue of Liberty, LBJ hadn’t foisted the “Great Society” on us, and sponsored immigration was the norm. Immigrants did not become a burden on the taxpayer.
They will change the statue and add swastikas and text Heil Trump and America
The biggest “public charge” is the orange white supremacist in the White House. How much are his stays at Mar a Lago and his golf costing the taxpayers?!
he should be fired!
People don’t seem to realize this isn’t unheard of. Many immigrants were turned away at Ellis island because they were thought to be a burden
Welcome 2 the 4th Reich. All who did nothing in Germany or defended Hitler would fit right in for Trumps Regime!
I love people who quote that saying as if it is intended to mean that America is a giant charity. Plenty of people immigrated here “tired and poor” who did not take public assistance. America’s gift is opportunity, not free stuff.
NBC News lies and leftist propaganda.
A very sad reality is that we are all, EVERYONE OF US, one incident away from NOT being able to stand on our own two feet. It could happen in the blink of an eye. Count your blessings, and help others when you are so privileged.
Only in the trump administration would something so disgusting be tolerated
Absolutely Disgusting!
How does he explain the reality that the red states are the largest draw on social welfare funds?
I honestly don’t see why this is controversial
Cuccinelli is unAmerican trash. He should resign in shame.
This isn’t real, right?
Destruction is 45s wheelhouse. He destroyed the luxurious Bonwit Teller building in the '70s. The Teller building featured art deco treasures he ripped to the ground. ETTD
This idiot wanted to change the Virginia seal because of the naked breast on it. There is no excuse for him.
Right, because Americans are stupid and WANT to pay for other nations to move in so we can support them JUST to show how Good we are. Idiots.
Morning_Joe Unbelievable. Who do they think they are?
Give me your tired and your poor and send me a diaper 'cause I pooped in my pants - cuccinelli
Morning_Joe I'm not a Republican but that stupid poem should be on the entrance to the Vatican. This has never been what America is about. The US has survived and gotten stronger because the strongest and healthiest people fought to get to our shores except for Jews who bought their way in.
Vile. Anti-American.
And they wonder why they are called deplorable? Wonder no more... StopTheTrumpTeamCon
Morning_Joe Finally, this morning Joe Scarborough admitted he and other Republicans allowed our country to be overwhelmed by southern border immigrants to keep their labor cost down. In other words to lower American workers wages, weaken our labor unions and lower our standard of living.
He probably would not be here if not for his immigrant ancestors.
You mean, people like the Trump grifter and his immigrant Russian asset wife and her parents? and his lazy elephant murdering sons and those grifter icons Ivanka and Jared?
Morning_Joe Wow, that is so unacceptable! To change what The United States of America stands for, to trump's hateful, racist, corrupt version is and should be OUT OF THE QUESTION!!
Give me your tired and your bankrupt poor farmers who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge.
Morning_Joe Wow! Changing the poem Emma Lazarus wrote about the Statue of Liberty! I memorized this poem for school once. How vile and vulgar can someone be! Seeing The Statue of Liberty was my biggest thrill the first trip I made to New York and sering it when I have flown in, still is!
One nation under God? We may not be godless but we are Christless. We abandoned mercy and replaced it with hate. We've intentionally ruined children's lives and subjected God own children to horrendous conditions in the name of Trump Under God.
Morning_Joe How is he in office even one more day
Morning_Joe a really F up statement, because his own freaking ancestor couldn't have done same. With the campaign to whiten up America after the Civil War, most immigrates from Europe had nothing to offer other than their Whiteness. None could have stood up on their own.. some criminals
...speaking of parasites who have made a career out of being a 'public charge'
Disgusting 😡
🤬
🇺🇸🏛⚖️ ✨”We The People”✨ “WILL” PREVAIL!! 🇺🇸 🔥🗽💞 🙏🏻 JusticeForALL 🇺🇸🏛⚖️ ForThePeople 🇺🇸👫💞 🇺🇸✨👫 🌎 💞 “We Are ALL Immigrants” 💞 🌎 👫✨🇺🇸
Oh dear, he will forever be known for this unamerican quote. Nice legacy for your decendants
Come legally and don’t be a leech on our society. Learn English. Embrace the Constitution and customs. Otherwise go be a leech elsewhere we have no need for you
Morning_Joe ✨“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”✨ ~ 👏🏻💞 EmmaLazarus🇺🇸✨LadyLiberty✨🔥🗽🇺🇸
Times have changed fools the illegals are taking advantage of us and everyone knows it
That’s not a federal statue it’s NY state they would not be allowed to change it
*he makes
He is an unconfirmed, acting director, how can any policy changes ge makes be legal? Any moron can be placed as an acting by this administration, they are not elected and representative of the American people!
The level of inhumanity is apalling these people are devoid of any soul .
Touch it and people will swallow you whole
Morning_Joe So realDonaldTrump hires another jerk. The Republican Party is the Party of Jerks.
This is where it all starts, first it's immigrants that need help then it's our own people because they need help. This reminds me of the show on netflix the 3%. It all starts with one domino. If the people don't want to help another eventually they won't want to help their own.
Morning_Joe Might as well add, ' whites only' too
Torched? More like blew it to smithereens. After he flipped it the bird.
Times have changed. Once, there was an unchecked demand for unskilled labor in the US, and there was little to no concept of welfare or someone being a 'public charge.'
This is the guy cnn CNNPolitics ChrisCuomo donlemon routinely had spewing his garbage on their network because of bothsides journalism that’s pervasive today.
Oh for God Sakes, Just send the statue back to France already why don't you.
Cuccinelli should resign. He is a Trump clone. ImpeachDonaldTrumpNOW
He's as racist as Trump is!
Ken Cuccinelli: 'Anyway, it is worse than our immigration policy — you can’t break up rat families. Or raccoons or all the rest and you can’t even kill them. It’s unbelievable' 2013 Listen: via YouTube
It doesn’t say we have support the whole world!
Lady Liberty holds a tiki torch of hate under Trump’s charge. She is not a beacon of hope, she is now a warning sign. You can come, but fair warning, you better have means or else scram. I know the base loves this. Another piece of America has chipped away.
He’s a disgusting creature
Ken Cuccinelli once compared pest control in Washington DC with immigration policy - What type of person? ¿Qué tipo de persona? (Spanish/English) Watch: via YouTube
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France. She’s maintained with public funds. Is she being deported?
This is what Oprah thinks about the tRump Administration:
Only the worst people in this administration. The worst.
Morning_Joe They’re all deplorable. All of them.
This administration is filled with and supported by such shitty people. They go out of their way insult anyone less fortunate than themselves.
Morning_Joe Yes, but not your illegals who break our laws.
Morning_Joe Even The Statue Of Liberty 🗽 is 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Morning_Joe Not sure if this was to be taken as funny or stern, either is a disgrace to his ACTING.
Morning_Joe I believe Cuccinelli is an Italian name. Did his ancestors come to America ready to stand on their two feet. It was many years ago, but this is the same America they got to call home.
Why stop there. Just take down the statue.
Cuccinelli! Please tell us what our immigrant First Lady has done to support herself and her family that is now here... to support themselves in USA? Ohhhh.... trump supports them! How is that different for ANY immigrant?
This is why NBC News has been switched off by millions of Americans. We have enormous debt, deficits, and trade imbalances..............and NBC News thinks we should take on the dirt poor and uneducated of the world.
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