Former MSNBC host Joy Reid made waves during her podcast on Monday by accusing Republican lawmakers of co-opting the term ‘illegals’ as a racial slur akin to the ‘n-word’. The comment came during a discussion about the ongoing government shutdown, with Reid highlighting how political discourse has increasingly become polarized around immigration issues.
Reid’s assertion follows recent escalations in partisan rhetoric surrounding immigration policy. She argued that the use of such language is meant to dehumanize undocumented immigrants and fuel division along racial and political lines. This comes at a time when the debate over immigration reform has intensified, with several states enacting stricter border security measures and others pushing for increased protections for undocumented individuals.
The Republican Party has faced criticism for its handling of immigration issues, with many accusing the party of using divisive language to sway public opinion. Reid’s remarks underscore the growing concern among Democrats and civil rights advocates about the potential for increased racial slurs and inflammatory rhetoric in political circles.