-
UNIVISION NEWS TRANSCRIPT
Program: Al Punto with Jorge Ramos
Content: Interview with Senator Marco Rubio
Air Date: Sunday, April 19, 2015
Key JR: Jorge Ramos SMR: Senator Marco Rubio
JR: Senator Marco Rubio, thank you for speaking with us. SMR:
Thank you very much, Jorge. JR: Senator, in your book you talk
about how excited you were by Barack
Obamas campaign. Nonetheless, Barack Obama did not run as an
African-American candidate. You have decided not to run as a
Hispanic candidate. Why? SMR: Well, obviously Im Hispanic. My
heritage, that of my parents, both of them were from Cuba, and
obviously, I was raised in a Hispanic community. I think that
my message and our policies are policies that apply to every
American. Theres no doubt that the Hispanic community is a
community of hardworking people, people who are
seeking to improve their lives. I do think that our message has
a special impact on that
community because many of them identify with that story. But I
obviously think that its a message that applies to everyone and
that a president has to work for everyone. JR: As you know, it has
always been hard for Republicans to get the Hispanic
vote. I wanted to talk with you about very concrete issues that
affect Hispanics directly. I
would like to start with the issue of deferred action and DACA.
If you made it to the
White House, would you keep the DACA program; that is, Deferred
Action for the
Dreamers, and would you keep President Barack Obamas executive
action, which would benefit more than four million undocumented
people? SMR: Well, DACA is going to have to end at some point. I
wouldnt undo it immediately. The reason is that there are already
people who have that permission, who
-
are working, who are studying, and I dont think it would be fair
to cancel it suddenly. But I do think it is going to have to end.
And, God willing, its going to end because immigration reform is
going to pass. DAPA hasnt yet taken effect, and I think it has
impeded progress on immigration, on immigration reform. And since
that program hasnt taken effect yet, I would cancel it. But DACA, I
think it is important; it cant be cancelled suddenly because there
are already people who are benefitting from it. But it is going
to
have to end. It cannot be the permanent policy of the United
States. And I dont think thats what theyre asking for, either. I
think that everyone prefers immigration reform. JR: But then, to
clarify, you would end DACA once immigration reform is
approved. But what happens, Senator, if there is no immigration
reform? Would you
cancel DACA anyway?
SMR: At some point its going to have to end. That is, it cannot
continue to be the permanent policy of the United States. I do
think that if I wind up being president, it
will be possible to achieve new immigration reform. It wont be
possible for it to be comprehensive; that is, they are not going to
be able to do everything in one massive bill.
We already tried that a couple of years ago. We have seen that
the political support isnt there, and I think weve spent a lot of
time on this process when we could have started moving forward
through the three steps that I advocated. Unfortunately, a lot of
time has
been wasted on that. It has become an even more controversial
issue; harder to move
forward on that issue. But I still say that its important to
modernize our system, and that means improving the way we enforce
it in the future, to modernize the immigration
system so that its not so costly and bureaucratic. And we have
to deal with 12 million human beings who are already here. And
nobody, nobody is advocating a plan to deport
12 million human beings. So that issue has to be dealt with, as
well. JR: When you announced your candidacy, outside of the
building where you
announced it, there were a lot of Dreamers, protesting. And then
there are some
immigrant organizations that have criticized your candidacy.
Americas Voice says that you have anti-immigrant positions. I would
like to ask you, you were in favor of an
immigration reform bill in the Senate, and you voted for it. But
today, would you vote in
favor of a path to legalization for 11 million undocumented
people? SMR: Well, that cant be done today for the following
reason. I dont think we can. I have been very clear. I, through
that two-year experience, its very clear to me. Were not going to
have the votes or the necessary political support in Congress.
Today, in some sectors of the American public, in order to move
forward on this issue, unless we
first prove to the American people that in the future theres not
going to be another immigration crisis. If we do that, I think that
undoubtedly the political support is going to
exist to do legalization as you have said. It has to be a
process similar to what we
advocated in the legislation that I sponsored, and its the law
that says that, first, the things were all familiar with must be
present: a background check, pay a fine, begin to pay taxes, get a
work permit, and after 10 years, they can apply for their
residency. That
would be the process, but we cant get to that point.
Politically, the support and the votes
-
in Congress arent there until we prove to those members of
Congress and the American people that immigration laws are going to
be enforced. JR: Senator, I want to ask you about Cuba. I know its
an issue close to your heart, since both your parents are Cuban
immigrants. Nonetheless, the majority of Cuban-
Americans agree with ending the embargo, and they also agree,
according to the polls,
with this new approach of President Barack Obama to Cuba. If you
reached the White
House and were president, would you cut relations with Cuba? And
what do you think
about President Barack Obamas calling Ral Castro president? SMR:
Well, he isnt a president. He can call himself whatever he likes,
but Ral Castro hasnt been elected to absolutely anything. He is
tyrant and a dictator. In terms of relations with Cuba, right? I
would like to have relations with a free, democratic Cuba, or
a country thats making progress toward that. And that doesnt
exist. The Cuban people are the only people in Latin America who
havent had free elections in more than 50 years. I think that is
unfair, and I think the Cuban people deserve that. In my opinion,
I
say that its still a government that supports terrorism. Just
today weve seen, this week weve seen the news that the FARC have
again kidnapped and killed 10 people in Colombia. That is a group
that receives help and support and shelter from the Cuban
government. JR: Would you cut relations with Cuba? If you reach
the White House, youll cut relations? SMR: Unless its a democratic
country or it starts taking concrete steps toward democracy, of
course. JR: Senator, you are the youngest candidate among those who
have run or will
run, 43 years old. But SMR: 44 next month, Jorge. JR: 44 next
month. However, you have certain positions; for example, youre
against same-sex marriage, which is not what most young people
believe in, according to
the polls. Are you afraid of being portrayed in the media as an
old young man, as some
people in Latin America say?
SMR: Well, I dont believe thats true. A significant percentage
of Americans support my position on marriage between a woman and a
man. I understand that there are
discrepancies and a change of attitude, and I believe that if
people want to change the
laws about marriage in a democracy, in a republic, they can do
so through their state
legislatures. The states have always regulated marriage and can
continue to do so. I
believe that if the attitude in the country has changed, well,
there is a democratic process
through which they can make that change. What I dont support is
for the courts to determine this issue because I dont think its up
to the courts. I think its up to the
-
political branch of each state to decide how it wants to
regulate and how to define
marriage laws. JR: And Ill finish with a more personal question,
Senator. We have had first ladies with very defined personalities:
Michelle Obama, for example, or Hillary Clinton.
Your wife Jeanette is Colombian-American. What would Jeanette be
like as a first lady? SMR: I think she would be excellent. She has
a heart for issues, for example, the
trafficking of human beings, which is a crisis today throughout
the world. A person who
is also interested in childrens issues and education. And also a
person who, to me, is a great mother, a great wife, which is also
important, right? Because having stability in the
family is critical for being able to do the job well as a team.
I would also consider her part
of that team. But I believe that the country is going to love
Jeanette when it gets to know
her better. JR: And that image that came out of you with your
four children, to many,
even if they were from the other political party, it reminded
them of President John F.
Kennedy. SMR: Well, a figure from different times, undoubtedly.
Former President
Kennedy had a beautiful family as well. Its more than an honor
to know his daughter, who is now the ambassador to Japan. But,
again, I believe it is important, that people
want to know where you came from, what your family is like. And
as we say, My children are Colom-ban, which is a combination of
Colombian and Cuban, a very good combination. JR: Senator, thanks
for speaking with us and I hope we can continue this
conversation throughout the campaign. Thank you. SMR: Thank you
very much, Jorge.
###
-
TRANSCRIPCIN DE NOTICIAS UNIVISION Programa: Al Punto con Jorge
Ramos
Contenido: Entrevista con el Senador Marco Rubio
Fecha: Domingo, 19 de Abril de 2015
Leyenda JR: Jorge Ramos SMR: Senador Marco Rubio
JR: Senador Marco Rubio, gracias por hablar con nosotros. SMR:
Muchas gracias, Jorge. JR: Senador, en su libro usted habla de cmo
le emocion la campaa de
Barack Obama. Sin embargo, Barack Obama no se lanza como un
candidato
afroamericano. Usted ha decidido no lanzarse como un candidato
hispano. Por qu? SMR: Bueno, obviamente soy hispano. La herencia
ma, de mis padres, los dos
eran de Cuba y obviamente criado en una comunidad hispana
tambin. Creo que mi
mensaje y nuestra poltica es una poltica que aplica a todo
norteamericano. Sin duda que
la comunidad hispana es una comunidad de personas trabajadoras,
personas que estn
buscando mejorar su vida. Y s creo que nuestro mensaje tiene un
impacto especial sobre
esa comunidad porque muchos identifican con ese historial. Pero
obviamente pienso que
es un mensaje que aplica a todos y que un presidente tiene que
trabajar por todos. JR: Como usted sabe, a los Republicanos siempre
les ha costado mucho
trabajo conseguir el voto hispano. Y le quera hablar de temas
muy concretos que afectan
directamente a los hispanos. Quisiera empezar primero con el
tema de la accin diferida y
DACA. Si usted llegara a la Casa Blanca, usted mantendra el
programa de DACA, es
decir, De Accin Diferida para los Dreamers, y mantendra la accin
ejecutiva del
Presidente Barack Obama que beneficiara ms de cuatro millones de
indocumentados? SMR: Bueno, DACA va a tener que terminar en algn
momento determinado.
Yo no lo deshara inmediatamente. La razn es porque ya hay
personas que tienen ese
-
permiso, que estn trabajando, que estn estudiando, y no creo que
sera justo cancelarlo
de un momento al otro. Pero s creo que va a tener que terminar.
Y si Dios quiere va a
terminar porque va a pasar una reforma migratoria. DAPA todava
no est en vigor, y
pienso que ha impedido el progreso en lo que es la inmigracin,
en la reforma migratoria.
Y como ese programa no est en vigor y ese s lo cancelara. Pero
DACA, yo creo que es
importante, no se puede cancelar de un momento al otro porque ya
hay personas que
estn beneficiando. Pero s va a tener que terminar. No puede ser
la poltica permanente
de Estados Unidos. Y no creo que eso sea lo que estn pidiendo
tampoco. Yo creo que
todos prefieren una reforma migratoria. JR: Pero entonces, para
aclarar, usted terminara con DACA una vez que se
aprobara una reforma migratoria. Pero qu pasa, Senador, si no
hay reforma migratoria?
Cancelara DACA de todas formas?
SMR: En un momento determinado va a tener que terminar. Es
decir, no puede
seguir siendo la poltica permanente de Estados Unidos. Yo s creo
que si salgo
presidente va a ser posible lograr una reforma migratoria nueva.
No va a poder ser
integral, es decir, no va a poder ser todo en un proyecto
masivo. Eso ya lo tratamos hace
un par de aos. Hemos visto que no existe el apoyo poltico, y
creo que hemos gastado
mucho tiempo en este proceso cuando podramos haber empezado
progresando a travs
de los tres pasos que yo he abogado. Desafortunadamente se ha
gastado mucho tiempo
con eso. Se ha convertido en un tema an ms controversial, ms
difcil de progresar
sobre ese tema. Pero sigo diciendo que es importante modernizar
nuestro sistema, y eso
quiere decir mejorar la manera en la cual la enforzamos en el
futuro, modernizar el
sistema migratorio para que no sea tan costoso y burocrtico. Y
tenemos que lidiar con 12
millones de seres humanos que ya estn aqu. Y nadie, nadie est
abogando por un plan
para deportar a 12 millones de seres humanos. As que hay que
tratar ese tema tambin. JR: Cuando usted anunci su candidatura
fuera del edificio donde lo anuncia,
haba muchos Dreamers protestando. Y luego hay algunas
organizaciones inmigrantes
que han criticado su candidatura. Americas Voice dice que usted
tiene posiciones anti-inmigrantes. Le quisiera preguntar, usted
estuvo a favor de un proyecto de reforma
migratoria en el Senado y vot por l. Pero hoy, usted votara a
favor de un camino para
la legalizacin de 11 millones de indocumentados, hoy? SMR:
Bueno, hoy no se puede hacer por la siguiente razn. Yo no creo
que
podemos. Yo he estado muy claro. Yo ya, a travs de esta
experiencia de dos aos, es
muy claro para m. No vamos a tener los votos ni el apoyo poltico
necesario en el
Congreso. Hoy en el pblico norteamericano en algunas partes para
poder progresar
sobre este tema, sino primero le comprobamos al pueblo
norteamericano que en el futuro
no va a haber otra crisis migratoria. Si hacemos eso, sin duda
yo creo que va a existir el
apoyo necesario poltico para hacer la legalizacin como usted ha
dicho. Tiene que ser un
proceso parecido a lo que abogamos en la ley que patrocin, y es
la ley que dice que
primero tiene que presentarse todo lo que ya conocemos:
presentarse un chequeo de
antecedentes, pagar una multa, empezar a pagar impuestos, recibe
un permiso de trabajo
y despus de 10 aos pueden aplicar a su residencia. Eso sera el
proceso, pero no
-
podemos llegar a ese punto. Polticamente no existe el apoyo ni
los votos en el congreso
hasta que primero le comprobemos a esos congresistas y al pueblo
norteamericano que
las leyes de inmigracin se van a enforzar. JR: Senador, quiero
preguntarle sobre Cuba, que yo s que es tema muy
cercano, ya que sus dos padres son inmigrantes cubanos. La mayor
parte de los cubano-
americanos, sin embargo, estn de acuerdo con la finalizacin del
embargo y estn de
acuerdo tambin, de acuerdo con las encuestas, a este nuevo
acercamiento del Presidente
Barack Obama con Cuba. Si usted llegar a la Casa Blanca y fuera
presidente, usted
cortara relaciones con Cuba? Y qu le parece que el Presidente
Barack Obama le llame
presidente a Ral Castro? SMR: Bueno, l no es un presidente. Se
puede nombrar lo que quiera, pero Ral
Castro no ha sido electo en absolutamente nada. Es un tirano y
un dictador. En trminos
de las relaciones con Cuba, no? Yo quisiera tener relaciones con
una Cuba libre,
democrtica, o un pas que est haciendo progreso hacia eso. Eso no
existe. El pueblo
cubano es el nico pueblo de Amrica Latina que no ha tenido
elecciones libres en ms
de 50 aos. Creo que eso es injusto, yo creo que el pueblo Cubano
se merece eso. Por mi
parte yo digo que sigue siendo un gobierno que apoya el
terrorismo. Hoy mismo hemos
visto, en esta semana hemos visto noticias de que las FARC de
nuevo han secuestrado y
asesinado a diez personas en Colombia. Ese es un grupo que
recibe apoyo y ayuda y
albergue de parte del gobierno cubano. JR: Cortara relaciones
entonces con Cuba? Si usted llega a la Casa Blanca
corta relaciones? SMR: Sea un pas democrtico o empieza a hacer
pasos concretos hacia la
democracia, sin duda que s. JR: Senador, usted es el candidato
ms joven de todos los que se han lanzado
o se van a lanzar, 43 aos. Pero-- SMR: 44 el mes que viene,
Jorge. JR: De acuerdo, okay, 44 el mes que viene. Sin embargo, hay
ciertas
posiciones que usted tiene, como por ejemplo, est en contra del
matrimonio entre
personas del mismo sexo, que no es lo mismo que cree la mayor
parte de los jvenes, de
acuerdo con las encuestas. Tiene miedo que sea presentado ante
los medios como un
joven viejo, como le dicen algunos en Amrica Latina? SMR: Bueno,
yo no creo que eso sea cierto. Un porcentaje significante de
norteamericanos apoya mi posicin de que el matrimonio es entre
una mujer y un
hombre. Yo entiendo que hay discrepancias y un cambio de
actitud, y creo que si las
personas quieren cambiar la ley sobre el matrimonio en una
democracia, en una
repblica, lo pueden hacer a travs de su legislatura en los
estados. Los estados siempre
han regulado el matrimonio y lo pueden seguir haciendo. Yo
entiendo que s ha cambiado
-
la actitud en este pas, pues entonces existe un proceso
democrtico a travs la cual
pueden hacer ese cambio. Lo que yo no apoyo es que una corte
determine ese asunto
porque no creo que le corresponda a la corte. Yo creo que eso le
corresponde al ramo
poltico de cada estado, decidir cmo quiere regular y cmo quiere
definir las leyes de
matrimonio. JR: Y termino con una pregunta ms personal, Senador,
hemos tenido
primeras damas con personalidades muy definidas, Michelle Obama
por ejemplo, o
Hillary Clinton. Su esposa Jeanette es colombiano-americana. Cmo
sera Jeanette de
Primera Dama? SMR: Yo creo que sera excelente. Tiene un corazn
para temas, por ejemplo,
del trfico en seres humanos, que es una crisis que existe hoy en
da a travs de todo el
mundo. Una persona tambin que le interesa mucho los temas de los
nios y la
educacin. Y tambin una persona que para m es una gran madre, una
gran esposa, que
es importante tambin, no? Porque tener estabilidad en la familia
es crtico para poder
hacer el trabajo bien como equipo. La considerara parte de ese
equipo tambin. Pero, yo
creo que al pas le va a encantar a Jeanette cuando las conozcan
mejor. JR: Y esa imagen que sali usted con sus cuatro hijos, a
muchos, aunque sea
de otro partido poltico, los hizo recordar al Presidente John F.
Kennedy. SMR: Bueno, figrate, otra poca sin duda, el ex Presidente
Kennedy tena una
familia bella tambin. Es ms que tener un honor de conocer a su
hija, que ahora es la
embajadora en Japn. Pero, vuelvo y repito, creo que es
importante, el pueblo quiere
saber de dnde viene uno, de cmo es su familia. Y como nosotros
decimos, Mis hijos son colom-banos, que es una combinacin de
colombiano y cubano, una combinacin muy buena. JR: Senador, gracias
por hablar con nosotros y espero que podamos continuar
con esta conversacin a lo largo de la campaa. Gracias. SMR:
Muchas gracias, Jorge.
###
