A Republican senator from Utah sparked fierce conservative backlash after urging Americans to “wake up every morning” and ask what they’re doing to make immigrants “feel more welcome” during a CNN appearance that coincided with billion-dollar fraud scandals involving migrant communities.
Story Highlights
- Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) told CNN Americans should daily ask themselves how to make immigrants feel more welcome
- Comments triggered immediate conservative outrage amid $1 billion Somali migrant fraud allegations in Minnesota
- Curtis previously served as Utah County Democrat Party chair before switching to Republican Party in 2017
- Social media erupted with calls to vote out “RINO” senators who don’t prioritize American taxpayers over illegal immigrants
Senator’s Welcoming Message Ignites Republican Fury
Senator John Curtis delivered remarks on CNN that sent shockwaves through conservative circles, advocating for Americans to prioritize making immigrants feel welcome in their daily lives. Curtis specifically stated that citizens should “wake up every morning, look in the mirror, and say ‘What am I doing specifically today to make our immigrants feel more welcome.'” The timing proved catastrophic for Curtis, as his comments emerged during heightened scrutiny of immigration policies following massive fraud allegations involving Somali migrant communities that have cost taxpayers over $1 billion.
Conservative commentators immediately seized on Curtis’s remarks as tone-deaf and disconnected from legitimate taxpayer concerns about criminal activity and fraud within certain immigrant populations. Social media erupted with criticism, with users calling Curtis a “RINO” and demanding voters remove senators who prioritize illegal immigrant comfort over American interests. The backlash reflects deep frustration among Trump’s base with Republicans who fail to support aggressive enforcement measures during a period of renewed deportation efforts.
Curtis’s Democratic Party Background Raises Questions
The controversy surrounding Curtis’s immigration stance gains additional context from his political background as former chair of the Utah County Democrat Party before switching to the Republican Party in 2017. This history has provided ammunition for critics who question his conservative credentials and commitment to Republican immigration priorities. Curtis’s transformation from Democrat to Republican appears incomplete to many conservatives, particularly given his willingness to embrace pro-immigrant rhetoric that aligns more closely with Democratic talking points than current GOP positions.
Utah traditionally represents one of the safest Republican seats in the nation, theoretically providing Curtis insulation from primary challenges. However, the intense backlash suggests that even senators in secure seats face significant pressure from their base on immigration issues. The criticism mirrors previous conservative frustration with former Utah Senator Mitt Romney, indicating a pattern of Utah Republicans diverging from party orthodoxy on key conservative priorities including immigration enforcement and border security measures.
Fraud Allegations Compound Political Damage
Curtis’s welcoming message appears particularly problematic given concurrent allegations of extensive fraudulent activity within Somali migrant communities in Minnesota, with reports indicating over $1 billion in taxpayer losses. These fraud allegations have become a focal point for Trump administration criticism of previous immigration policies and have intensified political debate surrounding immigrant community integration. Curtis failed to address these specific concerns during his CNN appearance, instead focusing exclusively on welcoming policies without acknowledging legitimate taxpayer grievances about criminal activity and fraud.
The senator’s comments demonstrate a fundamental disconnect between moderate Republican positions on immigration and the concerns of conservative voters who prioritize enforcement and accountability. Curtis appears to believe welcoming policies can coexist with addressing fraud and crime, representing a both-and approach that many conservatives reject as naive given the scope of alleged criminal activity. This position undermines the Trump administration’s emphasis on aggressive deportation policies and strict immigration enforcement, core priorities that resonate strongly with the Republican base and represent essential constitutional obligations to protect American citizens.
Sources:
What This Republican Senator Said About Migrants on CNN Made Everyone Mad – Townhall
