LOS ANGELES – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to a call by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) for U.S. Capitol Police to carry out immigration enforcement actions at tonight’s State of the Union address:

“Continuing his overt campaign to lead the Neanderthal Caucus of the House, Arizona Congressmember Paul Gosar today revealed even more about the depths of his stupidity by bragging about calling on Capitol police to arrest Dreamers who attend the State of the Union address tonight. Invoking the ‘Rule of Law’ while betraying no actual understanding of the law, especially the supreme law of our Constitution, Gosar is undoubtedly absorbing accolades from the fringe far-right. His actions actually demonstrate acute desperation, suggesting that he does, at least subconsciously, know that Neanderthal policy preferences are headed toward rapid extinction. Gosar should crawl back under his rock and let serious policymakers get to work on protecting immigrant youth.”