Adam Laxalt, hardline immigration candidate for GOP, had undocumented grandmother: Report
Adam Laxalt, the GOP's Senate nominee in Nevada, has promoted a platform staunchly against DREAMers and illegal immigration — despite his own grandmother allegedly being an undocumented immigrant.
Axios reported Wednesday that Laxalt's father, the late Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), revealed during a Senate speech in 2006 that his mother was "unknowingly ... an illegal alien," and was once even detained by immigration agents. Domenici told colleagues his mother immigrated to New Mexico from Italy in 1907.
The senator didn't elaborate on the specifics of why his mother was considered undocumented, and Axios noted many Italian immigrants weren't considered illegal if they arrived in the U.S. prior to 1920.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"They decided she had to be arrested because she was an illegal alien," Domenici said. "So, sure enough, they came to do that and a neighbor had to come over to take care of us kids."
Despite these family ties, Laxalt has continually taken a hardline stance against illegal immigration, making it one of the key issues throughout his campaign. According to the FCC, Laxalt's campaign has spent $13,000 running anti-DREAMER radio ads.
The nominee also helmed a statewide lawsuit against DACA, the Obama administration policy that protects immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.
Laxalt's campaign has not responded to the revelation, nor has his opponent, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) — notably the nation's only Latina senator. FiveThirtyEight has the two candidates neck-and-neck, with Laxalt currently leading in the polls by two percentage points.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues
In the Spotlight The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 star-spangled presidential libraries to visit
The Week Recommends These institutions provide insight into American leaders
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published