Biden Walks Back Illegal Remark, Says He Didn't Mean To Demean

President Joe Biden expressed regret for using the term illegal to describe the suspected killer of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, saying he didnt want to demean any group.

In a recent interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart, US President Joe Biden expressed regret for using the term "illegal" during his State of the Union address to describe undocumented immigrants. The president acknowledged that he should have used the term "undocumented" instead and emphasized that he did not intend to demean any group of people.

Shifting from Previous Stance

Biden's expression of remorse marks a shift from his earlier stance when asked by reporters if he regretted using the term. Initially, he hesitated and appeared to say "I probably" before pausing and saying "I don't" and appearing to start saying the word "regret."

Distancing from Trump's Rhetoric

In the interview, Biden sought to differentiate himself from former President Donald Trump's rhetoric on immigration. He criticized Trump's use of derogatory language to describe undocumented immigrants and emphasized his commitment to treating all people with respect, regardless of their immigration status.

Political Context

The use of the term "illegal" to describe undocumented immigrants has become a contentious issue, particularly among Democrats who have embraced immigrant rights issues. Biden's use of the term during his State of the Union address drew criticism from some within his own party, who argued that it perpetuates negative stereotypes and stigmatizes undocumented immigrants.

Rallying Cry for Republicans

The death of Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia, has become a rallying cry for Republicans, who argue that it highlights the Biden administration's handling of the U.S.-Mexico border amid a record surge of immigrants entering the country. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with Riley's death.

President Biden's expression of regret for using the term "illegal" to describe undocumented immigrants reflects his administration's efforts to strike a balance between addressing immigration concerns and promoting inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.