Trump vows to protect jobs, wages for Hispanic voters

Donald Trump on Wednesday reached out to Hispanic voters amid questions about whether he’s softening his position on immigration.

At a rally in Tampa, Fla., Trump veered from prepared remarks and vowed to protect the jobs and wages of Latinos.

{mosads}“To the Hispanic parent, you have a right to walk outside without being shot,” Trump said.

“You have a right to good education for your child,” he continued. “You have right to own your home. You have a right to have a good job. I am going to fight to give every Hispanic citizen in this country a better future.”

Trump made a similar pitch to black voters, another group he is seeking inroads with.

“To African-American parents, you have right to walk down your street without having you or your child shot,” he said.

The Republican presidential nominee used the topic to attack Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, saying she wants “a totally open border” and would rather give a job to an “illegal immigrant” than to an “unemployed Hispanic citizen.”

He also argued that Clinton would abandon minority voters after being elected and only show back up four years later for reelection.

“We are going to enforce our laws, remove people who overstay their visas, dismantle the gangs and cartels, and protect jobs and benefits for hardworking American citizens,” Trump said.

“That includes protecting the jobs and wages of Hispanic citizens living right here in Florida. They deserve to have their jobs protected from illegal immigration and broken visa programs.”

Trump has created confusion in recent days about whether he’s softening on his immigration proposals.

He has maintained a hard-line stance on immigration and has previously called for a deportation force to remove the approximately 11 million people living in the country illegally.

The businessman insisted earlier this week that he’s not “flip-flopping” on the deportation force, though his new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, said it is “to be determined.”

During a Fox News interview Monday, Trump said he would obey existing laws and employ tactics similar to those used by Presidents Obama and George W. Bush. He also said he would “get rid of all of the bad” laws if he’s elected president. 

But during an hourlong interview with Fox’s Sean Hannity on Tuesday, Trump appeared to be open to some changes to immigration laws.

“There certainly can be a softening, because we’re not looking to hurt people,” Trump said Tuesday night.

Trump’s Running mate, Mike Pence, and top surrogate Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said Tuesday that Trump is still figuring out his plans on this issue.