Commentator Jemele Hill criticized Hispanics who support strict immigration policies, arguing that some immigrants who emphasize following legal immigration procedures are helping reinforce a system she described as rooted in white supremacy.

Hill made the remarks while discussing immigration and the motivations she believes drive some Latinos who oppose illegal immigration.

According to Hill, some immigrants who entered the United States through legal channels believe others should follow the same path and resent those who arrived differently.

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“There are Latinos who feel like they did it the right way,” Hill said.

“And because they did it the right way, they trying to pull up the ladder for everybody else and say, hey, yeah, we did it the right way.”

Hill argued that the message behind that position reflects a desire to follow standards she said were established by white Americans.

“We did it the way that. Because what they’re really saying is we did it the way the white people told us to do it,” Hill said.

“And because we did it, we want our Gold Star. We want gold star for Marcus.”

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She added that some immigrants who followed legal pathways expect others to go through the same process to reach similar opportunities in the United States.

“And because you guys may have come a different way, and we had to do all this to get to this point, and to get this close, I need y’all to do the same thing,” Hill said.

Hill then questioned why some Hispanics would support immigration restrictions or policies she said align with individuals who do not respect them.

“And my thing is, listen, they get here how they get here?” Hill said.

“Okay, why you, why you, why you doing the work of somebody that don’t respect you anyway.”

She continued by describing what she sees as a broader system that she believes does not require additional support.

“I mean, it’s like, what? Hehehehe, white supremacy, if you guys haven’t figured it out by now, white supremacy doesn’t need any help. They don’t need assistance. They don’t need foot soldiers.”

Hill suggested that some people adopt those positions voluntarily.

“A lot of y’all weren’t even recruited and just decided to join the movement,” Hill said.

“They don’t need new recruits.”

She also questioned why some Hispanics would pursue what she described as validation from people who do not view them as equals.

“So why you doing the work for them?” Hill said.

“Why are you carrying the water?”

Hill added that she believes some immigrants hope aligning with certain expectations will make them feel more accepted as Americans.

“Is this? Why for the mythical prize of being elevated by a certain group that will make you feel more American?” Hill said.

Hill also argued that American identity is often associated with whiteness, which she believes influences how some immigrants attempt to gain acceptance.

“Because we all know in this country, we have associated being American and what a patriot is with, frankly, being white,” Hill said.

“And so you feel like if you’re closer to that, then you’re closer to whatever is the identity and the feel and the look of what somebody is supposed to be.”

Hill concluded by arguing that such efforts will not lead to the acceptance some people may expect.

“It don’t work that way.”

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