Univision’s Ramos, a U.S. citizen, treated as outcast
This is why Ramos became so infuriated by Trump's immigrantbashing. And why, when the candidate didn’t agree to an interview, Ramos decided to get one anyway.
“Television doesn’t just happen,” he notes. “You have to create it.”
Ramos secured campaign press credentials, then caught up with the candidate in Iowa. After Trump finished answering a Fox News reporter, Ramos raised his hand and rose.
“Mr. Trump,” he began, “I have a question about immigration . . .”
“OK, who is next?” asked Trump, purposefully looking away.
Ramos kept talking. Trump kept ignoring him.
“I have the right to question,” Ramos persisted.
“No, you don’t,” said Trump, finally acknowledging him. “You haven’t been called. Go back to Univision.”
The candidate motioned to a bodyguard. Ramos was taken by the arm and removed.
Minutes later, Trump’s thenpress secretary, Hope Hicks, caught up with Ramos in the hall and asked if he’d like to return. Ramos said he would, if he could ask his question. Hicks brought him back inside.
“Good to Trump said have you — though ask a back,” what happened next wasn’t exactly an interview.
The Univision reporter would offer a fact — for example, you would need to change the Constitution to deny citizenship to any child born in the United States.
A fact-challenged Trump would stubbornly disagree: “No, no, no. I don’t think so.”
The reporter would cite a statistic: 40% of undocumented immigrants come in by plane, not through the border.
“I don’t believe that,” Trump insisted. “I don’t believe it.”
Ramos’ effort was partly successful: He created great television by getting tossed from the news conference.
But his attempts to candidate to seriously substantive questions?
That was an utter failure, an experience previously shared by fellow journalists — and discovered by many more once the candidate became President.
Ramos hasn’t stopped doing stories on Trump, or on immigration, racism, sexism, the economy and every other issue affecting America. Yet despite the success he’s had here, the family he’s raised, Ramos still feels a bit stateless.
“I am a Mexican who lives in the United States and an American who was born and raised in get the answer Mexico,” he explains. “I have two passports; I vote in two countries; I am an immigrant with two American children. I am bilingual; I speak Spanish with a Mexico City accent, and I speak English with a newcomer’s accent.”
But, he writes, “I insist on being all things at once.”
Growing up in Mexico, building a career in the United States — it’s all been good for him, Ramos says.
He regrets nothing. Well, maybe one thing.
“I have lost the ability to endure the spiciest of Mexican salsas,” he admits. “What I wouldn’t even have blinked at years ago would now make me cry.”