Deal Apologizes for Assuming Student Was Ilegal Alien

Gov. Nathan Deal has drawn criticism for an incorrect presumption that a Hispanic student who was quizzing him at a University of Georgia forum on immigration was an undocumented immigrant.

Four University of Georgia student activists questioned Deal during a speech on campus Tuesday night over the state Board of Regents policy prohibiting undocumented immigrants from attending UGA, reports Flagpole magazine.

The exchange between one student and Deal provoked boos from student Republicans in the crowd who supported Deal and criticism from immigration activists.

In answer to a student’s question, here’s what WGCL TV says was shared:

“There’s a fundamental problem that can only be resolved at the Congressional level and that is to deal with the issue of children, and I presume you probably fit the category, children who were brought here,” said Deal, who was looking toward Lizbeth Miranda, a Hispanic student who was asking questions.

“I’m not an illegal immigrant. I’m not,” Miranda replied. “I don’t know why you would have thought that I was undocumented. Was it because I look Hispanic?”

The governor replied: “I apologize if I insulted you. I did not intend to.”

Campaign spokesman Brian Robinson said after the event sponsored by the UGA College Republicans that the governor was referring to Carver Goodhue, who is white, as presumably being undocumented.

Miranda told the magazine Deal was looking at her, and the other students with her said they thought he was referring to their group, the Undocumented Students Alliance. Members said they found the governor’s statement offensive.

“I think realistically he’ll have to do some political backtracking as he prepares for the campaign, because the Hispanic community is getting very large in Georgia so he’s going to have to cover himself there,” Goodhue told the TV station.

Deal’s campaign said the students ambushed the governor.

“The governor was trying to have a civil conversation with a group determined to have a confrontation,” said “He was courteous and civil,” said Robinson. The entire thing was misrepresented.”

»Credit: The video of the meeting inside the story was provided by Flagpole Magazine.