10 debate questions for Señor Trump

It appears the Commission of Presidential Debates somehow overlooked us and did not select a Hispanic journalist to moderate any of the upcoming debates. Latinos comprise the fastest-growing segment of the electorate, and may well decide the winner in battleground states like Florida, Colorado and Nevada. Since immigration is likely to be the most contentious topic of the debates, it might be useful to have someone who understands this issue and can ask the right questions.

Just sayin’.

There are a number of supremely qualified, experienced journalists the commission could have selected. Jorge Ramos might have nixed himself through his advocacy, but why not Fusion co-anchor Alicia Menendez? Or José Diaz-Balart, who anchors not just “Noticiero Telemundo” but also NBC’s “Nightly News”? Or his colleague Maria Celeste Arrarás, who acquitted herself well during one of the primary debates? Other distinguished choices could be ABC’s Jim Avila or John Quiñones, “Latino USA” host Maria Hinojosa, former PBS correspondent Ray Suarez, or award-winning reporter Soledad O’Brien, to name just a few.

But they weren’t asked and neither was I. Since none of us will be there, here are 10 questions we hope will be asked of Republican nominee Donald Trump.

1. Señor Trump, you began your campaign by saying that, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best … they’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” Do you still stand by this statement?

This is the most outrageous ethnic slur ever heard in a modern presidential campaign, though it has been normalized by fawning press coverage, and many other insults to women, Muslims, veterans, the disabled and more. Trump has never apologized to the over 30 million Americans of Mexican descent.

2. Señor Trump, how will you get Mexico to pay for your wall?

Trump’s border wall will cost about $25 billion and President Enrique Peña Nieto told Trump in their bizarro summit that Mexicans will not pay for anything. Trump has given no explanation on how it will happen other than, “Believe me, folks, they will.”

3. Señor Trump, do you still believe Judge Gonzalo Curiel is unqualified to preside over your trial because he is Mexican?

Trump’s shaming of the distinguished and courageous jurist, who was born in Indiana, set yet another low. Again, Trump has failed to apologize.

4. Señor Trump, who exactly will be deported, and when?

According to Ana Navarro, Trump has more positions on immigration than the “Kama Sutra.” It appears the latest is that only undocumented workers with criminal records will be disappeared by the “Deportation Task Force.” How does this differ from our current policy? And will Dreamers be deported? If so, when?

5. Señor Trump, how many Hispanics do you employ in your company, and who are your top Hispanic executives?

Trump has often touted the number of Hispanics he’s hired without giving any specific figures. But what percentage of Trump employees are Hispanic? Any top executives?

6. Señor Trump, how will you do away with birthright citizenship?

Trump has threatened to get rid of anchor babies once and for all, despite established constitutional law and over 100 years of legal precedent. ¿Como?

7. Señor Trump, originally you supported President Obama’s opening to Cuba, but recently you reversed your position. Why the change?

Last week in Miami, Trump went hardline, abjectly pandering to a Cuban-American audience. But why should they believe him?

8. Senor Trump, please name five Hispanics whom you would consider for a Cabinet position.

That’s a toughie, and could well be Trump’s “What is Aleppo?” moment. But it might be harder to find five Republicanos willing to serve in his Cabinet. Currently the main Latino surrogates in his campaign are Steve “Weeble” Cortes, taco-phobe Marco Gutierrez, and gun-for-hire Alex Castellanos.

9. Señor Trump, who is currently a member of your Trump Hispanic Advisory Council, and what role does it play?

He’ll probably have to get back to us on that. As far as we can tell, most of the Latinos who met with Trump last month resigned following his apocalyptic immigration speech, and the rest aren’t talking.

10. Señor Trump, will you serve taco bowls in the White House Mess?

Trick question, but it beats having a taco truck on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Estrada is the editor of LATINO Magazine.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.