Pflugerville councilman raised by Haitian immigrants weighs in on President's remarks

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas - President Trump is facing international outrage after he reportedly made remarks during a White House meeting stating he’s prefer immigrants from Norway and calling the nations immigrants from Haiti and Africa come from s***holes. Trumps staff denies the claim but Democratic senator Dick Durbin who was present during the meeting said otherwise.

"He said Haitians? Do we need more Haitians? And then he went on and started to describe the immigration from Africa that was being protected in this bipartisan measure. That's when he used these vile and vulgar comments. Calling the nations they come from s***tholes," Durbin said.

Pflugerville Councilman Rudy Metayer said his parents are Haitian immigrants and came to the U. S for opportunity. “I felt disappointment more than anything I think the history of Haiti there are people who have had misconceptions not only about what has been heard in the country but the people that are from there," Metayer said. “When you are talking about good solid folks that are contribute and make a difference in society those are the people you want to contribute you don't want to do anything to cast disparaging or cast barriers for people like that because we want those citizens in this country."

A local Austin non-profit group, “Mission of Hope Haiti” wrote a letter to President Trump stating,

"As one of the most powerful men in the world, your words wield a powerful impact. We know that many times, those of us who were not present only get a distortion from the press regarding any conversation that occurs. However, we would like to appeal to you, for the sake of unity in our great nation, to think of Haiti in a different light."

Metayer said he hopes the debate will serve as an opportunity for people to learn more about immigrants and the Caribbean country. "Ultimately I think when you have moments like this they are teaching moments and they are opportunities for people to step back and reassess their thoughts and values,” said Metayer.