When I hear anti-immigrant slurs from Donald Trump and his fellow Republican candidates, I get angry.
Reducing first-generation immigrants to "anchor babies" and calling immigrants rapists is wrong. It makes me mad that candidates seriously pursuing the presidency are willing to spread lies, simultaneously ignore the contributions of our community, and sow division in our country.
But then I get scared. If this is what candidates are willing to say to get elected, what will they do if they win?
Donald Trump, the current frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, has launched countless baseless attacks against immigrants, calling for mass deportation and making it clear he didn't care when an anti-immigrant hate crime was carried out in his name.
Other candidates are trying to keep up with him: Chris Christie wants to track everyone who enters the country like a FedEx package. Scott Walker wants to shut off both borders with a wall. A significant number of GOP candidates agree that our understanding of the Constitution should be changed to deny birthright citizenship, despite the fact that the 14th Amendment promised equality for everyone born in America.
It gives me hope that the vast majority of Americans understand that most immigrants are honest, hardworking people. But it is not enough to believe the truth, we have to take action to support it.
We have the power to make this country what we want it to be. For our government to reflect our values. We have the power to stand against intolerance, and to elect leaders who value the immigrants that make this country great. We have the power to change the course of history in the next election.
In order to do this, we're going to need to make all political candidates hear and respect our community. Hispanics make up 17 percent of this country - that's more than enough to swing an election. It's time for us use this power. As we listen to the rhetoric of candidates, we must register to vote, encourage our friends and family to do the same, and continue to stand up for what we believe in.
Republicans have gotten our attention for all the wrong reasons, and let's not forget it on Election Day.