Racist messages sent to Sen. Salazar's office

DENVER — Sen. Ken Salazar on Tuesday said his office has received "poisonous" and sometimes racist messages over his support for a guest-worker plan proposed as part of immigration reform.

"The kind of debate that is going on, especially in some places in America, is a debate that's very vitriolic and very poisonous," Salazar said in a speech to senators. "It serves to divide our country as opposed to unite our country."

One message read: "Put all the illegal aliens on trains and deport them out of the country. They come in vans. Rail cars would be a step up," with another advising the fifth-generation Coloradan to "go back to Mexico."

Yet another message said: "I am not a racist against Mexicans I want all minorities kicked out."

Salazar became the first Hispanic to win statewide office in Colorado when elected Attorney General in 1999. He, along with Republican Mel Martinez of Florida, are the first Hispanics in the Senate in 30 years.

Will Adams, a spokesman for Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, who is a strong advocate of strictly enforcing immigration laws said Salazar was wrong to highlight only the most vitriolic lobbying he has faced. Adams said Tancredo has received hateful calls and letters accusing him of being racist, a xenophobe or white supremacist.

"The classic tactic of those who don't want to engage in a real argument is to call their opposition by nasty names," Adams said.