Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received his first endorsement from a current U.S. senator, Jeff Sessions, who has had a strong record on curbing immigration.

An Endorsement Just Before Super Tuesday

Alabama is among the 13 states scheduled to host either a primary or caucus. The state is worth 50 delegates. Trump is likely to pick up most of these, after he received support from Sen. Sessions, who officially endorsed the current GOP presidential front-runner.

"This election is our last chance to save U.S. sovereignty and to end the domination of the political establishment over the interests of working Americans. Trump alone has rejected the donor class, defending America's jobs and wages from open borders, uncontrolled immigration and the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership that will cede U.S. authority to foreign powers," said Sessions. "Trump's trade and immigration plans will revitalize our shrinking middle class, keeping jobs and wealth and income inside the United States of America.''

Sessions added that the U.S. is nearing a point of no return, with people hurting, wages declining, schools overburdened, crime increasing and community confidence dropping.

"Americans of all backgrounds and ethnicities, immigrant and U.S.-born, are crying out for leadership that puts their needs first, that takes care of those living and dreaming here today, leadership that understands that there is no constituency other than the American constituency. Mr. Trump is that leader," Sessions said. "We are witnessing an incredible movement, arising from the people."

Speaking to a crowd near Madison, Alabama, on Sunday, Trump welcomed the endorsement from the "leader of congressional conservatives." Trump acknowledged Sessions' opposition to the Gang of Eight bill, the 2013 Senate comprehensive immigration reform legislation (S. 744), which was co-sponsored by fellow GOP candidate Marco Rubio.

"There is no more respected man in Congress and we are closely aligned on many issues, including trade and illegal immigration, and I am proud to consider Jeff Sessions an adviser, friend and ally," Trump said.

Hardline Stance on Immigration

As Trump mentioned, Sessions voted against S. 744 in June 2013. Although the Senate bill passed, it was never picked up in the House of Representatives. The Senate immigration bill provided additional border security and patrol, but also offered a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, which many Republicans viewed as a dealbreaker.

In January 2015, Sessions published the "Immigration Handbook for the New Republican Majority," a memo for Republicans. According to Sessions, S. 744 was pushed by lobbyists and included provisions that would lower wages, increase unemployment and place heavy tax burdens on Americans. He claimed the term "immigration reform" has been abused and suggested a reply if GOP lawmakers were confronted on the issue. He wrote:

"I am opposed to any immigration policy which makes it harder for the unemployed to find jobs and easier for employers to keep pay low. If by 'immigration reform,' you mean helping the unemployed return to the workforce, limiting work visas so wages can rise, and establishing firm control over entry and exit in the United States, then I am for it. Which do you mean?"

Sessions also opposes President Barack Obama's immigration executive actions, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA). He explained the deferred action recipients would be taking jobs and benefits directly from struggling American workers or the unemployed seeking job opportunities.

Sessions' opposition to immigration legislation with a pathway to citizenship -- or even legalization -- stems from his platform that help and support for current U.S. citizens must be the government's first priority.

Based on RealClearPolitics' average of three polling surveys conducted between Feb. 24 and Feb. 28, Trump leads with 38 percent in Alabama, ahead of Rubio's 20.3 percent and Ted Cruz's 14.7 percent. Ben Carson averaged 10 percent, ahead of John Kasich's 6.7 percent.

According to the Alabama Secretary of State Elections Board, as of December 2015, the state was home to 20,000 registered Latino voters, or 0.7 percent of the three million overall registered voters.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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