Democratic Debate 2016: Major Union Utilizes Democrats' Spanish-Language Debate to Air Immigration Ads

By Michael Oleaga Mar 09 2016, 16:51 PM EST

Ahead of the first Democratic presidential debate on Univision, airing Wednesday night, a union comprising of 1.3 million members will debut two advertisements

Bringing "Hope" & "Difference" on Debate Night

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) will air two Spanish-language television advertisements, each 30 seconds in length, featuring several UFCW members speaking about the importance of unions and the support it provides to families. Titled "Hope" and "Difference," the two ads focus on immigration, particularly encouragement to become naturalized U.S. citizens, register to vote and to actually vote in elections.

UFCW International President Marc Perrone explained the members featured in the video represent voices that must be heard especially during a time when the union members have been "politically" scapegoated and demonized.

"These workers represent the true voice of America's hard-working immigrants," said Perrone in a statement on Wednesday. "We hope that every worker and their family who sees this ad, whether they are part of our union family or not, understands that no hard-working man or woman should have to struggle alone."

The two ads are reportedly part of a larger campaign effort, both through social media and on the ground, to reach immigrant workers. As UFCW noted, approximately 8.8 million legal permanent residents, currently in the U.S., can become U.S. citizens, and the union aims to connect with them. The UFCW acknowledges it has had an initiative program titled the "Union Citizenship Action Network" (UCAN) that has provided immigrant members with resources for the naturalization and citizenship process.

"In the coming months, we have the amazing opportunity to provide millions of aspiring Americans a platform to become citizens and vote in the upcoming election," said UFCW International Secretary-Treasurer Esther López. "Our union is positioned to transform the lives of our members and all workers that deserve to be our members. Because if you live and work in America, if you're contributing to the prosperity of this nation, you should have the opportunity to become an American-that's a fundamental principle of our participatory democracy."

Debate Night in Florida

The two UFCW ads will air during the Democratic presidential primary debate on Univision, although an English-language simulcast will air on CNN, on Wednesday night. The debate will be key for both candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton since it will not only air on the top-rated U.S. Spanish-language network but it's set in Miami, Florida, which will host its presidential primary on March 15.

According to Quinnipiac University's latest polling data, surveying 511 likely voters between March 2 and March 7, Clinton has a sizeable lead over Sanders. The poll found Clinton with 62 percent support, while Sanders attracted 32 percent.

"Secretary Hillary Clinton has doubled-up on Sen. Bernie Sanders in Florida. With less than a week until the actual voting, it is difficult to see a path to victory for him in the Sunshine State. He just has too much ground to make up and not enough time in which to do it," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, in a statement.