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Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) reacted to being blocked from becoming a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Curbelo, the son of Cuban exiles who represents a large number of Hispanics along Alligator Alley and in the Florida Keys, said the caucus' decision was political.
He said that, apparently to the Caucus, "you're only a Hispanic if you're a Democrat."
Curbelo said dissenting views "should be represented in a caucus that claims to be Hispanic."
"I tried to join and I was told that I don't share their values," he said.
Curbelo said that he aligns with the caucus when it comes to allowing DACA recipients to stay in the United States, but conflicts with the group on other immigration reform policies.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico said her group took issue with Curbelo's support for ObamaCare repeal, according to Politico.
Curbelo said he let the caucus know that he indeed disagreed with them on several issues but wanted to help find common ground on others.