LAS VEGAS — Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke suggested illegal immigrants were akin to slaves during his Saturday afternoon remarks to the Service Employees International Union.

"[With] Immigration. Millions [are] living in the shadows, working some of the toughest jobs, lucky to make a minimum wage. Some not even making that," O'Rourke told the audience of roughly 200 labor union members, organizers, and activists at Las Vegas' Enclave venue. "Kept in modern-day bondage, their immigration status used as leverage to keep them down from fully participating in this country’s success."

O'Rourke also repeated his promise to Democratic voters that he would put the millions of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States on a path to citizenship.

"[This] economy that works too well for the few, but not enough for most Americans," O'Rourke said.

In February, the 2020 Democratic Party presidential candidate drew criticism after pledging to take down the border wall between El Paso, Texas, and Mexico.

"Absolutely, I'd take the wall down," O'Rouke told MSNBC at the time. "Here's what we know: After the Secure Fence Act, we have built 600 miles of wall and fencing on a 2,000 mile border. What that has done is not in any demonstrable way made us safer."