"hate crime" is a silly phrase to use, but it is totally understandable why he would be upset about the letter, and it is totally appropriate. Being an immigrant himself he was probably very insulted and had a right to be.
I'm sick of the DemonRats playing the race card every time they have a tight election. It's kind of a last minute dirty trick, implying racism on the part of Republicans. It REALLY ticks me off. To see a so-called Republican do so is disgusting and should be penalized.