Speaking of continuity the usual suspects are complaining bitterly about Donald Trump’s statements on his priorities with respect to immigration. The New York Times reports:
On immigration, he said the wall that he has been promising to build on the nation’s southern border might end up being a fence in places. But he said his priority was to deport two million to three million immigrants he characterized as dangerous or as having criminal records, a change from his original position that he would deport all of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. President Obama has deported more than two million undocumented immigrants during his time in office.
It has apparently escaped those complaining that what Trump said (about deporting immigrants with criminal records) is the stated policy of the Obama Administration. I think that Trump will be disappointed with the actual numbers. I think they’re probably closer to a half million than 3 million.
There are some policy positions Trump has made on immigration and other issues. Perhaps his supporters paid as little attention to them as his detractors. When he issued his bulletpoints on immigration, which I think were covered at the Glittering Eye, the next day a Mexican-immigration advocate on MSNBC was outraged that e-verify was included, which he said amounted to self-deportation, it was horrible and deceptively concealed. Which I guess is the rub, “the wall” is a physical and observable structure, very memorable, and most people don’t trust paperwork.
The difference in policy will relate to sanctuary cities though. I agree it will only likely affect a small number.
I have Hispanic business owners as customers, one jokingly said, “I suppose you would turn us in?” My response, ” as far as I know, there’s no bounty on you” He laughed, I laughed, but I wasn’t kidding.
Why cause myself repercussions without renumeration? If the bounty was high enough, it would be effective.