In the Denver Post (via RealClearPolitics) Froma Harrop presents a succinct summary of my own views on immigration:
But that doesn’t give Democrats a free pass to fudge on the issue of illegal immigration. They need to say, “We support a generous immigration program, but people without the proper papers cannot come here and take jobs.”
Such a policy would not turn this country into a xenophobic police state. It would make the U.S. more like Canada and Australia, two pleasant democracies that take in large numbers of newcomers but don’t tolerate illegal immigration.
The basic question is what do Democrats believe? I don’t believe the Democratic leadership has any fixed principles other than the urge to power any more than the Republican leadership does. Any statement of principles by them is merely rhetorical.
What do progressives believe? If they believe in an inalienable right to immigrate as many of them seem to, the policy articulated above by Ms. Harrop would not only be intolerable it would be reprehensible, heresy.
Are Democrats merely wed to the status quo with its bizarre and antiquated system of quotas? Diversity quotas, refugee quotas, skilled worker quotas, family reunification quotas, etc.?
The Orwellian language that’s used might be a clue. Under U. S. statute all of those migrants who cross the border from Mexico guided by coyotes are illegal immigrants. They have broken U. S. law. If they have returned to the U. S. illegally after having once been deported, they are committing felonies, serious crimes.
I think most progressives want enforcement on the employer side — stiff penalties for those who employ undocumented workers*. Cut off the economic incentives, and the problem slows to a trickle, without the need to target communities of color for increased police scrutiny, or the creation of Trump’s GI Joe: Deportation Force.
Illegal immigration was net negative during the Great Recession (not sure if it has turned around again), so we know cutting the incentives works.
(*undocumented workers include illegal aliens, The A-Team, The Incredible Hulk and The Fugitive. Other illegal aliens may have fake documentation that would fool an employer acting in good faith)
Democrats are divided, just like Republicans. Broadly, they don’t want to offend one of their key demographics, so they don’t actively support losing borders. However, when in office they deport illegals just like Republicans do. OTOH, they can’t really actively support open borders since the labor vote wouldn’t support that.
The Republicans have a similar problem. They don’t care about minority votes, so they can publicly support closing the borders, but a key branch of the party, the business people, support illegal immigration so they can’t really do much to act on it.
Steve
Steve:
Yep.
Unfortunately, whenever a controversial subject is discussed (and they all seem controversial these days) it is through the filter of social progressive dictates or conservative ones. The bottom line, though, is that no matter whose ideology wins, we all have to abide by and live under it. IMO, with this in mind, a better course to solve our most pressing problems would be to drop tribal thinking and just construct policies that would find some approval by most of the people — no matter what political affiliation is embraced.
Regarding basic immigration goals: Borders should be respected and appropriately monitored. The haphazard morality of sanctuary cities should cease, by recognizing and following federal laws, rather than the latest politically correct mantra of the day. Business entities should become part of the solution, by being a reliable enforcement arm of government in employing legal workers. The number of work permits given should reflect the work that is needed — this is especially relevant for agricultural labor. The entire process of obtaining legal citizenship should be updated and streamlined, creating ease and consistency for those seeking legal citizenship. Currently registered Dreamers should be given a pathway to citizenship. And, those here illegally, but with clean records and self supportive means, should also be given some kind of legal status. But, such considerations would be applicable to only those already here, not to ones illegally coming in past a given date, such as 1/1/2017. And, those with criminal records or living off of government subsidies should be expeditiously deported.
I think Steve has the politics pretty much correct. So “comprehensive immigration reform” is a chimera like “middle east peace.” Yet another reason to give both parties the middle finger.
Gus,
“communities of color”
F That. Divisive, exclusive, racist, designed to separate Americans into warring groups. When you use that language, you reveal yourself for what you really are, a racist.
“What do progressives believe? If they believe in an inalienable right to immigrate as many of them seem to,”
Can you find any citations of leading progressive voices saying anything like this? I can think of no one outside of the fringe who doesn’t believe that nations should be able to control their own borders, and decide who to let in.
Any elected officials, above the municipal level? Any nationally known, mainstream Democrat?
Gray,
You’re silly.