I agree completely with Gregory J. Wallance’s observations in an op-ed at The Hill:
Democrats certainly should be talking about the Dreamers, ending family separation and a humane asylum policy. At the same time, they should be proposing effective immigration law enforcement measures such as better technology, more border personnel, more immigration judges, more effective tracking of visa overstays and efficient deportations of illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. In short, the Democrats’ border security policy should be to build “smart barriers†and not “dumb†walls.
Such an approach, in fact, is pro-immigration because it will build support for lawful immigration and for much-needed reforms.
Is insisting on “comprehensive immigration reform” simply using the leverage they have or is it just a way of kicking the can down the road?
What conclusions should be drawn from the Democratic leadership’s present position:
- They’re doing the best they can with the tools at their disposal.
- Their only real policy is resistance. If Trump is for it, they’re against it.
- They don’t believe that illegal immigration presents any security, law enforcement, budget, social, or economic problems that are worth dealing with.
- They think that U. S. law will enforce itself.
- They actually support open borders.
- They want to be seen to support open borders but maintain plausible deniability that’s the case.
- Electorally it is safer for them to do nothing than to act.
Just as a reminder you can conclude nothing from what politicians propose or vote for or against when they know it won’t pass.
