Yes, the trump administration immigration policy is overtly racist, inhumane, in some ways corrupt, and likely illegal (that is, if we actually had a DOJ that assessed illegality). The key in all this for Dems is to acknowledge that illegal immigration is a problem, and that it must be addressed, but in a legal and humane manner. A few suggested position points: (1) If someone is in the U.S. illegally, and they came here as an adult, then they must be made to return to their home country (and not a jail in some other country—a practice that must end). (2) If someone has a legitimate claim for asylum, that claim should be properly assessed. (3) If someone is born in the U.S., they are automatically a citizen. (4) If someone was brought to the U.S. as a child, then we must develop a proper method for dealing with them that is not simply a policy, but is a law. (5) The border should be properly policed, and walls constructed where it makes sense. (6) certain industries rely on legal non-citizen labor and that should be acknowledged, those workers treated with fairness and respect, and their work properly regulated. (7) If a company knowingly employs an illegal immigrant (including workers without proper documentation), then that company should face an enforcement action.
ICE is unreformable. I don't care what they call its successor agency, but firing its agents top to bottom is supported, as far as polls show, by a majority of Americans. "Sure we need ICE but it needs reform" is long, fake-nuanced, and insipid.
As long as someone says, Yes, we will enforce the law, then Abolish ICE is a good play.
There also needs to be more of a distinction between illegal immigrants and legal asylum seekers. The GOP loves to obfuscate the two under an umbrella of disgusting xenophobic rhetoric typified by their attacks on Ohio Haitian refugee community.
Yes, the trump administration immigration policy is overtly racist, inhumane, in some ways corrupt, and likely illegal (that is, if we actually had a DOJ that assessed illegality). The key in all this for Dems is to acknowledge that illegal immigration is a problem, and that it must be addressed, but in a legal and humane manner. A few suggested position points: (1) If someone is in the U.S. illegally, and they came here as an adult, then they must be made to return to their home country (and not a jail in some other country—a practice that must end). (2) If someone has a legitimate claim for asylum, that claim should be properly assessed. (3) If someone is born in the U.S., they are automatically a citizen. (4) If someone was brought to the U.S. as a child, then we must develop a proper method for dealing with them that is not simply a policy, but is a law. (5) The border should be properly policed, and walls constructed where it makes sense. (6) certain industries rely on legal non-citizen labor and that should be acknowledged, those workers treated with fairness and respect, and their work properly regulated. (7) If a company knowingly employs an illegal immigrant (including workers without proper documentation), then that company should face an enforcement action.
ICE is unreformable. I don't care what they call its successor agency, but firing its agents top to bottom is supported, as far as polls show, by a majority of Americans. "Sure we need ICE but it needs reform" is long, fake-nuanced, and insipid.
As long as someone says, Yes, we will enforce the law, then Abolish ICE is a good play.
There also needs to be more of a distinction between illegal immigrants and legal asylum seekers. The GOP loves to obfuscate the two under an umbrella of disgusting xenophobic rhetoric typified by their attacks on Ohio Haitian refugee community.