This has been a good debate – though some rhetoric (and not just the troll at #25) has revealed the unfortunate reality to which Navarette pleads us to confront: there is some pure & simple anti-immigrant bias that needs to be acknowledged and dealt with by the GOP. But, for the most part, this conversation itself is the right direction and GOP leaders should follow in its path: DISCUSS the issue HONESTLY, and focus on the WHYs of conservative opposition to illegality, advocace of assimilation, and support for border security.
Though this is late in this discussion, let me throw out an idea that I think might work well. What if the US were to allow illegals to stay with the condition that they either join a work program (with a path to returning home) OR apply for citizenship (and ‘get in the back of the line’)? In the latter case, I suggest that we graciously allow them to do this without returning home, but process their applications AS IF they were home.
I think this could work very well provided we provide a quick 3-month deadline for all immigrants (of EVERY nationality) to register, follow that with a period of intentional, aggressive deportation of all who fail to register (with full and consistent explanation in immigrant communities that this is being done not as part of a new ‘police state’ but only to ensure that the bargain is being enforced, for the sake of fairness and national security for all), and, of course, completing “the fence” and fully funding the increased border patrols passed by the last Congress.
I actually think this could be done and would be helpful to everyone: citizens, illegals, Democrats, and Republicans. Then, with this issue behind us, the GOP would be on better positioned to get 40-60% of Hispanic votes because they would not have to play ball with this issue on the field.
