The Republican National Convention underscored the fundamental need for immediate action on the pressing immigration issue, championing Donald Trump’s monumental strategy to deport unauthorized migrants. Given the magnitude of such a task, some Republicans demonstrate resiliency in adapting to this hard-line stance. Notably, Lauren B. Peña, an involved Republican from Texas, expressed hopes that Trump’s proclamations serve more as a stance against criminal activities rather than an indiscriminate order.
Capably addressing the concerns of the Republican front, Trump and his team intend to place immigration at the forefront of their campaign. This strategic shift signals a nod to the 1950s era under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who implemented a sizeable deportation policy titled, somewhat unfortunately, ‘Operation Wetback’. When asked about the specifics of his plan by Time magazine, Trump detailed a methodology involving the National Guard and possibly the military, with an estimated 15 to 20 million people being targeted.
Trump’s ambitious and disciplined plan extends beyond merely bolstering the southern border – a staple conservative focus. It suggests a transformative change in America’s approach to immigration. The pressing border crisis under the Biden administration has prompted Democrats, with their promises of secure borders preceding any discussion of relief for current immigrants, to grudgingly acknowledge the severity of the situation, effectively mirroring the Republican stance.
As the election draws nearer, both parties scramble to engage with divulgent voter demographics. Latino voters hold key roles in many battleground states. Trump secured a sizable 35% portion of Hispanic voters in 2020 – a testament to the growing support for stringent border control among this demographic. However, it’s worth noting that approximately half of Hispanic Americans hold unfavorable views of Trump. Nevertheless, Trump’s campaign continues to gain traction, notably with multiracial Hispanic individuals such as Peña.
Peña hails from Austin and expressed her affiliation to the Republican party after witnessing the debilitating effects of illicit drugs in her neighborhood. She strongly believes that government support systems have not only failed low-income individuals, but that the recent influx of immigrants places an undue burden on accessible public support like food stamps. Despite her support for stricter immigration control, she voiced concern over certain Republican proposals, such as denying public education to children lacking permanent legal status.
Significantly, GOP lawmakers largely align with Trump’s hard-line immigration stance. Their support underscores the necessity of addressing the unsustainably high influx of unauthorized immigrants. However, some have cautiously suggested more achievable objectives. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, for instance, highlighted over a million people already having received final removal orders from an immigration judge as the unavoidable priority.
Equipped with previous experience, Trump entered his 2016 term with similar promises of mass deportation, managing to deport approximately 1.5 million people. As his strategy evolves, Trump collaborates closely with Stephen Miller, a seasoned aide who is expected to assume a key role in the White House, should Trump secure a win. Miller succinctly outlines the administration’s end-goal as follows: ‘Seal the border. Deport all the illegals.’
In order to achieve this, Trump would reinstate travel bans on countries posing a potential risk and establish the National Guard to supervise the immigration situation. Immigrants would be temporarily held in specially established camps before their deportation, this approach ultimately bypasses the lengthy legal appeal process. Additionally, Trump is set to challenge the longstanding practice of birthright citizenship in the United States.
To supplement Trump’s groundwork, his top advisors have proposed an extensive policy via the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. This strategy would reduce additional legal migration paths significantly. Consequently, the pet-project of the Trump administration could stall temporary schemes for over 1 million migrants, including DACA recipients and Ukrainians and Afghans fleeing conflict in their home countries.
Implementing these stringent policies could, however, potentially disrupt several major industries such as housing and agriculture. For instance, Jorge Franco, CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, warned of Wisconsin’s dairy and agriculture sectors suffering significantly if the current workforce – hugely comprised of immigrants – was hastily eliminated.
While the Republicans work hard to implement improved immigration policies, Democrats seem to be pedaling hard to gain Latino votes. They argue that Trump’s strict policies motivate the Latino population. María Teresa Kumar, CEO of Voto Latino – a voter registration group backing Democrat Kamala Harris – claims that their organization witnessed a significant spike in registration, particularly after Biden dropped out of the race.
In a heavily Latino district in Texas, Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzalez, despite acknowledging the need for better border management, listed the downside as the discomfort it would afford to those with unresolved immigration issues. He noted a lot more could be accomplished with good policy to control border surges, implying that Trump’s mass deportation strategy is too terrifying a concept.
In spite of such dissent, Trump’s proposals continue to gain momentum and support. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, justified-sized deportations as a reaction to the immigration surge under President Biden’s term. However, she adds there is a case to distinguish between recent arrivals and those who have been long-established in the country.
Salazar further argues the crucial requirement for migrant labor in specific industries. ‘The developers in construction … and the farmers, what are they going to say? They need hands,’ she stressed, revealing the depthful insights into the economical indices that hardline immigration policies can affect.
With these rationales, Trump’s strong stance against loose border policies prompts Republicans and reluctantly forces Democrats to address this escalating issue. While Democrats may see this as something to fear, Republicans are embracing it as a critical measure in preserving the American way of life, making this election a pivotal decision point for the nation’s immigration policies.
Trump Overshadows Biden with Commanding Immigration Stand appeared first on Real News Now.
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