Legal vs Illegal Immigration

For John, BLUF:  The issue of immigration is heating up in this Presidential Primary Season.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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A 2024 Vulnerability

Here is the sub-headline:

The Democrats are out of step with public opinion when it comes to immigration.

From The Old Gray Lady, by Columnist David Leonhardt, 17 January 2024.

Here is the lede plus one:

The first thing to know is that views on immigration aren’t static.  During Trump’s presidency, Americans became more favorable to immigration, evidently in reaction to Trump’s opposition to it.  Consider this:  By the end of his presidency, the number of Americans who favored increasing immigration exceeded the number who favored decreasing it for the first time in six decades of Gallup polling.

That trend has since reversed, as you can see in the chart.  The biggest reason seems to be a surge of illegal immigration during President Biden’s term.  One cause of that surge has been the Biden administration’s approach.  Many would-be migrants now believe — correctly — that so long as they can reach U.S. soil, they will be able to stay for years.

I think I missed the part where the poll looked at the difference between legal and illegal immigration.

I favor increased legal immigration.  Don't you?

On the other hnd, I deplore illegal immigration.

1. In makes a mockery of the work of those coming legally.  I know a Canadian, retired on US Social Security, with Daughters born in the US (thus Daughterscould be President—just the risk they have to take), who is spending several thousand dollars and a lot of time doing it legally.  What a slap in the face to her for illegal immigrants to be walking free in the US, flying on airliners without IDs.
2. While we endured the ever-changing demands of Dr Fauci and company, for public health reasons, illegals come in lacking tests and shots.  The picture in my mind of legal immigrants is a long line of individuals holding chest Xray folders outside the US Embassy in Manila.  My above mentioned friend spent $300 for a chest X-ray to help satisfy the US legal requirements.  Illegal immigrants, maybe never, but if required, for free.
3. Illegal immigration is about human trafficking, which should be abhorrent to decent people.  And, some of it is sex trafficking, including under age girls.
4. Illegal drugs and fentanyl overdose deaths.
5. The Cartels use illegal immigration to reach into US towns and cities, for corrupt purposes, while we weaken police forces.
6. The danger of terrorists infiltrating our nation, so they can give us a dose of 7 October, as a way of weakening support for Israel.  That would be an affront to God, which is a thing I like to avoid.

So, yes, views change over time.  Rep Jerry Nadler wants the bracero program back.  I guess.  But, I want a steady stream of immigrants, at a pace our infrastructure (including schools) can absorb.  People coming here not just as economic migrants, but as believers in our concept of freedom.  That should be rewarded.

As to the last para of the article, it reminds me of the Bertolt Brecht♠ poem, The Solution.

After the uprising of the 17th of June
The Secretary of the Writers Union
Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee
Stating that the people Had forfeited the confidence of the government
And could win it back only
By redoubled efforts.  Would it not be easier
In that case for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another

Which reminds me of Ms Joy Reid's comment about the Iowa Caucuses and results, noting parts of Iowa are too White and too Evangelical.  Does she wish for them to be redistributed, or just diluted?

Hat tip to my Middle Brother.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  It the name Bertolt Brecht does not ring A bell, think Three Penny Opera, and in particular the Bobby Darin classic Mac the Knife.