That’s because enforcing our border makes sense to a lot of people. I think the media/outrage is off on this one to be honest. I don’t support our current strategy but it doesn’t surprise me that this action makes sense to a lot of Americans.
I was listening to Michael Smerconish yesterday and the discussion made a lot of sense. MS basically made the point that Trump isn’t creating a new law, he is simply enforcing a law that no other president had the brass to enforce (this is obviously debatable based on your partisan stance). MS really doesn’t like Trump, and I respect his opinion a lot. He was actually putting the responsibility on the parents who are entering the country ‘illegally’ (not through the standard immigrant process). He also made a strong point that we need to streamline our immigration process.
Personally, I feel there has to be a better way to handle this, but in my opinion, Trumps actions are the culmination of years/decades of politicians not being willing to tackle this issue. He isn’t tackling the issue in the manner I would prefer,
but I think Trumps actions are playing a lot better in middle America and I don’t think it is because those people are racist, heartless people. I think it is because they are glad to see that someone is at least trying to put a dent in our illegal immigration problem. That is the vibe I got from Smerconish‘ show And his callers (which if you follow him, you know is not partisan in either direction).
I have seen so many tweets and articles about how if you don’t overtly condemn the action then you are immoral. It seems very similar to pro-life friends of mine who write off anyone who is pro-choice. The unwillingness to engage on the topic is unfruitful. Morality arguments don’t work. They simply make people feel self righteous. I think those of us who range from uncomfortable to appalled with the admins interpretation of the enforcement of our border laws to make arguments based on merit, and not on moral high ground.
I am not opposed to a deterrent model of enforcement, but believe we are going way too far in our current set up. We are not willing to spend the money to truly be humanitarian and tough, so we are choosing tough. We are better than that as a country. I don’t blame the families attempting to enter our country illegally, but I also don’t blame our country for wanting to protect its borders.
We need comprehensive immigration and border reform now. Make it easy for good people to enter legally, make it more difficult for them to enter illegally. Trump is trying to force the hand of congress. Perhaps the republicans and democrats will get together and get something done (
). Who knows, but it is past the time that we should have completed some true reform. No one has the stones to make it happen I guess.