Our Debate On Illegal Immigration Is A National Disaster
When emotionalism meets scaremongering, its difficult to have a useful debate about anything. Yet for immigration, those seem to be the two choices.
The Trump administration has adopted a zero tolerance policy requiring law enforcement to prosecute illegal immigrants. Yes, the policy comports with the law. Yes, the Obama administration engaged in a similar policy on a smaller scale and yes, the media covered it very differently.
But, no, President Trump doesnt have to temporarily break up families. He chooses to strictly implement the law, claiming, among other things, that it is a necessity in stopping gang violence. Trump officials inability to deal with the mess they created incompetently implementing their policy, and the public relations disaster resulting from that ineptitude, is on the administration, and no one else.
Trump has admitted, in fact, that zero tolerance is not only meant to cut down and discourage illegal immigration, but its a gambit to push Congress towards some form of a broader immigration deal that favors his priorities. Its difficult to believe that Democrats, whove eagerly embraced the ugly optics of separation policy, will be more inclined to agree to a deal now. You cant simultaneously argue, as Trump officials have, that youre being forced to do this, then admit its a negotiating tactic as well. At least, not convincingly.
Moreover, even if everything Trump is saying is true, theres got to be a more humane way to deal with families that are separated. Any policy, for instance, that fails to let parents know immediately, and continuously, exactly whats happening to their children, is immoral and it seems to me such things can be fixed administratively. It can certainly be fixed by Congress.
The idea, however, that this is something hatched completely in a vacuum is absurd. Even if separation policy is misguided, and I think it is, the administration doesnt kidnap or snatch little children from immigrant parents. Nor is the policy equivalent, in any conceivable way, to the Holocaust or human rights abuses of third world nations.
So when people like Joe Scarborough offer hysterical analogues, comparing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who are temporarily separating illegal immigrant parents from their children while cases are being heard with Auschwitz guards leading children to cyanide showers, they help create a moronically hyperbolic atmosphere that makes it increasingly impossible to fix anything.These children deserve better, yes, but there is no evidence that they are being willfully mistreated. In some cases, they are being protected.
Moreover, despite perceptions, often created by the president himself, the Trump policy isnt really zero tolerance. Those who claim asylum at ports of entry are not separated from their children. Only parents charged with entering the country illegally and who claim asylum after being apprehended are detained. Adults who choose not to be deported have to wait for adjudication of their case. While this happens, the law prohibits children from being held in the same detention centers as adults.
One of the underlying policy problems, largely ignored by those covering this story, is that in the past families who claimed asylum were often released with a bracelet (one that could be easily removed) if they promised to show up at a hearing at some later date. They often did not show up. Does anyone on the Left know how to fix this problem? Do they believe its a problem, at all? It sure doesnt seem like it.
The Trump administration, after all, didnt invent the cages that are being used to temporarily hold families who attempt to illegally enter the country. Our border policy was a mess long before Democrats were selectively citing scripture to shame conservatives. Actually, Trumps here in part because its a mess.
Instead of explaining the complicated dynamics of the problem, many in the media are stoking outrage by doing things like conflating unaccompanied minors with separated children, making no distinction by age or circumstance.
Trying to blame Trump for an influx of young foreign citizens is misguided. The majority of kids in care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most often teenagers, are apprehended because theyre here without any parents. Its a growing problem. In 2013, a little fewer than 40,000 unaccompanied minors were apprehended by the Border Patrol. That was a historic high. In 2016 there were nearly 60,000. This year there are likely to be more than 80,000.
As Doris Meissner, the director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, recently told CNN, its a phenomenon that dates from just the last few years, and was not one that the Bush or early Obama administrations confronted in any significant numbers.
Moreover, what should border enforcement do with unaccompanied children? Unless your position is that anyone who wants to walk over the border should be able to do so, including children, there will be detention centers, and a fraction of the people in those detention centers will be children.
Its true that some Republicans act as if everyone coming over the border is an MS-13 drug mule, while some liberals act as if there is no criminality associated with unregulated immigration, even from a nation experiencing an epidemic of lawlessness and violence. But perhaps the biggest tragedy of the immigration debate is that, despite the acrimony surrounding it, its probably the most easily fixed. The majority of Americans still arent ideologically rigid on the issue. Theyre open to immigration (and to Dreamers), but most also want secure borders. Falsely feeding the dueling perceptions that the United States is a budding fascist state or anarchy without a border create a political climate that makes immigration impossible to fix.
See the original post:
Our Debate On Illegal Immigration Is A National Disaster
- Trump's remittance tax aims to slow illegal immigration by targeting the money flow - Fox News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- San Antonio man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for transporting 25 illegal aliens inside tanker trailer following ICE Eagle Pass, federal... - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Donald Trump shatters more border records with lowest illegal immigration numbers - Washington Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- We need cooperation between federal and state governments in stopping illegal immigration, expert says - Fox Business - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Weber County OKs accord with feds to help in the fight against illegal immigration - KSL News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Trumps remittance tax aims to slow illegal immigration by targeting the money flow - wccsradio.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Weber County OKs accord with feds to help in the fight against illegal immigration - Yahoo News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Social Security insolvency could speed up with illegal immigration crackdown - Fox Business - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Not really our issue: Gulf Shores mayor speaks on illegal immigration raid - fox10tv.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Social Security insolvency could speed up with illegal immigration crackdown - MSN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- HSI and FBI speak on illegal immigration raid at Gulf Shores High School - fox10tv.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Parents share story of loss, fight against illegal immigration at The White House - WCIA.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- HSI speaks on Gulf Shores High School illegal immigration raid - WBRC 6 News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Americans more concerned about nuclear Iran than illegal immigration, survey finds - Defense One - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson talks illegal immigration in Tampa - WMNF 88.5 FM - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- ICE and federal partners arrest 17 illegal aliens during worksite inspection in Bethlehem, Pa. - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- China ready to fight fentanyl, illegal immigration with US: top police chief - South China Morning Post - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Newark, law enforcement partners arrest illegal alien in New Jersey with extensive criminal history - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE arrests 81 illegal aliens as part of joint federal law enforcement operation in Kentucky, of which 25 also charged with felony criminal offenses -... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Columbus and US Marshals arrest Ecuadorian illegal alien wanted for murder - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- The rule of law and the crisis of illegal immigration - Christian Post - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Philadelphia supports large effort to remove more than 130 illegal aliens from central Asia - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Buffalo removes 2 criminal illegal aliens and foreign fugitives wanted for felonies in home country to Guatemala - ICE | U.S. Immigration and... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Chairman Arrington Responds to CBO Report on Net Cost of Illegal Immigration - House Budget Committee (.gov) - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Under Patel, FBI heightens focus on violent crime, illegal immigration. Other threats abound, too - AP News - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Illegal Aliens Use Far More Taxpayer Funds Than They Contribute, CBO Confirms - Federation for American Immigration Reform - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Illegal Immigration, Lawlessness, And The Lefts America - The Daily Wire - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Under Patel, FBI heightens focus on violent crime, illegal immigration. Other threats abound, too - WPLG Local 10 - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Sunny Hostin insists its 'not illegal' to be undocumented during immigration discussion on 'The View' - Fox News - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Will Illegal Immigration Break the Nation Apart? - The Free Press - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Howie Carr: Jailhouse letter speaks volumes on illegal immigration - Boston Herald - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Mexican illegal alien sentenced to 11 years for smuggling 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine in truckload of cabbages following ICE Rio Grande Valley,... - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- South Texas stash house discovered by ICE Rio Grande Valley leads to the arrest of 16 illegal aliens - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump admin expanding border wall construction amid crackdown on illegal immigration - Fox News - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trump might become the most pro-illegal immigration president ever - The Washington Post - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Massive Scale of Chinese Illegal Immigration Threatens National Security - America First Policy Institute - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Emotions over Bostons illegal immigration protections boil over at mayoral debate - Boston Herald - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Tennessee rep says Nashville mayor's ICE policies amount to 'aiding and abetting illegal immigration' - Fox News - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Illegal immigration and asylum: are government pledges on track? - BBC - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Rokita touts work opposing illegal immigration in trip to southern U.S. border - WFYI - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Growing concern over massive growth in illegal immigration to the Balearics in "little boats" from North Africa - Majorca Daily Bulletin - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Visa Overstays Now Drive 40% of Illegal Immigration as Indians with American Assets Face Costly Return Decisions - USA Herald - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Arizona border, once the busiest in the nation for illegal immigration, goes quiet - The Arizona Republic - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- House sends anti-illegal immigration bill to Ivey's desk, another to the Senate - 1819 News - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Illegal immigration, cockfighting arrests made in South Mississippi ICE bust - Yahoo - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Florida Gov DeSantis tangles with reporter over illegal immigration, tells her 'you seem to have no sympathy' - Fox News - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Florida Gov DeSantis tangles with reporter over illegal immigration, tells her you seem to have no sympathy - WFIN - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- ICE and U.S. Border Patrol assist in local sex crime investigation involving previously deported illegal alien - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs... - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- White House touts 100-day illegal immigration crackdown after Biden 'unsecured the border on purpose' - Fox News - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- In a first-of-its-kind partnership between state and federal partners, ICE Miami and Florida law enforcement arrested nearly 800 illegal aliens this... - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- More than 990 Illegal Aliens Charged with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Fourth Week in April - Texas Border Business - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Rep. Wilson urges people to call, threaten lawmakers over uptick in illegal immigration detentions - Fox News - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Why is the Church advocating illegal immigration? - Amityville Record - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Why sheriffs across Ohio are joining ICE in crackdown on illegal immigration - News 5 Cleveland WEWS - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Rachel Reeves must combine EU deals with cutting illegal immigration - The Times - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- The Washington Post Needs to Get its Facts Straight Regarding Illegal Aliens and Social Security - Federation for American Immigration Reform - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- 960 Illegal Aliens Charged with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Fourth Week in March - Texas Border Business - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Mayor Donna Deegan and others speak at press conference concerning Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Act - The Florida Times-Union - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- 960 Illegal Aliens Charged With Immigration-Related Crimes In A Week - RTTNews - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Erdogans Turkey is Weaponizing Illegal Immigration Europe Must Wake Up - The Times of Israel - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- U.S. Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration: Follow the Law and You Will Find Opportunity - US Embassy in Montenegro - USEmbassy.gov - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Deegan says she is reviewing illegal immigration bill before signing it. But councilman says shes making excuses - WJXT News4JAX - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Labour has changed precisely nothing on illegal immigration - The Telegraph - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Cleveland attorney says green card application pause 'has nothing to do with illegal immigration' - ideastream - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Sanders recognizes Trumps efforts on border, fentanyl: Nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate - The Hill - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Federal authorities charge over 800 illegal aliens with immigration crimes in just 1 week - Fox News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- US Embassy in Morocco Warns Against Illegal Immigration Amid Tightened Visa Policies - Morocco World News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Navy deploys additional warship to curb illegal immigration, drug smuggling at the southern border - Fox News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Trump Administration Plans Military Buffer Zone Along the Southern Border to Deter Illegal Immigration - Federation for American Immigration Reform - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Praise to Trump for Cracking Down on Illegal Immigration - American Family Association - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Dominican Immigration Authorities and Transport Sector unite against illegal immigration - Dominican Today - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- How state lawmakers are trying to crack down on illegal immigration - The Texas Tribune - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Exclusive | Trump border czar Tom Homan heads to Albany to call out NY Dems over pro-illegal immigration policies - New York Post - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Exclusive | Trump border czar Tom Homan heads to Albany to call out NY Dems over pro-illegal immigration policies - New York Post - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- ICE San Diego arrests violent criminal illegal alien convicted of attempted murder after reentering the US over 7 times - U.S. Immigration and Customs... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- ICE San Diego arrests violent criminal illegal alien convicted of attempted murder after reentering the US over 7 times - U.S. Immigration and Customs... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- 4 illegal aliens charged with firearms offenses as a result of an ICE Las Cruces and ATF investigation - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- ICE apprehends illegal alien with ties to Nicaraguan massacre and Mexican drug cartel - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Idaho Senate moves ahead with criminalizing illegal immigration - Boise State Public Radio - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Idaho Senate moves ahead with criminalizing illegal immigration - Boise State Public Radio - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]