In an op-ed timed to coincide with the publication of “Out of Many, One,” a collection of paintings and stories about 43 people who enriched their adopted country, George W. Bush recently sought to “humanize the debate” about undocumented immigrants in the United States. The former president also endorsed a reform package providing enhanced border security; a pathway to citizenship for individuals in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; and a gradual process (through work and service requirements and proficiency in English) to bring the 11 million adults who entered the United States illegally “out of the shadows.”
In 2021, the Republican autopsy report is a distant memory. Instead of reaching out to ethnic and racial minorities, the “build that wall” wing of the GOP opted to restrict their ability to vote. Republican Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Jeff Flake (Ariz.), who did not get with the program, were purged.
Republicans are virtually certain to filibuster President Biden’s plan, which offers an 8-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants (requiring them to pass background checks and pay taxes), eliminates restrictions on family-based immigration, and expands worker visas. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has blasted the legislation as “blanket amnesty that would gut enforcement of American laws while creating huge new incentives for people to rush here illegally at the same time.” In immigration politics, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) recently claimed, “comprehensive” has become “a dirty word.”
More significant is the response of Republicans who voted for reform in 2013 (to be administered by President Obama) and are still in the Senate: Susan Collins apparently cannot contemplate supporting a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers now that “the border is such a disaster.” Marco Rubio will not now vote for “blanket amnesty for people who are here unlawfully.” With John McCain no longer at his side, Lindsay Graham now exclaims, “God, no. I’m not in support of legalizing one person until you’re in control of the border.”
A substantial majority of Americans endorse comprehensive reform. A February 2021 poll reveals that 69 percent “strongly” or “somewhat” favor a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The percentage increases to 72 for Dreamers. And 64 percent agree that stimulus checks should be sent to the 16.7 million people who live in mixed-status (U.S. citizen and undocumented immigrant) families.
It’s a shame — no, it’s a tragedy — that on this issue (and, alas, on so many others) Republicans believe “compromise” is an even dirtier word than “comprehensive.”
https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/550142-the-republicans-deep-dive-into-nativism