Reply #18: The repub "base" (freepers, teabaggers) oppose "illegals" as "others" whom they are better than. [View All]

[pampango]

Of course, there are lots of "others" (racial/ethnic minorities, gays, legal immigrants) that their base is afraid of and/or feels superior to.

The repub party has, at least, two wings on illegal immigration. One is the corporate "cheap labor" wing that wants to maintain a pool of as many illegal immigrants as possible. They represent easily exploitable workers so, it is understandable that this repub group opposes comprehensive reform because it eliminates "illegals" ("exploitables") by giving them a path to citizenship.

The other repub wing is the "base" exemplified by teabaggers who "want their country back" from "illegals" and every other minority that is changing the face of the US. This wing argues for a impenetrable wall on our Mexican border, "Arizona-style" immigration laws in every state, and a strategy of "attrition through enforcement" by which "illegals" will deport themselves (if the government doesn't do it first).

I think their corporate wing supports the "base's" focus on "attrition through enforcement" as a tactic. The corporates think it will not work so it will not cut into the pool of illegal immigrants they can exploit. It also keeps the "base's" focus on an opposition to "amnesty" (a path to citizenship) which is a real threat to the size of the pool of exploitable workers. There have been many instances in the past month of states rejecting "Arizona laws" put forward by teabag legislators but opposed by employer groups.

Likewise, our party has, at least, two wings. One agrees that "attrition through enforcement" (self-deportation) coupled with the government deporting as many illegal immigrants as possible is the best way to deal with illegal immigration. They share the belief that if we make things miserable enough for illegal immigrants they will all go home. Problem solved.

Our other wing pushes for comprehensive immigration reform which combines border control, employer sanctions and a path to citizenship. If employer sanctions are never to be effective then no strategy to control illegal immigration will work (including, obviously, "attrition through enforcement" since there would be no effective "enforcement"). Obama's administration has done more than any previous one to audit, fine and jail illegal employers. This group (including the Congressional Progressive Caucus and organized labor) also prefers a path to citizenship for many, if not most, illegal immigrants who are here. They do this both as perceived "fairness" and in the belief that studies show that most illegal immigrants will not go "home" anyway (they have American children, things are worse back "home", etc.). Both for the sake of "fairness" and efficacy giving them a path to citizenship removes the "exploitability" of their illegal status