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Sunday, August 16, 2015

Trump's remarkable immigration reforms

Ann Coulter may have been indulging in hyperbole a bit when she compared Trump's position paper on immigration to the Magna Carta but it is bold. Up until today Trump could be criticized for failing to be specific about his immigration reforms but no more. No one is preventing the other Republican candidates from putting their immigration plans to paper and until they summon the courage Trump has every right to call them wusses. Like many in the blogosphere I have been critical of Trump but that aside it's time to critique the plan not the man and in my estimation the plan is not wanting.


And kudos to Trump for releasing a position paper that is readable. At a mere 6 pages it's a model of Chesterfieldian concision. It eschews socispeak, does use nouns as verbs, is written at about a eighth grade reading level making it accessible to Democrats but what it lacks in pedantic bilge and platitudes is more than compensated by its substance. It lays out the 3 principles of reform.;
1. A nation without borders is not a nation. There must be a wall across the southern border.
2. A nation without laws is not a nation. Laws passed in accordance with our Constitutional system of government must be enforced.
3. A nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation. Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans.
I love point 3, "Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans" and if Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio or John Kasich feel differently they should tell the voters.
Next Trump spells out exactly how he would make Mexico pay for the wall.
Mexico must pay for the wall and, until they do, the United States will, among other things: impound all remittance payments derived from illegal wages; increase fees on all temporary visas issued to Mexican CEOs and diplomats (and if necessary cancel them); increase fees on all border crossing cards – of which we issue about 1 million to Mexican nationals each year (a major source of visa overstays); increase fees on all NAFTA worker visas from Mexico (another major source of overstays); and increase fees at ports of entry to the United States from Mexico [Tariffs and foreign aid cuts are also options].  We will not be taken advantage of anymore.
Maybe not every item will prove doable and of course all items would require congressional approval but as much can be said for about any plan submitted by any candidate. Democrats can call it blackmail, I prefer hardball but again where is Hillary's position paper?
There is a section on the rule of law and the constitution.
America will only be great as long as America remains a nation of laws that lives according to the Constitution. No one is above the law. The following steps will return to the American people the safety of their laws, which politicians have stolen from them
Triple the number of ICE officers.
Nationwide e-verify.
Mandatory return of all criminal aliens.
Detention—not catch-and-release.
Defund sanctuary cities.
Enhanced penalties for overstaying a visa.
Cooperate with local gang task forces.
End birthright citizenship.
The plan makes it clear that immigration policy must be to the advantage of American workers not American employers. It would raise the prevailing wage on H-1B visas noting " More than half of H-1B visas are issued for the program's lowest allowable wage level, and more than eighty percent for its bottom two. Raising the prevailing wage paid to H-1Bs will force companies to give these coveted entry-level jobs to the existing domestic pool of unemployed native and immigrant workers in the U.S., instead of flying in cheaper workers from overseas." Taking a swipe at Marco Rubio it states " Mark Zuckerberg’s personal Senator, Marco Rubio, has a bill to triple H-1Bs that would decimate women and minorities."
The plan would also end the J-1 visa jobs program for foreign youth and establish an inner city resume bank for low income American youth. Lastly the plan would raise the standards for admission of refugees and asylum-seekers and moderate future immigration. " Before any new green cards are issued to foreign workers abroad, there will be a pause where employers will have to hire from the domestic pool of unemployed immigrant and native workers."
The Republican Party has to be totally out to lunch to reject this plan. One might grouse that birthright citizenship is a creation of the courts and could not easily be undone but by and large this bold, radical plan is commonsensical to the average voter. Meanwhile I eagerly await the Donald's position paper on tax reform.
 Update: From Senator Jeff Sessions;
"This is exactly the plan America needs. Not only would the plan outlined in this paper work, but more quickly than many realize. Most importantly, this plan reestablishes the principle that American's immigration laws should serve the interests of its own citizens.
For too long, "immigration reform" plans in Washington have served the special interests at the expense of working Americans. By contrast, this plan puts the needs of working Americans foremost, and develops an effective strategy for improving their wages and job prospects. Crucially, this plan includes an emphasis on lifting struggling minority communities, including our immigrant communities, out of poverty -- by preventing corporations from bringing in new workers from overseas to replace them and drive down wages. When the labor market is oversupplied, it tilts the balance of power away from workers and towards employers.
In combination with a smart, fair trade policy this proposal would reinvigorate the middle class. Polling shows this plan will appeal broadly to all segments of the electorate: prioritizing the just demands of loyal, everyday Americans who have been shunned by a governing elite."

2 comments:

  1. Red Eye Radio guys who've been highly critical of Trump for numerous positions were very impressed with this immigration plan. I just don't know what to make of him and all the hysteria on the right. I have friends who absolutely are not objective about Trump and get so angry whenever anyone criticizes him. I dunno. Haven't made my mind up yet.

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    1. I consider the plan as a starting point and even if Trump should somehow be elected would never be implemented as written. That said, it's the only plan we have ever seen that does not suggest more H-B1 visas, citizenship, legal status etc. As I concluded, I'm looking forward to seeing his tax reform proposals. If he is down with the idea of doing away with the deduction for state and local taxes he's my man. If the people in NY, Conn, and Calif, had to actually pay the taxes they have voted on themselves without the help from the rest of us they would see the greatest upheaval since the Civil War.

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