On this one, they is plenty of xenophobia and anti-immigration sentiment on both left and right. Only a few libertarians, true libertarians, want open borders. Only a few people want complete amnesty for all U.S. residents. Almost everyone want more secure borders. The questions are about what those who are here illegally have to do or suffer to put themselves right with the laws, and what those who want to come here have to do to get and stay here legally. If you violate the traffic laws, such as speed limits, you are not barred forever from using the public roads, and don’t have your license revoked for life. Yet some anti-illegal-immigration folks make arguments that are just like someone saying “What part of illegal do you not understand? Any system of penalties that allows those who have violated the rules of the road to remain on the roads is just amnesty!! You passed the speed limit illegally, you have no right to use the roads!” The plan being put forward by Rubio et al. may be harsher than some would like, and easier than some would like, but it is a step in the right direction. And by the way, the net illegal immigration at present is essentially zero because of the depressed economy. And actual research has demonstrated that illegal immigrants on the whole contribute more in taxes than they consume in taxpayer resources. Of course there are rotten apples among them, but on the whole the country has benefited by these people being here, and most want nothing more than the opportunity to be good citizens.
On this one, they is plenty of xenophobia and anti-immigration sentiment on both left and right. Only a few libertarians, true libertarians, want open borders. Only a few people want complete amnesty for all U.S. residents. Almost everyone want more secure borders. The questions are about what those who are here illegally have to do or suffer to put themselves right with the laws, and what those who want to come here have to do to get and stay here legally. If you violate the traffic laws, such as speed limits, you are not barred forever from using the public roads, and don’t have your license revoked for life. Yet some anti-illegal-immigration folks make arguments that are just like someone saying “What part of illegal do you not understand? Any system of penalties that allows those who have violated the rules of the road to remain on the roads is just amnesty!! You passed the speed limit illegally, you have no right to use the roads!” The plan being put forward by Rubio et al. may be harsher than some would like, and easier than some would like, but it is a step in the right direction. And by the way, the net illegal immigration at present is essentially zero because of the depressed economy. And actual research has demonstrated that illegal immigrants on the whole contribute more in taxes than they consume in taxpayer resources. Of course there are rotten apples among them, but on the whole the country has benefited by these people being here, and most want nothing more than the opportunity to be good citizens.