Editor, Times-Union:
To date, the Republican Party has offered zero plans for the betterment of the people of America. One constant focus has been to promote fear, hatred, and fury stoked with lies, misinformation and conspiracy theories related to immigration problems. Keeping voters fearful of and angry about the “invasion” of foreigners who might replace them is to keep them “in line” and more apt to vote Republican — the party that promises to eliminate the manufactured causes of their fear and anger — even though they have yet to offer solutions.
Fact: A bipartisan coalition in the Senate is working furiously on a bill which includes significant funding to begin solving the border crisis. However, Republican leaders in the House have received orders from Donald Trump to reject any compromises on border security. It is much better for them (and him) to have this issue to complain about than it is to solve the problem by working across the aisle and appearing weak. Their plan instead is to keep voters believing all immigrants are criminals, fentanyl smugglers, and job stealers.
It seems “Republicans cannot have this issue solved; they need it to run on.” (Brian Tyler Cohen) In fact the Republican Speaker of the House was recently heard to say, “We can’t solve the border crisis until after the election.” MAGA members of the House have even threatened to vacate the Speaker — again — if he does anything on the border.
Also, Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX) referring to immigration bills, stated, “Let me tell you I’m not willing to do damn much right now to help a Democrat and to help Joe Biden’s approval rating …. I’m not going to do it.”
Fact: While some drugs, including fentanyl, come illegally into the U.S. from Mexico, 90% arrive through official ports of entry, and studies show that 86% of convicted fentanyl traffickers are U.S. citizens.
Fact: Immigrants are not taking jobs away from Americans, and the influx of immigrants does not increase unemployment.
“Immigrants in the U.S. create a lot more jobs than they take, primarily because many are prone to starting businesses that go on to create a lot of jobs.” - J. Daniel Kim, Wharton School (Alma Mater of Donald Trump and Elon Musk)
Fact: Recent studies have found that undocumented immigrants have much lower crime rates than native born citizens and legal immigrants. Actually, America’s homicide rate has fallen nearly 13% since 2022 (the largest decrease on record) in spite of the immigrant surge, and local law enforcement has reported consistent drops in violent crime.
Fact: “The U.S. is not a great country in spite of immigrants; it is a great country because of immigrants.” (Jamie Raskin)
Every person in the U.S. is, in some way, an immigrant or descendant of an immigrant — except, of course, Native Americans, who were the first people (non-white) to be “replaced” by immigrants (white). Kind of ironic, isn’t it?
Jeanne Schutz
Winona Lake, via email