I don’t agree with any of that. Duplicate programs testify to the fact that the public can be aroused over and over again and be manipulated while a problem continues, especially if it is in minority communities. Typically, noone ever evaluates the effectiveness of the programs. Furthermore, I have seen no evidence that Thompson has accomplished anything.
If the public can be aroused over and over again, then that proves my point: illegal immigration is not a top, sustained priority for most people, and the issue falls off the radar for many unless someone makes it an issue. If no one is forced to evaluate the programs' effectiveness, what that means is that for the most part people don't care.
Most people in this country don't deal with the illegal immigration problem face-to-face on a daily basis. If they did, politicians would be forced to pay more than lip service to enforcement. With this essay, Thompson is making the argument for immigration enforcement to those who don't realize how much illegal immigration affects them. That's the first step toward forcing politicians nationwide to take this seriously.
As for what Thompson has accomplished, it's been well-documented on this forum.