Call me paranoid but this seems like MSNBC --a network that is known to support the Obama machine-- is simply repeating some talking points sent to them by the White House. If these are the measures that have been taken so far, and the statistics of it are so readily available, then my question is: Has it worked so far? Is it effective enough?
Given that the people want the federal government to do more to enforce the law and secure the border, then why would simply reporting what has being going on up until now sufficient?
In other words, I think the skimpy enforcement is not a new development, just the reporting of it. The fact that MSNBC is giving it a positive spin is not surprising.
And, as supporting evidence, I offer the fact that its not making a big difference. If this enforcement was more than just a little bit, you would hear all about it from big farming, from La Raza, from the Mexicano Presidente, etc. And the border crossings would be down, not up.
When ICE enforcement makes unemployment go down, when border crossings dwindle, when violent crime and other drug-related crime such as kidnappings go down, when unions see a positive effect and publicly state that they approve of employer audits because it benefits their membership (okay maybe that is unrealistic) THEN I will believe that something has changed.
Recently Greta Van Sustern tried to ask the Democratic candidate for AZ governor (the current attorney general of Arizona) a similar question. She must have re-phrased it 4 or 5 times: "What makes you think that you can rely on the federal government to improve things given their track record so far?" His answer was like a broken record: "We want to focus on solving the problem, which is arresting the criminals, stopping the crime, and correcting our policies with long-term immigration reform" Blah Blah Blah. Oh, and his facial acrobatics were interesting to watch. He was wanting to smile as much as possible (like a good candidate for governor ought) but was not happy with Greta so it went almost like Jekyll-and-Hyde repetition of smiling and grimacing. Over and over. Its good that democrats are made to address the problem but they are quite certain of their talking points and they believe that the people will accept their minimal engagement on the issue.
The goal, of course, is to get past this "rhetoric" set forth by a large segment of the people and "get back to the business of running the government". Sound familiar? Yep the best example people have is Bill Clinton, and white guys like the AZ attorney general would love to be like him. They can't emulate Obama, so they settle for the next best thing.
Meanwhile, large segments of Arizona (most of a national park) are de facto ceded to Mexico, with the public warned away by signs, and law enforcement reluctant to enter because it is occupied by organized criminals who also happen to be "undocumented workers".
“Immigrant advocates said they are surprised and frustrated with Mr. Obama, after seeing an increase in enforcement activity since he took office. “It would be easier to fight if it was a big raid,” said Pramila Jayapal, executive director of OneAmerica, a group in Seattle. “But this is happening everywhere and often.””
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I rather doubt that this leftoid’s complaint is made up. This just might be the straight truth.
Of course the employers, the Obama ICE and the “immigrant’s rights” groups all do not want to publicize what’s going on her for their own selfish reasons:
Obama does not want his hardcore leftist base to realize he’s actually doing something effective.
The employers do not want to publicize the fact that they’re actually being subjected to effective enforcement and that the era of cheap labor is quietly coming to an end.
The La Raza gang does not want it getting out that they are helpless to do anything about this.
Now, if only ICE would start doing similarly low-key but effective blockading of illegals from government bennies. Try starting with doing similar audits of the welfare rolls of various municipalities/counties and the student enrollment records of various schools (calling in the parents for an interview if they appear to be illegal).
“Anchor Babies” are a total red herring, according to existing law, minor children must accompany their deported parents. When they turn eighteen they can apply for a passport and come back but not before.