I would take issue with your implying that the GOP is “anti-immigrant”. The GOP is against illegal immigration. We have a system of laws and policies dealing with those who come here legally.
Unfortunately the media and liberals take the stand against ILLEGAL immigration and say that the GOP is against all immigrants.
But you have a good point, that if the liberals and the media are able to push the narrative that the GOP is racist, xenophobic, bigoted, etc. then we will lose elections.
We basically support a set of laws designed by Big Labor to prevent foreigners from coming here and competing with the unionized workers.
If we’re not anti-Immigrant we sure aren’t pro-Immigrant.
I think the “legal immigration” dodge is a cop-out. We are talking about a misdemeanor crime, committed by people who for the most part come here to work in our economy. If we object to their going on welfare rolls, then let’s reform the welfare system. But beyond wanting to know who is here, having their fingerprints on file, and making sure they pay taxes and don’t freeload on the government, I would be in favor of dramatically raising immigration, and offering amnesty to those who are willing to sign up with the legal system.
There is a perception amongst immigrants that the GOP is against them. This includes legal immigrants, and I would know. While (for the most part) that is not the case, when it comes to perception truth and apparent truth are considered the same. For instance, why do you think Asian immigrants vote Democrat by a large margin? It is this same type of negative perception that keeps Black gun owners out of the NRA.