My sense has always been, Cruz would be tougher on illegal immigration than any other candidate, including Trump.
In addition to illegal immigration, legal immigration is a huge problem—vast numbers of students, refugees, H-1B, H-2B Visa workers, etc. are competing with US citizens for college seats and jobs. Cruz has said nothing about this.
In fact Cruz wants to quintuple the number of H-1B Visas—that is a huge problem for me. I don’t see how his stance is conservative or good for America on this issue.
Some say immigration is just one issue, but IMHO, it may be the most important issue as immigration (both legal and illegal) is transforming our country into something I don’t recognize.
with all due respect, beyond your sense, is there anything conclusive?
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I’m unsure- I posted the thread because the article indicates that Cruz said, as a matter of policy,
” Deport every undocumented immigrant, including children who grew up in the U.S.”
It’s conclusive as stated; but in that I’ve never heard Cruz make that statement, I’m uncertain as to the reporting.
As for immigration policy generally, my sense of Cruz is informed by listening to his interviews and by his record.
(Now, I’m not trying to sell you- I’m just explaining.)
At 14, Cruz memorizes the Constitution, and then goes out and gives lectures on conservatism. In 2002, as Texas Solicitor, he stands up to his own party’s President (Bush) and opposes Bush in the Supreme Court on the issue of national sovereignty, and wins.
So, what’s my sense of him? He’s an ideologue, he’s a true believer. Contrary to those who flame him, this guy is not an establishment sell-out. His father campaigns for him and says, “my son doesn’t compromise”— and when it comes to his principles, I believe that. It seems true to his history.
So, on immigration, I’ve heard him say that the Dems and Gop-e are trying to transform America into a socialist country by flooding it with illegal immigration.
So, he understands what you are saying about the transformation-— and to him it’s an ideological attack— and he will fight it-— it’s just who he is.
As to H-1 etc— my view, the candidates have to be “flexible.” So, for instance, Trump first says he will deport, but after the shrieks of outrage, he says “I’ll let the good ones back in” - or a ‘wall with a huge door’. He has to say that to get elected— and has to cover his intent to deport with a firm statement that he’s not anti immigrant.
Cruz is doing the same thing— I think he will be hard line on illegal immigration, and he softens the blow by saying that he is a big supporter of legal immigration.
Now, for some, the “flexibility” is a cop-out. The illegals are illegal- so just say I’ll deport them all- women, children, grandma’s— etc-— Well, fine— a candidate says it straight out like that, he will not get elected ( as Trump quickly realized).
So, sorry for the long explanation- but my “sense” of Cruz and Trump. I trust Cruz more than Trump on immigration because Trump has a life history of making deals/negotiating, while Cruz’s life history has been that he is uncompromising on conservative principles and the constitution.
(And, I have absolutely nothing against Trump-)