Replies

First, thanks for the good thoughtful reply. Second, don’t confuse asking hard questions with agreeing to “surrender”. I want nothing of the kind but I’m equally tired of reading thread after thread of arm-waving and gnashing of teeth without any concrete ideas. You have given some!

#1 is probably tough due to the fact they they lie and some states violate federal law in giving them benefits anyway. I like it but don’t know if or how it could practically be done without a huge backlash.

#2 Great idea. Think the law provides for this kind of fine? I don’t know but it could be pushed thru a willing Congress in weeks...ooops...there’s that

#3 Absol-freakin-lutley. What does it take? “Comprehensive immigration reform” doesn’t seem to get anywhere in our legislative branch, and there’s that body of law and the pesky 14th amendment they keep bringing up. Maybe after R’s win decisive victories in both houses of Congress things can move forward on this front.

Self-deportation does happen - I’ve seen it during the lean years after the 2007-8 recession. If no jobs here, then might as well go home and leach off the relatives you’ve been sending money back to...

Which brings up my own suggestion: I think Trump could do a couple of things short-term:

1. Put the immediate squeeze on Mexico. They’re enablers and they need the US a lot more than we need them. Financial penalties, make life misearable for anyone crossing the border, use the new USMCA, whatever tools are avaialable.

2. Do something to tax or apply a surcharge or something to all money transfers from the US to these countries. Use that money to BUILD THE DAMN WALL.

Thanks for the discussion.