The Issue That Could Give Trump a Lasting Presidential Legacy

Town Hall ^ | 2/9/2019 | Alexander Holstein

[Baynative]

In his State of the Union address, President Trump once again made a strong case for border security and immigration reform, declaring it our “moral duty” to protect the lives of our citizens, while emphasizing the importance of legal immigration. The President said: “Legal immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways. I want people to come into our country, in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally.”

The American people agree. According to a CBS News poll, seventy-two percent of speech-watchers “approved of President Trump’s ideas for immigration.” In other words, they view the security and sovereignty of our nation as a moral imperative, but also want an immigration system that favors those who have earned the privilege of becoming an American. No group is more deserving of that privilege than the thousands of Afghans and Iraqis who have risked their lives assisting our armed forces in the fight against al-Qaeda and ISIS, and now seek refuge in the United States through SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) applications or other programs.

One case, in particular, stands out – that of Shaker Jeffrey, a globally renowned Yezidi-Iraqi human rights advocate who served as a combat interpreter, or “terp,” with frontline US Army infantry units in Northern Iraq.Shaker’s story, soon to be published as a memoir, SHADOW ON THE MOUNTAIN, from Hachette, is one of danger, intrigue, heroism, and the deep bond of brotherhood between him and the soldiers he served with - built around their shared love of America.

[Baynative]

"Too many times throughout history the United States has failed to live up to this message – and its end of the bargain. Hopefully, in this case, Shaker will be able to add a “Hollywood Ending” to his memoir with the granting of his visa and his arrival in an America that welcomes him with open arms. It could be a “Hollywood Ending” for President Trump, too, one that elevates his presidency above those of his predecessors – from President Nixon, who abandoned our allies in Vietnam, to President Obama, who signed the SIV program into law, but never made it a priority. That widens the moral imperative into something well beyond the issues of immigration or border security - but a lasting presidential legacy."

[Windflier]

"I want people to come into our country, in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally.”

That is one point where I break with Trump.

One out of seven residents of this country are foreign born. It's the highest percentage in our nation's history. The greater the number of newcomers, the longer and harder it is for them to assimilate. That is ultimately destructive to the common good, and the future homogenization of our people.

I don't buy the idea that we have to import massive numbers of immigrants into our country to fill all the jobs. Significantly scale back welfare benefits and watch all the Americans who suddenly show up to work.

Personally, I'd like to see a complete moratorium on immigration of all kinds for at least twenty-five years. We need that much time to eject the worst of the illegals and to fully assimilate the legal immigrants.

[Baynative]

While I strongly support this effort, I'm with you on that aspect. I believe we should apply a bit of the old Frederick Douglas philosophy with the citizens democrats want us to support.

[DannyTN]

I just want him to apply his beauty pageant judging skills.

Trump’s already applied a skill test to the immigration approval process. But I think the swimsuit test is crucial too. Add an attitude test. Facial aesthetic appeal.

We could have an immigration system like no other.

[foreverfree]

bump

[rightwingcrazy]

I took his statement as hyperbole to give lie to “xenophobe” label that they try to pin on him and his supporters. I interpreted it to mean that he welcomes with open arms immigrants who requested and received permission to be here, but not the ones that flout our laws and force themselves upon us.

[Taxman]

“Personally, I’d like to see a complete moratorium on immigration of all kinds for at least twenty-five years. We need that much time to eject the worst of the illegals and to fully assimilate the legal immigrants.”

I concur! We need to stop the insanity!

HST, I wonder what the ratio of LEGAL foreign born residents is to native born?

If we somehow muster the intestinal fortitude to rid America of illegal immigrants, life will be better for ALL of us!

[Windflier]

I took his statement as hyperbole to give lie to “xenophobe” label that they try to pin on him and his supporters.

You know, I have had the exact same thought, when hearing him speak about wanting new immigrants.

[b4me]

not original to fred, it’s from the bible .

[pigsmith]

”Personally, I'd like to see a complete moratorium on immigration of all kinds for at least twenty-five years. We need that much time to eject the worst of the illegals and to fully assimilate the legal immigrants.”/

Exactly!!

[trebb]

Sometimes a comment is merely driven by the enemies claim that one doesn’t want anything...anyone that thinks Trump wants to flood us with as many as possible ain’t paying attention to anyone but the concern trolls who use the slightest word to go bananas over.

[Pollster1]

I hope President Trump will build the Great Wall of MAGA and that
it will be as lasting and as effective as the (cheaper) Chinese version:

Build it this year and we have an accomplishment rather
than a campaign issue. I'll take that victory any day.

[Baynative]

Thanks, I’ll make a meme of my own instead of trusting others