Dem
47
GOP
53
It didn't get a lot of attention, but last week Donald Trump floated an idea before his Cabinet. He proposed that, just maybe, the federal government could bring undocumented immigrants into the country to work on America's farms, and in other such jobs. He thought this could work out great if, once seasonal demand for labor subsides, they "go out ... in a nice way."
Congratulations, Mr. President. You have just invented... the Bracero Program. That was the federal initiative that was in place from 1942 to 1964, wherein workers (mostly) from Mexico would be brought into the U.S. during the harvest season, then transported back home afterward. The only thing that is different about Trump's proposal is that he would admit people to work in hotels, in addition to the agriculture sector.
Although he probably doesn't realize it, and his base definitely doesn't realize it, the proposal exposes the lie that is at the very heart of Trumpism. Whatever harm is done to the U.S. by (a small number of problematic) immigrants is dwarfed by the positive benefits that come from admitting the rest. It is hardly a secret that immigrant workers will do jobs that native-born workers will not, and for wages that native-born workers wouldn't even consider. This is what makes the whole system work, particularly the production of those incredibly affordable fruits and vegetables in the produce section of the local grocery store, not to mention the budget-friendly cuts of meat, etc.
Still, there is an "only Nixon could go to China" element to all of this. If Joe Biden or any other Democrat were to so much as whisper that maybe some Mexican immigrants should be welcomed, at least for some purposes, right-wing media and politicians would be screaming to high heaven. On the other hand, if Trump moves forward with this, then those same folks will fall all over themselves to explain how brilliant he is in understanding that some Mexican immigrants are "the good ones." (Z)