Many on the right claim the U.S. is being “invaded” by migrants but also want to wait until Donald Trump is elected president again to stop it.

For months, Republicans have shouted from the rooftops about a migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and how President Joe Biden needs to act to address it, insisting the flow of migrants is an urgent national security threat.

Now many on the right are urging their party to reject the very same things they said were needed to fix the problem, including tougher enforcement measures and a proposal to automatically shut down border crossings when it is overwhelmed. Instead, they appear set on impeaching the top Cabinet official in charge of the border, even though there is no evidence of a crime.

The GOP’s contortions aren’t just grating for Democrats but also on some conservative Republicans who have been deeply involved in crafting bipartisan legislation, which is expected to be unveiled soon, that would overhaul how migrants are processed at the border.

“It is interesting. Republicans four months ago… locked arms together and said, ‘We’re not going to give you money for this. We want a change in law,’” Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), the GOP’s lead negotiator on a deal pairing immigration changes with assistance to Ukraine and other allies, said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“A few months later, when we’re finally getting to the end, they’re like, ‘Oh, just kidding. I actually don’t want a change in law because it’s a presidential election year,’” he added.

  • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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    9 months ago

    The “crisis” we have is turning away refugees because their skin is the wrong color.

    This isn’t correct. The United States cannot continue to absorb the equivalent of Sweden every 4-5 years. It’s completely unsustainable and it has nothing to do with skin color. It also has nothing to do with the Biden Administration beyond Biden’s long history with the situation as a U.S. Senator.

    The Republicans who are suddenly opposed to this bill are assholes, and likely traitors, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have a serious problem that needs addressing.

    • cogman@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      The United States cannot continue to absorb the equivalent of Sweden every 4-5 years.

      Citation needed. You believe 10 million people, cross the border illegally every 5 years? You believe 2 million people illegally cross the border per year?

    • prole@sh.itjust.works
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      9 months ago

      How is it unsustainable? Undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes every year, and they are unable to claim benefits afforded to US citizens (e.g. unemployment, social security, Medicaid, etc.).

      They work jobs that Americans refuse to do.

      I really fail to see how this is anything but positive. But then again, I’m not racist or xenophobic, so…

      • meat_popsicle@sh.itjust.works
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        9 months ago

        They work jobs that Americans refuse to do.

        You support keeping a underclass of people that earn less money and are easily exploited? The reason they do those jobs and Americans don’t is because the employers are able to pay criminally low wages under the table.

        Maybe farmers and meat packing plants should improve their wages and working conditions. Never mind, we can just use exploitable and desperate people. Problem solved!

        • prole@sh.itjust.works
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          9 months ago

          Nope, I certainly do not.

          I guess it’s easy to confuse factual descriptions of reality with statements of ideological belief. I guess…

      • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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        9 months ago

        How is it unsustainable?

        Ask Chicago or New York City.

        They work jobs that Americans refuse to do.

        Most of them cannot legally work and you’d know this if your understanding of the issue didn’t come from HuffPo. Our immigration system is a fucking mess.

        But then again, I’m not racist or xenophobic, so…

        Neither am I.

        • prole@sh.itjust.works
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          9 months ago

          I don’t think you’ve ever actually been to NYC or Chicago. I can’t really speak for the latter, but immigrants of all colors are welcome in NYC. Just ask Abott and DeSantis about how their kidnapping schemes involving bussing them to NYC backfired so badly.

          Or maybe ask just about anyone living in that city. Get this: many of us believe that their presence enriches everyone, and that their being here makes this country better. Crazy, I know.

          HuffPo? Lol ok bud. Got me 🙄

          You know what’s interesting? You completely ignored the point about them paying billions of dollars a year in taxes while receiving no direct benefits for it whatsoever. You know, the part that completely counters your claim of unsustainability.

          • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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            9 months ago

            I don’t think you’ve ever actually been to NYC or Chicago.

            I’ve been to both, multiple times but let’s just check in and see how things are going?

            Chicago - Ohhh…not looking good.

            New York City - Ooof…not any better.

            HuffPo?

            That’s who published the article you are commenting on and you’re definetly displaying a HuffPo level of understanding.

            Just ask Abott and DeSantis about how their kidnapping schemes involving bussing them to NYC backfired so badly.

            Backfired so badly? They’re still doing it and frankly it was a fucking BRILLIANT move! Cities like NYC, Chicago, and Denver having to deal with just 10 percent of what Texas has been handling for years and they’re screaming bloody murder as they find out how god damned expensive and difficult it is.

            You completely ignored the point about them paying billions of dollars a year in taxes while receiving no direct benefits for it whatsoever.

            Sorta like you ignored that it’s currently illegal for many of them work?

            Our immigration system is totally busted and it needs to be fixed.

            • prole@sh.itjust.works
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              9 months ago

              I didn’t ignore anything, it’s not really relevant. I agree that these people shouldn’t be considered “illegal,” it’s dehumanizing, among other things. There you go, problem solved: Nobody can hire “illegal immigrants” anymore.

              It backfired because those people were welcomed with open arms. The only issue was logistics and arranging for food and housing on such short notice since they weren’t told ahead of time. You really don’t seem to get it: those people are welcome here. We want them.

              I’m glad you see human lives as political chess pieces, but that’s not how I view the world.