The ramped-up anti immigration rhetoric from the South Carolina primary has quieted a bit as the Republicans have moved into Florida where the topic is, shall we say, more sensitive. What is disappointing is the lack of understanding and nuance in the candidates positions. Mitt Romney's use of the term "self-deportation" brought chuckles from some commentators, but the American Immigration Council points out that the term has a specific meaning. It is deportation by attrition through enforcement, particularly following the enactment of state laws which make life for non-citizens unbearable. The link to the AIC article is here.
Of course the point that the candidates overlook is the extensive family ties here that many noncitizens have, and the devastating effect of the 3 and 10 year bars incorporated into IIRIRA which has only served to drive individuals underground who would otherwise have been able to legally immigrate.
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