TJP

Immigration: Republicans Alienating Latinos

Byron A. Ellis

Human migration is human history; it has existed since mankind appeared on the face of the earth. Therefore, modern immigration laws are merely human constructs, induced by primarily by westerners developing nation states and nationality laws.

Before these human constructs of nation state and nationality laws, humans were free to roam the lands now called the Americas. However, with the arrival of westerners land claims were made by force and many descendents of the original inhabitants were considered illegal by the newcomers in the land of their forefathers.

Today, Republicans continue to embrace, albeit in a subtle fashion, the human constructs of immigration that denies entry to ethnicities that they do not identify with, particularly people of Hispanic origins. Yet, many Americans retire and reside in Hispanic countries and are not ostracized or deported.

These Republican are not clamoring to erect fences on the Canadian side of the border, but rather only on the Latin American side. Thus, their legislative actions signal that Canadian migration is not a concern, but migration of Latinos is. The Republican calculation to derail immigration reform appears to be politically motivated.

The Census Bureau estimates that by the year 2050 twenty-five percent of the US population will be of Hispanic origin and only 50 percent white. Thus, if the Republican Party refuses to diversify itself, it is unlike to survive. However, if they can prevent the influx of Hispanics, their day of reckoning may be delayed.

Few Republicans, support a just and equitable immigration reform. Unfortunately, the Republican base and many presidential candidates appear to be anti-Latinos. So, they foolishly are conceding the Latino voters to the Democrats.