MICHAEL MEDVED

GOP candidates are exploiting the immigration issue

Nov 18, 2015, 4:07 PM | Updated: 4:49 pm

Michael Medved says the real division among Republicans involves mass deportation, not amnesty. (AP...

Michael Medved says the real division among Republicans involves mass deportation, not amnesty. (AP)

(AP)

Some GOP presidential candidates have recently tried to exploit the immigration issue by accusing their opponents of supporting “amnesty.” As a matter of fact, none of the Republicans back amnesty the way Reagan did in 1986 —granting quick legal status to those who had entered the country illegally, inevitably encouraging more illegal immigration.

Today’s Republicans, even those endorsing immigration reform, demand improvements in border security first, and would impose a long, hard path on all those who sought permanent legal status — including payment of fines, back taxes, full background checks, demonstrated fluency in English and a return to the back of the line before any application for citizenship.

The real division among Republicans involves mass deportation, not amnesty. Like most Americans, most GOP candidates reject the idea of deporting 11 million illegals and their families as practically inconceivable and politically impossible.

Those who promote that idea mislead the electorate with a demagogic concept outside the Republican &#8212 and American &#8212 mainstreams.

Michael Medved on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to michael medvedTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 12pm for The Michael Medved Show.

Michael Medved

Gaza attacks...

Michael Medved

Medved: The sad, ‘crazy’ tale of a Gaza water park, and Hamas’ war against fun

After barely three months of operation in 2010, the dream of a fanciful facility to attract tourists and delight locals lay in ruins.

6 months ago

2024 presidential debate...

Michael Medved

Medved: Will 2024 be the year of crucial political debates on TV?

It’s not difficult to imagine either Biden or Trump uttering some inaccurate or incoherent combinations of words that could undercut any momentum.

6 months ago

medved populism...

Michael Medved

Medved: GOP heading to irrelevance as party fails to embrace demographic changes

The spreading speculation about a new civil war isn't based on regionalism this time, but on distinctions in education and identity.

7 months ago

biden...

Michael Medved

Medved: How Biden learned money misdeeds can hurt most of all

The doomed example of "Tricky Dick" demonstrates the way that financial wrongdoing and personal enrichment can upset the public more than sex scandals.

7 months ago

Trump...

Michael Medved

Picking the right running mate could powerfully boost Trump’s prospects

It’s impossible to forecast who Donald Trump will pick as his running mate for the upcoming election of 2024, but it’s safe to say who he won’t select.

8 months ago

trump campaign...

Michael Medved

Medved: Can a new Trump victimhood campaign win back the White House?

Facing more than a half-dozen hostile legal proceedings before next year’s presidential election, can Donald Trump mount an effective campaign?

8 months ago

GOP candidates are exploiting the immigration issue