Donald Trump announced his plan for deportation of undocumented immigrants and greater restrictions on immigration. By these means, Trump plans to turn America into one enormous gated community. Unless I miss my guess, tonight Donald Trump was off-script and off his meds. He took time from campaigning in states he has no chance to carry, such as Maine and Washington, to make an impromptu trip to Mexico today to meet with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and deliver his anti-immigration message in person.
It’s not entirely clear what took place. Trump said they never discussed payment for his proposed Wall. Nieto disputes Trump’s account. He said that he made it clear that Mexico would not pay for the Wall. The two men also disagreed on Trump’s assertion that Mexico has unfairly benefited from the NAFTA trade agreement. Trump gave the impression that, despite these minor quibbles, they had a cordial chat. Trump was subdued in their joint appearance following the meeting.
The Hair Apparent then flew to Phoenix, Arizona, and replaced his quiet tone for the familiar face-reddening bluster. There he delivered an off-book rendition of his most recent version of his immigration policy. He clearly has renounced any thought of softening his policy or his rhetoric.
Exit Strategy
• There will be no amnesty. All undocumented immigrants will be deported, where they can reapply for entry. He didn’t mention the fate of their American-born children who by law are citizens.
• Any immigrant caught re-entering illegally will be incarcerated for a very long time – the “mandatory minimum.” Then after the U.S. has paid room and board, the U.S. will deport him or her again.
• He will create a deportation task force to deport all dangerous criminals “on day one.” Trump suggested that Hillary Clinton, his opponent, should be part of this group.
• He will cancel Obama’s executive orders, one of which gave work permits over a half million young immigrants who came to the US as children.
• He will add 5,000 more border patrol officers
• He will block federal funding to so-called sanctuary cities, meaning American cities that provide shelter – not Sanctuary – to undocumented immigrants.
• He reiterated his concept of “extreme vetting,” by which he means an ideological certification, a screening test that has electrodes attached to it.
The Takeaway
Trump still has not formulated a clear plan for dealing with most of the undocumented immigrants, only the criminally dangerous ones. There are a lot of ruffles and flourishes but he lacks a coherent statement as to addressing non-violent immigrants who are in the U.S. without papers. In addition, he has reverted to type. Last week he pivoted, claiming a new softness on immigration. Tonight’s speech slammed the book shut on a softer approach and a softer more “Presidential” demeanor.
In front of a crowd of his impassioned supporters, we spoke again to the nativist strain in America. He and his supporters forget that, at some earlier time, their ancestors crossed into this land of infinite possibility, No doubt they came from a harsher and less promising environment. They were seeking just what today’s immigrants seek – a better life for themselves and their children.
Evan Sarzin is the author of Hard Bop Piano and Bud Powell published by Gerard & Sarzin Music Publishing. He writes and publishes Revolted Colonies (http://revoltedcolonies.com).