The power of Trumpphobia
I’m not sure how it would be spelled: “Trumpphobia,” which looks wrong but probably is correct, or “Trumphobia.” But fear of Trump has had dramatic repercussions on our southern border:
In the decades since [Gilda and Juan Francisco] opened the space [in Nogales, Mexico] to give migrants a place to shower and sleep before crossing the border, the shelter””with separate rooms full of bunkbeds for men and women””would regularly house 100 migrants per night. Sometimes, that number would hit 300 or more, and Gilda and Paco would pull out thin mattresses to fit everyone on the floor.
But today, those mattresses are neatly stacked in a closet, untouched. And the shelter is almost empty””no women travelers, and fewer than a dozen men. That’s despite the fact that April, with its mild weather, should be the busiest time of year for migrants. The place is all but dead. Gilda and Paco have never seen anything like it.
They can only think of one explanation: President Donald Trump.
The article goes on to say that Trump hasn’t really done anything so very different from his predecessor—not yet. But the prospect of what he will do has concentrated the minds of would-be illegal arrivals tremendously.
Actions matter, but perceptions matter as well. That’s true not just for people contemplating coming to this country illegally; it’s true for just about everything.
And more actual changes regarding the treatment of illegal immigrants (particularly criminal ones) and those who assist them to come here are in the works; read at the link to discover what they are. The article concludes:
Sessions is very serious about using existing federal laws to break the back of the incentives racket that attracts illegals to the United States.
Sessions has been tough on illegal immigration for a long long time. But as a senator, he had a lot less ability to influence policy than he does now. Now he gets to both influence it and implement it.
I always love it when people claim that swift, sure law enforcement and punishment do not deter crime. This is, of course, only anecdotal evidence, but it seems to prove the point that people do pay attention to enforcement of laws and punishment. Rudi Giuliani proved the same point when he cleaned up New York City.
@JJ – the msm have played up the fear factor, like a lot of their other hyperbolic (and some false) claims.
They unwittingly made the trump admin’s job easier.
.
Also, the Giuliani model is far from conclusive, and crime reduction may well be due to other factors…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk6gOeggViw
I read elsewhere that illegal immigrants from Central America pay around $8000 each for managing their transportation and accommodations through Mexico to the US.
$8000 is a big number for most Central Americans. So I see the drop also in terms of financial risk. I suspect even Americans would blink at laying down that much money on the chance it might work.
Under Obama it was a gimme. Under Trump, not so much.
Good for Sessions; and for Trump for appointing and supporting him.
It too seldom gets noted that permitting selected people to choose which laws they will obey is a path to societal chaos. The Sanctuary movement is particularly harmful because it involves government officials openly scoffing at the law. I believe that one of the more important pillars of our society is “rule of law”. The alternative becomes very problematical indeed.
The most recent mantra from the Democrats and the MSM is to cry about the fear and dislocation in Mexico, and Latin America, now that Trump is in office. Previously, they never seemed to notice the corrupt conditions that motivated people to abandon their homes, and in many cases their families, to invade the U.S. in defiance of our laws.
Emigration reform because native lives matter. For example, social justice adventurism, including anti-nativism, pro-class diversity, and elective regime changes, is a first-order forcing of CAIR (Catastrophic Anthropogenic Immigration Reform).
As for immigration, it should be self-evident that it should not exceed the rate of assimilation and integration, before disenfranchisement and abortion of wholly innocent citizens (i.e. “the People” and “our Posterity”). The abortionists, Planners, “=” that targets and corrupts (e.g. medical) prepubescent adolescent boys and girls, have a moral and fiduciary conflict of interest.
“The article goes on to say that Trump hasn’t really done anything so very different from his predecessor–not yet. But the prospect of what he will do has concentrated the minds of would-be illegal arrivals tremendously.”
Works for me.
Heh. First line of the post reminded me of a movie scene from the late 1970’s (NSFW):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAHiAuiT_zM
Huxley: “$8000 is a big number for most Central Americans.”
It’s a big number to me. Anyone who pays that much to come here has got to be expecting a lot.
Big Maq: So, abortion has reduced crime in New York City? Wow, does that mean abortion is the ultimate crime fighter? To me it looks like it’s a theory that wants to find an upside for abortion.
I experienced what a hell hole New York City was in the 80s. It changed rather quickly and dramatically under Giuliani. I understand it is now sliding back toward the bad old days under de Blasio. Quick, what they need is more abortions and fewer cops! 🙂
@JJ – the guys were surprised at the data, and provide a compelling argument to match the findings.
Only saying it is a common meme wrt Giuliani, but does the data fit?
That is what their book is about – surprising findings, if we dig into the data a bit.
BTW, I too saw the crap in Times Square in the 80s, and did take my child there many years later… much different for sure.
huxley Says:
April 15th, 2017 at 3:05 pm
I read elsewhere that illegal immigrants from Central America pay around $8000 each for managing their transportation and accommodations through Mexico to the US.
$8000 is a big number for most Central Americans.
* * *
I always see the claim that people won’t come legally because it costs so much — is it that much more than $8000? How do you find out?
(and what is the value of NOT being beaten, raped, or swindled by the smugglers?)
AesopFan: I recall an Irish friend telling me he paid about $10,000 all told to get naturalized as a US citizen. Not including air fare etc. to get settled here.
That may be high according to this article but in the ballpark. My friend was working with San Francisco lawyers.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=87996
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@Aeosopfan – huxley is probably looking only at the attorney fees, I presume. Well, maybe includes filings / application, etc.
It is an interesting question what should go into the “cost” side.
If it was family based immigration, maybe one could leave it at that. IDK.
But, if it was employment based, what is the value of being locked into one employer for four, five, six years?
Then there are the hurdles to qualify in the first place, the cost of which may be insurmountable to 99% of the world anyway, as this category is open only to those with special skills / highly educated.
Makes $8K seem like a bargain for someone without a legal means to immigrate into the US, despite how “expensive” it may be to those folks.
They face other serious risks, of course, but on currency alone, the life time value has got to represent a great ROI.
But, yes, even $8K is insurmountable to a great many.
Big Maq: I believe my friend had a green card. He was a top-notch programmer who found a job at a hot tech company in the mid-80s. The company folded within a few years.
My friend then worked as he pleased. His path to US citizenship was time-consuming and expensive.
Needless to say, he resents all the illegals who “jumped the queue.”
“Needless to say, he resents all the illegals who “jumped the queue.”” – huxley
As he should.
It’s been a problem long ignored.
-“Actions matter, but perceptions matter as well. That’s true not just for people contemplating coming to this country illegally; it’s true for just about everything.”
It’s true not only about border realities, but throughout geopoliticics. Just think of the ramifications. North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, Syria, Isis, Al Queda, and on and on. These and others will stop and give pause before they take actions against
U.S. interests and human rights around the world. Is this a dangerous thing? Consider the Obama and the last eight years.
…”organized chaos” is the order of the day with Trump. No one knows whats coming. While his unpredictability can have a very discomfiting affect it also can be a very leveraged tool to wield.
I wish Trump would open up more legal immigration, at some $20k or $25k fee to the US for coming — and doubling that fee for both illegals and those who have been paying the illegals in the US.
Few of the criminal illegals would have that; many, tho likely not most, of the illegals already here would be able to borrow enough, tho most would probably “self-deport” in order to pay only the lower amount.
Throughout economic literature, “expectations” are hugely important — especially with monetary policy, tho in fact with all investment decisions. Far too many anti-capitalists are naive socialists who stupidly, and anti-historically, think passing a “law” makes something “so”; which often goes along with not caring much about how real people’s behavior changes based on changing expectations.
“While his unpredictability can have a very discomfiting affect it also can be a very leveraged tool to wield.”
The source of “unpredictability” matters a great deal.
If it is on tactics, that is okay.
If it is on philosophy / guiding principles, that is not okay.