… Liberal democratic rhetoric is supposed to unify citizens with diverse perspectives and backgrounds, and make visible previously discounted perspectives (for example, the perspective of women during the struggle for women’s right to vote). Trump’s and Carson’s comments are explicitly antidemocratic. The fact that they seem to have been rewarded […] Read more »
On Immigration Policy, Wider Partisan Divide Over Border Fence Than Path to Legal Status
As immigration emerges as a key issue in the presidential campaign, there is little common ground between Republicans and Democrats in views of several immigration policy proposals. But partisan disagreements are much more pronounced on some issues than others. CONT. Pew Read more »
Adapt or Resist?
… Spurred primarily, but not solely, by Donald Trump, the Republican field has spent months debating whether undocumented immigrants from Mexico pose an economic and security threat, whether gays and liberals are waging a “war on Christians” and now, whether Muslims can be trusted as loyal Americans fit for the […] Read more »
Oh Canada! Four in 10 Americans Want Wall on Northern Border
Failed Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker may feel some vindication in this number: 41 percent of Americans say that if a wall is built along the Mexican border, one should also be erected on the Canadian one. And yes, the same percentage favors a wall erected along the nation’s southern […] Read more »
What Americans want to do about illegal immigration
The debate over the future of the nation’s estimated 11.3 million unauthorized immigrants is on the political front burner once more. … Among the public overall, there is little support for an effort to deport all those in the U.S. illegally, but surveys in past years have found greater support […] Read more »
The Unwelcome Return of ‘Illegals’
Ten years ago, the political strategist Frank Luntz issued a proclamation about the language of immigration. ‘‘Always refer to people crossing the border illegally as ‘illegal immigrants’ — NOT as ‘illegals,’ ’’ Luntz instructed fellow conservatives. ‘‘Illegals’’ sounds harsh and spiky. As with ‘‘fatties’’ in high school, or ‘‘thugs,’’ it’s a […] Read more »