Immigration and the Presidential Candidates

Since Trump started the conversation, how do the presidential candidates view the immigration topic?

One thing I add in considering immigration is the candidate's general views on the war on Islam. If their policy is consistent with those views, I give them credit for it (even if I disagree with their views on the war on Islam, since that deserves separate consideration)

(Links to the source material used for their positions are in the headings.)

Republican Donald Trump

Trump's views were laid out in his speech yesterday, which I discussed in the last post.

GRADE: B-. At least Trump's policies do two things: First, they show a proper respect for the law (being here illegally is still ILLEGAL!); and second, they are consistent with maintaining America's "war on Islam". While I oppose the war on Islam, allowing open immigration while at war is dangerously stupid. At least Trump is consistent and gets the big picture on this issue.

However, he does get knocked for his "new special deportation task force". That is already the ICE's job. Don't add more bureaucrats. Make the current bureaucrats do their job.

Democrat Hillary Clinton

Hillary's position is summed up well in this paragraph:

Hillary has been committed to the immigrant rights community throughout her career. As president, she will work to fix our broken immigration system and stay true to our fundamental American values: that we are a nation of immigrants, and we treat those who come to our country with dignity and respect—and that we embrace immigrants, not denigrate them.

But her great failing comes in this line from her policy: "Enforce immigration laws humanely." This is the definition of an oxymoron, because laws cannot be enforced "humanely". Laws don't recognize gray areas.

GRADE: F. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and that is all Hillary has going for her immigration policy. The fact she is hawkish in the war on Islam makes her policy dangerously stupid. On top of that, her plan looks like a legal document, not a "policy position".

Libertarian Gary Johnson

From Johnson's website:

Governors Johnson and Weld believe that, instead of appealing to emotions and demonizing immigrants, we should focus on creating a more efficient system of providing work visas, conducting background checks, and incentivizing non-citizens to pay their taxes, obtain proof of employment, and otherwise assimilate with our diverse society. 

Making it simpler and more efficient to enter the United States legally will provide greater security than a wall by allowing law enforcement to focus on those who threaten our country, not those who want to be a part of it.

GRADE: A+. Johnson's plan, while similar to Clinton's, works because Johnson's plan works with his opposition to the war on Islam. In addition, his plan has a more straightforward direction, whereas her plan looks like it was written by a lawyer (which it was).

UPDATE 10/12/2016: Gary just flip-flopped on ISIS, which makes his position dangerous. I am downgrading him to a B, with the hope his original position will be the one he would pursue in office.

Green Party's Jill Stein

• Support immigrants’ rights. Create a welcoming path to citizenship for immigrants.
• Halt deportations and detentions of law-abiding undocumented immigrants., including the shameful practice of night raids being used to terrorize refugee families.
• Improve economic and social conditions abroad to reduce the flow of immigrant refugees, in part by repealing NAFTA, ending the failed drug wars, and halting CIA and military interventions against democratically elected governments.
• Demilitarize border crossings throughout North America. 
• End the destructive US economic and military intervention into the affairs of sovereign nations. 

GRADE: D-. While Stein's immigration policy is consistent with her war on Islam policy, she goes too far. Borders are there for a reason. Without borders, we won't remain a sovereign nation for long.

In summary, immigration really comes down to two candidates: Donald Trump and Gary Johnson. If you believe in continuing the war on Islam, then Trump is your man. Otherwise, Johnson is the only one with a reasonable policy.