Election 2016: And the Next President of the United States is . . . . Donald Trump
After a long a winding campaign, the winner is . . . . Donald Trump. In a stunning upset victory, Trump will become the next President of the United States. As CNN put it,
“Trump’s supporters embraced his plainspoken style, assault on political correctness and vow to crush what he portrayed in the final days of his campaign as a corrupt, globalized elite — epitomized by the Clintons — that he claimed conspired to keep hard-working Americans down. His winning coalition of largely white, working-class voters suggests a populace desperate for change and disillusioned with an entire generation of political leaders and the economic and political system itself.”
Trump’s election will likely have immigration consequences. Immigration was at the forefront of the Trump campaign. Here is the Trump/Pence immigration platform:
Donald J. Trump’s 10 Point Plan to Put America First
1. Begin working on an impenetrable physical wall on the southern border, on day one. Mexico will pay for the wall.
2. End catch-and-release. Under a Trump administration, anyone who illegally crosses the border will be detained until they are removed out of our country.
3. Move criminal aliens out day one, in joint operations with local, state, and federal law enforcement. We will terminate the Obama administration’s deadly, non-enforcement policies that allow thousands of criminal aliens to freely roam our streets.
4. End sanctuary cities.
5. Immediately terminate President Obama’s two illegal executive amnesties. All immigration laws will be enforced – we will triple the number of ICE agents. Anyone who enters the U.S. illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country.
6. Suspend the issuance of visas to any place where adequate screening cannot occur, until proven and effective vetting mechanisms can be put into place.
7. Ensure that other countries take their people back when we order them deported.
8. Ensure that a biometric entry-exit visa tracking system is fully implemented at all land, air, and sea ports.
9. Turn off the jobs and benefits magnet. Many immigrants come to the U.S. illegally in search of jobs, even though federal law prohibits the employment of illegal immigrants.
10. Reform legal immigration to serve the best interests of America and its workers, keeping immigration levels within historic norms.
For one commentary on the fear in the Latina/o community with a Trump Presidency, click here. Some comments from parishioners at a church in East Los Angeles:
““I’ve just been praying, every night. Dear Lord, please do not let that man lead this country,” said Rita Chairez, a parishioner.
“The children are afraid,” said Ellie Hidalgo, pastoral associate.
They were born here, but their parents weren’t, Hidalgo said. And the kids fear their parents will be rounded up and booted across the border by Trump.”
KJ