‘But They’re Here LEGALLY’

Legal status doesn’t magically make migrants super-Americans

Haitian migrants were a major topic for the vice presidential debate Tuesday. J.D. Vance drew attention to how migrants are a burden for towns like Springfield, Ohio. Obnoxious moderator Margaret Brennan sought to fact check him by pointing out that the Haitians “have legal status, temporary protected status.” Vance responded by pointing out the dubious way in which these migrants received legal status. Brennan cut the senator’s mic before he could finish.

On social media, Never Trumpers and liberals rushed to remind America that these Haitians are here legally and are therefore beyond reproach. Podcaster Tim Miller, a gay ex-Republican, declared Vance’s line "The people I care most about in Springfield are the American citizens" as the “grossest” of the night. He added: “The Haitians are here legally! Stop treating them like subhumans.”

The mention of legality is meant to act as a magic wand that disappears all concerns about the Haitians. They’re here legally; thus, they are no problem at all!

Middle Americans across the country beg to differ. They know the Haitians are a problem in their community, regardless of their legal status. This signals a change in how ordinary Americans approach the immigration issue. More regular people are waking up that the problem is not simply with illegal immigration. They know immigration, both in legal and illegal forms, threatens the future of the country. That’s why they tune out the bad faith arguments from the likes of Tim Miller.

It is asinine to stress the legality of Haitian migrants to stifle criticism. Their legal status is hardly rock-solid. Recent Haitian arrivals benefit from the open door policies of the Biden administration. Some of them have come here by claiming asylum either at the border, utilizing the CBP One app. Instead of waiting in another country while their claim is processed–as it was done under Trump–the current administration welcomes duplicitous “asylum seekers” into the country. The asylum program has been widely abused by illegals to get legal status. It’s supposed to be temporary, but the administration refuses to deport illegals unless they commit a “very serious” crime. 

The other way a Haitian can get in is through the parole program. Would-be illegals from Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua can apply through this program to get temporary legal status. The program is able to grant this reward to 30,000 migrants per month. The status is supposed to be temporary, but Democratic policies often make it permanent.

A Trump administration could instantly take away the dubious legal status of many Haitians. The parole program can be rescinded with an executive order. Remain in Mexico can be reinstated, which would force many of these “asylum seekers” out of the country.

The mainstream media and Democratic politicians want to make Americans think “legal status” essentially makes immigrants full Americans and one can never criticize them. In some ways, this argument shows the Right is winning the immigration debate. The mainstream elements of the Left are not trying to defend illegals as superior to Americans. They’re now retreating to shoring up support for “legal” migrants. While a victory of sorts, the migrant advocates still rely on a popular framing of immigration.

For years, conservatives tried to sharply distinguish illegal immigration from legal immigration. This was a pragmatic tactic to persuade Americans to oppose amnesty and support greater border security. This framing positioned illegal immigration as bad while legal immigration was good. This distinction still lingers among conservatives even as more mainstream commentators and politicians criticize legal immigration. It’s common for some diehard MAGA types to say they only oppose illegal immigration. Often, this is just them trying to own the Left, but it still shows the power of this dichotomy.

Now liberals exploit it for their own ends. 

Even if we accepted the Haitians’ dubious legality, legal status does not make them beyond reproach. Legal immigrants bring a lot of problems, such as terrorism. The 9/11 hijackers came to the U.S. legally. (They did overstay their visas, however.) The San Bernardino terrorists were of immigrant-background, with one of the duo coming to the U.S legally. The 2017 New York City subway bomber was a legal immigrant, as was the man responsible for the Times Square car attack that same year. The majority of “Americans” who joined ISIS hailed from Somali communities that came here legally. Legal status didn’t make these jihadis proud Americans.

Legal immigrants are often brought here to take American jobs for lower wages. That’s the entire purpose of the H-1B program, which allows companies to import high-skilled foreigners to replace Americans who expect decent pay and benefits. But since they have the sacred power of legal status, we can’t question them. 

While media propaganda asserts that legal immigrants work harder than Americans and don’t take anything from the government, a majority of them live off some form of welfare. This is especially true of the Haitians, who are supposedly “revitalizing” the heartland. If revitalization means pushing Americans out of affordable housing, then the Caribbeans are doing a heckuva job.

Throughout this country, communities have been transformed overnight by migrants, both legal and illegal. Americans aren’t happy with it, which is why a majority want immigration reduced. They aren’t persuaded by bad faith arguments that they can’t complain about legal migrants. They see mass migration as a threat, regardless of whether it’s done “legally.”