Immigration - Then And Now

I found these charts from the Pew Research Center to be interesting. They show the largest immigrant populations in each state, comparing those populations in 1910 and in 2010. Note that in 1910, only three states didn't have their majority immigrant population made up of white immigrants -- the border states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The situation in 2010 is remarkably different, with all but about 5 states having the majority of their immigrant population composed of non-whites.

This should tell us why the Republican Party is currently anti-immigrant. They know that their pro-white and anti-minority positions will not appeal to most immigrants today (and other non-whites).

Now, the GOP will try to claim they are not anti-immigrant. They are just against the increase in undocumented immigrants. I don't believe it. For one thing, the rate of increase of undocumented immigrants is now at 0 or less (meaning there are as many, or more, of them leaving the U.S. as entering it currently). That's because of the failed GOP policies that have trashed our economy. The job availability that drew so many undocumented workers no longer exists.

And the GOP is doing very poorly among minorities and immigrants in recent elections, and since undocumented workers cannot vote, that means they have a problem with immigrants in general. They could change their policies toward immigrants and minorities, but their racist teabagger base (which controls the party in many states) refuses to do that. Instead, they have chosen to double-down on their anti-immigrant policies, and engage in voter suppression.

That's not going to work, as the demographic make-up of this country continues to change to a much more diverse population. But the racist teabaggers refuse to change, and until they do, the Republicans will suffer more with each passing election.