Ruben Navarrette: Immigrant hunting? What's happening to my country?

What is it about immigration? It brings out the best in America. And yet, talking about it brings out the worst in many Americans. The United States is becoming withdrawn and bitter, and the national mood is becoming uglier.

It's nothing new. We live in a country that has -- for more than 220 years -- held the curious distinction of being a nation of immigrants that doesn't like immigrants. Our national motto isn't really "e pluribus unum." It's more like: "There goes the neighborhood."

Whether they come legally, illegally, or with a letter of reference from the Queen of England, every batch of foreign arrivals to these shores is instantly considered inferior to those who came before. It helps Americans feel better about their lot. Whereas they have always tended to think of immigrants as less than them, nowadays some go for broke and consider them less than human.

And, in the 21st century, it's open season on immigrants from Mexico and Latin America. I don't mean that literally. But unfortunately, these days, some folks might take it that way.

Some examples:

In Racine, Wisconsin, the owner of a local gas station began selling a bumper sticker that read: "Illegal Immigrant Hunting Permit." He apparently didn't find it the least bit offensive, but local immigrant activist Maria Morales did.

Full: http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/17/navarrette.immigrant.hunters/index.html

rightwing causes. Is he now finding out that what he sent around is coming around to bite him in the butt?


TG

I've read his columns before and usually have agreed with them. So I looked up some of his columns and find some where he criticized Secure Communities and for deporting Emily Ruiz, the US-born daughter of illegal Guatemalan immigrants. here's an archive of his articles and his official site is rubennavarrette.com. He's criticized Republicans plenty of times too.

unlike the conservative establishment like Rush Limbaugh, etc. And Ruben actually has a soft spot for multiculturalism.

but Ruben's got a horse in the immigration race (pun most assuredly intended). One has to wonder, doesn't one, when he's going to realize he's a token, and the kind of token that will only lead him to a seat at the back of the bus.



TG

Navarrette's job is to persuade Latinos to vote for republiklan. That's it. He's a shill. Don't believe the hype.

Nope, didn't think so.

Ignorant, racist, cruel, stupid, - all repukes, I'm sure.