President Trump told DACA recipients last month that he had their best interest in mind — far more so than his Democratic rivals — even after he allowed the program to expire, but on Sunday he was singing a different tune.
“Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. ‘Caravans’ coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!”
Despite the efforts of those on his Hispanic advisory council, Trump’s commitment to the Latino community has been questioned ever since he characterized some Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals when he launched his campaign. His approval ratings with the community have remained consistently low, according to Gallup, 20 percent of Latinos approve of Trump’s job performance.
This might not matter much to the president, because he did not need the Latino vote to win, but some in his party may need the vote of Latinos in the upcoming midterms. Races in Texas, Arizona, Florida and other border states where every voter matters could go to Democrats as those who sat out the 2016 election show up to vote against a president viewed as antagonistic to diversity.
As The Fix’s Amber Phillips previously noted, polls show evidence that the GOP could face political repercussions if DREAMers get deported en masse. The majority of Americans want to keep these young immigrants in the US and recent reports of families being torn apart as authorities deport people do not really help a party wanting to convince voters that “compassionate conservatism” is a value it still holds dear.
If Trump’s idea of being tough on crime is interpreted as breaking up homes and returning young adults to dangerous environments, there is a possibility that even the few Latino voters who backed Trump in 2016 will turn against him.
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