Hating Legal Immigrants

Senator Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who opposed last year's immigration bill, is trying to sell the new compromise to his fellow conservatives by touting the end of "chain immigration," [1] how nativists describe the policy of allowing legal immigrants to unite their families.

But in the Washington Post [2] today, a key point is made by John Trasviña, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund:

"The number one way for Asian citizens to be reunited is through family reunification. Originally the brothers and sisters provision was for European immigrants. Now Asian Americans use it the most," he said. "There's a resentment. It was good enough for the country when other people used it, but now you see who's using it and suddenly it's the first thing to go. The opponents of illegal immigration say, 'We're okay with legal immigrants,' but now it suddenly goes away."

Changing policy to devalue families has nothing to do with cracking down on illegal immigration. It cracks down on legal immigration.