Mass Immigration and "Raw Political Power": Sharry Comes Clean

By Dan Stein, President

Thirty years ago, FAIR was founded on the belief that sound immigration policies would be in the best interests of both the U.S. and the world. We've sought to shape and guide a policy that would ensure all Americans - yes all Americans - would see their interests protected by responsible immigration limitations. We've stayed true to that vision. But our inclusive view has been challenged by those political thugs and professional tacticians who seek to advance a personal and party power agenda at the expense of a rational public dialogue.

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The latest example comes from Frank Sharry, who has now finally come clean after all these years with an entry in today's Huffington Post. In it, Sharry transparently tries to intimidate Republicans with the argument that because Latino-rich states will pick up Congressional seats, politicians must follow the oracle or face certain defeat. He says,

". . . the 2010 Census is going to shake things up politically in this country, and politicians would do themselves a favor to wake up and smell the coffee in advance.

This is about raw political power -- something politicians of all stripes understand."

His argument is essentially this: you must support amnesty because so many have entered the U.S. illegally or through endless "chain immigration" that they'll just shove you out of the way if you don't. We're in charge now, he says.

And pundits wonder why Americans are fed up?

America deserves better, as does our tradition of immigration.

Fortunately, Sharry is wrong, of course. Hispanic Americans are not monolithic; many support firm immigration limitations and better border controls. With McCain's poor showing among Hispanic voters in 2008, Sharry will never convince most Republicans that a "give 'em all amnesty" plan is a winner.

But at least Sharry has finally admitted the truth: his side sees the immigration policy battle as nothing more than a battle for "raw power." Sadly, this creature of not-for-profit political opportunism has devolved into a mere political huckster masquerading as a policy expert - a mere party hack. Sharry is so detached from the general public and its very real pain: He hates Americans who block his political ambitions and wants to use immigration to advance a particular power agenda served by mass immigration at all cost. Rather than debate policy, he and his allies at La Raza are paid to use intimidation tactics, undermining any pretense of civility in the public debate. And who's to blame for the heated rhetoric? I'd say the answer is pretty obvious.