Trump delivers electrifying speech in Arizona, outlines ten-point plan for immigration reform

On Wednesday night, Trump appeared in Arizona to deliver a rousing speech on immigration. Due to a number of ambiguous comments made in recent weeks, the real estate mogul turned presidential candidate found himself facing accusations of softening his position on this controversial issue. However, Trump’s speech revealed that he remains adamant in his support for deportation and a border wall; he was also very explicit in his refusal of amnesty.

Trump began by discussing his trip – concluded earlier that day – to Mexico, during which he discussed with Mexican President Pieto salient issues such as illegal immigration, drug cartels, and the wall. In a rather skillful display of nationalistic rhetoric, Trump told us that he was able to find common ground with Pieto through the acknowledgement that both men love their respective countries and only want to see them prosper.

Trump also framed illegal immigration as an issue that hurt both countries, despite the fact that Mexico actually benefits immensely from the current setup by gaining billions of dollars in remittances every year. Nevertheless, framing the issue in this light – coupled with Pieto’s apparent acquiescence – created the impression that Trump’s plan to build a border wall and deport millions of illegal Mexicans would be done in cooperation with Mexico.

Prior to outlining his ten-point plan, Trump discussed a number of immigration-related talking points.

He reminded us that not all people who come here will be able to assimilate; that, as a sovereign nation, we have the right to choose immigrants based upon their potential benefit to us; that most illegals are, unfortunately, unskilled and uneducated; that we need to begin by actually enforcing our current immigration laws; and that, thanks to the sheer negligence of the Obama administration, many illegal immigrants have it better than our veterans.

Trump also briefly mentioned the fact that Hillary and her supporters aren’t even remotely concerned with these issues, but instead believe global warming to be the greatest immediate threat to America.

Much to the dismay of his detractors, who were hoping this speech would be bereft of any specific policy proposals, Trump offered a fairly detailed immigration plan.

The long-awaited plan is as follows:

1. Construct a “great wall” along the US-Mexican border – and, to the delight of the audience, make Mexico pay for it. Trump once again framed this as being in the best interest of both countries.

2. End the policy of catch-and-release which allows illegal immigrants to remain in America. Under Trump, such profligates would be detained and summarily deported.

3. Zero tolerance for “criminal” aliens. Yes, all illegal alliens are technically criminals, but Trump wanted to specifically focus on the fact that hardened criminals are being released into America because their home countries refuse to accept them back.

4. Block funding for sanctuary cities.

5. Cancel unconstitutional executive orders and enforce all immigration laws. Anyone who enters the country illegally will be, in his words, “subject to deportation.”

6. Suspend the issuance of visas to people from high-risk regions. Trump also mentioned pressuring the wealthy Gulf States to assist their fellow Muslim refugees.

7. Ensure that other countries are forced to accept their degenerates that unlawfully enter America.

8. Implement a biometric entry-exit VISA tracking system.

9. Remove the incentives that lure illegal immigrants to America, such as jobs and government benefits.

10. Reform immigration to benefit American and its workers.

Trump also detailed a series of goals that his immigration reform was designed to achieve:

• To keep immigration levels, measured by population share, within historical norms
• To select immigrants based on their likelihood of success in U.S. society, and their ability to be financially self-sufficient. We need a system that serves our needs – remember, it’s America First.
• To choose immigrants based on merit, skill and proficiency
• And to establish new immigration controls to boost wages and to ensure that open jobs are offered to American workers first.

“Within historical norms” is a particularly intriguing choice of words, since America remained nearly 90% White until the Hart–Celler Act of 1965 opened the floodgates to the third world. While it remains unknown as to whether or not Trump had this in mind, it is obvious that his immigration reform, if correctly instituted, would significantly increase the White percentage of the American population.

Toward the end of his speech, Trump brought on a number of parents of children killed by illegal immigrants. This isn’t anything new; in fact, it’s a recurring theme at Trump rallies. Nevertheless, this had the effect of humanizing his proposals and reminding us all that our current immigration paradigm results in dead Americans.

Overall, Trump offered a thoroughly detailed, lucid, and comprehensive plan for immigration reform. Although he remained steadfast in his support for deportation and the construction of a border wall, his rhetoric was noticeably softened; perhaps to the dismay of some within the Alt-Right, there was no talk of Mexicans being rapists and criminals. This, however, was the correct approach, for it allowed him to retain his commitment to what got him this far in the first place – strict immigration reform – while at the same time painting himself as a more reasonable, polished version of his pre-nomination self.

Furthermore, it must be noted that, despite his emphasis on only deporting the "bad ones", Trump's immigration plan would – and dare I say, will – allow for any illegal immigrant to be shown the door.