Fighting for Citizenship
Beginning back in April of 2016, many immigrants began a massive scramble for citizenship so they could have the right to vote in this year’s election. We are reminded The Washington Post that these immigrants do not only include Mexicans and Latinos, but also include Asians and Pacific Islanders. Obama allowed the scramble and supported the mass amounts of citizenship papers to be passed through at a faster pace than normal.
What’s the Big Deal?
There are two obvious reasons why immigrants are scrambling to gain citizenship. Not only do they want to ensure that they have the opportunity to stay in America since Trump has stated that he will remove every single one of the illegal immigrants within his first 100 days in office if elected, but they also want to be able to have the opportunity vote against Trump. Trump’s rhetoric surrounding his immigration policy and his negatively emotive responses have consistently pushed away many, if not all immigrant voters. His harshness and lack of emotion towards these people has lost him all favor in their eyes. So what’s the big deal? Many of these immigrants did indeed gain their citizenship, therefore, the right to vote. Not only have many immigrants turned to support Hillary in her gentle rhetorical approach to welcoming foreigners, but the entire group of immigrants as a whole has become strongly Democratic and is expected to be a big factor in the swing states this year.
Again, Donald Forgets to Think
Trump often forgets that immigrants can be anyone from another country, not just Mexicans and Latinos. Additionally, he failed to realize that his statements and demeaning words to the Mexicans and Latinos would cause the Asians and Pacific Islanders to also turn against him. They are angry because they feel that if he feels that strongly about Mexicans and Latinos, then he must feel that strongly against them as well. His failure to use the rhetorical strategy of “dulling the point” has cost him the vote of nearly ALL immigrants rather than just the Mexicans and Latinos. “Dulling the point” is a rhetorical strategy in which someone does not express himself as strongly as he may feel in order that he will gain more support for himself or his views because his views do not appear as harsh. Even if Trump feels the way he does, he would have been wise not to use such negative comments or inclusive comments of all immigrants for that matter. He did not understand how bad he was hurting himself by sharpening the point instead of dulling it.
Will There Be Enough?
The question is, how many immigrants were able to obtain documentation before the election so they can give their vote to Hillary? Hillary has proven to have an incredibly inclusive rhetoric throughout the campaign and has welcomed these immigrants with open arms. If Hillary wins, the immigrants that have newly become citizens will celebrate in their inclusion and their ability to have the same treatment as a native to America. But if Trump wins, will these new citizens regret becoming a part of this country? Will his rhetoric and actions towards them change if they are no longer illegal or will he continue to shove negatively emotive comments in their face and find other ways to exclude them?
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/us/politics/presidential-debate.html?_r=0
I’m really glad that you pointed out how Trump’s lack of emotion towards illegal immigrants has caused for them to come over here and possibly turn the red border states (TX) purple. It is unfortunate that Trump’s rhetoric has caused him to lose the majority of the immigrants’ vote, including those Pacific Islanders and Asians, like you said. Trump should have “dulled the point” earlier on in his campaign to reach out to these voters, instead of using harsh language to discourage all immigrants from voting for him.
1. I am SO glad that you elaborated on immigrants not solely being the Latino community, I feel that so many perceive the title be just that, however immigrants originate from various places. It is vital for voters and people within the youth to be educated on this!
2. I also think that this tactic of allowing people to gain their citizenship at a much faster pace, hosted by the Obama administration and supported by the Democratic party as a whole, sheds light on the “corrupt” system that Trump has discussed lately. While I don’t agree with the extremest perspective Trump holds on the matter, I also don’t think that many people are aware that things like this are happening. I would like to think that if more people were educated and up to date on current events such as this, the polling may look much different.
3. Hillary’s “soft tactic” is a motive appeal and when I take in consideration her previous rhetoric on immigration, I do not whole heartedly believe that she supports immigration to the extent that she claims. I think her rhetoric is exactly as it serves: a motive appeal & that is all.