Donald Trump has been leading the GOP’s anti-immigrant rhetoric ever since he announced his campaign by calling Mexicans “rapists” and demanding that Mexico pay for his classy wall along the southern border. In the GOP primary’s hostile environment, opposing any kind of pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants has become a litmus test for the entire GOP field.
From DACA to the Dream Act, every candidate on stage has criticized President Obama’s deportation protections. This isn’t just about winning the base though. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have made it clear they aren’t pandering — they truly believe the anti-immigrant rhetoric they’re spewing.
- Ted Cruz opposes both legal status and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. He might support self-deportation, and he definitely opposes DACA and the DREAM Act. Cruz has also expressed support for Arizona’s “papers please” law.
- Marco Rubio opposes: a path to citizenship, comprehensive immigration reform, and even Obama’s executive order protecting Dreamers against deportation. Like Cruz, he’s said he supported Arizona’s “papers please” law.
- Jeb Bush opposes a path to citizenship and DACA, and he spent a week last August denigrating American citizens as “anchor babies” — kick-starting the Republican dialogue on ending 14 Amendment-guaranteed birthright citizenship.
- Ben Carson opposes a path to citizenship, supports ending birthright citizenship, and says he’d “be willing to listen” to ideas about deporting 11 million undocumented immigrants.
- Chris Christie opposes a path to citizenship and DACA.
- John “Finish the Wall” Kasich opposes a path to citizenship, DACA, and sanctuary cities. Latinos are hardworking, Kasich’s said, “and, uh, that’s why in the hotel you leave a little tip.”
Published: Jan 28, 2016