Pro-Trump influencers fire up fears of migrant 'invasion' ahead of U.S. election
Pro-Trump influencers fire up fears of migrant 'invasion' ahead of U.S. election
One late afternoon in mid-May, a half dozen Hispanic day laborers were paid $20 each to parade in front of the White House on camera, holding signs with slogans like "I Love Biden" and "I Need Work Permit for My Family."
The stunt was orchestrated by Nick Shirley, a pro-Trump online influencer who often asks migrants on camera if they support Democratic President Joe Biden or think he made it easier for them to come to the U.S.
"We want to take you to the White House," Shirley told the men he recruited at a Home Depot parking lot, where day laborers typically wait for jobs, in a video later posted to YouTube. "What (Biden) did for migrants is very kind, right? Letting everyone come in? So we are going to show him and say thank you."
Shirley, a 22-year-old with more than 318,000 followers on social media, is among a new class of influencers supportive of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump who are helping shape the immigration debate as the U.S. election campaign heats up.
Their self-shot dispatches from American cities and the southern border with Mexico portray migrants in the country illegally as dangerous and burdensome, and part of a plan to grow the ranks of Democratic voters.
If only those terrible Democrats had offered the Republicans literally everything they asked for on immigration in a single bill.
Because I'm sure they definitely wouldn't turn something like that down.
Dems: Fine. Here. Now can we please help Ukraine?
republiQans:
I never get used to the descendants of genocidal colonizers complaining about people peacefully immigrating from another country.
Hmm. I guess the only people allowed to complain would be those whose families arrived after the 1880?
Hey don't get upset at me, I am pro-open borders, I am just following the logic of what you said.
Oh hey it's time for The Caravan(tm) again! I was worried we wouldn't see it this election cycle
Maybe he (Trump) should not have forced Republicans to kill the immigration legislation...
Forced? No one forces a member of Congress to do anything. All of them have successfull careers outside of Congress and more money than me or you will ever see.
Let's not pretend that most politicians go into Congress out of the goodness of their hearts. And let's not be naive enough to think that rich people are immune from wanting more money which being a Congress person tends to help with.
So yes, ignoring the requests of a vindictive presidential candidate means a Congress person stands a good chance of losing their seat which means less money for them.
fOrCeD
Trump, at the very least, told leaders to quash the bill so Biden did not get a win. The bill was basically everything Republicans were asking for.
Not that I think it was a good bill nor do I agree with Biden's EO on immigration. But it's kind of hard for Republicans to complain when they reject implementing what they want.
