As we wait for President Obama to announce his plans for executive action, the anti-immigrant rhetoric has been ratcheting up. Of particular note is the ugly tone adopted by Speaker John Boehner:
The first, favored by the GOP leadership, would have Republicans denounce what House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) has called “executive amnesty” and use the party’s new grip on Congress to contest changes to the law incrementally in the months ahead.
Oh, yes, you know Boehner has hit bottom when he starts calling action to prevent deportations “amnesty.” That’s right out of the Steve King anti-immigrant playbook. And, Boehner’s chief spokesperson is also spewing the same kind of language:
“We obviously have a number of options for combating any unilateral executive amnesty from the White House,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).
Now, it shouldn’t surprise us that Boehner is using King’s anti-immigrant “amnesty” rhetoric. After all, Boehner has basically turned over the House GOP’s immigration strategy to King – who has gotten multiple votes to deport DREAMers in this Congress.
There was a time, not too long ago, when Boehner talked about passing immigration reform. But, the Speakers actions and anti-immigrant talking points show the harsh truth: Boehner is not and never has been the least bit serious about passing reform or caring about immigrants.
As Greg Sargent wrote in May, On immigration, the GOP is Steve King’s party. Now, John Boehner is just another one of King’s anti-immigrant lackeys.
