Hard Line on Immigration both Bad Policy and Bad Politics

In my own postings on the immigration debate (see here, here, and here), I have advocated comprehensive immigration reform measures that would both address security concerns and streamline the process for bringing legal immigrants into the country. I have based that position on economic and pragmatic arguments about what is best for the United States, given current demographic trends that reveal the need for an influx of workers.

John Norris Brown also makes a strong argument that Republican hardliners on this issue may do permanent damage to the party's electoral position. Republicans risk driving away the Hispanic vote now in the same way they lost the black vote in the 1950's and '60's. That would be an enormous mistake.