Contradictions on immigration
One of the characteristics of the debate on immigration reform is that it shifts previously expressed values and political positions. This means accepting premises that historically have been rejected, just because those involved now are immigrants.
A case in point is that of GOP Senator Jeff Sessions, along with some of his colleagues in Congress, who is fervently advocating for two unions to participate in the immigration overhaul: the unions representing the Border Patrol (CBP) and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Sessions and his colleagues have strongly opposed the causes of labor unions, especially if they are federal. But since these two unions oppose the plan of the Gang of Eight, the lawmakers now have an unusual passion for protecting their right to be heard.
Something similar is happening with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which under the nickname “Obamacare” has been criticized as the worst of the worst because of a clause that requires individual coverage.
The House of Representatives is now considering making it mandatory for immigrants on the path to citizenship to buy health insurance to cover their medical expenses.
Lawmakers are claiming it is reasonable to impose conditions in return for granting residency and preventing these undocumented immigrants from becoming an additional expense for the public. What is ironic is that conservatives who oppose Obamacare never accepted the latter argument. Interestingly, they think that the individual responsibility of not becoming a burden for the state only applies to these immigrants and not to everyone, as it should. For these conservatives, personal responsibility is a flexible value, depending on where it comes from and who it applies to.
The immigration issue is putting the values of politicians to the test. Therefore, we can see if they are consistent in their way of thinking or if the main principle is to oppose immigration so staunchly to allow for contradictions that border on hypocrisy.
