Your hearing something different than I am. I am hearing
legal immigration, and
legal asylum only. I haven't heard anyone, Democrat or Republican, say we should let anyone come into the country, and stay hear, who asks to come, or just shows up. It is understood when someone says, "We have always welcomed immigrants," that they are talking about
legal immigrants. Have you ever heard someone say, "we have always welcomed
illegal immigrants." I haven't. That expression "illegal immigrant" probably shouldn't even be used around people such as yourself because it confuses you too much. We should say "cross border trespasser".
By definition if you are an immigrant, you are legal. An illegal immigrant is by definition not an immigrant, they are here illegally.They can't legally immigrate to the U.S. without having their status changed to legal. They can't legally remain here. I am not saying they don't remain here, and I am not saying we kick them out. I am saying they are here illegally, and I have yet to hear any of your "lefty" friends say, "we should open our borders to
illegal immigrants because we have always welcomed
illegal immigrants".
This issue of illegal immigration is being blown out of proportion by populist politicians who depend on fear, xenophobia and nationalism to rally their supporters. I agree, however, with everyone else that we do need to have control of our borders. But somehow I'd be far more concerned if the election issue was "illegal emigration" instead. I guess it is just the libertarian in me!