Can the Trump phenomenon change the GOP rethoric about immigration?

[ag]

...in a European Populist way, making it the main issue for some candidates (not the pseudo hispanics) and opposing it in a radical way?

Explain with maps.

And it has not happened long before Trump? I thought it had.

Now, of course, to the extent Trump makes it even more associated with the Republican party, it is a great gift for the Dems. Remember, US has FPTP a two-party system. Getting 40% of the vote is not enough to win elections. Both parties have to be grand coalitions, which means radicalism - in any dimension - is damaging. Limiting partisan base to just whites and desperately losing cities has already been a problem for the Republicans. The more openly anti-migrant speech will force minorities and urbanites even further into the Dem column.

[ag]

Yes, but I think Trump could drive the candidates to the left on immigration.  This press he has received over his comments has been so negative I think it will scare away any more candidates from saying anything radical on the subject.  Ever since this whole thing blew up we haven't really heard any other candidates say anything inflammatory about it

Inflammatory stuff - on any issue - is not what wins elections in a two-party system. Radical anti-migrant parties in Europe would be extremely happy about getting, say, 35% of the vote - 35% would be a horrid landslide loss in the US. That is, basically, the difference.

[ag]

At the same time, I agree with the notion that we should limit family unification and instead get folks to come here legally that can work here. Immigrants are twice as likely as native born citizens to start a business and thus, create jobs.

The businesses that immigrants start typically create very few jobs and usually only for other immigrants and very low paying/under the table.

Like this one

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