Demoagoguery Equals More Democrats

Think Progress argues that the anti-immigrant rhetoric from the GOP is turning key red states blue.

In a report released today, the Immigration Policy Center points out that New Americans are big voting blocs in key swing states, including: 14.8% of the electorate in Nevada and 14% in Florida. IPC also notes that Latinos and Asians together account for 31.5% of all registered voters in New Mexico, 16.2% in Nevada, 12.6% in Florida, and 11.1% in Colorado.

Most daunting for those politicians who have chosen to scapegoat immigrants — according to a Pew Hispanic Center poll this summer, 75% of Latino voters view the immigration issue as important or very important...

Guantanamo Bay, AZ

The New York Times does an article on Sheriff Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona, which is home to the city of Phoenix. Arpaio has gained fame and notoriety for his fight against illegal immigration, which has included tactics such as, "forcing inmates to wear pink underwear, housing them in tents and feeding them food of a green hue."

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has asked the Justice Department to investigate Arpaio's tactics but not because of the pink underwear.

“The sheriff always did his pink underwear and other publicity stunts,” Mr. Gordon said in an interview, in which he expressed regret over not speaking out sooner. “While they were funny, they weren’t breaking the Constitution and they weren’t endangering lives.” (emphasis added)

Mr. Gordon said he acted in April after meeting privately at a church with Hispanic constituents who complained that Sheriff Arpaio, in routine patrols and crime sweeps that included the arrest of large numbers of illegal immigrants, had sown a fear of all law enforcement officials, raising concerns that crimes were going unreported.

Among the "enforcement" tactics used by Arpaio is profiling people based on language, accent, and style of dressing.

For the better part of two years, it has not been uncommon for people in Maricopa County stopped for traffic infractions to be asked about their immigration status, particularly if they speak only Spanish and wear certain clothing, including jeans and shirts that officials consider characteristic of south of the border.

Most sheriff’s deputies “can make a quick recognition on somebody’s accent, how they’re dressed,” said Bruce Sands, chief of enforcement for the sheriff’s department, where deputies have received training from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This is in the home state of Sen. John McCain, just saying.