definition for: #ImmigrationRuse

The issue around illegal immigration was created during the Bush administration to divert attention away from a failing economy and the war in Iraq. The Republicans successfully convinced the nation that illegal immigration was the cause for our economic ailments and that Mexicans crossing the border were a national security threat. When national discussion around illegal immigration started to gain momentum during the Bush administration around 2006, there had been no significant precipitating events involving illegal immigrants. Today, the issue is being used to thwart Obama's agenda and direct the nation's attention away from issues the GOP does not want to address and to incite hate against Mexicans.