what does trump want?
by nicolás olano
Photo: Archive.
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Yes, Trump’s immigration “laws” are illegal, but he is getting what he wants, a chilling effect over all immigration in the United States. It’s simple when we look beyond the xenophobic tweets, the racist rhetoric and the dictator wannabe bravado. Once we do that, we see the real goal of the Trump administration regarding immigrants. You see, all these insults, threats and “how could he” moves are right out of his playbook. He is overselling. He knows what he really wants and, by asking for more, he can get just what he wants. It’s a very simple negotiation tactic. If you want ten ask for twenty. If you want an apartment, ask for the building. He has been doing it for years. It is his modus operandi so to speak. Here is a quote from his book The Art of the Deal:
“The final key to the way I promote is bravado. I play to people’s fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That’s why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular. I call it truthful hyperbole. It’s an innocent form of exaggeration—and a very effective form of promotion.”
So now he is using his “truthful hyperbole” with immigration (and most other things too). Let’s look at what he’s said and done to seek the goal behind his words. He says he will end asylum and birth right citizenship. But he knows, and has acknowledged, that he can’t. He says that he will deport everyone. But that is just not going to happen. (It’s not like Obama did not give it a good try). He also says that the “caravan” of asylum seekers is an “invasion and that it has been infiltrated by “ISIS,” so he sends troops to the border. But a soldier can’t arrest someone entering the U.S. illegally and ISIS thugs do not mix well with Honduran migrants. He said he will end DACA. But the courts have stopped him from doing so. We can see the pattern is there: truthful hyperbole, bravado, exaggeration. He is asking for the building, but what he really wants is the apartment. But now, instead of doing it with hotels and casinos, he is doing it with immigration to the U.S. (and our country, just in case you missed it.)
So what is he getting with his “truthful hyperbole” for immigration? The only result that may be obtained with his actions – to have a chilling effect on immigration. And guess what, he is getting what he wants. Well, what the cronies and sycophants that surround him say is the agenda his base he wants. Immigrants are going elsewhere to study, work and live. Those who are in the United States have stopped applying for benefits, even stopped seeking to become Citizens. The good thing of understanding what is behind the bravado is that we know Trump’s goal and we may look for a way to attack it.
To attack the chilling effect created by these threats the effect they have on people must be stopped. That effect is to make immigrant communities afraid of anything related to immigration. Afraid to come to the U.S. Afraid of filing for Citizenship. Afraid for seeking benefits from immigration or other agencies. Benefits, by the way, that they are entitled to but which they are now afraid to ask for. Then the possibility of sounding cliché we must remember Franklin’s words: the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. These words give us the tool we can use as communities to stop Trump. Stop being afraid. Stop being afraid of filing for naturalization. Stop being afraid to request the benefits our families are entitled to. Stop being afraid of filing DACA. Stop being afraid of filing for all applications that are possible under the law. Stop being afraid of asking that our communities and its members be treated justly and fairly. It is only by doing, accepting that he has made us afraid and fight that fear, that we will defeat Trump’s antimigrant agenda.
“The final key to the way I promote is bravado. I play to people’s fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That’s why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular. I call it truthful hyperbole. It’s an innocent form of exaggeration—and a very effective form of promotion.”
So now he is using his “truthful hyperbole” with immigration (and most other things too). Let’s look at what he’s said and done to seek the goal behind his words. He says he will end asylum and birth right citizenship. But he knows, and has acknowledged, that he can’t. He says that he will deport everyone. But that is just not going to happen. (It’s not like Obama did not give it a good try). He also says that the “caravan” of asylum seekers is an “invasion and that it has been infiltrated by “ISIS,” so he sends troops to the border. But a soldier can’t arrest someone entering the U.S. illegally and ISIS thugs do not mix well with Honduran migrants. He said he will end DACA. But the courts have stopped him from doing so. We can see the pattern is there: truthful hyperbole, bravado, exaggeration. He is asking for the building, but what he really wants is the apartment. But now, instead of doing it with hotels and casinos, he is doing it with immigration to the U.S. (and our country, just in case you missed it.)
So what is he getting with his “truthful hyperbole” for immigration? The only result that may be obtained with his actions – to have a chilling effect on immigration. And guess what, he is getting what he wants. Well, what the cronies and sycophants that surround him say is the agenda his base he wants. Immigrants are going elsewhere to study, work and live. Those who are in the United States have stopped applying for benefits, even stopped seeking to become Citizens. The good thing of understanding what is behind the bravado is that we know Trump’s goal and we may look for a way to attack it.
To attack the chilling effect created by these threats the effect they have on people must be stopped. That effect is to make immigrant communities afraid of anything related to immigration. Afraid to come to the U.S. Afraid of filing for Citizenship. Afraid for seeking benefits from immigration or other agencies. Benefits, by the way, that they are entitled to but which they are now afraid to ask for. Then the possibility of sounding cliché we must remember Franklin’s words: the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. These words give us the tool we can use as communities to stop Trump. Stop being afraid. Stop being afraid of filing for naturalization. Stop being afraid to request the benefits our families are entitled to. Stop being afraid of filing DACA. Stop being afraid of filing for all applications that are possible under the law. Stop being afraid of asking that our communities and its members be treated justly and fairly. It is only by doing, accepting that he has made us afraid and fight that fear, that we will defeat Trump’s antimigrant agenda.
