Immigration hawks seek reinforcements in Trump administration
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One person whose name keeps coming up to be immigration czar is Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who has molded legislation to get tough on illegal immigration in multiple states, most notably Arizona. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
By W. JAMES ANTLE III • 1/6/17 12:01 AM
First President-elect Trump was going to get control over immigration by building a wall. Now he may do so by crowning a czar.
Border security hawks have been lobbying Trump's team to hire an "immigration czar" who would coordinate policy on this issue across multiple Cabinet-level departments and agencies.
"Immigration was certainly a key issue in the 2016 election," said Federation for American Immigration Reform media director Ira Mehlman. "Whatever title President-elect Trump might give to the person he designates to implement the campaign pledges he has made, the idea of having someone in the administration with the legal and policy expertise to translate campaign promises into action is a positive one."
One person whose name keeps coming up to be immigration czar is Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who has molded legislation to get tough on illegal immigration in multiple states, most notably Arizona.
Immigration hardliners were happy with the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., for attorney general. Sessions advocates both stronger immigration enforcement and admitting a smaller number of immigrants annually. But since then, they have watched Republicans with a more relaxed attitude toward immigration, such as labor secretary nominee Andrew Puzder, get tapped for key jobs.
There is a diversity of views among Trump appointees on trade, but those with the most trade-centric jobs in the incoming administration tend to reflect the president-elect's views. Commerce secretary nominee Wilbur Ross, trade representative designate Robert Lighthizer and trade policy adviser Peter Navarro all take Trump's line on trade agreements and protecting American jobs.
Retired Gen. John Kelly would have a big immigration-policy impact if confirmed as secretary of homeland security. Immigration control advocates like Kelly, but they preferred Kobach. Kobach could get another position, even within the Department of Homeland Security, but some worry he would find running for governor of Kansas more attractive than even a deputy secretary title.
Kobach has advised Trump on immigration since the campaign. He met with the president-elect during the Cabinet sweepstakes and is believed to have been considered for homeland security. Conservative columnists Michelle Malkin and Ann Coulter have pushed for him on immigration-policy grounds.
But there was a backlash against the immigration law Kobach helped Republicans draft in Arizona, and some of its provisions have been struck down by the Supreme Court. He has also come under fire for his work with immigration control advocacy groups. Both of these things could complicate his confirmation in a 52-48 Republican Senate.
Other immigration hawks have grabbed senior administration positions that are not subject to Senate confirmation. It was announced Thursday that the White House Domestic Policy Council will report to senior adviser Stephen Miller, a Sessions alumnus who shares the Alabama senator's views on immigration. Immigration is part of the council's portfolio.
An immigration czar would also be outside of Senate confirmation. Conservatives rejected the czar concept when it was employed by President Obama, however, and could easily balk again.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a progressive darling, broke through nationally as a consumer protection czar in the Obama administration, for example.
Despite the near-universal belief Trump will take a hard line on immigration once sworn in, with activists warning of mass deportations, immigration hawks are worried he won't make their issue a high enough priority.
It may take a czar to reassure them.
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