GOP platform slams illegal immigration

What a difference four years makes.

In 2004, the Republican Party’s platform emphasized a “humane” approach on immigration along with a policy that encouraged illegal immigrants to “come out of the shadows.” Four years later and the platform being considered by the GOP pulls no punches in vehemently opposing illegal immigration. “Compassionate conservatism” has been unfortunately brushed aside in favor of a tough yet unrealistic rhetoric on immigration:

The 2008 Republican platform says only those legally residing in the U.S. should be counted in the next census.

"The (2010) census should count every person legally abiding in the United States in an actual enumeration," says the platform language, which is a reinterpretation of the Constitution that could affect how congressional seats are apportioned.

According to Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution the Census would count the “number of free Persons…and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons” for apportionment of the House of Representatives. Subsequent amendments abolished slavery and the three-fifths clause and all Native Americans are taxed; thus, the Census Bureau theoretically counts all those residing in a state regardless of immigration status. (A sentiment that was confirmed by a spokesman for Census Bureau to the AP).

Is it any wonder why the GOP is having so much trouble attracting the Latino vote?

(In all fairness, it doesn’t appear that the DNC’s immigration rhetoric was that much better as Maegan pointed out in VirirLatino).

Image- HamptonRoads.com (“Chuck Smith, a delegate from Virginia Beach, speaks with media members during a recess on Monday, the first night of the GOP convention. (Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot).”)

Sources- Wikipedia, VirirLatino, chicagotribune.com, Library of Congress, AP, Denver Post, Philadelphia Bulletin