Self-Deportation Branded ‘Racist’ By Reince Priebus, Who Forgot About 2012 RNC Platform


Self-deportation, or making life so incredibly unbearable for illegal immigrants that they willingly return to their home country, has been branded “racist” by Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus.

It sounds like something a public figure of the liberal persuasion would say, but no, it was Priebus, who occasionally removes his foot from his mouth to say something worth listening to (hey, better late than never).

“Using the word ‘self-deportation’ — it’s a horrific comment to make,” he told Business Insider. “I don’t think it has anything to do with our party. When someone makes those comments, obviously, it’s racist.”

The last time self-deportation came up in the public debate in a meaningful way was during the 2012 election. GOP candidate Mitt Romney used the phrase ambiguously when asked about his stance on immigration, causing a pile-on from the Obama campaign and even many in his own party.

Newt Gingrich, for instance, called self-deportation “inhumane.”

Oh, and if you thought the foot-in-mouth jab was a little low, consider the 2012 Republican Party platform under none other than Reince Priebus.

“We will create humane procedures to encourage illegal aliens to return home voluntarily, while enforcing the law against those who overstay their visas,” the platform read. “State efforts to reduce illegal immigration must be encouraged, not attacked. The pending Department of Justice lawsuits against Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina, and Utah must be dismissed immediately.”

Of course, the GOP is doing a lot of soul searching after virtually nothing changed with the 2012 election, and that much is commendable. Whether they’ll secure the public trust in time for 2016, well…

What do you think of Reince Priebus’ self-deportation comments?

[Image: Gage Skidmore]

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