Los Angeles Times Columnist George Skelton Gets Immigration—and Republicans—Wrong

Why California’s immigration fight isn’t about “raids,” but about whether we treat people as individuals, not categories.

⏱️ 6 min read

Skelton’s Argument, Summarized

In his column yesterday for the Los Angeles Times, On Immigration, California Republicans Still Haven’t Learned, columnist George Skelton chastised Golden State Republicans for failing to embrace a “progressive” approach to illegal immigration. He pointed to a recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) poll showing that 79 percent of Republicans support President Trump–style enforcement, including deportations and expanded raids, while 95 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of independents oppose it.

Skelton warned that Republicans risk political extinction unless it changes its position. As he put it, “Scaring, insulting and angering people is not an effective recruiting tool. It doesn’t draw them to your side. It drives them into the opposition camp.”

But Skelton gets it all wrong. He misses not only the philosophical divide that drives this debate, but also the real reason “raids” occur in the first place—and it isn’t because Republicans are too stubborn.

This is just the beginning of my response to George Skelton’s latest column. Afternoon posts are mostly behind a paywall. To read the full piece—including why California’s sanctuary laws actually create the very “raid” problem Skelton decries—upgrade today and support independent reporting on California politics. You’re in luck, though. Today is the last day of our Two-Week Founders Sale. It’s only $5/mo or $50/yr (guaranteed rate forever) if you upgrade by midnight! Here’s a BRB (big red button)…