I’ve been pointing out that border crossings are at a multiyear low - a trend starting under GWB and continuing under Obama.

The number of undocumented persons is likewise at a multidecade low - a trend starting under GWB and continuing under Obama.

Trump created a crisis to satisfy his white nationalist base. This is value signaling at its base. He’s signaling to the bigots that he’s doing what he can to stop nonwhites from coming in.

After all, we’ve seen Ryan and others croon about how they wouldn’t mind Irish coming over - or other Europeans, but not nonwhites, especially not nonwhites seeking asylum.