Credit: Gage Skidmore

In January, GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz was still attempting to sound reasonable on immigration:

In an interview with CNN, Cruz said, “No, I don’t intend to send jackboots to knock on your door and every door in America. That’s not how we enforce the law for any crime.”

No such effort currently exists, Cruz emphasized, arguing that the United States is not a “police state” and promising that he would only deport people who are apprehended.

But tonight, as his campaign fights a losing battle against the rampaging Trumpenstein, Cruz says he’s going to round up and deport 12 million people.

In an interview with Bill O’Reilly on Fox News Monday night, the Texas senator said that he would use ICE as part of broader federal efforts to deport those who are not in the country legally, representing a significant shift in his immigration policy.

“Federal law requires that anyone here illegally that’s apprehended should be deported,” Cruz said.

“Would you look for them, though?” O’Reilly asked.

“Bill, of course you would,” Cruz said. “That’s what ICE exists for. We have law enforcement who looks for people who are violating the law and deports them.”

Sure, what could possibly go wrong with a plan like that?