In my latest essay, I write,

The Battle of the Borders is a distraction. In the context of an existential threat coming from militant Islam, Mexicans and other Hispanics seeking better opportunity in the United States are, at worst, a minor nuisance.

After we satisfy our anti-Hispanic hysteria, and after we throw the Jews under the bus, our real enemies will be even stronger.

UPDATE: Glenn Reynolds writes

I’m not sure how much of the political resonance comes directly from economics, though. I think there’s a political aspect, too, having to do with the effort of people who aren’t citizens, and aren’t here legally, to wield political power within the United States.

I can see his point. I would rather see immigrants assimilate first and become a political force later, rather than the other way around.