I thought the goal was to convince Latinos that Republicans are likeable.

Yet the GOP-controlled House voted today to defund President Obama’s administrative Dream Act.

According to the Hill:

“Republicans have argued that these orders amount to the selective enforcement of U.S. immigration laws that discourages enforcement against children who were brought to the United States illegally, or illegal immigrant adults who are not in any legal trouble. Many Republicans have dubbed Obama’s orders as ‘administrative amnesty.’ “

According to the immigrant advocacy group America’s Voice the amendment would undo the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) “placing all DREAMers (even those who have received DACA approval) at risk of deportation.”

 This is an all-for-show amendment by Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa to the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill. It is unlikely to make it into law. But the House GOP has made its position clear.

This shows is a very unlikeable Republican face snarling at a bunch of kids who grew up as American as hot dogs and Chevrolet.

The GOP doesn’t have an image problem. It has a substance problem. The party remains so beholden to the far right that it can’t see the humanity of decent kids.

Their big objection is that President Obama did this administratively. They want to be purists about who gets to do what. Really? Is that the motivation?

 So why didn’t Congress pass the Dream Act?

 Lawmakers had more than a decade and many opportunities to do the right thing.

Three of Arizona’s Democratic House members issued a joint statement denouncing the amendment. Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick, Ron Barber and Kyrsten Sinema said this:  

“ … we voted against the King Amendment because it reverses the contributions made by the thousands of young people who graduated from our schools, are contributing to our economy and are enlisting to serve our nation. With this amendment, law-enforcement agents are stripped of their ability to prioritize prosecuting dangerous criminals who pose serious threats to our communities.”

Considering these are Democrats targeted by the GOP for defeat next election, this took a lot more courage than bashing kids.