"All Americans are rightly disturbed by the large numbers of illegal aliens entering our country … Our administration has moved aggressively to secure our borders … by deporting twice as many criminal aliens as ever before." 

President Trump?  No, as many of you may know, that was President Bill Clinton in 1995. 

If you dismiss that as ancient history, how about this tough talk from Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer just eight years ago:  "Illegal immigration is wrong, plain and simple … When we use phrases like 'undocumented workers,' we convey a message to the American people that their government is not serious." 

Then there was Hillary Clinton in 2014, arguing this:  "Just because your child gets across the border, that doesn't mean the child gets to stay." 

What an astounding and rapid change there has been in the Democratic Party, which now embraces and implicitly encourages lawbreakers.  As one example, just this week Senator Dick Durbin proudly declared that he is focused "full time" on making sure DACA beneficiaries are protected. 

Full time?  One wonders what his Illinois constituents think about that.  Shouldn't he devote at least a few minutes to the state's massive debt or the rampant murders in its largest city? 

The newest pro-lawbreaker Democrat is Phil Murphy, who was sworn in as Governor of New Jersey on Tuesday.  He promises to be "welcoming" to illegal immigrants and has even vowed to establish an "Office of Immigrant Defensive Protection." 

Murphy wants to ensure that illegal immigrants get "free" legal representation, in-state college tuition, and are protected from those dastardly feds who are trying to enforce the law.  New Jersey taxpayers, though their state is in financial peril, will pick up the tab. 

Why are so many "progressive" Democrats suddenly eager to put illegal immigrants ahead of American citizens? 

Some cynics suggest this is all about locking up future votes by making sure more people are dependent on big government.  That could be part of it, to be sure, but there seems to be something else at work. 

Part of being a "progressive" these days is making sure that everyone else knows you are a very good and extremely virtuous person.  And one sure sign of virtue is defending people who entered this country illegally. 

You can see this at work with our language police.  One way of displaying your virtue is always using the proper terms, those that have been given the seal of approval by our elites. 

Saying "people of color" is an instant signal to others that you are "woke" and properly progressive.  But if you ever mix the words just slightly and say "colored people," you will be forever banished to the cultural version of Siberia. 

Then there is "undocumented."  As the above quotes indicate, not long ago Democrats and liberals spoke freely about "illegal immigrants."  It is accurate and it is pithy. 

But how things have changed!  The word "illegal" is almost up there with the "n-word" when it comes to hateful slurs.  Immigration activists will tell you that "illegal" is out of bounds, and don't get them started on "alien," which is totally beyond the pale. 

The Associated Press has actually issued a total ban on the term "illegal immigrant," while the New York Times says it is code for "racial and ethnic hatred."  You know, it's one of those dog whistles we hear so much about.

So the country is divided. On one side are people who use politically correct terms to describe illegal immigrants.  They argue, based on dubious statistics, that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans, and that sanctuary cities are safer because illegal immigrants are more willing to come forward to report crimes. 

They should consider perusing a new study by the economist John Lott, whose research reveals that fully 8% of Arizona's inmates are so-called "dreamers."  That's four times their representation in the state's population. 

Meanwhile, a new Homeland Security report shows that 73% of all individuals arrested for international-related terrorism since 9/11 were born in another country.  Their despicable "dream" is to kill innocent people and destroy America. 

Right now, the open borders crowd is enraged because President Trump and Attorney General Sessions are not afraid to describe illegal immigrants as illegal immigrants. They decry sanctuary cities and want effective law enforcement. 

But the left, which dominates the news media and most universities, will continue to police our language and our thoughts, searching for any violations. 

One side endorses the rule of law; the other excuses lawlessness and gives sanctuary to lawbreakers. 

The battle lines are drawn, the differences could not be more stark, and the nation's Cold Civil War seems to grow more heated every day.