Christopher Rufo confronted Ezra Klein and got him to acknowledge the unspoken truth about immigration.

The New York Times’ Evolving Stance on Immigration

The New York Times has a well-known progressive stance on immigration. Over the years, it has advocated for more legal immigration, offered support for undocumented immigrants seeking citizenship, and called for robust asylum protections. Conversely, the paper has been critical of strict enforcement measures, such as building higher border walls, mass deportations, and limiting refugee admissions.

Anyone questioning these perspectives has often been labeled as a racist or xenophobe. But recently, there seems to be a slight shift among its prominent voices.

Last week, Blaze TV Host Christopher Rufo had a candid conversation with Ezra Klein, an opinion columnist and podcaster from the Times, covering a range of controversial topics, including immigration. Klein’s remarks were unexpected, suggesting maybe there’s a crack in the previously unified progressive front regarding mass immigration.

During the interview, Rufo argued it was reasonable to express concerns about significant, swift immigration changes. To his surprise, Klein took a different view. He suggested that certain aspects of white nationalism emerge when different countries don’t share a common heritage, losing a sense of unity. “There are individuals who resist community changes,” he added, “but it’s also important to acknowledge the existence of extremes like the KKK.”

Rufo then pressed Klein on whether the majority of those worried about rapid demographic transitions might be categorized as white supremacists, emphasizing that such apprehensions are widespread. In an unexpected admission, Klein acknowledged, “Yes, it’s not unfair to be concerned about rapid demographic changes.”

Rufo interprets Klein’s remarks as indicative of a broader shift within the left. “A few years ago, you wouldn’t find a New York Times figure suggesting it’s legitimate to worry about rapid demographic changes,” he pointed out. Previously, such concerns were often disregarded as mere manifestations of unfounded fears or extreme ideologies.

He posed an interesting question: Is this a concession from the Times, or could it signal a new direction for the moderate left? But Keeperman, Rufo’s co-host, expressed skepticism. He felt that while Klein might rhetorically acknowledge these concerns, it doesn’t translate into actionable policy changes. “Unless it’s reflected in the president’s policies, it doesn’t mean much,” he suggested.