When it comes to immigrants, what part of 'legal' does Trump not understand?

Eighty-four percent said it was good; only 13 percent said it was bad.

Presumably, the 13 percent includes Laura Ingraham. The Fox News host recently suggested that the country was being ruined by "massive demographic changes" fueled by immigration -- both illegal and legal. Later, under a hail of criticism, she offered a lame explanation that what she really cares about is securing the border, preserving the rule of law and ensuring that future immigration is merit-based.

Baloney. None of those GOP talking points has anything to do with "massive demographic changes." So why did she use those code words? I think it's because she really believes the country would be better off with fewer immigrants, no matter their legal status.

Nativists like Ingraham have a problem with poor, uneducated, low-skilled immigrants who come illegally from Mexico. But they also have a problem with middle-class, educated, highly skilled immigrants who come legally from India, China or Brazil. How long before people realize that nativists are the problem?

Meanwhile, Trump didn't always have a beef with legal immigrants. He was once kinder and gentler toward them. While running for president, Trump promised a "big beautiful wall." But he also said he wanted to put a "big, fat, beautiful open door" in that wall so that people could come legally.

In May 2017, The Economist interviewed Trump and asked him if he wanted to cut the number of legal immigrants who come to the United States.

"Oh legal, no, no, no. I want people to come into the country legally," he said. "But I want people to come in on merit. I want to go to a merit-based system."

The interviewer pointed out that, even under a merit system, the overall number of legal immigrants could be just as high as it is now. So, he asked Trump again if he wanted to reduce the number of legal immigrants.

"Oh yeah, no, no, no, no, we want people coming in legally. No, very strongly," Trump said.

So much for that. Imagine the practical effect of Trump's policies toward legal immigrants. The door keeps getting smaller, thinner, less beautiful and less open.

Ignore the spin. This isn't about border security, or rule of law, or the merit system. By going after legal immigrants, Trump isn't protecting America. He's missing the whole point of America.

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com. His daily podcast, "Navarrette Nation," is available through every podcast app.