I was so used to fear of immigrants being used to simply win votes that I overlooked how effective it would be at justifying surveillance that would otherwise be unpopular with the constituents of both parties.
Inflation is ~300% since 1980.
Sheer coincidence this aligns neatly with Boomers coming of age and assuming political power, I'm sure.
Even Trump had to admit that maybe the US needed work camps instead of deporting them.