23 APRIL 2021

Hub Highlights: GOP Planned to Undermine Biden on Immigration From the Jump, Democrats Must Go Big and Bold on Solutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report from POLITICO lays out the Republican Party’s well documented efforts to undermine President Biden’s actions on immigration and carryout Trump’s anti-immigrant political playbook in the lead up to elections. Mentioned in the report, a Hub memo to Democratic leadership that provides critical data and proof points underscoring how Democrats can win the public debate on immigration and gain voters by leaning in on popular immigration solutions, such as citizenship for undocumented immigrants and smart border management. 

The memo dispels the common misconception that immigration is a political liability: 

The Immigration Hub’s previous and current research underscore what is now a tried-and-true strategy and trend: Democrats can effectively push back against the opposition’s focus on fear and prevent voter backlash by publicly articulating bold, transformative immigration policies - much of which is reflected by President Biden’s immigration plans - in stark contrast to the Republican hardline, cruel and ineffective immigration approach of the past. The strategy is not to moderate immigration positions, but rather to lean in through a values- and solutions-based frame that demonstrates a seriousness to voters about tackling these challenges with a new vision for our immigration system.

“We know that voters support Democratic proposals to rebuild our immigration system, starting with establishing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers who are critical to our nation’s recovery and economic comeback,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “We commend the progress already underway, especially the humanitarian response to welcome migrant children and reduce the number of children in CBP custody by half. This is proof that we can both do what is right at the border and what is right for immigrant communities. The American public is ready for bold improvements to our outdated and ineffective system. Democrats must lean in and deliver rather than allowing Republicans to fill the vacuum with their attacks and bad faith politics.”

The Highlights to Follow:

  • President Biden’s Pollster Echoes the Sentiment: Lean In On Immigration. A recent survey from John Anzalone and ALG Research found a bipartisan majority (nearly 75% of voters, including 75% of independent voters and 54% of Republicans) of Americans support the current immigrations bills in Congress that would extend citizenship to Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants. 

  • Erie County Residents Show Republican Leaders that Americans Welcome with Compassion. Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced its plans to move nearly 150 unaccompanied migrant children to a facility in Erie County, PA before they are reunited with family members in the country. While Congressman Mike Kelly decried the move, many Erie residents have stepped up to welcome the children in their time of need. Local businessman Glen Renaud, Dr. Rick Tomassi, and local churches along with many more community members have stepped up to provide children with supplies, food, care and more.

  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus Meets with President Biden on Immigration. During a meeting at the White House this week, President Biden committed to making a more proactive case for the economic benefits of immigrations bills under consideration by the Congress, including mentioning during his upcoming joint address to Congress.

  • Former President George Bush Pushes for Immigration Reform. In an op-ed for the Washington Post, President Bush reflected on his own administration’s attempts to deliver on immigration and drew stark contrasts with many in the Republican party who are carrying on President Trump’s anti-immigrant and nativist rhetoric. President Bush also called on the need to provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers and rebuild our country’s asylum system.

  • Republicans Play Their Same Old Song. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) published an op-ed in FoxNews once again blaming President Biden for causing thousands of children and families fleeing unspeakable violence and seeking asylum at our southern border. Recent polling from the Hub found that North Carolinians support President Biden’s immigration solutions and reject the very policies and rhetoric that Tillis is advocating.

    • Meanwhile, Arizona’s Governor Doug Ducey announced that the state would commit $25 million dollars of tax-payer funds to deploy up to 250 National Guard troops to the southern border. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero responded by accusing Ducey of being “more concerned with raising his national profile than actually working to resolve this issue."

  • Supreme Court Weighs Permanent Legal Status and Relief for TPS Holders. The Supreme Court this week heard arguments in a case that could determine the right for TPS holders to obtain permanent legal status. The case underscores the urgent need for the Biden administration and Congress to advance much needed legislation that would establish a pathway to citizenship not only for TPS holders but also Dreamers, farms workers and other essential workers.

  • Biden Administration Continues to Welcome Migrant Children Fleeing Violence. Recent statistics from the Department of Homeland Security show that the number of migrant children in the custody of Customs and Border Protection is around 2,500-- about a decline of 50% over the last couple of weeks. The administration is utilizing FEMA’s expertise in humanitarian response to prepare over 13,300 beds and leverage almost 3,000 volunteers to welcome and care for unaccompanied children while the Department of Health and Human Services works to safely expedite their reunification with family or match them with a sponsor.

  • Biden to increase seasonal worker visas by 22,000. Michelle Hackman reports that the Biden administration will make an additional 22,000 seasonal guest-worker visas available, in addition to 66,000 H-2B visas the government sponsors each year for industries such as landscapers, fisheries, resorts and county fairs. This is yet another example of immigrant communities fueling key industries as part of our country’s economic recovery.

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.