8/8/2019 The Politics of Environmental Policy in China
1/2
U6110 Politics of Policymaking| POP Final Exam
To: Senator Harry Reid (Enrique Ku)
From: Anna Chen, ac3080
Date: 10 May 2010Subject: *Confidential* Strategy to Use
Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Electoral Success
inNovember
Senator Reid, there is no better time than now throw your
support behind Senator Graham andSchumer and their immigration
plan. The president is calling on Congress to work towards a
federalimmigration reform plan to prevent misguided efforts to deal
with immigration such as the recentbill in Arizona that undermines
the notions of fairness we expect as Americans. We have thesupport
of Speaker Pelosi who has stated the House will stand behind an
immigration reform bill
coming from the Senate. We must capitalize on the goodwill
associated with the passage of healthcare reform and show the
public the very real benefits in terms of safety and economics that
will come from immigration reform. However in order to be
successful, you must be proactive incontrolling the debate on the
reform in the media and sharing the success of the bill with
thesupport we will need from key Republican senators. Your part in
the passage of a progressive bill tobe more inclusive to immigrants
will provide the boost you need for electoral success in
November.In addition because immigration supports job creation and
is a large part of Nevadas labor force,you support will also play a
major role in the long term economic recovery of Nevada from
thecurrent recession.
Congress has tried and failed to pass immigration reform in 2007
and the divisions that caused thatfailure are still very clear. The
majority of Republicans are focused on border security and
mostDemocrats are seeking a broader plan for a path to citizenship
for immigrants. The GOP oppositionremains quite divided with the
ultra conservative Tea Party leading the anti-immigration
opposition.However the growing popularity of the Tea Party is also
showing the ever-growing chasmthreatening the unity of the GOP. The
other arm of the GOP is much more moderate than the TeaParty
faction and will do what they can to distance themselves from the
ultra-conservative arm tohold onto their moderate bases. In fact it
is likely that with Obamas support some moderateRepublicans can be
swayed to vote for the bill. Despite this promise we must also
address theRepublicans claims that the focus of Congress should be
on fixing the economy and creating jobs,rather than immigration.
The ability to show framing that debate that will be key to winning
thedispute on immigration reform.
Should we not make every effort to push immigration reform now,
you may not get the supportfrom the Hispanic community that you
need in November for re-election. In addition we may cedethe
position of the progressive party on immigration to the Republicans
if the Democrats do not actnow. The Tea Party darling Sarah Palin
has already softened her tone on immigration and thoughLatino
voters currently vote democrat, they can be swayed to the GOP,
especially if they can makeus look weak on the current inaction on
immigration. The GOP knows that whichever party cansway Latino
voters is well positioned for the future since Latinos are the
fastest growing populationin the US. Not only is your political
future at stake, but the possibility of the Republicans gaining
the
8/8/2019 The Politics of Environmental Policy in China
2/2
majority in Congress is also another real threat if you dont
help create a coalition for theimmigration reform bill.
In the fight for comprehensive immigration reform, we have the
support of the major labor unions AFL-CIO, Change to Win, and the
SEIU. The US Chamber of Congress, a business organizationhas also
thrown its weight behind comprehensive reform. We must leverage
their support as well asthe evidence from progressive think tanks
to show voters that in fact comprehensive reform is goodfor labor
and is also good for business and the economy. With that evidence
and a subtle reminderto Rahm Emanel how much the President gained
from the Latino vote in the 2008 election and theirimportance in
the 2010 elections, I am confident we will get him on our side to
push the reformthrough.
One major argument of Republican opposition is that we must
focus on border control to keep ournation safe. In addition they
claim legalization of illegal immigrants lowers the wages of
Americansand that immigrants occupy jobs needed by unemployed
Americans. Perhaps their most powerfulargument is that illegal
immigrants are a fiscal drain on America with their children in our
educationsystem and their inclusion in the Healthcare bill could
cost billions.
We must remind the public that the comprehensive immigration
reform bill will have a very strong component towards border
control and also remind them that border control without
immigrationreform is not effective. This is clearly demonstrated by
the weak sanctions and failure of theImmigration Reform and Control
Act of 1986. In addition we must point out that immigrants may only
depress wages because when they are off the books they are more
likely to accept lower paid
work that employers offer to immigrants with no other choices.
Including immigrants into a legalframework will help to ensure low
skilled wages rise. Another point to highlight is that
immigrantsare taking jobs that US born workers dont want thus the
charge that immigrants are taking jobsfrom Americans is misleading.
Lastly we must point to the economic gains that immigrants bring
tothe American economy and the estimates that comprehensive
immigration reform can generate anincrease of US GDP of .84%, about
$1.5 trillion over 10 years as opposed to the temporary
workerprogram favored by most republicans which would only increase
GDP by .44%. An even moreinteresting statistic to show is that mass
deportation of immigrants would reduce GDP by 1.46%,thus when
looking at the numbers, the economy will actually be best off with
comprehensiveimmigration reform and it can serve as a boost to the
economy in the current recession.
With the strategy and arguments set forth the path towards
immigration reform and electoralsuccess November is yours for the
taking.
(Word Count: 998)
