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Why is Biden leaning in on immigration? Key factors: 1) Trump’s nativism backfired with the majority of the public; 2) immigration as an electoral wedge issue has lost its edge; 3) the pro-immigrant movement has changed the terms of the debate; and... /1 https://tinyurl.com/yxepzlz4
4) as a seasoned legislator, Biden has a deft touch when it comes to locating the sweet spot that unifies the progressive and moderate wings of the Democratic coalition. More.../2
Re public opinion, Trump’s nativism backfired. His cruelty forced a choice, and a solid majority came down on the side of immigrants. Gallup 2020 polling showed support for immigrants and for increasing immigration levels is at its highest level ever.. /3 https://news.gallup.com/poll/313106/americans-not-less-immigration-first-time.aspx
Pew Research 2020: 60% believe the growing number of newcomers strengthen American society, 37% say they threaten traditional customs and values – a whopping 14 percentage point shift in the pro-immigrant direction in just the past four years. /4 https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/09/PP_2020.09.10_Voter-Attitudes-Race-Gender_FINAL.pdf
Re electoral politics, Rs have wielded immigration as a potent wedge issue for 25 years. But now, nativism as a wedge issue is losing its edge. In the last election, Biden was attacked in Trump ads for supporting “amnesty.” Did not work. At all. /5 https://tinyurl.com/y2yslxsk
Dem Reps from PA, Conor Lamb and Matt Cartwright, were attacked on "amnesty." Mark Kelley of Arizona, too. They all won. Our pollsters at GSG asked battleground voters why: "voters largely support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.” https://tinyurl.com/y5qnq4a6 /6
The immigrant justice movement has changed the terms of the debate. It has demanded a bold rethink of the past decade’s hyper-enforcement. Add the growing power of bottom-up electoral power in AZ, GA and beyond, and Ds are leaning in on race, immigration as never before. /7
Biden’s seasoning and skills enable him to find the sweet spot in the Democratic coalition - the zone that carefully calibrates progressive and moderate priorities. He’s done just this on immigration, creating unity on an issue that divided Dems in the past. /8
4 yrs of Trump’s relentless cruelty left our immigration system in chaos. Biden is clear: undo Trump’s cruel and chaotic policies; build a fair, humane and functional system; and fight for legislation that puts millions on a path to citizenship. Perhaps our time has come. END
