Suggested Messaging Dos and Donts of Immigration Reform

Conservatives have always embraced the American Dream. We celebrate the fact that we
are a nation of immigrants who have come to our country in search of opportunity and a
chance at a better future through hard work. Those are part of the guiding principles by
which we should view immigration reform, not the negative tone and harsh rhetoric that
has hurt conservatives in the past. Below are some suggested tonally sensitive messaging
points when discussing immigration proposals.
When engaging in conversation or doing an interview on immigration reform:
Do acknowledge that Our current immigration system is broken and we need to fix it
Dont begin with We are against amnesty
Note: Most everyone is against amnesty and this is interpreted as being against any reform.

When talking about a solution for the millions here without documentation who could qualify
to get in line first with a temporary visa, then legal residence and finally citizenship:
Do use the phrase earned legal status
Dont use the phrase pathway to citizenship

Note: This has a different meaning and can denote getting in front of the line to get citizenship this is not true.
Most Republicans and Democrats, along with 70% of Americans, support a fair system by which those who are
undocumented can come forward, register with the government, pass a background check, pay a fine, learn English
and get legal status first that is earned legal status, not automatic citizenship.

When addressing securing our borders:

Do use the wording enforcement of our borders includes more border patrol, technology,
and building a fence where it makes sense
Dont use phrases like send them all back, electric fence, build a wall along the entire
border
When talking about immigrants:
Do use undocumented immigrant when referring to those here without documentation
Dont use the word illegals or aliens
Dont use the term anchor baby
When addressing amnesty and earned legal status:
Do acknowledge that the true meaning of amnesty is to pardon without any penalty
Dont label earned legal status as amnesty
Dont characterize all Hispanics as undocumented and all undocumented as Hispanics
When broadly addressing reforms:
Do acknowledge that President Obama broke his promise and failed to propose any
immigration reform for five years, while using this issue as a political wedge
Do talk about the issues you support like overhauling the bureaucratic visa system, creating
a viable temporary worker program, a workable e-verify system, and border security
Dont focus on amnesty as a tenet of immigration reform
Don't use President Reagan's immigration reform as an example applicable today
Note: That legislation was true amnesty; in addition, border security, fixing our visa system, and a temporary
worker program were parts of the reform which were never implemented.