Immigration Reform - A marketing problem?

[willigetgc?]

Last year I worked with a nonprofit to advocate for the passage of the DREAM Act. I knew the odds were long, and of course, the legislation ultimately didn't pass.

But I would feel better today about fighting the good fight if I hadn't known, at the time, that our approach was doomed. I had a queasy sensation early on, when I saw one of the video packages that the nonprofit put together (I wasn't involved with that stage of the campaign).

The video featured kids who would directly benefit from the DREAM Act's passage. Much of it was good, with heart-tugging stories from all-American, clean-cut teens.

But then the bottom fell out. The voice-over threw around terms like "fairness" and "justice." And one of the teens stated that he "deserved" the rights that the DREAM Act would confer.

Many in this forum also talk in these terms.......even though it is true, it does not get us what we want, in fact we are perceived as arrogant..

I knew it was over as soon as the kid said that word.

Americans don't want to hear that anybody deserves anything. Hell, many citizens will lose their minds if one implies that they deserve basic healthcare (and that's in their own self-interest!). They certainly don't want to hear that some whiny kid who wasn't even born in this country "deserves" his rights.

Sending a video to media outlets and political leaders that featured this tone-deaf tactic just stunned me. Clearly, many advocates of immigration reform haven't learned the importance of basic marketing.

They continue to push the compassion angle, or back up their assertions with facts that impress no one.

But if the Bush years taught us anything, it's that sympathy is for suckers. More important, we learned that the truth is irrelevant. Or it's at least a distant second to proper messaging.

How else do you think conservatives got an overwhelming majority of Americans to embrace a war that made absolutely no sense?

Other progressive movements have learned this tactic.

For example, gay rights are also issue of fairness and basic justice. Yet, advocates of repealing the DADT Policy went easy on this essential truth. Instead, they successfully presented the issue as one that was necessary for America's well-being.

The message was, basically, "We need all the help we can get establishing a strong military and intelligence network. This will keep America safe, so drop your prejudice in favor of simple self-preservation."

It worked. DADT is history.

Immigration-reform advocates need to adopt this strategy. Instead of pointing out how unfair or irrational our policies are -- which is true but a loser's lament -- hit people in the wallet by making it clear that a massive-deportation philosophy will cost them money. Or hammer home the idea that policies such as the Dream Act will improve the economy and strengthen the military.

In other words, let's see more about how immigration reform will benefit current citizens, instead of pleading that civil rights be extended to strangers.

It may not be pretty, or even that principled. But it has to be more effective than what we've accomplished so far.
Daniel Cubias: Does Immigration Reform Have a Marketing Problem?

In this current economy when unemployment is at 10%, our community talking about being stuck in the same job for 10 years or not being able to take promotions does not work in our favor...... However, meeting with lawmakers - educating them of our situation (many are unaware of the problems of legal immigrants) and telling them on how we can contribute to the economy (start companies and employ others, be more productive for the current company - helping it to grow - employment for others as the business prospers, buying homes - providing relief to the housing industry, investing in this country ......) are important.

There is a lesson to be learnt here.

[tonyHK12]

Originally Posted by willigetgc?

Or hammer home the idea that policies such as the Dream Act will improve the economy and strengthen the military.

Yes compassion doesn't work and neither does lying. I don't think most people really believe the above statement.

Yes agreed, legal immigrants generate jobs and are the ones who should be saying they improve the economy, not a bunch of school and college students.

[India_USA]

Originally Posted by tonyHK12

Yes compassion doesn't work and neither does lying. I don't think most people really believe the above statement.

Yes agreed, legal immigrants generate jobs and are the ones who should be saying they improve the economy, not a bunch of school and college students.

Assuming that the Dream Act kids studying in the US have nothing to offer to the economy or their enrollment into military has no value to the military goes to show how little we understand and/or why we sound arrogant!!

The take of the article was how we as a community have to present our issue instead of going after others.

[tonyHK12]

Originally Posted by India_USA

Assuming that the Dream Act kids studying in the US have nothing to offer to the economy or their enrollment into military has no value to the military goes to show how little we understand and/or why we sound arrogant!!

The take of the article was how we as a community have to present our issue instead of going after others.

Apparently you think you are the only brilliant person who understands everything...talk about arrogancy!
I nowhere said that illegals contribute nothing. of course your support for illegal immigration is well known.

[Goodintentions]

Originally Posted by willigetgc?

In this current economy when unemployment is at 10%, our community talking about being stuck in the same job for 10 years or not being able to take promotions does not work in our favor...... However, meeting with lawmakers - educating them of our situation (many are unaware of the problems of legal immigrants) and telling them on how we can contribute to the economy (start companies and employ others, be more productive for the current company - helping it to grow - employment for others as the business prospers, buying homes - providing relief to the housing industry, investing in this country ......) are important.

There is a lesson to be learnt here.

Dear All,

The views expressed in the quoted subject are clear and thought provoking. Personally, I am much impressed.

Perhaps we should work unitedly towards fine tuning our strategy, starting with self-introspection, as a legal immigration community. A good start could be to work on a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, objectively. Based on this analysis we can work towards projecting / improving our strengths, seizing opportunities and overcoming our weaknesses.

We can then possibly present estimated projections in investment, for example in the housing market (the XXX No. of legal immigrants would be willing to invest XXX milllions in the housing market if GC is made available. No. of people willing to start small businesses etc.)

Another selling point could be the amount of money that "non-GC legal immigrants" transfer every year to their respective countries. Many non-GC holders continue to send a substantial amount of money to India due to the sense of insecurity and lack of immigration status in the USA. Clearing the GC backlog would surely reduce the cash outflow by atleast 50%. I think this figure would interest the government!

I am sure there are many brilliant people in the forum who can come up with very good ideas. We could all possibly brainstorm too!

Let us leave no stone unturned! Let us work together and present our case in the best possible manner!

Good luck to all!

Best wishes!

[India_USA]

Originally Posted by tonyHK12

Apparently you think you are the only brilliant person who understands everything...talk about arrogancy!
I nowhere said that illegals contribute nothing. of course your support for illegal immigration is well known.

I an not for / against illegals. I believe going after illegals will not help us in any way however, it has every chance of hurting our cause. Knowing that why should we shoot ourselves in the foot?

[tonyHK12]

Originally Posted by India_USA

I an not for / against illegals. I believe going after illegals will not help us in any way however, it has every chance of hurting our cause. Knowing that why should we shoot ourselves in the foot?

I'm not talking about going after them - the govt is fully capable of that . The point is to stay neutral.
The american people have spoken for enforcement against illegals with their votes. Its not a coincidence that 25 states want to increase enforcement.
If we sway strongly either side, we're alienating the other - that also applies to voters and republicans. that is also shooting ourselves in the foot.

[India_USA]

The point I was making is dream act provision is for education and military - and the country will benefit from it. This is just about the dream students... not the entire undocumented community. This bill was marketed as a humanitarian solution and also had a lot of support both from the citizens and legislators. In fact, I agree with the article, that once anyone talks of entitlement (even when it is right), it may not sit well with many - it may have added to its failure.

The CHC is very strong, and if there were no peicemeal approach to our problems in the past, its because they wanted CIR. Our numbers are too small and our monetary strength is low compared to them.

Just my thoughts. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

[tonyHK12]

Originally Posted by India_USA

The point I was making is dream act provision is for education and military - and the country will benefit from it.

As you said evryone has their opinion and the above too is debatable. If 3000 middle-class legal students can have a TVU, what are illegal students from poor families capable of?

Originally Posted by India_USA

This bill was marketed as a humanitarian solution

Just that there is a difference between being humane and charity. Being humane is qualifying and getting an F1. Charity is giving a green card.
Charity (practice) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by India_USA

In fact, I agree with the article, that once anyone talks of entitlement (even when it is right), it may not sit well with many - it may have added to its failure.

Yes they always claim to deserve it, maybe its a cultural thing. but also used their lobby and money to deny piecemeal legislation to us.
so both are bad - entitlement and blackmail.