Winning the Immigration IssueWinning the Immigration Issue

MethodologyMethodology

The Benenson Strategy Group conducted 1,236 telephone interviews of likely voters in 19 States that represent the battleground on the issue of illegal immigration.

Interviews were conducted between May 9th and May 17th, 2006

The Benenson Strategy Group conducted 1,236 telephone interviews of likely voters in 19 States that represent the battleground on the issue of illegal immigration.

Interviews were conducted between May 9th and May 17th, 2006

An over-sample was also completed with an additional 118 African Americans and 100 Hispanics. Combined with the core study this provided a total sample size of 218 African Americans and 164 Hispanics

An over-sample was also completed with an additional 118 African Americans and 100 Hispanics. Combined with the core study this provided a total sample size of 218 African Americans and 164 Hispanics

Winning the Immigration Debate

I. Six Key Insights

II. Three Arguments to Win

III. The Message

Winning the Immigration Debate

I. Six Key Insights

II. Three Arguments to Win

III. The Message

Insight #1: Don’t Confuse Support with PopularityInsight #1: Don’t Confuse Support with Popularity

83% to 15% support Senate bill with explicit path to citizenship

60% say “good goal to deport all illegal immigrants” (51% Hispanics)

Insight #2: Fairness to Taxpayers Trumps Justice and Compassion

Insight #2: Fairness to Taxpayers Trumps Justice and Compassion

57% to 37% say “mostly good people”

67% to 30% say illegal immigrants “are a burden”

Don’t pay fair share in taxes is 2nd highest concern

“Fair to taxpayers” is top voter goal

Insight #3: Party Labels MatterInsight #3: Party Labels Matter

Dem Baggage: Pro Illegal-Immigrant, Good for America, Deserves Rights and Benefits

Dem Asset: Practical Solutions

Repub Baggage: Mean-spirited

Repub Assets: Tough on Border, Defender of Taxpayer

Insight #4: You Can Align Voter Goals with Progressive Messaging

Insight #4: You Can Align Voter Goals with Progressive Messaging

Tough on Border: 87% all 74% Hispanics

Fair to Taxpayers: 90% all 89% Hispanics

Practical Solution: 89% all 88% Hispanics

– Rule of Law: 91% all 88%

Hispanics

Insight #5: Highlight Washington/Bush Failures

Insight #5: Highlight Washington/Bush Failures

Enforcement down 30+%

Employer sanctions rare

– Border apprehensions down by a half-million per year

– 4 criminal cases against employers

– Over 100 years to deport those already here

Illegal Immigration Exploded Under Bush

Hispanic goals for reform same as other votersHispanic goals for reform same as other voters

Insight #6: Hispanics Much Like General Population

Insight #6: Hispanics Much Like General Population

67% say illegal immigration is a serious issue

Don’t pay taxes/Burden on social services top concern

51% support deportation goal

Winning the three Arguments

Winning the three Arguments

Three Arguments to WinThree Arguments to Win

1. Fairness to taxpayers1. Fairness to taxpayers

3. Assignment of blame – for current problem/failure to solve it

3. Assignment of blame – for current problem/failure to solve it

2. Why are they here – Jobs or Benefits?2. Why are they here – Jobs or Benefits?

Argument #1: Fairness to TaxpayersArgument #1: Fairness to Taxpayers

Your Solution:

Requires Illegal Immigrants to Pay Back Taxes

Turns Illegal Immigrants into Taxpayers Going Forward

Makes Businesses Pay Wage Taxes they Routinely Avoid

Argument #1: Fairness to TaxpayersArgument #1: Fairness to Taxpayers

Their Solution:

Fails to Effectively Deal with the 12 Million Already Here

Calls for the Impractical and Expensive Mass Deportation of 12 Million People

Provides No Incentives for Illegal Immigrants to Pay Back and Future Taxes

Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits

Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits

Your Solution:

Goes after Businesses that Hire Illegal Labor

Shuts Down the Shadow Economy.

Restores the Rule of Law

Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits

Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits

Their Solution

Does not Eliminate the Shadow Economy that Feeds Off of Illegal Immigrant Labor

Destined to Fail Because it Leaves Unscrupulous Businesses Alone

Fails to Address the Root Cause of Illegal Immigration - Jobs

Argument #3: Who’s at Fault? Responsibility and Accountability

Argument #3: Who’s at Fault? Responsibility and Accountability

We Are in this Situation because:

A Conspiracy of Failure and Neglect between Bush, GOP Congress, and Unscrupulous Business

Enforcement Sham I – 99% drop in employer sanctions.

Enforcement Sham II – 30% drop in border enforcement

The Message: Tough, Fair and PracticalThe Message: Tough, Fair and Practical

Tough – Tough at the Border

Fair – Fair to Taxpayers

Practical – Restores the Rule of Law by Practically Dealing with the Problem