Progressive States Network fighting the "Anti-Immigrant Movement" (Nathan Newman)

A little known group called the "Progressive States Network" is launching "The State Immigration Project" ( www.progressivestates.org/content/714 ) and offers "Fighting the Anti-Immigrant Movement in the States" - authored by their policy director Nathan Newman - as their first artifact. They intend to support "state legislators and advocates working to promote a smart, humane immigration policy in the states". You can read the full version here: www.progressivestates.org/files/immigra ... ategy.html

As one might imagine, the summary ( www.progressivestates.org/blog/716/figh ... the-states ) contains the seeds of its own destruction. First, of course, almost no one is "anti-immigrant"; that's simply a smear. Then, we find out who they're associating with:

We will also be holding a conference call on immigration this Thursday at 4pm EST to bring together both legislators and advocates to share their insights on progressive strategies on immigration for the 2008 session. The call will feature as speakers California Senator Gilbert Cedillo, Illinois Representative Cynthia Soto, Flavia Jimenez of the National Council of La Raza, Stephanie Luongo of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Nathan Newman, Policy Director for Progressive States Network.

Then, they discuss a feel-good campaign, including these points:

Emphasize the political costs of anti-immigrant political positions and the long-term political gains from humane, inclusive immigration politics

In other words, support identity politics and falsely imply that all Hispanics support illegal activity when it's engaged in by those of their race, and that the only way to get the mythical Hispanic vote is to support massive illegal activity.

Stress the facts that counter anti-immigrant lies

How ironic, considering that "anti-immigrant" is a lie in almost all cases.

Then, discussing their strategies:

If wage enforcement bills end up being attached to anti-immigrant bills, many in the business lobby will break their current alliances with anti-immigrant politicians.

Of course, what they fail to note is that the business lobby funds both the GOP and the Democrats, and that that lobby is a key part of the push for "reform". In fact, companies that profit from illegal activity fund groups like the NCLR, so perhaps this might not work out so well for some of their allies.

While state leaders and advocates need to highlight the studies that show that undocumented immigrants actually pay more in taxes than they use in public benefits, they also need to demand studies of the lost benefits to citizens and the costs to taxpayers from onerous anti-immigrant enforcement rules.

In brief, they're going to highlight studies that don't tell the whole cost of illegal immigration and they're going to try bribing the voters into supporting illegal immigration.

Despite the complete lack of evidence that non-citizens have illegally voted in US elections

That's a false statement; see the Dornan/Sanchez race.

Progressive leaders can highlight this reality by promoting policies that protect undocumented immigrant victims and witnesses of crime when they contact the police and encourage community policing efforts involving undocumented immigrant communities.

Ah, the sanctuary cities plank.

Elected leaders can build on traditional support from many African-American leaders to labor unions to forge alliances with forward-looking business leaders and religious leaders, including many evangelicals, who recognize that smart, humane immigration policies for our communities is a source of both moral and social strength.

Of course, those business leaders aren't "forward-looking" so much as they're corrupt and want to profit from illegal immigration. Likewise with the religious leaders who want to increase their flocks.
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