A Winning Narrative for Immigrants and Opportunity
It’s time to tell a new story about immigration in this country, one that reflects our country’s values, shares our stories, and promotes positive solutions for immigration reform and immigrants. In collaboration with over 100 immigrant advocates and organizations, The Opportunity Agenda developed a narrative to unite the field’s communications and change the conversation:
Workable Solutions that Uphold Our Nation’s Values and Move Us Forward Together
We are thrilled that national, regional, and local groups, as well as states, are incorporating this narrative and its themes into their work. Below are just a few examples of how the narrative is being used to expand opportunity for new Americans. To view the full documents, click on the links below.
Advocates and Policymakers
- Maryland Executive Order 01.01.2008.18 (PDF) and Governor’s Press Release: Executive Order Establishes Council to Promote Full Immigrant Integration into Economic and Civic Life of Maryland. (December 5, 2008) - PDF
- New York Immigration Coalition Press Release on Governor Paterson's Appointment of Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to U.S. Senate. (January 23, 2009) - PDF
- New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, Press Release on report and recommendations of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigration Policy. (March 2009) - PDF
- New Jersey Immigrant Coalition, Press Release on the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigration Policy Report, customized by The Opportunity Agenda. (March 30, 2009) - PDF
- One America Press Release, “Report Finds Immigrant Workers Aid State Economy.” (April 8, 2009) - PDF
- Immigration Policy Center Press Release, “Experts Extol Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform.” (April 13, 2009) - PDF
- “Nebraska is Home,” Nebraska Appleseed’s Billboard Campaign in multiple cities, incorporating both immigration core narrative and community values. (June 2009) - PDF
- United Farm Workers Press Release, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Campaign Launch. (June 1, 2009) - PDF
Sample Media
- “Immigration debate grows from Web roots,” Antonio Olivo, Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2008.
- “As DC Looks to Reform the Backlash Against Immigrants Continues in the States,” Marcelo Ballve, New American Media, AlterNet, April 22, 2009.
- “Is The Media (And Blogosphere) Killing Immigration Reform?” Sally Kohn, The Huffington Post, April 30, 2009.
- “Activists Launch Immigration Reform Campaign,” The Augusta Chronicle, Associated Press, June 1, 2009. Quoted on message, Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials. Also quoted, Shuya Ohno, Assistant Communications Director, National Immigration Forum. (Picked up by various local print media in states including CA, GA, and SC.)
- “Guest Column: Toll too High: Push Forward Now to Reform Immigration,” Des Moines Register, Thomas Rendon, Member, Iowa Citzens for Community Improvement, June 23, 2009.
- “On Faith: Immigration Reform is a Christian Issue,” The Washington Post, Gabriel Salguero, Pastor, Director Hispanic Leadership Program at Princeton Theological Seminary, and Executive Member, Latino Leadership Circle, July 8, 2009.