americans for reform talking points

7/27/2019 Americans for Reform talking points

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DEAR AMERICANS FOR REFORM:

Welcome to Washington, DC, and thank you for joining us as we urge Congress to take action now to pass

comprehensive immigration reform.

Americans for Reform is a group made up of more than 300 leaders from over 50 congressional districts across

the country, and together, you have the opportunity to make a real impact. Conservative leadership and support for

immigration reform has been a critical part of the debate in communities nationwide. This week, leaders on Capitol

Hill will hear your message loud and clear.

While you are in Washington, you will have the opportunity to meet with members of Congress and their staff,

network with conservative leaders, engage with media, and mobilize your own communities through digital

campaigns. We encourage each of you to share your unique story about why immigration reform is important to

you and your community with everyone that you meet in the nations capital.

We hope you will reach out to our team members if you need anything during your visit and when you return home.

Washingtons leaders need to hear now. You represent a national coalition of leaders from business, faith, law

enforcement and government. While each of you offers a different perspective, there is a strong consensus on the

why your collective participation this week is so powerful.

Thank you for your time, your perspective and your commitment to this cause.

Sincerely,

MERICANSREFORMfor

PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW AMERICAN ECONOMY BIBLES, BADGES AND BUSINESS FWD.US U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


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Thank you to all of the organizations & individuals

who helped support Americans for Reform.

Hosts

Sponsors

Conveners


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

WELCOMEPAGE 1

THANK YOU TO SPONSORSPAGE 2

AMERICANS FOR REFORM AGENDAPAGE 4

NAVIGATING WASHINGTON, DCPAGE 6

THE CRITICAL NEED FOR IMMIGRATION REFORMPAGE 7

IMMIGRATION BY THE ISSUESPAGE 9

IMMIGRATION BY THE NUMBERSPAGE 14

IMMIGRATION IN FAITH, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIESPAGE 15

LEGISLATION BRIEFPAGE 16

SPEAKERSPAGE 19

HOST ORGANIZATIONSPAGE 23

MEDIA COVERAGEPAGE 25

ENGAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIAPAGE 27


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AMERICANS FOR REFORM AGENDA

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

Washington Marriott Wardman Park

5:00 PM Evening Reception, Dinner and Program

Emcee

Benediction

Opening Comments

Why We Are Here

8:00 PM


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AMERICANS FOR REFORM AGENDA (CONTINUED)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Hall of Flags8:00 AM

Panel 1, Moderated by Grover Norquist, Founder and President of Americans for Tax Reform:

Sheriff Margaret Mims, Fresno County, California

Panel 2: Immigration Reform: Implications for Growth, Budgets & Housing, Moderated by

Rebecca Tallent, Director of Immigration Policy, Bipartisan Policy Center:

United States Capitol and Congressional Office Buildings

11:00 AM

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

5:30PM


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NAVIGATING WASHINGTON, DC

1 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park2 | U.S. Chamber of Commerce3 | United States Capitol Building4 | Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

A digital version of this map can be found at: http://bit.ly/afrdcmap

If you have questions during your time in Washington, please contactChris Stineman at 515-707-2734 or email [email protected].

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THE CRITICAL NEED FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

IMMIGRATION REFORM WILL HELP THE US ECONOMY

Immigration reform will increase GDP:

IMMIGRATION REFORM WILL MEAN BETTER SECURITY

Border agents are focused on major transnational criminal organizations that bring drugs, guns and

violence to our streets, and yet must spend much of their resources apprehending and removing

with family. By allowing those who pose no threat to come forward, undergo background checks and be

the unknowns and further intelligence-driven and risk-based policing.

Creating workable and adequate legal immigration channels for future immigrants to reunite with families

to secure the border.

IMMIGRATION REFORM UPHOLDS PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

heart for the immigrant.Christians understand the importance of keeping families together and we support

legislation that reflects our Christian values.

We must respect human dignity and family unity as part of reform. We can honor the rule of law, secure ourborders, and chart a just and compassionate way forward for the millions of undocumented immigrants

living peacefully and productively in our midst. That means including a tough but fair path toward earning

eventual citizenship. We are not for amnesty or any special path, but the opportunity for aspiring

Americans to earn legal status and eventual citizenship is essential.

IMMIGRANTS FILL WORKFORCE SHORTAGES

IMMIGRANTS ARE SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS AND INNOVATORS

Immigrants are far more entrepreneurial than their native-born counterparts:twice as likely as the native born to start a business.

Immigrants have created many of Americas greatest companies:founded by an immigrant or a child of an immigrant.

Immigrants earned more than 3 out of every 4 patents (76%) universities were awarded in 2011.


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THE CRITICAL NEED FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

US IMMIGRATION LAWS HURT OUR ABILITY TO EDUCATE AND INNOVATE

have no visa for entrepreneurs and our arbitrary country caps on visas have created years-long wait times

IMMIGRANTS IN AGRICULTURE

Many industries are entirely dependent on immigrant labor:

IMMIGRANTS AS YOUNG WORKERS

THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF DREAMERS AND A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP

Passing the DREAM Act will create jobs and boost economic activity


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IMMIGRATION BY THE ISSUES

IMMIGRATION REFORM WILL HELP THE US ECONOMY

living for American workers by boosting wages and lowering prices.

their wages increase.

native-born American employment rates, but they do increase productivity and hence average income.

IMMIGRATION REFORM WILL MEAN BETTER SECURITY

Border agents are focused on major transnational criminal organizations that bring drugs, guns and

violence to our streets, and yet must spend much of their resources apprehending and removing

with family. By allowing those who pose no threat to come forward, undergo background checks and be

the unknowns and further intelligence-driven and risk-based policing.

Creating workable and adequate legal immigration channels for future immigrants to reunite with familiesto secure the border.


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IMMIGRATION BY THE ISSUES (CONTINUED)

IMMIGRATION REFORM UPHOLDS PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

for the opportunity to make a living and live the American dream like so many others. They would chooseto come legally if possible. But the current immigration system in most cases provides no avenues for

these individuals to immigrate legally, so in desperation to improve their situation they come without

authorization.

We must respect human dignity and family unity as part of reform. We can honor the rule of law, secure ourborders, and chart a just and compassionate way forward for the millions of undocumented immigrants

living peacefully and productively in our midst. That means including a tough but fair path toward earning

eventual citizenship. We are not for amnesty or any special path, but the opportunity for aspiring

Americans to earn legal status and eventual citizenship is essential.

IMMIGRANTS AS ENTREPRENEURS

in 2011 had immigrant founders.

founded by an immigrant or a child of an immigrant.

country employed at a privately owned business is employed by a business owned by an immigrant.

twice as likely as the native-born to start a business.


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IMMIGRANTS FILL WORKFORCE SHORTAGES

universities were foreign.

The rising educational attainment of native-born workers suggests that few of them are in the market forcompared to nearly one-quarter of immigrant workers.

IMMIGRANTS AS INNOVATORS

patents worldwide.


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IMMIGRANTS IN AGRICULTURE

was no correlation between higher unemployment and more workers completing the growing season.

IMMIGRANTS IN MANUFACTURING

manufacturing jobs nationally.

IMMIGRANTS AS CITIZENS

education are taken into account.


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IMMIGRANTS AND TOURISM

imposed barriers to international travel.

IMMIGRANTS AS YOUNG WORKERS

industry, immigrants are more than twice as likely to be physicians and surgeons at the high-skilled end but

also nearly twice as likely to be low-skilled nursing assistants and home health aides.

THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF DREAMERS AND A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP

OTHER COUNTRIES ARE MAKING EFFORTS TO RECRUIT THE TALENTED IMMIGRANTS WE ARE TURNING AWAY

entrepreneurs to come here.

status and a path to citizenship. When he was asked why Canada enacted this new measure, the countrys

economy.

China offers generous stipends, access to incubators, residency in Beijing, honorary titles, and otherincentives to lure top innovators back to China.


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IMMIGRATION BY THE NUMBERS

promoting job creation and economic growth, the current immigration system puts American companies and

workers at a distinct competitive disadvantage in our global economy. We support immigration reform because

America cannot compete and win in a global economy without attracting and retaining the worlds most talentedand hardest workers.

6% OF ALL GREEN CARDS GO SPECIFICALLY TO WORKERS. new lawful permanent residents we welcome each year are workers, selected based on their skill sets and jobs they

10 YEAR WAIT FOR A GREEN CARD FOR TALENTED WORKERS. Facing these bleak prospects, many of these talented workers take their skills to other countries, where they create new

products and jobs for Americas competitors.

5 DAYS TO FILL THE YEARLY H-1B HIGH-SKILLED VISA ALLOTMENT.

7.5% OF ALL EMPLOYERS USE E-VERIFY. magnet for illegal immigrants.

4.64 ADDITIONAL US JOBS CREATED FOR EACH H-2B SEASONAL WORKER.

70% ILLEGAL WORKFORCE IN AGRICULTURE. that the H-2A visa category for seasonal agriculture workers is unlimited, due to the fact that the visa process for this

category is unworkable for most employers.

0 TEMPORARY WORKERS TO FILL LESSER-SKILLED OPENING WHERE AMERICANS NOT INTERESTED. Current law provides for 0

11 MILLION ENCOUNTERING DE FACTO AMNESTY. Current law creates de facto amnesty for 11 million illegal immigrantsearned lawful status process, without a bar to citizenship, would allow the undocumented to get right with the law.

Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, August 5, 2013, http://immigration.uschamber.com


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IMMIGRATION IN FAITH, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

IMMIGRANTS AND THE BIBLE The Bible is clear about how immigrants should be treated; the Hebrew word for immigrant, ger, is used in the Bible

IMMIGRANTS AND THE EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY

immigration reform policies including an earned legalization and citizenship process for undocumented immigrants.

that future Americans can immigrate through new and orderly pathways that support our economy and encourage

legal immigration.

IMMIGRANTS AND FAMILIES About 5.5 million children in this country have at least one parent who is an illegal immigrant, according to an

visas, being separated from their family for as long as a generation.

immigrant visas.

There are more than 2.5 million siblings waiting for the 65,000 visas available each year

residents waiting for immigrant visas.

IMMIGRANTS AND SAFE COMMUNITIES

communities that are essential to community-oriented policing.

to deportation, so crimes in immigrant communities go unreported and victims and witnesses are afraid to testify.

the core mission of local police to keep communities safe.

continues to encourage criminal enterprises that prey upon immigrants.


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LEGISLATION BRIEF

A path to citizenship of about 13 years for qualified applicants

system

children of principal applicants

Mandatory use of an electronic employment verification system

A new blue card agricultural work visa

A new W visa for lesser-skilled temporary workers

Creates a new entrepreneur visa

The House of Representatives has opted to create multiple bills in order to tackle immigration reform. To date,

BORDER CONTROL - H.R.1417 BORDER SECURITY RESULTS ACT Requires evaluation of the current state of the border.

of all international and maritime borders is obtained.

INTERIOR ENFORCEMENT - H.R.2278 STRENGTHEN AND FORTIFY ENFORCEMENT (SAFE) ACT

federal, state, and local immigration law.

Toughens penalties for unlawful entry and reentry, and makes it a crime to be unlawfully present in the


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LEGISLATION BRIEF (CONTINUED)

money laundering.

AGRICULTURE WORKER PROGRAM - H.R.1773 AGRICULTURAL GUEST WORKER ACT

employers to hire foreign workers based on a contract or at-will.

months.

have worked 100 days in the two years after enactment.

E-VERIFY AND WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT - H.R.1772 LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT

Mandates a phase-in use of an electronic employment verification system for all new hires and re-

if employer complies in good faith with the requirements of the System, with the burden shifting to

the government to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the employer knowingly hired an

unauthorized alien before an employer can be penalized.

HIGH SKILLED VISAS - H.R.2131 SUPPORTING KNOWLEDGE AND INVESTING IN LIFELONG SKILLS (SKILLS) ACT

categories.


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LEGISLATION BRIEF (CONTINUED)

Creates two categories of visas for entrepreneurs with a total cap of 10,000 per year.

receive green cards.

Creates an investor visa.

remove conditional status.

BORDER SECURITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND IMMIGRATION MODERNIZATION ACT (H.R. 15) -ments that were added on the floor of the Senate, including the Corker-Hoeven amendment that added the

the southwest border

Creates the Southern Border Commission from the Senate bill

Allocates grants to affected localities in the southwest border region from the Senate bill.

determination that such a program is unfeasible, submit a strategy for an alternative program providing

the same level of security.

H.R.15 also omits several provisions from the Senate bill, such as provisions regarding the removal of visa

overstays and the establishment of a visa overstay pilot program.

Sources: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Migration Policy Institute. National Immigration Forum


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SPEAKERS: MONDAY EVENING

RANDEL K. JOHNSON, VICE PRESIDENT, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

such as card check legislation, ergonomics, and blacklisting regulations; pension funding reform and health care; civil rightsand wage and hour; and comprehensive immigration reform, including visa and border policy. Johnson is widely recognized

ARNE M. SORENSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL INC.

strategy to promote an increasingly diverse workforce, as well as ownership, customer and vendor communities around the

ROB JESMER, PARTNER, FP1 STRATEGIES

Thomas and currently resides in Arlington, Virginia.

DAYANA TORRES, PRESIDENT, DREAMERS OF VIRGINIA

GLENN HAMER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ARIZONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCEin 2006, Hamer has overseen the organizations development into one of the most respected pro-business public policy

the director of business development and government relations for First Solar.


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SPEAKERS: MONDAY EVENING (CONTINUED)

JOHN FEINBLATT, CHIEF ADVISOR, POLICY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING, NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERGand leads the Mayors national coalitions on guns, immigration reform and infrastructure investment. He serves as the Mayors

SENATOR JOHN E. SUNUNU, FORMER REPUBLICAN SENATOR, NEW HAMPSHIREbackground, Sen. Sununu rose quickly to earn a seat on the House Appropriations Committee and serve as vice chairman of

the Budget Committee. As a senator, he served on committees such as Commerce, Finance, Banking and Foreign Relations.

DANIELLE BURR, PRINCIPAL, NAVIGATORS GLOBALJon Kyl, where she helped the Senate leadership develop legislative strategy and served as a liaison to the advocacy communityto help build support for Senate Republicans legislative priorities. She also advised Republican senators and staff on Senatelegislative issues. She was a co-founder and chair of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, which comprised more than500 organizations dedicated to preventing the passage of card check legislation. Burr also has served as a governmentMaryland.

JEFF LUNGREN DIRECTOR, CONGRESSIONAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCEmessaging and communications for the House Judiciary Committee from 2001 to 2007, where he was responsible for such

GALEN CAREY, VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT REL ATIONS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS

relief and development issues.


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SPEAKERS: TUESDAY MORNING

BRUCE JOSTEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, U.S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

for Real Change. Josten is a frequent commentator on national legislative, political and economic issues affecting the businesscommunity, its employees and the economy. He graduated cum laude from Harvard with a degree in the social sciences. Josten

GROVER NORQUIST, PRESIDENT, AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM

25 years.

ALBERTO R. CARDENAS, CHAIR, AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION

DR. BARRETT DUKE, VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND RESEARCH, THE ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

research and the collection of information on the pressing moral and religious liberty issues of the day. Duke is a Foundingon todays crucial moral and religious liberty issues. He also has an active writing ministry. His writings include The Christian

FRANK KEATING, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION

before joining the American Bankers Association in 2011.

SHERIFF MARGARET A. MIMS, SHERIFF, FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIAArts Rotary Club and the Caruthers Kiwanis Club and is on the Board of Directors of the Marjoree Mason Center, a localwomens shelter. She is a past member of the Fresno County Rape Counseling Service Board of Directors. She is a member


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SPEAKERS: TUESDAY MORNING (CONTINUED)

TOM NASSIF, PRESIDENT AND CEO, WESTERN GROWERSthe fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts in California and Arizona in February 2002. He has been an active Christian his entire life,

Chairman. For the past several years he served as sub-deacon and now as deacon in the church. He is an ordained clergyman

REBECCA TALLENT, DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION POLICY, BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTERto the House of Representatives to work for Representative Jim Kolbe, focusing on legislative policy areas including immigration,immigration and environmental policy, helping to draft several comprehensive immigration reform bills including the Border

DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ACTION FORUMinsight and research to a broad cross-section of clients. He has held several positions at many Washington-based think tanks

KEITH J. FONTENOT, VISITING SCHOLAR, BROOKINGS INSTITUTE; FORMER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR HEALTH PROGRAMS, CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICEin the Budget Analysis Division. There he oversaw cost estimates and related analysis for health, education and income security

JOEL PRAKKEN, SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR, CO-FOUNDER, MACROECONOMIC ADVISORS


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HOST ORGANIZATIONS

PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW AMERICAN ECONOMY

Americans today.

Website:Twitter:

Key Contacts:

[email protected]

BIBLES, BADGES AND BUSINESS FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

moderate faith, law enforcement and business leaders working together to educate and support members of

Congress as they consider reforms to our immigration system. With its unique perspective, BBB has become

Website:Twitter: @bbbimmigration

Key Contacts:


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HOST ORGANIZATIONS (CONTINUED)

U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industryassociations.

Website:Twitter:

Key Contacts:

FWD.US

education reform.

Website: FWD.us

Twitter: @FWD_us

Key Contacts:

Kate Hansen | Communications Director

[email protected]

Alida Garcia | Director of Coalitions & Policy

[email protected]

Jen Martin | Field Coordinator

[email protected]


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MEDIA COVERAGE

N.C. lawmakers wooed by groups pushing immigration overhaul | Charlotte Observer | October 7, 2013While the immigration debate has been put on the back burner in Washington, national and local business

bring legislation overhauling the immigration system to a vote.

Utah University Presidents Call for Immigration Reform | The Salt Lake Tribune | September 19, 2013includes a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally.

Florida roundtable on immigration issues with Congressman Diaz-Balart | NBC Latino | September 09, 2013During the August congressional recess, Florida Republican congressman Mario Diaz-Balart has been doing what

helpful, says the Congressman.

Lets Not Reduce Our Strength as a Magnet Economy | Wall Street Journal | September 6, 2013

Farmers need a guest worker program | The Pueblo Chieftan | September 2, 2013addressed in our nations capital.

Business Leaders in Nashville meeting make case for immigration reform | Associated Press | August 28, 2013today. The idea was to keep the immigration reform alive during the congressional recess and build support among

the public and members of Congress.

New Jersey set up a press event at a local small business and had small business owners urge reform | NJ TodayAugust 20, 2013Cranford pizzeria owner Anthony Scuderi is among a group of small business owners calling on federal lawmakers

Pennsylvania economy benefits from immigration reform | The Times Tribune | August 18, 2013


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MEDIA COVERAGE (CONTINUED)

Hatch: Immigration reform would create more jobs | The Salt Lake Tribune | August 15, 2013

Immigrants are driving the housing recovery | CNN | July 19, 2013history, making America the most prosperous nation in the world. And right at the heart of this culture of innovation

Keep STEM smarts here | Sun Sentinel | July 24, 2012history, making America the most prosperous nation in the world. And right at the heart of this culture of innovation

America has room for more skilled immigrants | Washington Examiner | April 2, 2012of achieving more for myself and my family in what is still the land of opportunity and the globes great meritocracy.

Immigration debate should be about economics, not politics | Detroit Free Press | February 27, 2012

Immigration reform a key step to creating jobs in US | El Paso Times | February 26, 2012address ways to increase jobs to boost the economy, from training and education initiatives to curbed government

To Spur the Economy, US Must Reform Legal Immigration | Wall Street Journal | January 13, 2012clear that the future of our global economy is based on engineering and applied technology. However, American

industries are at risk due to a shortage of engineering talent. American students simply are not gravitating to

The Immigration Solution for Job Growth | Wall Street Journal | October 19, 2011The recent debate about immigration reform has made me wonder if we have lost sight of what we are and who we

the greatest and most prosperous nation on earth. We draw our strength and character from those who landed

here with nothing more than hope and dreams.

A New Immigration Consensus | Wall Street Journal | May 2, 2011


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ENGAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

#Ready4Reform

making it easier for the immigration reform community and the general public to see and amplify the Americans for

Reform message.

Spread the Word on Twitter

facts related to the issue, and special quotes and other moments from the week, and be sure to use the hashtag

Share Graphics and Photos on Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and Other Platforms

Take photos from your time in Washington and share them on your personal and organizations social media

immigration infographics like the ones below.

Visit Americans4Reform.org/social for Tweets, Graphics and other Social Media Content


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americans for reform talking points

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