As Tone Begins to Shift, an Invitation to Talk Policy

Letter Invites GOP Candidates to Meet

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although the GOP candidates for president still have a long way to go, Wednesday’s debate marked a subtle shift toward a more respectful tone on immigrants and immigration.

Today the National Immigration Forum Action Fund is taking the next step and inviting GOP candidates to meet with faith, law enforcement and business leaders and discuss conservative solutions for our broken immigration system.

“Public polling shows, and the conversations we have with our coalition members confirm, that conservative support for immigration reform is stronger and deeper than ever,” the letter states. “ … At this critical moment, America needs a constructive immigration debate. One that meets standards President Reagan set; a debate that clearly defines America’s role in the world as a ‘shining city upon a hill.’ ”

The letter follows an outpouring of support from conservative leaders around this week’s Action Fund ad campaign.

“Conservative voters are fed up with demagoguery of immigrants and immigration. The candidates are starting to get the message,” said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum Action Fund. “Our constituencies look forward to meeting the candidates and impressing upon them that hate and divisiveness pave a road to defeat.”