Voters Seek Alternative, Pro-Immigration Approach

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Republican National Convention kicks off today in Cleveland, a city with a strong immigrant history. And immigration is on the agenda.

The GOP has veered right on immigration — a far cry from the Republican National Committee’s post-election “autopsy” in 2013, which called for inclusion, outreach and diversity.

Moreover, the party’s current message on immigrants and immigration does not resonate with many conservatives across the country.

FWD.us released the results of a poll covering three swing states today that highlights the vast disconnect between Donald Trump’s proposals and voters’ views on immigration — including strong contingents of independent and Republican voters.

“It’s clear that Donald Trump’s views on immigration are not only wildly out-of-step with a strong majority of Independent voters in this country, but are also out-of-step with a majority of the Republican Party,” Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, said in a statement.

“The mass deportation of all 11 million undocumented immigrants is the central tenet of Trump’s immigration plans, and, with 66% of voters disapproving, that means roughly 7 in 10 voters show this a huge voting issue hurting Trump. The reality is that a strong majority of Americans reject his anti-immigrant rhetoric, reject his mass deportation policy and support commonsense immigration reform.”

Today’s is not the first poll showing that the majority of Americans want Congress to take action on immigration. Many conservatives (some of whom refused to attend the convention) are continuing to call for productive congressional action on immigration as well.

“As Republicans gather, most voters are looking for solutions, not scapegoats. Anti-immigrant rhetoric does not resonate with the majority of American voters,” said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum Action Fund. “Neither Trump’s musings nor the immigration provisions of the Republican Party platform align with the realities of our broken system. We need constructive immigration proposals that will adhere to our nation’s values and represent our country’s interests.

“At the end of the day, the American people still need to hear both candidates address the real questions on immigration with solutions that would help our economy, our communities and our country.”