2024 Convention Recap & Immigration Discussion: Part 1

We welcomed many new faces at our August 20th, 2022, meeting devoted to the contentious topic of immigration, when we had an opportunity to express our off-the-cuff reactions, ask questions, and find some commonalities. We also welcomed Justin Connor, the Blue Co-Chair for the DC Alliance, who gave us some highlights of the Braver Angels Convention in Kenosha, WI. Read on for more information about new initiatives and ways to get involved, a recap of our immigration discussion, and plans for September.

2024 Braver Angels Convention

Well over 700 people attended, and provided insight into the national network’s efforts. You can find 11 short videos on the array of activities here. You will see the power of Braver Angel’s uniquely formatted debates which are structured to create an environment of respectful and informed dialogue across disagreeing factions. Speaking of debates, Red, Blue and Independent attendees watched and experienced the June 27th Presidential Debate together, and were given the opportunity to share their reactions.

Justin reviewed various major initiatives and new offerings. Please check them out or just spend a little time on the website.

  • Make sure you’re a member! Minimum dues are only $12 a year and you can decide how you want to get involved.

  • Check out the “Artist of the Month” series

  • The American Hope Campaign (motto: If they won’t fix it, we will) urges us to sign a petition asking our political leaders to take responsibility for reducing polarization; help find common ground on the topic of immigration; and volunteer to represent Braver Angels – and our values – at polling stations on Election Day.

  • Take an eCourse

  • Listen to Monica Guzman’s podcast “A Braver Way”

Summary of our discussion on immigration

Here’s a topic-oriented set of bullets from that discussion. We hope these in turn will help frame the transition to September’s meeting when we’ll take up the subject again but with some invited expertise on hand.  (Note: a list of immigration research and reading resources is provided below).

  • What structural issues contribute to the general sense that the immigration system is broken?

    • Byzantine regulations (evolved piecemeal over time) and multiple overlapping categories that are both difficult to manage as well as difficult to claim ownership of, or convey ownership to.

    • Administrative capacity: not enough human resources to provide reasonable wait times across all programs.

    • Political opportunism: for decades, both parties have had opportunities when they held the Presidency and controlled both congressional houses, but lack of progress suggests both sides may see as much value in campaigning on a broken system as much as addressing it.

    • A complete set of data is unavailable, making it difficult to assess the challenges from a shared baseline.

  • What dynamics make immigration such an emotionally-charged topic?

  • Lack of systemic (as opposed to anecdotal) information on the effects of immigration on economic and social (e.g., crime) effects.

  • Fear of economic competition (while fears of a zero-sum game for jobs or housing are not macroeconomically grounded, there are likely true threats for industry-specific and/or geographically-specific communities).

  • Appeals to fairness - which appeals for opportunity (i.e., refugee, diversity, family, jobs) should carry the most weight in the legal process?  How to address illegal immigration?

  • Concerns about assimilation (i.e., language, appreciation for the Constitution/“American way”, cultural expectations, fear of losing “majority” status).

  • Comment: The European Union takes a more regulatory approach. The US has a special relationship with the concept of immigration. Immigration itself has become the story rather than points that are perhaps more salient – the immigrants themselves, and specific economic and/or social needs and impacts.

  • What are some of the known barriers to seemingly practical solutions? For example, greater resource allocation as might be justified by the macroeconomic data; civil/military service requirements and rewards; Providing more “green cards” in under-resourced industries; and stepping stones toward Americanizing foreign professional certifications.

  • What can the Fairfax Alliance do next?

    • Participate actively in BA’s 2025 Immigration challenge (where each of the bullets above could be turned into some sort of policy recommendations)

Immigration Issue Resources


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