Latino

Koch network releases ad pushing for bipartisan ‘Dreamers’ deal

by Rafael Bernal - 04/17/18 7:16 PM ET

Two groups associated with Republican mega-donors Charles and David Koch released Tuesday an ad in favor of bipartisan immigration reform.

The ad, “What are we waiting for,” features stock footage of former Presidents Obama, Clinton and George W. Bush making arguments in favor of immigrants and respect for the rule of law.

The ad opens with Obama giving a State of the Union address.

“Our economy is stronger when we harness the talents and ingenuity of striving, hopeful immigrants,” Obama says.

The ad then cuts to Clinton, delivering a State of the Union address of his own.

“We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws,” Clinton says.

Bush, from the Oval Office, appears next.

“America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time,” he says.

A voiceover in the ad then makes the case for “a bipartisan path forward on immigration that offers a permanent solution for our ‘Dreamers’ and a stronger border.”

“What are we waiting for?” the voice asks as the ad cuts to a still image of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The seven-figure ad buy will run on national broadcast, cable and targeted digital platforms.

The ad’s sponsors, The Libre Initiative and Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, support a deal that was floated by Democrats during budget talks in March, but was ultimately rejected.

That deal would have given a path to citizenship to 1.8 million so-called Dreamers — immigrants who came to the country illegally as minors — in exchange for $25 billion in border funding, including for President Trump’s proposed border wall.

“The American people deserve a government that is effective and efficient in solving our nation’s problems. Congress and the White House have spent a lot of time talking about DACA, but today our elected officials have yet to approve a permanent legislative solution,” said Daniel Garza, president of The Libre Initiative.

The White House countered that offer with an extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program until 2020 in exchange for the $25 billion in funding for border security, according to Politico.

Democrats balked at the offer, as they expected the $25 billion figure to signify permanent protection for 1.8 million so-called Dreamers

Talks to either extend DACA or make permanent its protections have continued despite the impasse, but there are few expectations that a solution will be found before November’s elections.

Still, Koch-connected groups have kept up pressure from the right despite President Trump declaring the issue dead and pinning blame on the Democrats.

“Achieving a permanent solution for Dreamers is simply the right thing to do – these are people who know this country as their only home. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their commitment to a resolution, and the recent proposal that provides permanency for Dreamers and $25 billion in border security is one that President Trump and Congress should take,” said James Davis, executive vice president of Freedom Partners.

This post was updated to specify the Koch groups’ support of the March offer floated by the Democrats, not the White House.