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Dear friend of IDP,

As part of IDP’s work to challenge the criminalization of immigrants, one of our core approaches is to move hearts and minds on these issues.

But what does this really mean in practice? Is it even possible, given the extent to which anti-immigrant forces seem to have taken over the narrative on immigration?

A recent success story from Comm/Unity–our national network of communicators working to challenge the criminalization of immigrants–and Comm/Unity’s local partners is giving me a lot of hope.
Donate! ([link removed])

First, some background. Under Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas state government has passed a raft of horrendously cruel and abusive policies. “Operation Lone Star,” a Texas version of stop and frisk, has eaten up $14 Billion worth of tax dollars in the last four years and devastated communities there. (Yes, that’s billion with a “B.”)

Meanwhile, for the last several years, Comm/Unity has anchored the communications space for Texans United for Justice (TUFJ), working with a brilliant group of communicators and organizers. Earlier this year, the TUFJ comms space was part of a pilot program–made possible through the support of the Abundant Futures Fund–designed to turbocharge digital communications of groups engaged in pro-immigrant storytelling.
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After an initial round of research, TUFJ was able to generate a set of hard-hitting content: an animated explainer video ([link removed]) breaking down the harm of the Operation Lone Star program and our vision for a better future, multiple videos in partnership with key ([link removed]) influencers ([link removed]) , high quality graphics, and a completely refurbished ([link removed]) website ([link removed]) .

Through this project, we were able to promote the explainer video through paid ads online. It was ultimately seen 1.2 Million times on YouTube!

But that’s not all.

We also showed this content to a representative sample of 816 Texas voters in a statewide poll, conducted in July. Before they heard from us, a plurality of Texas voters unfortunately SUPPORTED Operation Lone Star, with 50% in favor and 40% opposed.

But after they saw our content, voters completely flipped, with 51% now OPPOSING this harmful program and just 45% supporting it. The intensity of opposition also increased by 9 points!

This shows that evidence-based strategies combined with a long-term vision and community buy-in can achieve major transformation.

And with your support, we can continue to build on this important work.
Donate! ([link removed])

Jon Rodney

Narrative Strategy Director

Immigrant Defense Project ~ Comm/Unity Network

P.S. We want to be sure to thank our partners: TUFJ, including the ILRC, the TX Immigration Law Council, and Grassroots Leadership; Neta Collab (website and visual storytelling); Goodwin Simon Strategic Research (messaging research); Wonder (copywriting); Resource Media (paid ads); and Social Currant (creator partnerships).

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