Subject: RE: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)
From: "Gomez, Bridgette" <[email-masked]>
To: "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]>, "Manriquez, Pablo" <[email-masked]>
Cc: Lindsey Reynolds <[email-masked]>, "Davis, Marilyn" <[email-masked]>, "Thompson, Dejuana" <[email-masked]>, "Scott, Jillian" <[email-masked]>, "Alvillar, Raul" <[email-masked]>, "Chalupa, Ali" <[email-masked]>, "Paustenbach, Mark" <[email-masked]>, "Palermo, Rachel" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 16 May 2016 13:36:37 -0700

Here is the perspective groups will share that they hear from the families they work with (hopefully it’s in helpful in understanding their perspective and in figuring out the best message for them):

·         Many are coming to be reunited with family that is already here that have TPS, are undocumented, impacted by the 3/10 year bar or are US citizens, however they are tired of waiting and living in violence so they take the risk and try the dangerous journey here.

·         Raids scare communities and that tactic/approach is inhumane.  While it sends a message aboard, it also can negatively impact peoples’ lives including those who qualify for DAPA and their US citizen family members including children by adding more fear into their lives even though they may not be the target.  Back in January many families were pulling their kids out of school and stopped going to work when they saw more police in their neighborhoods even though there weren’t actual raids happening in the area—it was the fear that they were coming that caused these reactions.

Hope that is helpful.   Agree with the statement that the GOP is standing in the way of real reform.

Best,
Bridgette

From: Miranda, Luis
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 3:30 PM
To: Manriquez, Pablo; Gomez, Bridgette
Cc: Lindsey Reynolds; Davis, Marilyn; Thompson, Dejuana; Scott, Jillian; Alvillar, Raul; Chalupa, Ali; Paustenbach, Mark; Palermo, Rachel
Subject: RE: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

It has been disproven only in the eyes of advocates. I’m not going to say that to press, but what advocates are calling for is reckless, irresponsible, and puts more lives at risk.

[SigDems]<http://www.democrats.org/>Luis Miranda, Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148 – [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> - @MiraLuisDC<https://www.twitter.com/MiraLuisDC>

From: Manriquez, Pablo
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 3:26 PM
To: Gomez, Bridgette
Cc: Miranda, Luis; Lindsey Reynolds; Davis, Marilyn; Thompson, Dejuana; Scott, Jillian; Alvillar, Raul; Chalupa, Ali; Paustenbach, Mark; Palermo, Rachel
Subject: Re: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

FLAG: This has disproven several times over since January — "they want us to send a message to Central Americans to keep paying smugglers and put those kids at risk of abuse and even death. Frankly the rhetoric on this and calls for TPS are irresponsible, they send a message that ends up in more lives lost”

So be careful when answering as the press and advocates will be better-prepared than they were the last time. Basically what numerous studies have shown is that no one is leaving CentAm for TPS. In fact, most refugees have never even heard of TPS.  All evidence shows people are leaving because they don’t want to be raped and/or murdered.

On May 16, 2016, at 3:12 PM, Gomez, Bridgette <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:

Sounds good.  Thank you Luis.

From: Miranda, Luis
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 3:10 PM
To: Gomez, Bridgette; Manriquez, Pablo
Cc: Lindsey Reynolds; Davis, Marilyn; Thompson, Dejuana; Scott, Jillian; Alvillar, Raul; Chalupa, Ali; Paustenbach, Mark; Palermo, Rachel
Subject: RE: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

I can speak to them when they’re here. Please let Rachel know when we should expect them so I can be available. We’ll also have core talking points for you guys to use generally. Below is what the White House said, some good and some bad. Our points will be smarter but something to be clear about is that reports that there are NEW raids are wrong. This is a continuation of operations announced in January and March. The problem is these groups don’t want to hear this, they want us to send a message to Central Americans to keep paying smugglers and put those kids at risk of abuse and even death. Frankly the rhetoric on this and calls for TPS are irresponsible, they send a message that ends up in more lives lost. So we’ll focus our points on how much has already been done to make things better, and that the GOP is standing in the way of real reform. We’re not going to get into a fight on the Central Americans specifically, we’re going to focus on Republican obstruction.

FYI on how the White House has answered questions regarding DHS's enforcement actions.

Q    One other area.  There are these reports about immigration raids that are supposedly happening during May.  You've heard even Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders comment on this.  There's the belief that the administration is going to conduct huge raids during May and June, rallying up significant numbers of women and children, recent people who have crossed the country in significant numbers.  Is that true?  Is there something different happening now?

MR. EARNEST:  Well, this is an excellent question.  We're talking about a DHS enforcement action, so there are some limitations about what I can say, but let me help you understand exactly the policy that DHS is implementing.  And I think I can largely answer your question.

The first is -- and this is something that Secretary Johnson himself has said -- that the operations that are underway are merely the continuation of operations that were announced in January and in March.  And those operations are conducted under the rubric of the guidance that President Obama and Secretary Johnson put in place in November of 2014.  And that is guidance that made a priority of individuals who are convicted criminals or otherwise a threat to public safety, or individuals who were apprehended after crossing the border after January 1st of 2014.

So we've made clear that our priorities are people who pose a threat to the community, people who are convicted criminals, or people who have only recently crossed the border.  So those priorities remain in place, and those priorities are followed even as these operations continue.

Let me say two more things.  The first is, no one is removed if they have an ongoing, pending claim or appeal for asylum or some other form of humanitarian relief.  People are given access to due process.  And that is a foundational principle for all of this.  So the only people who are the targets of these operations are people who are subject to an order by an immigration court for removal and people who have also, in addition to being subject to that order, have exhausted any potential claims that they have for humanitarian relief.

The last thing is DHS enforcement agents also follow what I understand is to be longstanding guidance that ensures that these operations are not conducted in sensitive places.  These operations are not conducted in schools or hospitals or places of worship, for example.

Q    So is there no reason to fear that the numbers of deportations aren't going to increase or spike -- whatever words you want to use now -- because there's something, a specific operation underway that's different from what's normally happening there along the border?

MR. EARNEST:  Well, again, what Secretary Johnson has described is that the operations that are underway now are a continuation of operations that were previously announced.

But look, I think we would anticipate that the deportation numbers would continue to go up.  This administration is serious about enforcing the law.  And I recognize that our political opponents don't like to acknowledge that fact.  But we've made clear how we're going to use law enforcement resources to enhance our border security and to enhance the security of communities across the country.  Most importantly, we're going to enforce our laws.

And this is something that President Obama is committed to.  And the truth is, we would have a whole lot more resources to do exactly that if Republicans in the House of Representatives had not blocked comprehensive immigration reform legislation that did include an historic investment in our border security.  But we do not enjoy the benefits of that border security today because House Republicans blocked the passage of that legislation.

Q    And just lastly, it's not your political opponents -- well, some of the people who are objecting to this or raising concerns about this are Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders, who I wouldn't think you'd consider political opponents.

MR. EARNEST:  No, but it's our political opponents who suggest that President Obama is not interested in enforcing the law.  And I think that is demonstrably false.  That's the point that I'm making.  That's the reason that we're having this conversation right now.

<http://www.democrats.org/>Luis Miranda, Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148 – [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> - @MiraLuisDC<https://www.twitter.com/MiraLuisDC>

From: Gomez, Bridgette
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 2:59 PM
To: Manriquez, Pablo
Cc: Lindsey Reynolds; Davis, Marilyn; Thompson, Dejuana; Scott, Jillian; Alvillar, Raul; Chalupa, Ali; Miranda, Luis
Subject: RE: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

Hey Team,

With the bad weather tomorrow they are likely to just come to the DNC and then go directly to the WH (skip the stop at ICE).  They will want to know what the DNC is doing about these raids is my guess—both candidates have made statements to call to the end the raids.  Bernie has called for TPS, Hillary has not.  I know these groups have policy demands around this issue (these may be old, but hopefully helpful):http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5387bae0e4b0422ca669ba92/t/568d2bb2bfe87399730d4844/1452092338218/Final+Recommendations+on+Central+Americans+seeking+refuge.pdf

Luis and Pablo it would be go to know what we can and cannot say about the raids in prep for tomorrow.
Thanks,
Bridgette

From: Manriquez, Pablo
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 1:52 PM
To: Gomez, Bridgette
Cc: Lindsey Reynolds; Davis, Marilyn; Thompson, Dejuana; Scott, Jillian; Alvillar, Raul; Chalupa, Ali; Miranda, Luis
Subject: Re: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

93 going
205 interested

Sent from my iPhone

On May 16, 2016, at 12:49 PM, Gomez, Bridgette <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:
Thank you Lindsey.  Do you want me to reach out to them today or prefer I don’t.  I used to work with them so I know them well.

From: Lindsey Reynolds
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 12:42 PM
To: Davis, Marilyn; Gomez, Bridgette
Cc: Thompson, Dejuana; Scott, Jillian; Alvillar, Raul; Chalupa, Ali; Miranda, Luis; Manriquez, Pablo
Subject: Re: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

Yes, we know.
Once they arrive they will identify to Captain Wilson if they wish to speak with someone or have letters to deliver. This is when I reach out to CE/POL to send someone downstairs to receive the materials. I will keep you posted Bridgette once they arrive.

Cheers,

Lindsey

Lindsey Reynolds | Chief Operating Officer
Democratic National Committee
direct: 202.863.7166| cell: 202.215.9864

From: "Davis, Marilyn" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Date: Monday, May 16, 2016 at 12:38 PM
To: "Gomez, Bridgette" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Cc: "Thompson, Dejuana" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, "Scott, Jillian" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, "Alvillar, Raul" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, "Chalupa, Ali" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, Luis Miranda <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, "Manriquez, Pablo" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, Lindsey Reynolds <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Subject: Re: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

+Lindsey for guidance
Marilyn D. Davis
National Director of Community Engagement
Democratic National Convention
M: 609-218-3254
Twitter: @marilynddavis
Facebook.com/marilynddavis<http://facebook.com/marilynddavis>

Sent from my iPhone, please excuse any typos

On May 16, 2016, at 12:33 PM, Gomez, Bridgette <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:
Adding Luis and Pablo here too.

From: Gomez, Bridgette
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 12:29 PM
To: Davis, Marilyn; Thompson, Dejuana; Scott, Jillian; Alvillar, Raul; Chalupa, Ali
Subject: Action on DNC tomorrow (Immigration Raids)

Hey Team,

As you may have heard there will be an action happening tomorrow starting here at the DNC and ending at the WH around the raids that the administration announced last week:

•         Time: 10:00 AM
(rallying in front of the DNC then moving at 10:50 to ICE HQ 500 12th St Expy, then at 11:40 AM head to the final destination at the White House)
•         Turnout: 50-100
•         Lead by CASA

Not sure the protocol for when things like this happen.  I clearly know the group and can reach out to them, but wanted to know the protocol before I call them.
Thank you,
Bridgette

Bridgette Gomez
Hispanic Outreach Director
Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 863-8028<tel:(202)%20314-2266>  Cell: (602) 818-4134<tel:(917)%20647-0397>
Email: [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>

Pablo Manriquez
Democratic National Committee
Phone: 202.572.5488
Email: [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>
web: democrats.org<http://www.democrats.org/>
Twitter: @Pablo_DNC