Strategic Arguments for Immigrant-friendly Immigration Reform

An Open Letter to My Congressional Representative

I wrote this letter to my Congressional Representative, John Curtis, several months ago. In recent days, however, it seems the immigration debate has reached fever pitch, so I felt to make this letter public in an attempt to encourage reasoned and respectful immigration debate. — Jeff

Dear Representative John Curtis,

As a local Utah tech entrepreneur and constituent, I encourage you to seek a bipartisan solution to immigration reform that finds a fair balance between security, efficiency, economic growth, and US global competitive interests, while holding true to our cherished Utahn and American values by rejecting the more extreme elements of Trump’s immigration framework. Particularly, I request that you work to (1) preserve the Diversity Lottery in some form while addressing its risks, (2) maintain extended family immigration, and (3) institute a Startup Founder Visa program.

1) Preserve the Diversity Visa program in some form while addressing its risks

The Diversity Visa (DV) program provides a strategic lever to maintain influence in African countries and is a 21st-century way of continuing the legacy of hope that America provides to those seeking a…