Essential guide: How to change minds on migration
Turn challenging conversations about migration into impactful ones that really matter.
Migration is already a significant issue in the upcoming election and we know it'll only get more hateful and hostile as we get closer to polling day. However, with the right skills and knowledge, we can have meaningful and persuasive conversations about migrants and refugees with our friends and family.
Next time your provocative colleague or your distant racist uncle asks you about migration take a breath and follow these steps! Together, we can build the movement for migrant rights, one conversation at a time.
STEP 1: Ask their opinion
Ask them what they think and show no judgement. Give them your full attention - actually listen, don’t just think about what your response will be. Do not discount the other person’s feelings and hold back any fact-checking instincts.
STEP 2: Share personal stories about migration
Ask: “Do you know anyone who has migrated? May I ask what you know about their story”. If they don’t know anyone, you could ask: “Did you grow up here (local town/city)?”. Listen as they share their story. Then share your story of migration or the story of someone you know (with their consent). Next ask if there is anything within the story that they can relate to.
STEP 3: Share personal stories about a hard time
Ask: "When was a time somebody showed you compassion when you really needed it? Maybe a time when you were having social, emotional, financial hardship.”. Ask follow up questions such as: "What was thesituation? What did you do? How did that feel? Did anyone give you the support you needed at that time? How did that feel? How has your experience shaped your empathy with others that are struggling?"
You could also share your own story in order to make the other person feel more comfortable sharing theirs.
STEP 4: Make the case for migrant rights
Now is your chance to make the case! This is probably the step you want to start with but by waiting you've created a level of trust and, hopefully (fingers crossed), the person will be more receptive to your arguments.
When you're making your case, try to do the following:
Frame your argument through a value that they can relate to, for example safety or fairness.
Then make sure you're clear on the issue and explain the impact on people's lives.
When you're doing this, state the people or immigration policies that are at fault.
If relevant to the conversation, call-out the scapegoating of migrants in the public conversation and explain why that's happening.
Finally, make the case for unity and solidarity. Offer solutions and emphasise collective action to solve problems.
STEP 5: Talk through issues and contradictions
Note any contradictions and talk through them. For example, “It sounds like you think some immigration is good for the country but on the other hand you agree with some strict rules. What’s on your mind now?”
STEP 6: Respond to concerns with facts
Only after rapport has been established can you respond to any concerns and fact check anything mentioned earlier in the conversation.
STEP 7: Ask opinion again
If you want, you could ask the person to share how they feel about the issue now. If the conversation has shifted their perspective on migration, ask them why.
This information is based on deep canvassing techniques and resources from the People’s Action Institute. Deep canvassing is an approach that encourages long, candid conversations where two people share and reflect on their life experiences.
Watch these steps in practice with a canvasser from the LA LGBT Center: