White House pens social media script for Hollywood A-listers to tout immigration policies

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The White House has penned a social media script for Hollywood to spread its message on immigration, in a sequel to the gun control talking points the Obama administration sent out to actors, directors and writers earlier this year.

An email sent out last week to an undisclosed number of Tinseltown movers and shakers from the White House Associate Director of Public Engagement Jesse Moore shows just how confident the administration is that its lines will be delivered as written under the Twitter hashtag “ImmigrationHeritageMonth.”

“Will you send it out too, using your social media accounts?” reads the email. “And let us know when you do so we can continue to amplify your voice – and this message.”

The email included a video and urged stars to join the #IAmAnImmigrant movement.

“We are a nation of immigrants, and whether you are an immigrant, the child or grandchild of immigrants, or you stand with immigrants – it’s on all of us to ensure that we continue to recognize the role immigrants continue to play at the core of this country,” the email states.

Although Moore acknowledges, “Your own voice is best,” draft social media language is offered for stars to cut-and-paste. Some examples for those not inclined to ad lib:

• June is Immigrant Heritage Month and I stand with immigrants. Share this video to celebrate the monumental contributions immigrants have made — and continue to make every day!
• #IAmAnImmigrant honors each of our families’ sacrifices, struggles and successes – America’s strength is reflected in our diversity built over generations.
• Now, more than ever, it’s important we stay united. I’m proud to be part of the #IAmAnImmigrant movement.
• We’re so excited to join the “IAmAnImmigrant movement.

“Of course, feel free to [retweet] the White House!” the email adds.

Within days, the campaign had successfully enlisted the likes of Kerry Washington, Julianne Moore, Alan Cumming and Rosie Perez reminding their followers of the importance of immigration.

It was replay of a February campaign in which the same White House office sent out talking points under the subject line “Artists & Entertainers Unite to #StopGunViolence” and addressed to “Family.”  FoxNews.com reported on how several A-listers, including Washington, Moore, Ashton Kutcher and others happily parroted the White House script.

Political activism has a long tradition in Hollywood, but the coordinated messaging is troubling to some.

“This shameful ‘suggested language’ campaign is taxpayer-funded political advocacy at its worst,” said Matthew Vadum, of the Washington-based think tank Capital Research Center.

Vadum also accused the White House of using its influence over Hollywood to help blur the distinction between legal and illegal immigrants, a key issue in the ongoing presidential campaign.

However, Ronn Torossian, CEO of the public relations firm 5WPR, said the strategy of issuing talking points to influencers is standard across any type of major campaign.

“It’s not much of a secret that speaking points are provided before one does interviews or promotions – just something the general public may not be aware of,” he said.