Hate Groups Lobby Congress
New America Media, Commentary, Angela Kelley, Posted: Sep 13, 2008
Editor's Note: In the wake of a week of anti-immigrant lobbying in Washington, NAM contributor Angela Kelley reflects that immigration policy in America is a pressing domestic priority deserving of sober analysis, not hateful hype. Kelley is the Director of the Immigration Policy Center at the American Immigration Law Foundation.
When did extreme become mainstream? That's the question immigrant advocates asked in a full-page ad in Capitol Hill newspapers this week, as about 50 supporters of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) marched into the offices of Congress, demanding an impractical and hateful agenda of mass deportations, worksite raids and other expensive and ultimately ineffective approaches, as part of their "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" lobbying week. CNN's Lou Dobbs further stoked the flames as he aired live from Washington along with dozens of right-wing radio hosts from across the country.
Also as part of the week's activities, a rally was held in front of the Capitol where legislators including Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), Brian Bilbray (R-Calif. and a member of FAIR's board of advisors) and Darryl Issa (R-Calif.) spoke to the attendees. Congressman Issa compared efforts to provide immigration relief to immediate family members of those serving in the armed services during war time to a "mini-amnesty," while Duncan Hunter went on to sing the virtues of a border wall being built on the Mexican border.
Controversy over FAIR's extremist ties dates back to its founder, John Tanton, who started FAIR with funds from the Pioneer Fund, a foundation committed to the belief that some races of people are genetically and intellectually superior to other races. Tanton, a pioneer of the anti-immigrant movement and avid supporter of eugenics, continues "defining the debate on immigration" as leader of FAIR and member of its board of directors. The Southern Poverty Law Center has named FAIR a "hate group." The list of other groups which have earned this distinction from SPLC include: the Ku Klux Klan and the Aryan Nations.
Dobbs and his allies in FAIR should worry less about holding lawmakers' feet to the fire, and work instead on getting their heads out of the sand. Lawmakers should be cautioned in associating themselves with hate groups. Immigration policy in America is a pressing domestic priority deserving of sober analysis, not hateful hype. FAIR's policy agenda is anchored in rounding folks up and keeping them out. An organization so short on policy solutions and so long in stirring intolerance should be getting a cold shoulder, not a warm embrace from CNN and these members of Congress.
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User Comments
Vivian on Sep 16, 2008 at 07:41:51 said:
In other words, everyone who disagrees
with NAM and FAIR agenda is automatically
part of a hate group?
How fair and balanced of NAM.
Nezzie on Sep 16, 2008 at 07:27:14 said:
I will continue to say for all to hear, there are two sides to every story, and American citizens have the right to voice their side, whether or not someone approves of it. Illegal immigrants want all American citizens to just open our arms and our wallets for the duration of life itself. This will not happen. Black, white, and "other" American citizens have tried to be fair about an issue that we have been blind sided with. Unfortunately, people do not know when to stop, just like children, they must be guided to do the right thing. I applaud FAIR and any other organization considered racist or not for trying to help us save our country. Things have changed and not for the better, we are in way too deep and over our heads in America with all of the worlds ills. Well it is time for this ride to be over, the tide has risen and we must find dry land. This is truly an unfortunate situation for all illegal immigrants and legal immigrants, but we must put ourselves and our country first, we mean no harm, but it is time for all illegal immigrants and their anchor babies and the chain migration family members to go home. We are sorry, the store is now closed. GOD Bless America.
MdeG on Sep 15, 2008 at 15:44:02 said:
I follow more or less closely the activities of La Raza, LULAC, MALDEF. I do not think they are hate groups. Being pro one group is not the same as hating another. Hillel: "If I am not for myself, then who will be? And if I am only for myself, then what am I?"
There is a difference between working for the advancement of one's own folks, and working to exclude and put down other people -- or, worse yet, advocating violence and using the kind of language "Soy etc." has put on this blog.
If I had any doubt about the nature of FAIR (i.e. that it is really a hate group), its advocates on this blog have removed them. Thank you for the clarification.
En Paz --
soulnote on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:20:23 said:
You are only reading from a script and not speaking from your heart.
All of us are atoms-molecules-quarks
it matters that we are matter
yet you try to create the anti-matter.
It is an illusion-
The truth is that you are the people you scream at in these websites.
The truth is you and I can choose to love or choose to hate.
Do we make walls or make a community of love and action- what seeds do we want to sow?
You speak with hate which is another word for FEAR, can you feel your breath weigh you down?
FEAR/HATE
LOVE/FAITH
in God's eyes, we are all his children.
Nezzie on Sep 15, 2008 at 07:07:28 said:
SPLC is also a hate group and so is the ACLU, they are all ran by racist La Raza supporting talking heads. Hold Their Feet to Fire was a great way to let our elected officials know that we the American citizens have had enough! Amnesty did not fail because of politicians, it failed because the American citizens blew up the phones of both Democrats and Republican\'s! The pro-immigrant groups kill me by saying that the Republicans shut down amnesty, when in fact the Republican\'s are doing exactly what their constitutens want them to do. Close the border, deport, no anchor babies no raping of our 14th amendment no chain migration, deport, deport DEPORT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
MrayJ on Sep 13, 2008 at 20:47:05 said:
La Raza and the other racist Latino groups are getting desperate. They know they are losing, so now they are trying desperately to shout down anyone who is opposed to their nation-destroying open borders agenda.
Alexandra Curtis on Sep 13, 2008 at 12:14:23 said:
What about hate groups like the National Council of La Raza, League of United Latin American citizens, Movimentio Estudantil Chicano de Aztlan, Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fundation??
All of these are Brown supremacist hate groups. They are US taxpayer funded and espouse a hatred of White, Black, Jewish and gay Americans.
Let's shine a light on THEIR activiies!!!
Reconquista on Sep 13, 2008 at 10:23:52 said:
You want a hate group? How about La Raza.
Soy Culero on Sep 13, 2008 at 10:21:17 said:
This is the journalistic equivalent of loose, runny stool. Thanks Angela, we're all worse off for having read this!
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