Federation for American Immigration Reform

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization in the United States that advocates changes in U.S. immigration policy that would result in significant reductions in immigration, both legal and illegal. It was founded on January 2, 1979 by John Tanton and has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The President of FAIR since 1988, Dan Stein, is one of America's foremost speakers on immigration as evidenced by over 50 appearances before Congress and many news programs. The organization estimates more than 250,000 members and supporters. [http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_aboutmain Federation for American Immigration Reform: About FAIR] ] FAIR seeks a moratorium on immigration by anyone other than refugees and the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, until it can be shown that higher immigration levels are needed. [ [http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=iic_immigrationissuecentersd994 Federation for American Immigration Reform: Why America Needs an Immigration Time-Out] ]

FAIR describes itself as a "group whose membership runs the gamut from liberal to conservative. [Its] grassroots networks help concerned citizens use their voices to speak up for effective, sensible immigration policies that work for America’s best interests". [http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_aboutmain FAIR: : About FAIR ] ] Its Board of Advisors has included individuals ranging from Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) to anti-war Democrat icon Eugene McCarthy (D-MN).

FAIR promotes policies to improve border security and stop illegal immigration, and to reduce legal immigration into the United States to around 300,000 people a year. FAIR's policy studies emphasize the environmental, economic, and social consequences of mass immigration.

FAIR's President Dan Stein serves on the 61-member board of the Citizens' Debate Commission, a nonpartisan American organization, formed in 2004, that was established to sponsor future general election presidential debates. [http://www.citizensdebate.org/advisoryboard.html Citizens' Debate Commission: Advisory Board] ]

FAIR is a member of the Coalition for the Future American Worker, which describes itself as "an umbrella organization of professional trade groups, population/environment organizations, and immigration reform groups. CFAW was formed to represent the interests of American workers and students in the formulation of immigration policy." [ [http://www.americanworker.org/whatis2.html What is the Coalition for the Future American Worker ] ]

The FAIR website has tools to help supporters send pre-written faxes and emails to politicians, as well as to receive action alerts.

Principles

FAIR advocates "7 Principles of True Comprehensive Immigration Reform:":1. Cut the Numbers:2. No Amnesty or Mass Guest-Worker Program:3. Protect Wages and Standards of Living:4. Major Upgrade in Interior Enforcement, Led by Strong Employers Penalties :5. Stop Special Interest Asylum Abuse:6. Immigration Time Out:7. Equal Under the Law

The FAIR website contains a detailed explanation of each principle and why FAIR considers each one important. [ [http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_research3327 Federation for American Immigration Reform: 7 Principles of True Comprehensive Immigration Reform] ]

Other groups created by FAIR

FAIR established the FAIR Congressional Task Force (FCTF) as a 501(c)(4) organization that describes itself as a "non-profit, public interest organization whose purpose is to serve the public welfare by developing and promoting immigration policies which are consistent with the economic, social and demographic interest of the United States; to restrict illegal immigration to the United States; and to limit legal admissions to reasonable levels." [ [http://www.fairtaskforce.com FAIR Congressional Task Force] ]

FAIR established the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) as an organization that describes itself as "America's only public interest law organization working exclusively to protect the legal rights, privileges, and property of U.S. citizens and their communities from injuries and damages caused by unlawful immigration." [ [http://www.irli.org Immigration Reform Law Institute] ]

Choose Black America is an African American group created by FAIR. [ [http://chooseblackamerica.com Choose Black America ] ] According to the "The Oroville Mercury Register", the group's founders could not name any of its members. [cite web | last = Marcucci | first = Michele R. | title = Immigration group may not be what they seem | publisher = The Oroville Mercury Register | date = 2006-12-19 | url = http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2006/12/123766.shtml | accessdate = 2007-12-20 ] One founder of Choose Black America, James Clingman, said "Choose Black America was just the banner under which we had a press conference". [ [http://www.epluribusmedia.org/features/2007/20070205_immigration_p1.html "Anti - Immigration Groups and the Masks of False Diversity"] Duke Falconer, 5 February 2007, ePluribus Media] He also said that he hadn't spoken to or contacted the other members before FAIR organized the press conference, and would not have attended if he'd known who else was involved.

Another group established by FAIR is You Don't Speak for Me, which describes itself as "a group of concerned Americans of Hispanic/Latino heritage, some first or second generation, others recent legal immigrants, who believe illegal immigration harms America and a guest worker amnesty will do the same." [ [http://peakforme.org/ourstory.html You Don't Speak for Me ] ] The media contact for this group is Ira Mehlman, who is also FAIR's media director.

Criticism

FAIR has been criticized as an ineffective "reform lite" group by Carrying Capacity Network, another organization favoring immigration reduction. [ [http://www.carryingcapacity.org/04aa6.html Carrying Capacity Network Action Alert (December 2004): Neo-Con Immigration Reform Lite Groups Revealed!] ]

In 2005, an article in the liberal political magazine, "The American Prospect", called FAIR "the anti-immigration movement’s most powerful institution". [http://www.prospect.org/web/view-print.ww?id=10485 "The New Nativism"] Leonard Zeskind, November 10, 2005, "The American Prospect" ] It further asserted FAIR has cooperated with "white nationalists." [http://www.prospect.org/web/view-print.ww?id=10485 "The New Nativism"] Leonard Zeskind, November 10, 2005, "The American Prospect" ]

FAIR has also been criticized for accepting contributions from the Pioneer Fund. Between 1982 and 1994, FAIR received $1.2 million from the foundation. [http://www.prospect.org/web/view-print.ww?id=10485 "The New Nativism"] Leonard Zeskind, November 10, 2005, "The American Prospect" ] The Pioneer Fund focuses on projects it perceives will not be easily funded due to controversial subject matter. The Pioneer Fund has been described by a "Wall Street Journal" editorial as a "white-supremacist outfit devoted to racial purity through eugenics." [ [http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110004847 "Repudiating Reagan"] Jason A. Riley, March 21, 2004, "The Wall Street Journal"]

FAIR has been criticized by the International Relations Center as producing "policy rhetoric [that] is often inflammatory, clearly anti-immigrant, and partisan." [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1467 International Relations Center - Right Web - Profile: Federation for American Immigration Reform] ] FAIR has been identified as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. [http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2007/12/11/fair-crossing-the-rubicon-of-hate&splcnewsletter=panewsgen-121107 FAIR: Crossing the Rubicon of Hate] Hatewatch, Southern Poverty Law Center, December 11, 2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.fairus.org/ Federation for American Immigration Reform - official site]