Federation for American Immigration Reform Press Kit

Interested in learning more about FAIR? Read through our press kit.

FAIR - Who We Are and What We Do

Who We Are

FAIR is the nation's largest and oldest public interest organization of concerned individuals who believe that our immigration laws must be reformed to better serve the needs of current and future generations. For more than 29 years we have offered and advocated for solutions that help reduce the harmful impact of uncontrolled immigration on national security, jobs, healthcare, education, the environment, and the rule of law.

FAIR's support base includes nearly 50 private foundations and over 250,000 members. As a non-profit, we are non-partisan and our membership reflects an unusually diverse group of every conceivable race, creed, color and political orientation.

Most importantly, FAIR has, from its founding, stood for the proposition that there should be no immigration policy based on favoritism toward, or discrimination against any person on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender or nationality.

What We Believe

FAIR believes that immigration policy must serve the interests of the nation as a whole. Since our beginning, we have asserted that the voices of ordinary Americans take precedence over big business's demands for open borders and its desire for an unending supply of cheap foreign labor. We oppose the undue influence these special interests have on the public policy process and we fight to preserve American jobs, wages, working conditions, the rule of law, the environment and quality of life.

FAIR believes illegal immigration can be stopped by a combination of border enhancements designed make it difficult for unauthorized individuals to enter the country, and interior enforcement making it difficult for illegal aliens to work. These two approaches - supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans - are fair, practical and effective. They are also far preferable to either mass amnesty or mass deportation.

FAIR is also concerned about the level of legal immigration based on our longstanding position that overpopulation is a mounting problem. Without limits on growth and sprawl, virtually every environmental cause is a lost cause. While we have great respect for the contributions of immigrants in American society, we recognize that America has reached a point where perpetual growth cannot realistically continue within limited space. At a time when we can least afford it, America is adding more people than ever before in our history. FAIR seeks to reduce overall immigration to a level that is more manageable and which more closely reflects past policy. Reducing legal immigration from well over one million presently, to 300,000 a year over a sustained period will allow America to more sensibly manage its growth, address its environmental needs, and maintain a high quality of life.

What We've Done

Over the years, FAIR has played a significant role in virtually all major immigration policy changes. We fought for policy improvements in the landmark 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act and have been instrumental in fashioning legislative and policy reforms since then. Even before the 9/11 terror attacks, FAIR was intimately involved in examining, exposing and closing loopholes that might be exploited by international terrorists. In all that we do, FAIR's goal is to educate and increase public awareness of immigration issues, present solutions, hold our leaders accountable for answers, and ensure the public's voice is heard.

Where We're Seen and Heard

FAIR is widely regarded as the most credible source for immigration issue analysis by members of Congress and has appeared before various committees over 90 times throughout our history. Likewise, FAIR has an impeccable reputation and maintains a high profile with the national news media including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and National Public Radio. Our spokespersons provide background and perspective for ten of thousands of newspapers, radio and television stations over the years and are regular guests on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, Telemundo, Univision and hundreds of radio shows across the country. FAIR is also regularly invited to speak to diverse audiences at civic, religious, professional, political and educational institutions.

What We Promise

We understand that immigration policy involves sensitive and emotional issues. While FAIR will continue to fight hard to promote immigration policies that are designed to serve the social, economic and environmental needs of the country, we pledge to respect basic human rights and the dignity of all involved.

FAIR exists to help concerned citizens have a voice in immigration policy and promises to remain free of party loyalties and special interest connections so that we can continue to objectively articulate sensible solutions for the 21st Century.

Contact Information at FAIR

Mail Us At Our National Headquarters
Federation for American Immigration Reform
25 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20001

Call Us
Switchboard 202-328-7004
Toll-Free 877-627-3247
Fax 202-387-3447

Media Contacts
Bob Dane, Communications Director
Office 202-328-7004
Cell 703-850-2435
bdane@fairus.org

Ira Mehlman, Media Director
Office 206-420-7733
Cell 213-700-0407
imehlman@fairus.org

Key Management
Dan Stein, President
Julie Kirchner, Executive Director
Carl Little, Government Relations Director
Brandi Felser, Director of Development

Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI)
Michael Hethmon, General Counsel
202-232-5590

IRLI Website
http://www.irli.org/

FAIR is an Accredited BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity

FAIR is one of only 155 charitable organizations certified by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. The purpose of the Alliance is to help donors "make informed giving decisions and advance high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit contributions from the public." In order to obtain certification, organizations must meet strict criteria:

Must not engage in transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation.
Must have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole or in part.
Must spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
Must spend no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising.
Must avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities.
Must have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

While participation in this program is voluntary, FAIR continually strives to meet and exceed these and all requirements of the Alliance. FAIR supporters can be assured that we are operating responsibly and are committed to ethical standards in our development efforts.

FAIR's Major Research Publications

FAIR's credibility derives in large part from our history of extensive original research, objective analysis, and policy recommendations that are widely regarded as fair, practical and effective. Our publications are sought after by academia, the media, and by public officials at every level of government and have often been the catalyst for legislative change. Below is a sampling of FAIR's publications.

General Immigration Issues

Immigration 101: A Primer on Immigration and the Need for Reform
An Immigration Reform Agenda for the 110th Congress
Why Should Immigration Concern You?
Immigration and Population Growth in America
Seven Principles of True Comprehensive Immigration Reform National Security
Persistent Inaction: Inviting International Terrorism (2007)
The Five Years War: Public Safety vs. Special Interests (2006)
Code Orange: Diminishing the Terrorist Threat to America (2005)
International Terrorism: Serious Solutions for Immigration Controls (2004)
State of Insecurity: How State and Local Immigration Policies are Undermining Homeland Security (2003)
Invitation to Terror: How Our Immigration System Still Leaves America at Risk (2002)

Fiscal Cost of Immigration and Economic Issues

The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Iowans (2007)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Tennesseans (2007)
Limited English Proficiency Enrollment and Rapidly Rising Costs (2007)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Illinoisans (2007)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to New Jerseyites (2007)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to New Yorkers (2006)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Floridians (Updated 2006)
Breaking the Piggy Bank: How Illegal Immigration is Sending Schools Into the Red (Updated 2005)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Texans (2005)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Californians (2004)
The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Arizonans (2004)
The Sinking Lifeboat: Uncontrolled Immigration and the U.S. Health Care System (2004)
Lifeguarding the Labor Pool (2000)
A Ponzi Problem: The U.S. Dependency Ratio, Social Security Solvency and the False Panacea of Immigration (2000)
Digital Addiction: Why the Information Technology Industry Doesn't Need More Temporary Foreign Workers (2000) Population and the Environment
The Immigrant Population in the United States in 2006
Assessing the Population and Environmental Impact of the Gutierrez-Flake Bill (H.R. 1645) (2007)
The Effect of Mass Immigration on Population Change (2006)
Projecting the U.S. Population to 2050: Four Immigration Scenarios (2005)
Immigrant Stock's Share of U.S. Population Growth: 1970-2004 (2005)
Urban Bloat: How Immigration Fuels Population Growth (2003)
Running In Place: Immigration and U.S. Energy Usage (2002)
The Environmentalists Guide to a Sensible Immigration Policy (1999)
Crowding Out the Future: World Population Growth, U.S. Immigration and Pressures on Natural Resources (1992) Societal Issues
Immigration and Rising Income Inequality (2007)
Illegal Aliens and Crime Incidence (2007)
Immigration and Income Inequality: How Rising Immigration Leads to the Declining Share of Middle-Income Households and Greater Income Inequality (2004)
Deleting the American Worker: Abuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker System in the High Tech Industry (2003)
No Room to Learn: Immigration and School Overcrowding (2002)
A Tale of Ten Cities: Immigration's Effect on the Family Environment in American Cities (1995)
Immigration 2000: The Century of the New American Sweatshop (1992) Illegal Immigration
The Truth Behind 245(i) Amnesty: How Illegal Immigrants Are Taking Over Our Legal Immigration System (2002)
Ten Steps to Ending Illegal Immigration (1995)

Legislative Analyses

Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007 (AgJobs S. 340)
The Dream Act (2007)
2007 Conference Report on the SCHIP Bill
H-2A Agricultural Guest Worker Program (2007)
Major Immigration Proposals in the 110th Congress (2007)
Side-by-Side Comparison of Immigration Reform Proposals (April 6, 2007)
Freshman Class of the 110th Congress at a Glance (2007)
Competing Enforcement Legislation (2006)
H.R. 4437 Legislative Analysis (2005)
Analysis of H.R. 4437 the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (2005)
The Facts on ID Security (2005)
Post-Election Analysis: What's in the Cards for Immigration Reform? (2004)
H.R. 10 Legislative Analysis (2004)
The Presidential Candidates: Where Do They Stand on Immigration Issues? (2004)
Fields of Misery: S.1645 and H.R.3142, the Agricultural Opportunity Benefits and Security Act of 2003 (AgJOBS) (2003)
H.R. 3235, Responsible and Secure ID Act (2003)
H.R. 946, Mass Immigration Reduction Act (2003)
H.R. 775, Security and Fairness Enhancement for America Act (2003)
H.R. 2671, Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act (2003)
H.R. 687, Identification Integrity Act (2003)
S. 1387, Border Security and Immigration Reform Act (2003)
S. 1545, Development, Relief, and Education for Minors (DREAM) Act (2003)
S. 1461 and H.R. 2899, Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act (2003)
H.R. 2235, Emergency Immigration Workload Reduction and Homeland Security Enhancement Act of 2003. (2003)
The Save Act (H.R. 4088) (2007)
AgJobs (S.340) (2007)
2007 Conference Reports on the SCHIPP Bill (2007)
Major Immigration Proposals in the 110th Congress (2007)
Side by Side Comparison of Immigration Reform Proposals (2007)

Congressional Testimony By The Federation for American Immigration Reform

One of the primary ways that Congress assesses current policies and formulates new ones is to solicit expert testimony from individuals and organizations. Being asked to testify before a congressional committee is an indication that the people who make our laws believe that the information and views being presented are authoritative and provide valuable perspective on national issues.

Since its inception in 1979, FAIR has been asked to provide testimony before congressional committees more than 90 times on virtually every aspect of immigration policy. FAIR has testified before House and Senate committees under both Democratic and Republican control. In addition to congressional testimony, FAIR has been invited to appear before state and local legislatures, blue ribbon panels and commissions.

Over the years, FAIR has offered expert testimony in the areas of legal and illegal immigration, refugee and asylum policy, homeland security, narcotics interdiction, labor issues, the Census, and the administration and effectiveness of federal agencies that execute and enforce these policies.

Few organizations, of any size, are invited to provide testimony before Congress as frequently as FAIR has been over the years. Since 1979, there has not been an important piece of immigration legislation that has not included expert testimony from FAIR.

Since the beginning of 2006 alone, the organization has presented testimony on issues including:

Enforcement of immigration laws within the interior of the United States
Amnesty for illegal aliens and increases in admission of foreign guest workers
The history of U.S. immigration policy
The impact of immigration on American workers
Non-citizens voting in U.S. elections
Economic impact of illegal immigration at the State level

FAIR's Media Appearances

For nearly three decades, FAIR has been the media's leading source for background, analysis and comment on virtually every aspect of immigration policy. From what's happening in Congress and state legislatures to the borders, FAIR is the most trusted source for the latest information. Reporters, journalists, editors, producers, and researchers call FAIR first when deadlines approach and the need for credibility and responsiveness is paramount. In the past year alone, FAIR has appeared on 120 television programs, 350 radio shows, and has been cited in hundreds of print stories.

FAIR is seen regularly on network television. From NBC's "Today" to ABC's "Good Morning America;" FOX News Channel's "O'Reilly Factor" to CNN's "Glenn Beck;" MSNBC's "Hardball" to CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight;" PBS' "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" to C-SPAN's "Washington Journal," FAIR representatives are on the air providing clear, thoughtful, entertaining analysis.

As immigration reform has become one of the hottest topics on talk radio, FAIR spokespersons are now heard regularly on some of the largest stations and networks in the country including Westwood One, KFI Los Angeles, WOR New York, KMOX St. Louis, KHOW Denver and WMAL Washington, D.C. FAIR's new state-of-the art radio studio in its Capitol Hill headquarters allows for ISDN interview links which provide crisp, clear, high quality sound.

In addition to daily interaction with America's largest and most influential newspaper and magazine reporters, FAIR's opinion pieces are sought after and have appeared in countless national and major metropolitan newspapers including The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times.

For reporters and researchers, the FAIR website (www.fairus.org) provides the latest statistics and information on the immigration debate.

In the fast-paced 24-hour news cycle, where accessibility and accuracy are at a premium, FAIR is ready 24/7 to assist journalists in producing detailed and informative stories on immigration reform.

Public Speeches and Appearances by FAIR

As immigration has emerged as one of the leading public policy issues facing the United States, the breadth of academic, civic, political, religious and other institutions holding forums and seeking speakers on the subject has increased dramatically. All across the country, these prominent institutions have sought representatives from FAIR to discuss the issues and offer meaningful solutions.

Academic

Since the beginning of 2007, FAIR representatives have been invited to speak at over 37 conferences. A sampling of the prominent universities at which FAIR has spoken or debated include Rutgers University, Emory University, Seton Hall University School of Law, DePaul University, International Visitors Program - U.S. Department of State, American University, New York University School of Law, and University Autonoma de Tamaulipas in Mexico.

Civic

Time permitting, FAIR accepts invitations to present its views on immigration policy to civic organizations around the country. Among the groups that FAIR has spoken to in the past year include the Constitutional Rights Foundation, League of Women Voters, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Center for Public Policy, Rotary Club, and the American Legion.

Religious

FAIR is frequently invited to present the moral and ethical case for immigration reform to religious institutions of most of the major faiths in this country. Some recent appearances include the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Catholic Citizens of Illinois, and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

Professional

Immigration policies and labor issues are becoming increasingly important to business and professional organizations and associations. FAIR's recent speaking engagements include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Newspaper Editors, Society of Professional Journalists, Maryland Bar Association, and the Texas Association of Business.

The Immigration Reform Law Institute

About IRLI

The Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) is FAIR's affiliated legal organization. It is the only public interest non-profit law firm in the United States devoted exclusively to protecting the rights and interests of Americans in immigration-related matters.

IRLI works extensively with state and local governments to design legislation that effectively addresses problems resulting from illegal immigration.

IRLI also represents Americans injured by illegal immigration, and advises U.S. workers and property-owners on how to protect their jobs, working conditions, and businesses against employers who hire unauthorized alien workers in their communities.

Staff

General Counsel Michael M. Hethmon specializes in representing the interests of Americans in immigration-related cases. He has published commentary and analysis on a wide range of immigration-related legal issues, provides technical advice to federal and state legislators and often testifies before Congress and state legislatures.

Of Counsel Kris W. Kobach is IRLI's national expert on constitutional law. Mr. Kobach is a Professor of Law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. During 2001-2003, he served U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft as Chief Advisor on immigration law.

Staff Attorney Sharma S. Hammond focuses on preparing state legislation combating illegal immigration, and represents U.S. workers in immigration-related employment discrimination and environmental litigation. She previously worked for environmental organizations as a wildlife and habitat conservationist, and has testified on environmental issues before state and federal agencies.

Staff Attorney Garrett R. Roe focuses on various issues involving basic and complex immigration-related litigation. Mr. Roe also focuses on constitutional issues arising out of state and local legislation.

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