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The Anti-Immigrant Movement in America The groups that he founded and funded, groups that owe their exis- tence to his early efforts, now deny his ideology as part of their own. Yet they share sustained ties to extremist political elements like the white nationalist Council of Conser- vative Citizens and the compulsively nativist VDARE.com; with figures tied to movements as extreme as neo-Nazism, like Arizona’s Russell Pearce; and with population control advocates like Virginia Abernethy, a self-proclaimed white separatist. The Tanton Network insists that it is not anti-immigrant; FAIR, the Cen- ter for Immigration Studies, Num- bersUSA and remaining members increasingly position themselves as non-partisan and unbiased sources for reporters and academics. As students, activists, and journal- ists we have a responsibility to identify the bigotry endemic to the anti-immigrant movement, and to challenge its agenda in mainstream America. extensive ties to the larger white nationalist movement in the United States. In July 2011, Tanton’s name resurfaced on FAIR’s advisory board, but his less vital role within the Network means little. Given the dedicated cadre within the Network, the primary agenda of nativism that both binds and drives the contem- porary anti-immigrant movement will certainly survive and spread if left unchecked. In 1979, a Michigan ophthalmologist named John Tanton founded the Federation for American Immigra- tion Reform (FAIR). Citing dubious “conservation” motives, but more often revealing his white national- ist sympathies, Tanton created the most influential anti-immigrant net- work in the country. Though lacking public renown, Tanton and FAIR have waged a campaign of impres- sive breadth and longevity, spawn- ing over a dozen groups with the same goal: to malign the presence of immigrants in the United States. Early contributions from the notori- ous Pioneer Fund, reputed for its devotion to eugenics and “scien- tific” declarations of racism, helped Tanton’s once modest organization expand into a multi-million dollar network. Early ties to population control groups steeped this network in controversy from its inception. More than thirty years later, in April of 2011, John Tanton vanished from the board of FAIR after a front page exposé in a Sunday edition of The New York Times underscored his Roy Beck – executive director and president of NumbersUSA Steven Camarota – director of research for the Center for Immigration Studies Bob Dane – press secretary/director of communications for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Peter Gadiel – president of 9/11 Families for a Secure America Mike Hethmon – general counsel of the Immigration Reform Law Institute Kris Kobach – of counsel of the Immigration Reform Law Institute Mark Krikorian – executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies Ira Mehlman – media director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Dan Stein – president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Jessica Vaughan – director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies The Colcom Foundation provided over $25 million dollars in funding to Tanton Network groups from 2008 through 2010. These organizations include Federation for American Im- migration Reform, Californians for Population Stabilization, Immigration Reform Law Insti- tute, Center for Immigration Studies, NumbersUSA, Progressives for Immigration Reform, VDARE, Negative Population Growth, and U.S., Inc. The connections go even deeper than million dollar grants. The Colcom Foundation’s vice president, John Rohe, worked for John Tanton at his foundation, U.S., Inc. And the late Cordelia Scaife May, who founded Colcom in 1996, was a close friend of John Tanton. In 2005, the year of her death, Scaife May left $404 million in cash and property to the Colcom Foundation and other charitable organizations. The Sarah Scaife Foundation and the Scaife Family Foundation provided over $1.3 million to Tanton Network groups from 2008 through 2010. These organizations include Center for Immigration Studies, NumbersUSA, ProEnglish and Federation for American Immigration Reform. MAJOR FUNDERS of the Tanton Network: Tanton created the most influential anti-immigrant network in the country. Californians for Population Stabilization - California – chairman Marilyn DeYoung Dustin Inman Society - Georgia – president D.A. King Grassroots Rally Team of Ohio - Ohio – organizer Julie Aldrich Help Save Maryland - Maryland – director Brad Botwin Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas - Texas - executive director Maria Martinez Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now - Oklahoma - director Carol Helm NC Listen - North Carolina – director Ron Woodard New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control - New Jersey – co-chair Gayle Kesselman Oregonians for Immigration Reform - Oregon – president Cynthia Kendoll Secure Arkansas - Arkansas – founder/chairman Jeannie Burlsworth TOP TEN Tanton Network Leaders in the Media: TOP TEN Most Active Anti-immigrant State Groups Listed on FAIR’s website: 47 West Division #514 Chicago. IL 60610 312.266.0319 www.newcomm.org
