Report: Open Borders Groups Spend Millions Lobbying

By Jon Feere and Jon Feere on December 2, 2011

A new report by First Street, a CQ Press organization, analyzes two pieces of legislation – the DREAM Act and the Legal Workforce Act – and finds that open-border-oriented groups spend much, much more money lobbying than groups seeking a more rational immigration policy.

This confirms the findings of a 2009 report, "Immigration Lobbying: A Window into the World of Special Interests".

The new First Street report finds that since 2004 a total of 1,733 immigration-related bills have been lobbied on. Over 1,000 organizations have lobbied on immigration issues. Over 7,500 lobbyists have lobbied on immigration issues including over 40 former Members of Congress and over 500 former congressional staffers.

The first table below lists 33 organizations that lobbied on the Legal Workforce Act (H.R.2885) in 2011 Q3. The purpose of the act is to mandate use of E-Verify for most employment, among other things. Combined, the organizations spent over $15 million lobbying for or against the Legal Workforce Act.

The second table lists the 34 organizations that lobbied on the DREAM Act (S.952) in 2011 Q3. The purpose of that act is to legalize illegal aliens aged up to 35 who meet certain criteria. Combined, the organizations spent over $15 million lobbying for or against the DREAM Act.

Interestingly, only two pro-enforcement groups are on each list: Numbers USA and the Federation for American Immigration Reform. Together, they spent $50,000 lobbying the Legal Workforce Act, and $50,000 lobbying the DREAM Act. This means that less than 1/3 of 1 percent of lobbying money spent on these immigration bills was by pro-enforcement-oriented groups.

Legal Workforce Act lobbying

DREAM Act lobbying