FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform has a report that made my eyes pop:
According to lobbying reports that are required to be filed with the House Office of the Clerk and the Senate Office of Public Records, 521 corporations, trade associations, business groups, labor organizations, government entities, and nonprofit organizations engaged in lobbying on one or more pieces of the immigration-related legislation included in this report. Only 2 percent of these organizations are known to have promoted positions in favor of enforcement of existing immigration laws, limiting the influx of foreign guest workers, and reducing overall levels of immigration.
….The remaining 98 percent of the interest groups had a direct financial or political interest in relaxing immigration enforcement, and/or expansion of existing immigration quotas — positions that are widely rejected by the public.
And look at the money involved:
Collectively, these organizations and associations reported spending $345 million dollars lobbying Congress during this time period. While it is impossible to determine how much of that considerable sum was spent lobbying on specific pieces of immigration legislation, virtually all of the lobbying money expended by these groups is directed at gaining some benefit for themselves.
FAIR comments:
If Americans are disheartened and disillusioned by what they see going on in Washington, the intense lobbying that has taken place over immigration policy provides a case study for how powerful special interests with deep pockets are able to run roughshod over the interests and concerns of ordinary Americans.
Just think how easily the refugee volags can get their way. At least most Americans know about the problems with our immigration policy, have strong feelings about it, and are willing and eager to let their representatives know what they think. In contrast, most Americans know nothing about refugee policy or any of the problems associated with refugees.
Hat tip: Mark Krikorian at the Corner.
Addendum: I didn’t have time to go to the full report when I posted, but later when I saw Ann’s comments I looked at it. Here’s the direct link and the list of lobbying organizations begins on page 18. Here are just a few:
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — $19 million. Exxon Mobil — $6 million. Time Warner — $1.9 million. National Association of Realtors — $6.8 million. Each of these figures is for lobbying for just one bill; some companies and unions lobbied on multiple bills.