"FAIR Responds to Discredited Allegations Repeated by Sen. Blumenthal During the Confirmation Hearing for Jeff Sessions"

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in response to allegations against our organization raised by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) during his questioning of attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions:

Sen. Richard Blumenthal became the latest political figure to parrot the accusations against the Federation for American Immigration Reform by the widely discredited Southern Poverty Law Center during his questioning of attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions.

FAIR has a 38-year record of advocating for immigration policies that best serve the interests of the American people. Among the bedrock principles of immigration reform that FAIR has espoused is that U.S. immigration policy should not discriminate for or against anyone based on immutable characteristics like race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or the like.

FAIR is widely recognized by elected officials, the media and others for its expertise in all areas of immigration policy. In fact, FAIR's testimony about the abuse of foreign workers by agricultural employers before a Senate subcommittee in 2011 drew compliments from Sen. Blumenthal himself.

The same cannot be said for the SPLC, which has been repeatedly excoriated for its irresponsible tactic of labeling groups whose political views it opposes as hate groups for the purpose of organizational fundraising. These criticisms have been leveled by individuals and journals that tend to share the SPLC's political orientation.

The SPLC appears to be the sole arbiters in determining who is a "hate group," using criteria that are entirely determined by their staff and board of directors to make these designations. They are accountable to no one and should be taken seriously by no one, especially a United States Senator questioning a respected long-time colleague who has been nominated to be the nation's top law enforcement officer.

FAIR commends Sen. Sessions for his longstanding commitment to the rule of law and the integrity he has shown throughout his 20 years in the Senate. We believe he will make an outstanding attorney general and we are look forward to working with him to ensure that America's immigration laws are administered fairly in an effort to ensure that they serve the best interests of the nation.

ABOUT FAIR        
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 1.3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

Contact:
Cassie Williams
[email protected]
202-328-7004

SOURCE FAIR

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