If money talks, the organized anti-immigrant movement appears to be screaming for more nativist policies in Oregon.
Anti-immigrant group Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR) announced late last week that it has been awarded a matching grant worth up to $15,000 by the nativist philanthropic foundation U.S. Inc.
Read: Anti-immigrant organizing in Oregon intensifies, with a boost from Arpaio
OFIR is getting this grant after its instrumental role in ballot measure that repealed legislation granting many undocumented residents legal driving privileges last year. OFIR is looking to replicate that success in next year’s election. Principals within the group have already begun work to advance anti-immigrant ballot initiatives mandating workplace authorization, making English the state’s official language, and requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering.
U.S. Inc’s substantial investment indicates that Oregon is not in the anti-immigrant movement’s rear view mirror. Instead, the movement is looking to guide the state down a nativist road which states like Arizona and Alabama have been shepherded down before.
During the 2014 referendum campaign, flagship anti-immigrant organization, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) noted that it’s “field, state legislative, and media teams” would expend significant resources to “assist state immigration reform activists in their efforts to educate Oregon voters about the issues and the dangers of granting driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.” In addition to providing communications support, FAIR also contributed $3,500 in cash to the referendum campaign supporting the driver card repeal.
Founded in 1982 by John Tanton, the white nationalist architect of the organized anti-immigrant movement, U.S. Inc. serves as a self-described “umbrella” that has supported myriad anti-immigrant organizations and causes over the years. Some of the organization’s more prominent beneficiaries include the anti-immigrant groups FAIR, NumbersUSA, the Immigration Reform Law Institute, 9/11 Families for a Secure America Foundation, and the Jim Gilchrist’s border vigilante group, Minutemen Civil Defense Corps.
Additionally, U.S. Inc. houses the Washington, DC-based anti-immigrant group ProEnglish and a white nationalist publishing house called The Social Contract Press. U.S. Inc. also organizes an annual “Writers Workshop” in Washington, DC, that regularly features leading white nationalist and nativist speakers. OFIR President Cynthia Kendoll addressed in October 2013. Peter Brimelow of the virulently anti-immigrant and anti-Black Vdare.com was in attendance that day and later wrote that he was “very impressed” with Kendoll’s presentation.