There Goes the Neighborhood is a new weekly series from Imagine 2050 staff highlighting upcoming nativist events.
Representatives from two of the most prominent groups within the organized anti-immigrant movement — the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) — will be giving presentations to local conservative groups next week. Another state-level anti-immigrant group with significant ties to both FAIR and CIS will also hold its first meeting of 2016 this weekend.
On Saturday, January 23, Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR) will hold its first meeting of 2016 in Salem, Oregon. OFIR and its supporters were chiefly responsible for a 2014 referendum in the state that overturned legislation granting driving privileges to some undocumented residents. After receiving a $15,000 matching grant from the philanthropic foundation of John Tanton, a noted white nationalist and founder of both FAIR and CIS, OFIR is now attempting to replicate its 2014 success with new ballot measures designating English as Oregon’s official language and mandating that employers use E-Verify.
Also on Saturday, FAIR National Field Director Susan Tully will give a presentation in Santa Barbara, California. The event is being organized and promoted online by Santa Barbara Republican Women Federated and Santa Barbara County Young Republicans. Last week, as the Arizona Daily Independent reported, Tully participated in a border tour with Arizona State Rep. Bob Thorpe.
On Tuesday, January 26, Stephen Steinlight, a senior policy analyst at anti-immigrant think tank Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), will be the featured speaker at a Tea Party meeting in Ottawa, Illinois. The event is being hosted by the La Salle County Tea Party. Steinlight previously addressed the group in June 2014. In July 2014, Steinlight expressed support for lynching President Obama while addressing a Florida Tea Party group.
On Thursday, January 28, the Shelby County Liberty Group will host FAIR Field Representative Robert Najmulski in Sidney, Ohio. Najmulski has worked for FAIR since 2009. He regularly speaks to groups in the Midwest and Northeast about immigration policy. Najmulski spoke to the Whitley County Patriots in Columbia City, Indiana on January 5.
Additional information for each of these events can be found in the map below. The events scheduled for next week are marked with red stars.
Know of any nativist events not located on this map? Please contact us or fill out this form: