Federation for American Immigration Reform tracks, tweaks illegal immigrant legislation

dallasnews ^ | Monday, June 28, 2010 | DIANNE SOLÍS

[Bad~Rodeo]

The Federation for American Immigration Reform and its legal affiliate have been active around the nation in advising states and municipalities about ordinances and legislation to crack down on illegal immigration. Dan Stein is FAIR's president, and Mike Hethmon is the general counsel of its legal affiliate Immigration Reform Law Institute.

Kris Kobach, the legal affiliate's senior counsel and a law school professor, has been involved in Farmers Branch, Arizona, Hazleton, Pa., and Valley Park, Mo. Stein and Hethmon answered questions about why such efforts are gaining traction in places like Arizona and Fremont, Neb., where voters recently approved an ordinance to crack down on landlords and businesses that rent to or hire illegal immigrants.

Why do you believe the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is likely to rule in favor of the latest version of the Farmers Branch renters ordinance?

Hethmon: The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has a solid record of recognizing that state and local jurisdictions are not prevented from cooperative immigration law enforcement, and also has interpreted the federal harboring statute in a way that would include the scope of the Farmers Branch ordinance.

What's the significance of the Fremont ordinance, passed in that Nebraska town this week?

Stein: Fremont is a grass-roots, ground-up operation. We try to infuse that kind of activity with expertise to assist people in bringing about their stated goals and objectives. ... FAIR and our movement are bringing experience to bear.

Was there a game-changer in reigniting forces in the nation to oppose illegal immigration?

Stein: Their [the Obama administration officials'] strategy decision to hold enforcement hostage to amnesty was the strategic game changer. They made a decision to cram down amnesty in a recession ... and it was politically naive, arrogant.

[HiJinx]

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