Politics

Zuckerberg group distributes memo on ‘The Shocking Extremism Behind Anti-Immigrant Groups’

Matt K. Lewis Senior Contributor
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Yesterday, it was reported that Sen. Jeff Sessions distributed a 30-page memo at the Republican retreat in Maryland, urging his colleagues not to “surrender” by backing immigration reform.

Now comes word that the Mark Zuckerberg co-founded group FWD.us is distributing their own pro-immigration reform memo to Members of Congress.

What makes it interesting, to me, at least, is that the memo (which is titled, “Summary Background Memo on Broad Support for Immigration Reform”) also includes a section (starting on page 18) on ‘The Shocking Extremism Behind Anti-Immigrant Groups.’

It includes links to various stories, such as this one from the Wall Street Journal, which notes that:

“CIS, FAIR, NumbersUSA, Project-USA — and more than a half-dozen similar groups that Republicans have become disturbingly comfy with — were founded or funded (or both) by John Tanton, a retired doctor in Michigan. In addition to trying to stop immigration to the U.S., appropriate population-control measures for Dr. Tanton and his network include promoting China’s one-child policy, sterilizing Third World women and wider use of RU-486.”

A spokesperson for FWD.us confirms the memo “has gone to all House member offices (both Rs + Ds) today – of course including all members at the retreat” — and that it includes “factual information…about the origins and real motivations of some of the loudest anti-immigrant groups.”

You can read the memo below.

FINAL DRAFT House Resources Document by Matt Lewis

UPDATE:

Full statement from a FWD.us spokesperson:

“Can confirm this has gone to all House member offices (both Rs + Ds) today – of course including all members at the retreat. We’re encouraged that House Republicans have put forth draft principles to guide their approach to immigration reform – and want to make sure all members have polling, research, and relevant resources in the coming weeks as they work to craft legislation. Relevant resources includes factual information that many of these members may not have about the origins and real motivations of some of the loudest anti-immigrant groups.”