Thread: Immigration lobbyists spend more

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News Friday, January 26, 2007

Immigration lobbyists spend more

Lobbying likely to continue as leaders consider proposals

BY MIKE MADDEN
Gannett News Service


January 26, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Big business, labor unions and other groups spent millions lobbying Congress on immigration issues last year and likely will spend millions more this year as proposals to create a guest-worker program gain momentum with Democrats now in charge.

At least $3.3 million was spent lobbying on immigration during the last half of 2005 and the first half of 2006, when the House and Senate passed different versions of immigration legislation, according to a Gannett News Service analysis.

Most of that was spent by supporters of broad immigration reforms contained in the Senate bill, which would have created a guest-worker program and offered a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally.

A separate analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics found that the number of organizations lobbying on immigration has climbed steadily, reaching a peak of 302 in 2005, the last year for which the group had complete statistics.

The money spent on immigration lobbying shows how important the issue is for hundreds of groups as Congress prepares to debate reforms again this year.

Those millions don't approach the money spent on some other issues. For example, more than $203 million was spent lobbying on health care in the first half of 2006.

Last year's lobbying effort produced no new laws because the House and Senate were unable to resolve the differences between their bills.

Some lawmakers who supported the Senate bill said business groups may have to work even harder this year if they want to pass legislation.

From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chao, scores of groups weighed in to push for the reforms contained in the Senate bill.

Reform supporters also lobbied Congress to block new border security restrictions passed by the House that would have made it a felony for undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States. That worried businesses dependant on immigrants to fill jobs.

Although groups that advocate tougher border security also lobbied Congress, disclosure forms indicate they were outnumbered by a broad coalition of corporations, unions and nonprofit advocacy organizations.

Top dollar

Immigration lobbying drew in a variety of groups.

Hundreds of businesses, unions, civil-rights groups and ad hoc coalitions lobbied Congress on immigration in 2005 and 2006.

Here's a look at some of those groups and how much they spent lobbying for and against the Senate's version of immigration legislation. That proposal would have allowed millions of undocumented immigrants to get legal status and established a guest worker program:

LOBBIED FOR THE SENATE BILL

E. & J. Gallo Winery: $20,000

American Immigration Lawyers Association: $85,000

National Association of Manufacturers: $60,000

Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: $430,000 (members included National Council of La Raza, Service Employees International Union, UNITE Here, National Immigration Forum)

Essential Worker Immigration Coalition: $180,000

Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform: less than $10,000

LOBBIED AGAINST THE SENATE BILL:

NumbersUSA: $40,000

National Border Patrol Council: $29,999

U.S. Border Control: $706,000

Federation for American Immigration Reform: $180,000

E. & J. Gallo Winery: $20,000
There wine is crap and now on my list for badmouthing since I don't drink

lobby reform...hummmmmm

I called the National manufactures to see who they represented and they refused to let me know who they represented...but her are some of the players

Coven Scott Director, National Division (301) 901-9039
DeMark M. Margo Vice President , National Division (301) 901-9015
Erlick Louise Verifier (301) 901-9032
Fischer Allen Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9024
Fishman Morgan Membership Executive (301) 441-9030
Frank Richard Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9048
Freeze Bud Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9018
Gerard Jack Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9016
Harbaugh Jay Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9028
Harris Kenneth Membership Executive (301) 441-2000
Hawkins Nina Senior Executive Assistant (301) 901-9010
Jones Bob Membership Executive, National Division (301) 901-9027
Kasse Joan Membership Manager, National Division (301) 441-2000
Lomax Todd Senior Director, National Division (301) 901-9038
Merritt Cynthia Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9045
Ogle Jim Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9021
Pastorius Larry Membership Manager, National Division (301) 901-9036
Ray Theresa Research and Analysis Specialist (301) 901-9012
Rodriquez Alfredo Membership Manager (301) 901-9020
Ross Judy Sales Support Manager, National Division (301) 901-9034
Salzman Rebecca Associate Director, National Division (301) 901-9017
Schwartz Shauna Verifier (301) 441-2000
Watson Phil Manager, Research and Analysis, National Division (301) 901-9003
White Michele Sales Communication Assistant, National Division (301) 901-9029

Does anyone know about this group?

U.S. Border Control

Here you go olivermyboy:

http://www.usbc.org/

HTH

Thanks HTH,

I visited their website. I just wondered if they were a good group to be involved in, liked-minded with ALIPAC, etc...

C

Added to homepage with adjusted title.

Illegal Immigration Supporting lobbyists spend more
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=N ... e&sid=1886

Can someone explain to me exactly where this lobbying money goes? Does it go to politicians campaigns? To a professional lobbiest who can gain access to and influence a politician somehow? All expense paid trips to the Bahamas for politicians? Exactly what is it spent on?