Thread: Is it legal for illegal aliens to be lobbying Congress?

Friends,

Someone just sent me an interesting message.

These groups we are fighting against that are supporting the dream act are intentionally targeting and organizing foreign nationals within the US to call and lobby congress.

Is that legal? I will call the Federal Elections Commission tomorrow morning, but for you night owls...

If anyone wants to dig in at www.FEC.gov and any other Federal resource you can locate with info on the topic, let's compile that here.

When a foreign national tries to lobby Congress, then that deprives every American of their civil rights!

How can it be that people that cannot vote legally in the US are trying to affect policy?

Can the nation of China set up phone banks of English speaking Chinese citizens and have them call? How about Saudi Arabia or Iran? Are they allowed to send people illegally into the US or call from abroad to affect policy?

We need to know fast.

W

still looking but they can't donate any money to campaigns.

* United States Code
o TITLE 2 - THE CONGRESS
+ CHAPTER 14 - FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS
# SUBCHAPTER I - DISCLOSURE OF FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS

U.S. Code as of: 01/3/05
Section 441e. Contributions and donations by foreign nationals

(a) Prohibition
It shall be unlawful for -
(1) a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make -
(A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing of
value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a
contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State,
or local election;
(B) a contribution or donation to a committee of a political
party; or
(C) an expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement
for an electioneering communication (within the meaning of
section 434(f)(3) of this title); or

(2) a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or
donation described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)
from a foreign national.
(b) "Foreign national" defined
As used in this section, the term "foreign national" means -
(1) a foreign principal, as such term is defined by section
611(b) of title 22, except that the term "foreign national" shall
not include any individual who is a citizen of the United States;
or
(2) an individual who is not a citizen of the United States or
a national of the United States (as defined in section
1101(a)(22) of title and who is not lawfully admitted for
permanent residence, as defined by section 1101(a)(20) of title
8.

It appears that our opposition at Immigration Voice have hired Patton Boggs which is one of the most well funded lobbying firms in Washington.

http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?o ... &Itemid=48

Patton Boggs

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/k-s ... 08-17.html

Originally Posted by carter55

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

Friends,

Someone just sent me an interesting message.

These groups we are fighting against that are supporting the dream act are intentionally targeting and organizing foreign nationals within the US to call and lobby congress.

Is that legal? I will call the Federal Elections Commission tomorrow morning, but for you night owls...

If anyone wants to dig in at www.FEC.gov and any other Federal resource you can locate with info on the topic, let's compile that here.

When a foreign national tries to lobby Congress, then that deprives every American of their civil rights!

How can it be that people that cannot vote legally in the US are trying to affect policy?

Can the nation of China set up phone banks of English speaking Chinese citizens and have them call? How about Saudi Arabia or Iran? Are they allowed to send people illegally into the US or call from abroad to affect policy?

We need to know fast.

W

[Mod Edit]

Is it legal for Americans to lobby European Union States? Is it legal for Americans to lobby South American nations?...... Ok then here is your answer. Yes it is legal for illegal aliens to lobby Congress because they reside within US borders, the only thing that is illegal is them contributing money for campaigns..

Geeeez..Now i know why you people are unemployed, and spend most of your days on PC's..

And one of the three psycho stalkers from the antimatter site strikes again.

You folks sure sing the same tune again and again.

It's no wonder that you cant get anyone new to join your crusades.

Looks like I struck a nerve on the trolls again lol

W

Not sure if this is helpful or if you have seen this, but I did a quick check and found this:

http://senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL31126.pdf

You may wish to begin with the FARA Act.
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fara/
Foreign Agents Registration Act



The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was enacted in 1938. FARA is a disclosure statute that requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals in a political or quasi-political capacity to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities. Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the statements and activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. The FARA Registration Unit of the Counterespionage Section (CES) in the National Security Division (NSD) is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Act.

Pertaining to violations of the fara act:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_re ... m02062.htm

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

It appears that our opposition at Immigration Voice have hired Patton Boggs which is one of the most well funded lobbying firms in Washington.

http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?o ... &Itemid=48

Patton Boggs

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/k-s ... 08-17.html

I am confused, I truly am. An immigration group with money lobbyes OUR congress on behalf of illegals AGAINST the interest of that Congress's citizens?

Does immigrationVoice get money from taxpayers or is that tax free etc..?

This was in the info given by Populist
http://senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL31126.pdf

Foreign Agents Registration Act
In addition to the required registrations under the new federal Lobbying
Disclosure Act of 1995, the provisions of the Foreign Agents Registration Act
(FARA)12 may be relevant if one is acting for or on behalf of a foreign government
or a foreign political party or entity, or other foreign entity, and is engaging in
“lobbyingâ€

I have raised the issue of the "Foreign Agents Registration Act" before on this forum. When someone defacto acts on behalf of a foreign government they need to be registered. The critical question is "When does a foreigner, making his opinion know to the US Congress (Which I think, but do not know, might be allowable under standard reciprocal treaties we have with nearly all foreign powers. ) cross the line into acting as an "agent?"

Perhaps there is a protocol for how a foreigner goes about making a complaint when they are in this country. Calling a police officer because you have become a crime victim while visiting the US is one thing. Influencing Congress is a different category.

I'm probably asking a difficult legal question, but I sure think it is vital to get an answer.

Here is the link to the FARA:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fara/