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Increasingly, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim organizations in the United States are working together to condemn refugees and refugee resettlement programs. While so-called think tanks like the Center for Immigration Studies and the Center for Security Policy promote a general hostility toward immigrants, Muslims, and refugees, they also promote a more conspiratorial view. Among their theories is that refugee resettlement in the United States is part of a grand scheme between “left-wing philanthropists” and Muslims intent on setting the stage for a cultural and political takeover of the United States.It may be tempting to dismiss these groups as fringe extremists to be ignored, but doing so would be to overlook the undue influence their movements have on civil and human rights. Their strategy is effective. It plays off the fear and uncertainty many Americans have about national security and changing demographics in the country and in their communities, exploiting this anxiety to foster discrimination and violate civil rights. Advocates working to resettle and support refugees must be able to defend against these rhetorical attacks that have real policy impacts and cultivate a dangerous climate of hate. We must identify and challenge harmful rhetoric and expose the drivers of organized bigotry in order to dilute the influence they have on our laws and public discourse, while we simultaneously lift up the stories of those seeking safety and refuge in the United States.
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The Attack on Refugee RightsA resource from the Center for New Community
Anti-refugee groups push extreme ideas into the mainstreamIncreasingly, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim organizations in the United States are working together to condemn refugees and refugee resettlement programs. While so-called think tanks like the Center for Immigration Studies and the Center for Security Policy promote a general hostility toward immigrants, Muslims, and refugees, they also promote a more conspiratorial view. Among their theories is that refugee resettlement in the United States is part of a grand scheme between “left-wing philanthropists” and Muslims intent on setting the stage for a cultural and political takeover of the United States.
It may be tempting to dismiss these groups as fringe extremists to be ignored, but doing so would be to overlook the undue influence their movements have on civil and human rights. Their strategy is effective. It plays off the fear and uncertainty many Americans have about national security and changing demographics in the country and in their communities, exploiting this anxiety to foster discrimination and violate civil rights.
Advocates working to resettle and support refugees must be able to defend against these rhetorical attacks that have real policy impacts and cultivate a dangerous climate of hate. We must identify and challenge harmful rhetoric and expose the drivers of organized bigotry in order to dilute the influence they have on our laws and public discourse, while we simultaneously lift up the stories of those seeking safety and refuge in the United States.
Spotlight on Center for Security Policy and Frank Gaffney
Frank Gaffney and the Center for Security Policy made headlines again in early December 2015 when Donald Trump cited biased CSP polling in his call to ban all
Muslims from entering the United States. While Gaffney falls in and out of favor with some lawmakers, he maintains influence among many anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant leaders who echo his ideas. Gaffney has claimed President Obama and Conservative Political Action Committee leaders are closely aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood as part of a broader plot for a Muslim takeover of the West from within. In 2015, Gaffney has been busy promoting fear about refugee resettlement and guiding activists like Ann Corcoran. CSP is also working to create model legislation for counties to ban Syrian refugee relocation.
What they say and how we can respondSAY THIS: Refugee opponents use unsupported accusations to paint an entire diverse group of individuals with a single broad brush to introduce impractical and unfair laws that violate our values.
The current anti-refugee fear mongering is not only reckless, irresponsible and wrong; it is also dangerous.
[Recent studies show the main terrorist threat in the United States is not from Muslim extremists, but from right-wing extremists.]
We owe it to ourselves to offer refugees protection from violence and the opportunity to raise their families in safety. Throughout U.S. history, many people have come to this country to escape persecution and have been offered the opportunity to become Americans. We must keep this legacy alive for today’s refugees and create the kind of welcoming and just nation in which we want to live.
For more tips and messaging suggestions, please visit imagine2050.org/resources
Over time this migration will be more devastating to your children and grandchildren — and to our country — than any terrorist attack could ever be.
“
”— Ann CorcoranEditor, Refugee Resettlement Watch
Influential Anti-Immigrant & Anti-Muslim Organizations
ANTI-IMMIGRANTCenter for Immigration StudiesThis extremist think tank publishes disingenuous research to support harsh anti-immigrant policies. CIS successfully
launched the doctrine of “self-deportation” into the public debate. As one of the organizations founded by white nationalist John Tanton, CIS’ “facts” are so misleading that the group has been
dubbed the “false-fact think tank.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop CIS from collaborating with lawmakers and being called upon to testify before Congress; in November 2015, CIS Executive Director
Mark Krikorian testified in support of efforts by the House of Representatives to severely curtail refugee resettlement programs.
ANTI-IMMIGRANTFederation for American Immigration ReformThis hate group with white nationalist roots is the flagship organization of the contemporary anti-immigrant lobby. FAIR lobbies and drafts anti-immigrant
legislation while coordinating a network of anti-immigrant groups at the state level, fomenting fear and maligning communities of color — both immigrant and U.S.-born. Among FAIR’s efforts is
the campaign that led to Arizona’s SB 1070 and copycat bills across the country. In November 2015, they called on lawmakers to sign onto a letter urging a freeze in all U.S. refugee resettlement.
ANTI-IMMIGRANT
NumbersUSAAs the grassroots organizing arm of the anti-immigrant movement, NumbersUSA incites nativist sentiment in communities across the country and directs it toward effective political action. They work to
decrease all immigration into the United States. Roy Beck, the group’s founder and president, has a close history with the founder of FAIR and CIS and other white nationalists and extremists.
ANTI-MUSLIMCenter for Security PolicyThis national security “think tank” drives fear of Muslims through biased reports and media outreach. It was founded in
1988 by Frank Gaffney, who briefly served in the Department of Defense. Gaffney advances a conspiracy theory that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the U.S. government at all levels and is
secretly working to control it from within. CSP uses its platform “Secure Freedom” to host a daily radio show, publish blog articles and produce e-books attacking Muslims and refugees. CSP also hosts
national security summits that draw elected leaders and political candidates.
ANTI-MUSLIMACT! for AmericaThis grassroots group boasts more than 280,000 members and 800 chapters, primarily in the United States to “be a
collective voice for the democratic values of Western Civilization, and against the threat of radical Islam.” With statements like “every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim,” ACT! founder Brigitte Gabriel
rouses her base on the right-wing media circuit. In the summer of 2015, ACT! launched a new “Refugee Resettlement Working Group” and signaled in its announcement they would be taking cues
from anti-refugee activist Ann Corcoran.
ANTI-REFUGEERefugee Resettlement WatchRRW is a blog managed by activist Ann Corcoran, also the author of the e-book Refugee Resettlement and the Hijra to America. Corcoran claims that most
refugees are chosen by the UN to come to the U.S. from “countries that hate us.” Corcoran, who briefed members of Congress in November, says the UN, the State Department and Christian and
Jewish resettlement agencies are aiding in “Muslim colonization” and claims this is part of a larger scheme for Muslims to “dominate” America and the world.
As a national research and advocacy organization
founded in 1995, the Center for New Community is at the
forefront of efforts to defeat anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate. CNC tracks
organized bigotry in the United States and equips
national and grassroots partners to mobilize a powerful force for justice,
fairness, and opportunity. We believe that when we
unite to expose the architects of contemporary organized racism, we create
a space for people to amplify their own narratives
and build a more just society.
To learn more about the organizations listed here,
along with several others, read the work of CNC staff at imagine2050.org or contact
us directly at 312.266.0319.
OUR BLOGimagine2050.org
RESEARCH [email protected]
ADVOCACY & MEDIA [email protected]
OUR WEBSITEnewcomm.org
facebook.com/imagine2050
@imagine2050
The Attack on Refugee RightsA resource from the Center for New Community
Anti-refugee groups push extreme ideas into the mainstreamIncreasingly, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim organizations in the United States are working together to condemn refugees and refugee resettlement programs. While so-called think tanks like the Center for Immigration Studies and the Center for Security Policy promote a general hostility toward immigrants, Muslims, and refugees, they also promote a more conspiratorial view. Among their theories is that refugee resettlement in the United States is part of a grand scheme between “left-wing philanthropists” and Muslims intent on setting the stage for a cultural and political takeover of the United States.
It may be tempting to dismiss these groups as fringe extremists to be ignored, but doing so would be to overlook the undue influence their movements have on civil and human rights. Their strategy is effective. It plays off the fear and uncertainty many Americans have about national security and changing demographics in the country and in their communities, exploiting this anxiety to foster discrimination and violate civil rights.
Advocates working to resettle and support refugees must be able to defend against these rhetorical attacks that have real policy impacts and cultivate a dangerous climate of hate. We must identify and challenge harmful rhetoric and expose the drivers of organized bigotry in order to dilute the influence they have on our laws and public discourse, while we simultaneously lift up the stories of those seeking safety and refuge in the United States.
Spotlight on Center for Security Policy and Frank Gaffney
Frank Gaffney and the Center for Security Policy made headlines again in early December 2015 when Donald Trump cited biased CSP polling in his call to ban all
Muslims from entering the United States. While Gaffney falls in and out of favor with some lawmakers, he maintains influence among many anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant leaders who echo his ideas. Gaffney has claimed President Obama and Conservative Political Action Committee leaders are closely aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood as part of a broader plot for a Muslim takeover of the West from within. In 2015, Gaffney has been busy promoting fear about refugee resettlement and guiding activists like Ann Corcoran. CSP is also working to create model legislation for counties to ban Syrian refugee relocation.
What they say and how we can respondSAY THIS: Refugee opponents use unsupported accusations to paint an entire diverse group of individuals with a single broad brush to introduce impractical and unfair laws that violate our values.
The current anti-refugee fear mongering is not only reckless, irresponsible and wrong; it is also dangerous.
[Recent studies show the main terrorist threat in the United States is not from Muslim extremists, but from right-wing extremists.]
We owe it to ourselves to offer refugees protection from violence and the opportunity to raise their families in safety. Throughout U.S. history, many people have come to this country to escape persecution and have been offered the opportunity to become Americans. We must keep this legacy alive for today’s refugees and create the kind of welcoming and just nation in which we want to live.
For more tips and messaging suggestions, please visit imagine2050.org/resources
Over time this migration will be more devastating to your children and grandchildren — and to our country — than any terrorist attack could ever be.
“
”— Ann CorcoranEditor, Refugee Resettlement Watch
Influential Anti-Immigrant & Anti-Muslim Organizations
ANTI-IMMIGRANTCenter for Immigration StudiesThis extremist think tank publishes disingenuous research to support harsh anti-immigrant policies. CIS successfully
launched the doctrine of “self-deportation” into the public debate. As one of the organizations founded by white nationalist John Tanton, CIS’ “facts” are so misleading that the group has been
dubbed the “false-fact think tank.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop CIS from collaborating with lawmakers and being called upon to testify before Congress; in November 2015, CIS Executive Director
Mark Krikorian testified in support of efforts by the House of Representatives to severely curtail refugee resettlement programs.
ANTI-IMMIGRANTFederation for American Immigration ReformThis hate group with white nationalist roots is the flagship organization of the contemporary anti-immigrant lobby. FAIR lobbies and drafts anti-immigrant
legislation while coordinating a network of anti-immigrant groups at the state level, fomenting fear and maligning communities of color — both immigrant and U.S.-born. Among FAIR’s efforts is
the campaign that led to Arizona’s SB 1070 and copycat bills across the country. In November 2015, they called on lawmakers to sign onto a letter urging a freeze in all U.S. refugee resettlement.
ANTI-IMMIGRANT
NumbersUSAAs the grassroots organizing arm of the anti-immigrant movement, NumbersUSA incites nativist sentiment in communities across the country and directs it toward effective political action. They work to
decrease all immigration into the United States. Roy Beck, the group’s founder and president, has a close history with the founder of FAIR and CIS and other white nationalists and extremists.
ANTI-MUSLIMCenter for Security PolicyThis national security “think tank” drives fear of Muslims through biased reports and media outreach. It was founded in
1988 by Frank Gaffney, who briefly served in the Department of Defense. Gaffney advances a conspiracy theory that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the U.S. government at all levels and is
secretly working to control it from within. CSP uses its platform “Secure Freedom” to host a daily radio show, publish blog articles and produce e-books attacking Muslims and refugees. CSP also hosts
national security summits that draw elected leaders and political candidates.
ANTI-MUSLIMACT! for AmericaThis grassroots group boasts more than 280,000 members and 800 chapters, primarily in the United States to “be a
collective voice for the democratic values of Western Civilization, and against the threat of radical Islam.” With statements like “every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim,” ACT! founder Brigitte Gabriel
rouses her base on the right-wing media circuit. In the summer of 2015, ACT! launched a new “Refugee Resettlement Working Group” and signaled in its announcement they would be taking cues
from anti-refugee activist Ann Corcoran.
ANTI-REFUGEERefugee Resettlement WatchRRW is a blog managed by activist Ann Corcoran, also the author of the e-book Refugee Resettlement and the Hijra to America. Corcoran claims that most
refugees are chosen by the UN to come to the U.S. from “countries that hate us.” Corcoran, who briefed members of Congress in November, says the UN, the State Department and Christian and
Jewish resettlement agencies are aiding in “Muslim colonization” and claims this is part of a larger scheme for Muslims to “dominate” America and the world.
As a national research and advocacy organization
founded in 1995, the Center for New Community is at the
forefront of efforts to defeat anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate. CNC tracks
organized bigotry in the United States and equips
national and grassroots partners to mobilize a powerful force for justice,
fairness, and opportunity. We believe that when we
unite to expose the architects of contemporary organized racism, we create
a space for people to amplify their own narratives
and build a more just society.
To learn more about the organizations listed here,
along with several others, read the work of CNC staff at imagine2050.org or contact
us directly at 312.266.0319.
OUR BLOGimagine2050.org
RESEARCH [email protected]
ADVOCACY & MEDIA [email protected]
OUR WEBSITEnewcomm.org
facebook.com/imagine2050
@imagine2050
![WORKING PAPER SERIES [Paper 1 of 2013] - Refugee Rights Unit · WORKING PAPER SERIES [Paper 1 of 2013] University of Cape Town: Refugee Rights Unit ... Territories (OPT hereafter),](https://img.dokumen.tips/doc/110x75/5e9705f53ad76c38971939b6/working-paper-series-paper-1-of-2013-refugee-rights-working-paper-series-paper.jpg)
