Once again, a Beltway anti-immigrant group has chosen to make a brief appearance in Iowa to inject their brand of nativism into the American body politic.

Four years ago, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) was responsible for ads which WHO-TV called “unnecessarily inflaming and borderline racist." FAIR was met by widespread community condemnation. And yet, they’re back. This time, FAIR is importing radio talk hosts to poison the airwaves.

It’s time to tell the truth about FAIR.

Earlier this month, after compiling overwhelming evidence about FAIR’s disturbing connections, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) officially labeled them a hate group . SPLC joined the ranks of civil rights organizations raising concerns about FAIRs ties.

Organizations deserving mainstream respectability usually fire disreputable staff and return cash from nefarious donors. FAIR has done the opposite. Instead, they’ve attacked the venerable civil rights institution and sided with a white supremacist foundation.

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The collapse of this summer's bi-partisan immigration reform legislation served as a national coming out party for the House Immigration Reform Caucus. During the last two legislative sessions, it has been the reef upon which realistic and fair-minded attempts at immigration policy reform have foundered. It promotes policies that can be fairly described as both nativist and inhumane. And the Caucus' links to controversial nativist organizations auger for even greater conflict and danger ahead.

Despite the fringe nature of their politics, the HIRC claims 110 members, a full 25% of the House of Representatives. The Caucus is one of the largest, most coherent forces in an increasingly splintered House of Representatives. Until now, they have gone virtually unnoticed and unexamined.

This report by the Building Democracy Initiative of the Center for New Community in Chicago, Nativism in the House, is the first of its kind.  It narrates the growth of the House Immigration Reform Caucus (HIRC), assesses the legislation it has initiated, and compiles data on the voting records of its members. The report also analyzes the campaign contributions HIRC members have received, and looks at the demographic character of the congressional districts they represent.

Members of Congress Urged to Disavow Virulent Rhetoric from Extremist Groups As Reform Effort Nears Homestretch

Chicago - Today, the Center for New Community, a faith-based human rights group that tracks anti-immigrant activity, released "Indecent Proposals: Top 10 Most Offensive Quotes from Anti-Immigrant Leaders." The list captures some of the most offensive rhetoric being propagated and endorsed by anti-immigrant groups and their supporters on talk radio.