By PEDRO GONZELEZ
As the Trump Administration attempts to ramp up its crackdown on immigration, the president signed an executive order this week aimed at ensuring “taxpayer resources are used to protect the interests of American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
The move sent ripples through the networks of non-government organizations that rely on these resources to carry out activities that support those illegally residing in the United States. Must Read Alaska recently reported on one such entity, the Alaska Institute for Justice.
On Wednesday, Anna Taylor, the group’s deputy director, participated in a revealing presentation before the House Judiciary Committee. Taylor appeared alongside Mara Kimmel, an AIJ co-founder and the executive director of the ACLU of Alaska. Kimmel is the wife of former Anchorage Mayor and Democrat Rep. Ethan Berkowitz, who left elected office in a shroud of controversy.
At the outset, Kimmel stated that Alaska has the fourth-highest rate of naturalized citizens in the country. She also touched on the visa types used by employers in the state, such as the H-1B. According to Kimmel, that particular program is used to hire people for jobs in industries that range from oil and gas to education.
When it was Taylor’s turn to speak, she outlined AIJ’s various services and programs. Much of what she said overlapped with Kimmel’s remarks, focusing on legal immigration, visas, and a variety of statistics.
The subject of illegal immigration was notably absent from the presentation. An awkwardness descended on the room when Republican Rep. Jubilee Underwood of Wasilla brought it up.
“My question would be, on the flip side of that, do you guys have any lists of things that would be considered illegal immigration and what that looks like?” Underwood said. “If so, what does your organization believe is the solution for that?”
Taylor struggled to formulate a response.
Illegal immigration is “complicated because immigration law is so complicated,” Taylor said.
She seemed to be grasping for a way to deflect from Underwood’s question and ultimately did by focusing on terminology.
“Illegal and legal, I tend to use the words ‘documented’ and ‘undocumented’ because that’s focusing on someone’s status, and it’s a more precise term because people’s status can change so much,” Taylor continued. “It’s a complicated answer.”
According to the White House, it’s not so complicated and the public, for now, more or less agrees with that position.
A recent NPR/Ipsos poll found that “a plurality (48 percent) of respondents say they support Trump’s call for mass deportation of all immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.”
That is also why money received by organizations that work against removal efforts has become a hot topic.
During the hearing, Democratic Rep. Genevieve Mina asked about AIJ’s funding. Taylor replied that a good deal of the services they offer are “free” thanks to federal grants.
Except it’s not technically free. Taxpayers are subsidizing it. Many of them would likely object to this use of public funds or would at least like a say. Voter frustration with this state of affairs contributed to the election of Trump, as immigration was and is a top issue for the American electorate.
As previously reported by Must Read Alaska, the institute has received more than 30 percent of its support and revenue from such grants in the last two years.
Underwood’s remarks and Taylor’s responses start around 37:38 at this link.
when someone keeps saying it’s complicated it means one of two things.
A–they don’t really understand it so they can’t explain it to you.
B they don’t want you to know the truth.
If you truly understand something you can explain it to 7 year old. It’s really that simple. A or B
It is legal or not. Simple point, no grey areas. Cheap labor is no excuse.
“Illegal and legal, I tend to use the words ‘documented’ and ‘undocumented’ because that’s focusing on someone’s status, and it’s a more precise term because people’s status can change so much,”
Kind of makes you wonder what her preferred pronouns are…you know she has them.
This AIJ group is probably looking for new funding now that USAID is shut down.
Maybe suggest reaching out to Catholic Charities??? Better do it quick though.
That gender neutral Soros boy would probably be willing to help out and you better believe he’s got some killer soy latte recipes. That’s one unfortunate looking Beta Boy but he’s got all of Daddy’s money to play with and they haven’t put him on the Most Wanted list yet so it’s all good still. Before this backlash to the recent collective insanity plays out it’s likely that he and his Sith Lord father are going to be hunted like the unpunished Nazi his father is rumored to be.
The last 30 days have been truly glorious and now that Kash Patel is finally in place the real fun can get started.
Enjoy!!!
Legal – one is here with legal documentation such as a visa, or the H1B. Illegal, one who has snuck in, without permission or legal documentation. Simple. Those here illegally should not have their livelihood funded by taxpayers. They need to leave and if they really do want to become citizens of our country or even just work here, apply to do so through legal channels.
Do we really NEED this “Institute of Justice?” I’d never even heard of it until now. And my guess is “NOT!”
It is my understanding that this outfit is a non-governmental entity, which receives grants from the government. My attitude here is, if their cause is worthwhile they should support themselves with donations from like-minded individuals not government grants.
I am especially irritated with that non-answer answer. If you want taxpayer funds be transparent! We have had enough shenanigans and waste!
Those found to be helping illegals to avoid deportation should be deported alongside them. Go build your utopia elsewhere.
The laughing criminal enabler did not answer the question from Underwood, although did slightly better than Myorkas at deflecting. Should probably be questioned by ICE, and explain her association with illegal aliens. How many are here, and is our stolen dividend money paying for them in any way?
Lawyers. Bill Clinton. “Depends on what the definition of is, is”
What about all the cash Catholic Social Services has received from the Feds? What have they done with all their aliens here in Alaska? How much to how many, and where is their money trail?
Either you entered America legally or you didn’t. How Fn—- hard is this.?? If you snuck in you are a criminal. I want my hired government immigration people to vet every single person coming. Just like they did with my grandfather in 1909. This is not a new process.
It’s more like the Alaska Institute of Aiding and Abetting Criminality.
What are the numbers of illegals flown to Alaska by the Biden administration? How many are funded NGO’s, such as, Catholic Social Services, which must receive federal funds?
Any organization that actively works against the law of our country should not be funded by our country. US law states that people who are not from this country are aliens, if an alien if here legally they are legal aliens, if an alien is here illegally they are illegal aliens. To call an alien documented or undocumented does not address their legal standing to be in this country, it only addresses whether they have paperwork with them at the time to support their status of being legal or illegal.
The game of words that leftists play in order to fool people known no bounds.
What about the Churches that post on their doors that ICE or Federal Agents can’t enter their premises without contacting their Priest (who may be in this Country on a BS R1 Visa) for permission to enter the building. Many of us are sick and tired of watching NGO’s and other Front Organizations stealing from our taxpaying citizens to enrich themselves with a phony “help the poor ILLEGAL INVADERS SCAM. If the supporters of this crap believe in taking care of the ILLEGALS, they should put them up in their own houses – on their dime. Oh! I guess that would be ILLEGAL too.
In my study of history, I’ve noticed that many great Empires have faced the question of unfettered immigration.
Egypt became wealthy and found the day to day grinding of the grist of Managing tedious, delegating the chore to foreign born managers came into fashion. However at some point the foreign managers began affecting the native Egyptian culture. Evidently this caused an alarm and the foreign managers were removed as a Make Egypt Great Again movement arose.
Point is, immigration is good, but the immigrants must become conformed into the native or dominate culture of the country they chose to inhabit.
Sounds like a $$$ grab as the federal grants are about to disappear. Cheers –
I wonder how much state money these groups are getting via their yarn-wall network of grant funds, foundations, and sub-contracts?
This is one of the thousands of “non profit” organizations that are sucking up taxpayer money for uses that benefit the taxpayer not one iota. Cut the funding off immediately to these people. They are just making themselves more wealthy on the backs of the tax payer.
Hopefully with the spigots of cash being turned off by the administration (USAID, ect.) we will see less impact of outside forces attempting to colonize Alaska.
If an ngo needs government money it’s not an NGO, duh
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