Republican money backs immigration push
By STEVE PEOPLES
— Apr. 15 3:57 AM EDT
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Frank VanderSloot
FILE - In this July 11, 2008 file photo, Frank VanderSloot, who owns
Melaleuca, Inc., a healthcare products company, is seen in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. As Congress prepares to take on illegal immigration, an expanding
network of Republican fundraisers is quietly, but aggressively, pressing for
a pathway to legal status for millions of immigrants living in the United
States illegally. Business leaders and major donors who raised tens of
millions of dollars in the last election are meeting privately with
Republican lawmakers _ and other top GOP fundraisers _ who may be reluctant
to support what critics call “amnesty” for immigrants who broke the law.
At the same time, a coalition of pro-reform fundraisers is funneling
donations to a new crop of outside groups designed to protect like-minded
congressional Republicans fearing backlash on a political issue that could
alienate the GOP’s core conservative supporters. (AP Photo/John Miller,
File)
Bill Marriott
FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2009 file photo, Marriott International Chief
Executive Officer John Willard "Bill: Marriott Jr. is seen in the East Room
of the White House in Washington. As Congress prepares to take on illegal
immigration, an expanding network of Republican fundraisers is quietly, but
aggressively, pressing for a pathway to legal status for millions of
immigrants living in the United States illegally. Business leaders and major
donors who raised tens of millions of dollars in the last election are
meeting privately with Republican lawmakers _ and other top GOP fundraisers
_ who may be reluctant to support what critics call “amnesty” for
immigrants who broke the law. At the same time, a coalition of pro-reform
fundraisers is funneling donations to a new crop of outside groups designed
to protect like-minded congressional Republicans fearing backlash on a
political issue that could alienate the GOP’s core conservative supporters.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
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BOSTON (AP) — As Congress readies for a drawn-out immigration debate, an
expanding network of Republican fundraisers is pressing for a path to legal
status for millions of immigrants living in the United States illegally.
Business leaders and donors who raised tens of millions in the last election
are meeting with top GOP fundraisers and Republican lawmakers who may be
reluctant to support what critics call "amnesty" for immigrants who broke
the law.
At the same time, a coalition of fundraisers who support overhauling
immigration is funneling donations to a new crop of outside groups designed
to protect like-minded congressional Republicans who fear a backlash by GOP'
s core supporters.
In most cases, the donors have ties to Wall Street and businesses that want
more high- and low-skilled immigrants in the nation's legal labor pool.
Backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, these business-minded Republican
fundraisers say they're getting a relatively receptive audience in the face
of an undeniable new political reality. Record Hispanic turnout helped
President Barack Obama defeat Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney
last fall. And projected population growth ensures that immigrants'
political clout will grow stronger.
The network of Republican donors is at odds with many on the GOP's right
flank — tea party activists among them — who argue for increased border
security first and foremost. That was largely the position of Romney, who
encouraged immigrants without legal status to "self-deport."
"Immigrants are an important part of this economy and they're an important
part of my business," said Frank Vandersloot, an Idaho businessman who
steered more than $1 million to a group backing Romney last year and gave
tens of thousands more to others.
"I have met with many members of Congress and will continue to," Vandersloot
said. "People will talk to me. And I'm grateful for it. I'm grateful they
listen."
Top donors have signed onto a new bipartisan group known as the Partnership
for a New American Economy, which includes business leaders and mayors who
support a path to legal status for the estimated 11 million immigrants in
the country illegally. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire,
backs the organization, as does top Romney backer Bill Marriott, Jr. — who
heads the Marriott International hotel company — and GOP donor Jonathan
Johnson, the CEO of Overstock.com.
"These are people that can and do donate," Johnson said. "I think the more
business leaders get involved in this, the more pressure will be put on
Congress."
Congressional leaders are putting the finishing touches on legislation that
would outline the most sweeping immigration changes in decades.
The donors mostly refused to identify the lawmakers they are lobbying but
said they're communicating with as many Republican elected officials and new
party fundraisers as possible. The list includes already-sympathetic
figures such as Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who is among four GOP
senators and four Democrats crafting a bill to improve border security,
streamline legal immigration and offer eventual citizenship to millions now
in the U.S. illegally.
A similar proposal favored by former President George W. Bush failed in 2007
following intense opposition from conservative opinion leaders.
In some cases those opinions have begun to soften. Vandersloot said that
congressional Republicans have been receptive behind closed doors, although
strong opposition remains among the GOP's most passionate voters.
By boosting their role in the debate, major donors hope to assuage the fears
of timid congressional Republicans worried about losing re-lection — or
facing primary challenges — should they side with Democrats on immigration.
Obama and the bipartisan Senate panel publicly support legalization,
although the fate of the overhaul is uncertain in the House, where
conservative Republicans hold more sway. Donors say they don't expect a
speedy resolution to the debate. They're preparing a network of outside
groups and donors to be active well into next year if necessary.
Still, some donors say there has been a wholesale attitude shift among
Republican officials during private conversations.
"People are starting to understand that immigration is one of the issues
that allows Republicans to have a comeback on all issues," said Charlie
Spies, the founder and treasurer of the super PAC that raised more than $142
million to help Romney's 2012 presidential bid.
Spies leads a new super PAC dubbed "Republicans for Immigration Reform" that
draws from some of the same Romney donors to fund advertising campaigns
designed to protect Republican lawmakers who support more lenient
immigration policies. The group, which can accept unlimited donations along
with its sister non-profit organization the Hispanic Leadership Network, has
already spent $60,000 to run ads in South Carolina to commend Republican
Sen. Lindsay Graham's efforts.
At the same time, Spies says that his partner Carlos Gutierrez, the commerce
secretary under President George W. Bush, is hosting private meetings with
Republican officials and Republican donors who may not have been supportive
of immigration reform in the past. Gutierrez is hosting multiple meetings a
week across the country, targeting places with the highest concentration of
donors — New York, Florida, Texas and California.
"Money is effective in that it helps drive a message," Spies said.