Center for Immigration Studies facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
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| Formation | January 9, 1986 |
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| Type | Public policy think tank |
| Headquarters | 1629 K Street N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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Executive Director
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Mark Krikorian |
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) is an American organization. It is a "think tank," which means it does research and shares ideas about public issues. CIS supports having fewer people move to the United States. It creates reports and studies to support these ideas.
CIS was started in 1985 by Otis L. Graham, a historian, and John Tanton. It began as a part of another group called the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). CIS is one of several organizations focused on immigration that Tanton helped create. Other groups include FAIR and NumbersUSA. CIS has also been involved in a project called Project 2025.
Some experts who study immigration, along with fact-checkers and news groups, have questioned the reports published by CIS. The organization had a lot of influence during the Trump administration. The Trump administration often used CIS's work to explain its immigration policies. Some groups have also expressed concerns about CIS's views on immigration.
Contents
About CIS: History and Funding
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) was founded by Otis L. Graham and John Tanton. It started in 1985 as a separate group from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). Otis L. Graham, a history professor, was the first chairman of CIS. John Tanton, an eye doctor, was also very important in starting the group.
CIS began as the research part of FAIR. It became its own separate organization in 1986. This was done so that CIS could produce research that seemed more neutral and objective.
How CIS Gets Money
CIS does not openly share where all its money comes from. However, the Colcom Foundation has been named as a major supporter. This foundation is known for supporting groups that want to control immigration in the United States.
CIS has been called a conservative group. However, the organization itself says it is not just one political type. An ombudsman (a person who checks fairness) for NPR once said that calling CIS "right-wing" was incorrect. He noted that the organization has different political views within it.
CIS and the Trump Administration
CIS had an impact on how the Trump 2016 election campaign talked about immigration. It also influenced the Trump administration's policies. Donald Trump's first national TV ad for the election mentioned CIS.
In 2017, a CIS analyst named Jon Feere joined the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This was part of the Trump administration. Before this, Feere had written for CIS. He claimed that children born in the U.S. to non-citizens could get welfare and other benefits. He also said this led to "birth tourism," where people travel to the U.S. just to have a baby. However, fact-checkers later showed these claims were mostly incorrect. They found that U.S.-born children do not help their non-citizen parents get long-term benefits. Also, the number of babies born to unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. had been going down.
In September 2017, the Trump administration said that a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) took jobs from Americans. They said this was because it allowed unauthorized immigrants to take those jobs. The administration used articles from CIS members to support this idea. But economists said that the job market does not have a fixed number of jobs. So, one group getting jobs does not mean another group loses them.
In May 2018, President Trump nominated Ronald Mortensen, a CIS fellow, for a high position in the State Department. This role would oversee refugee resettlement. Mortensen had often spoken out against unauthorized immigration.
In March 2019, CIS fellow Todd Bensman claimed that female migrants in detention centers received free eye surgery. He also claimed their children received free braces. The Associated Press later found these claims were false.
CIS: Policy Stances and Activities
The Center for Immigration Studies supports having fewer people legally immigrate to the U.S. They also support stronger rules to stop unauthorized immigration.
Views on Border Policies
In 2018, CIS supported the Trump administration's policies to deter unauthorized immigrant families. CIS argued that these policies would stop families from crossing the U.S. border without permission. They also said the policies "actually protect foreign nationals." At an event hosted by CIS in June 2018, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Thomas Homan, also defended these policies.
Views on Sanctuary Cities
CIS is against "sanctuary cities." These are cities or areas that limit how much they work with federal immigration agencies. They might also choose to focus their police resources on other things besides immigration enforcement.
Views on Student Work Permits
CIS wants to end "Optional Practical Training" (OPT) work permits. These permits allow foreign students who attend American universities to get internships and work experience.
Publications and Research
CIS publishes research and analysis about immigration data. The organization's publications cover topics related to both unauthorized and legal immigration.
Involvement in Project 2025
CIS is part of the advisory board for Project 2025. This project is a collection of policy ideas from the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups. It aims to change the U.S. federal government and strengthen the power of the president. This plan would be put into action if the Republican candidate wins the 2024 presidential election.
