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Federation for American Immigration Reform

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Federation for American Immigration Reform
FAIR.jpeg
Basic facts
Location:Washington, D.C.
Type:501(c)(3)
Top official:Dale Wilcox, Executive Director
Founder(s):John Tanton
Year founded:1979
Website:Official website

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to reduce overall immigration levels to the United States and eliminate illegal immigration. As of August 2025, FAIR's website said: "Immigration policies can determine what kind of America future generations will inherit – livable or overcrowded, successful or overburdened. While we see our obligations to help the less fortunate around the world, we also know that irresponsible border policies can undermine our own nation’s ability to be a successful change agent for the human race."[1]

Background

FAIR was founded in 1979 by John Tanton, a physician and beekeeper from Michigan who believed that the levels of immigration—both legal and illegal—should be reduced because of the United States' population growth. Tanton started FAIR along with NumbersUSA and the Center for Immigration Studies—which are also organizations operating in the immigration policy area.[2]

Leadership

As of August 2025, the following individuals served on the board of directors at FAIR:[3]

  • Donald Collins Jr., Chairman
  • Duane Austin
  • Kevin Donaleski
  • Dale Herder
  • Cynthia Matthews
  • S. Blake Swensrud II

Work and activities

Legislative and policy work

As of August 2025, the FAIR website outlined the following objectives:[1]

FAIR seeks to reduce overall immigration to a more normal level. Reducing legal immigration levels from well over one million at present to a very generous 300,000 a year over a sustained period will allow America to manage growth, address environmental concerns, and maintain a high quality of life.

FAIR puts the interests of American citizens and future generations ahead of big business and partisan demands.[4]

Arizona Senate Bill 1070 (2010)

In 2010, FAIR lobbied in support of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, which required all aliens over the age of fourteen to have documentation of their legal status in their possession at all times.[5]

Notable endorsements

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Finances

Finances

The following is a breakdown of FAIR's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica

Federation for American Immigration Reform financial data 2011-2023
Year Revenue Expenses
2011 $6.2 million $6.1 million
2012 $8.1 million $5.9 million
2013 $7.1 million $8.5 million
2014 $7.8 million $6.3 million
2015 $8.6 million $6.4 million
2016 $11.2 million $11.2 million
2017 $27.4 million $8.6 million
2018 $12.1 million $10.9 million
2019 $6.1 million $10.6 million
2020 $7.3 million $11.4 million
2021 $7.2 million $9.3 million
2022 $8.3 million $8.1 million
2023 $5.2 million $7.5 million

See also

External links

Footnotes