Western States Center Denounces Rep. Mark Green’s Appearance on Panel at Center for Immigration Studies, Org. That Promotes Bigoted Conspiracy Theories

WASHINGTON D.C. – On Wednesday, May 1st, the Center for Immigration Studies hosted a panel to discuss the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas. Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, who led the impeachment effort against Secretary Mayorkas, was featured on the panel. In response, Lindsay Schubiner, Program Director at Western States Center, an organization that works to counter bigoted and anti-democracy movements, released the following statement:

“We continue to warn against the rising use of “invasion” rhetoric and bigoted conspiracy theories that have become normalized in conversations around immigration. Rep. Green’s panel for the bigoted group Center for Immigration Studies threatens to be another opportunity for an elected leader to spread baseless conspiracy theories about immigration policy, laced with the Great Replacement Theory that so often leads to real-world violence.

“Given Rep. Green’s history of harmful anti-immigrant rhetoric, his decision to join a panel hosted by this bigoted, anti-immigrant organization is unsurprising, but it can’t go without condemnation. 

“Founded in 1985 by white nationalist John Tanton, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) has continued his legacy with a long history of producing discredited research and spreading bigoted rhetoric to advance anti-immigrant policies. Elected officials sitting for panels is an effective endorsement and reflects how think tank bigotry gets elevated and echoed in the halls of Congress.”