First look: Facing GOP challenge, immigration groups merge

According to this article on AXIOS, by Stef W. Kight

“Two leading immigration groups — the New American Economy and the American Immigration Council — are merging, in part, to prepare for a potential Republican takeover of Congress, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Immigration has increasingly become a central U.S. political issue. Pro-immigrant groups have gained influence in recent years through their advocacy and litigation — especially during the Trump era. A possible return to legislative power by the GOP would require more clout, the two groups say.

• “It’s rare that nonprofits merge, but it shouldn’t be,” said Jeremy Robbins, who served as executive director of New American Economy and will retain that title in the new group.
• NAE is an immigration think tank founded over a decade ago by Michael Bloomberg.
• “I believe our field needs to evolve, and that it’s time to reimagine our work in a way that helps us best serve newcomers while rebuilding a bipartisan and constructive case for what immigration means for America.”

The new group will be named the American Immigration Council. The council was founded by the sister group American Immigration Lawyers Association — the only U.S. legal association for immigration attorneys.”