National Council of La Raza
"NCLR is often criticized by commentators for allegedly espousing separatist or irredentist sentiments. Anti-illegal immigration websites, such as American Patrol (which has been labeled a hate group by the SPLC[6][7]) and The American Resistance, accuse NCLR of encouraging illegal immigration to the United States, and the latter hosts an exhaustive list of companies and organizations that donate to the NCLR.[8] However, the organization states on its website that it “has repeatedly recognized the right of the United States, as a sovereign nation, to control its borders. Moreover, NCLR has supported numerous specific measures to strengthen border enforcement.” It also backs up this statement with evidence.[9]
Some critics, including conservative talk radio host George Putnam, consider NCLR exclusionary in its approach to civil rights.[10] The most powerful person to criticize NCLR was Republican congressman Charlie Norwood of Georgia's ninth district. In a December 2005 edition of the conservative publication Human Events, Representative Norwood criticized congressional earmarking of four million dollars for NCLR housing initiatives. He said that "we ought not to send taxpayer's money to people who absolutely advocate perhaps using that money for the country not to follow the law of the land and not to secure our country's borders."[11] NCLR wrote a letter to Rep. Norwood explaining that funding is given to a subsidiary of the organization called the Raza Development Fund which provides funding for affordable housing, health care centers and educational facilities.[12] NCLR also offered to meet with Rep. Norwood to further discuss any doubts he had about the organization or its work.
On September 20, 2006, Representative Norwood issued a press release calling NCLR a "radical [...] pro-illegal immigration lobbying organization that supports racist groups calling for the secession of the western United States as a Hispanic-only homeland"[citation needed] and accusing the organization of undermining "the ability of state and local police to fight criminal illegal aliens."[citation needed]
The NCLR immediately issued a press release to refute Norwood's claims and to demand an apology. He offered to extend an apology on seven conditions:
1. Denounce and sever all ties with MEChA and any other organizations with which they are now or have ever been associated or funded which held to the racist doctrines published by MEChA.
2. Denounce the statement "Por La Raza todo [sic]. Fuera de La Raza nada" [“For the race everything, outside the race nothing”] as repugnant, racist, and totally incompatible with American society or citizenship.
3. Repudiate all claims that any current American territory rightfully belongs to Mexico.
4. Acknowledge the right of all Americans to live wherever they choose in the United States, and that no section or region of this country should be segregated by race or ethnic heritage.
5. Commit to sponsorship of nationwide educational programs to combat racism and anti-Semitism in the Hispanic community.
6. Seek neutral, third party supervision to ensure that all community and individual assistance programs offered by La Raza and groups supported by La Raza are accessible to all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity, and that participation in those programs is fully compliant with Equal Opportunity laws.
7. Acknowledge the internationally recognized borders of the United States, the right of the citizens of the United States to determine immigration policy through the democratic process, and the right of the United States to undertake any and all necessary steps including military action to effectively enforce immigration law and defend its borders against unauthorized entry.
NCLR responded to Norwood's conditions apology in a point-by-point press release defending its policies, which it claims have never been racially or ethnically exclusionary, never supported and does not endorse the notion of a “Reconquista” or “Aztlán,” has never used, and unequivocally rejects, the motto “Por La Raza todo. Fuera de La Raza nada", has supported numerous measures to ensure that all Americans have the freedom to choose where to live, and stated that its programs are already covered by civil rights laws administered by independent agencies at the federal, state, and local level.[13] It also disputes the charge that it supports illegal immigration, constantly reiterating its support for effective and reasonable border security and immigration-law enforcement. In a speech in San Diego, NCLR CEO Janet Murguía stated: "First, as a sovereign nation, the United States has the right to determine who comes and who stays. . . [It also] has a right to consider enforcement at a variety of levels, including border enforcement, interior enforcement, and workplace enforcement. . . We support enforcement...[because] as Americans, we recognize it's the right thing to do."[14]
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