Soviet-Style Disinformation in Alabama



The Soviet Union has been relegated to the ash heap of history, but at least part of its legacy lives on in the illegal alien advocacy movement. The illegal alien advocacy network has mastered the fine art of Soviet-style disinformation. “Disinformation” is defined as “intentionally false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately.”

Since the passage of Alabama’s HB 56 law, which requires the state to enforce immigration laws already enacted by Congress, the advocates for illegal aliens have engaged in a relentless campaign of disinformation designed to whip up hysteria. They have done a seemingly good job of spreading the notion that under HB 56 people can be arrested and whisked away for merely appearing foreign, or speaking with a foreign accent; that people will be thrown in jail merely for giving an illegal alien a ride, or serving an illegal alien in soup kitchen; that kids will be yanked out of school by immigration authorities, or will be forced to rat on their parents.

There is not a shred of truth to any of these assertions, but that is precisely what disinformation is all about. Of course, if you really want to mount an effective disinformation campaign, a la the Soviet Union, it helps to have a propaganda organ like Pravda to disseminate the falsehoods widely.

Pravda is no more, but it seems the Huffington Post has stepped in to fill the breach. Splashed across the popular website’s October 14 edition in huge font is the headline, “FEAR IN THE STREETS” with the sub-header, “Justice Department Warned of ‘Dire’ Situation Over Hardline Immigration Law.” In truth, the Huffpo headline is only marginally more hysterical than coverage in more staid publications like The New York Times and the Washington Post.

The most interesting aspect of the latest tack opponents are taking against the Alabama law is that it is predicated on the disinformation campaign about the law, not the language or the application of the law. Their argument now is that the Department of Justice must take action based on the “fear” generated by the disinformation they created.

UPDATE: We have just learned that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Ga, has just blocked implementation of two provisions of Alabama’s law.

About Author

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Ira joined the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in 1986 with experience as a journalist, professor of journalism, special assistant to Gov. Richard Lamm (Colorado), and press secretary of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. His columns have appeared in National Review, LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and more. He is an experienced TV and radio commentator.

9 Comments

  1. avatar

    In the end, only by electing politicians who will live up to the notion we must secure America (especially the porous southern border where tons of illegal drugs come in each year in addition to the thousands of illegal aliens), and those politicians must pass legislation that causes illegal aliens to decide to go home. Attrition needs to be used extensively, because it works. Even though elements of the Alabama law were stayed by the court, many illegal aliens in Alabama decided already to ‘get out of town’ (or state in this case), and many in Alabama have already noticed job opportunities have cropped up that previously were not available.
    Elect those who will pass legislation and those who will demand federal agencies actually enforce our laws. There are enough laws on the books to deal with this, if those agencies actually do their jobs.

  2. avatar

    I don’t see why more people aren’t writing their Senators and Congressmen and getting them to do what Alabama and Arizona are doing. When Bush wanted amnesty for illegal aliens, enough people spoke up and it didn’t happen. Let the states that want them have them.

  3. avatar

    Yes the media coverage is so biased. There are no sob stories about unemployed US citizens. And here in California where voters have been asleep for the last decade, we have a monolithic state government including the Governor who just signed bills that lift the vehicle impoundment requirement for driving without a license JUST FOR illegal immigrants but no one else (who needs drivers licenses anymore?) , and also a bill to spend state taxpayer money on financial assistance for college. He also signed a bill that would prevent localities within California to mandate E-verify usage, unless it is mandated federally. This state government is deplorable and transparent.

    Anther media issue is that California government is given so little media coverage, even though our state’s population is about 40 million now. The lack of media coverage helps this awful state government; bills get passed and signed without much notice to the public.

    • avatar

      I meant to say that the California governor signed a bill to spend taxpayer money on financial assistance for people in the country illegally.

  4. avatar

    p.s. you’re probably aware of this, but the Stein Report is down, with an error message saying this “account has been suspended.”

    • avatar

      Hi, yes we noticed about two hours ago and are trying to resolve it. We appreciate the heads up. FAIR Team.

  5. avatar

    How can we negotiate or even have rational discussions with these people, who can rightly be called open border anarchists?

    This is why we must stand strong, knowing that even though the media will continue to publish lazy, biased pro-illegal alien sob stories, etc., the vast majority of Americans support our positions of no amnesty, and enfocring current laws.

    Regarding the judicial ruling, correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks like the most important provisions were not blocked today. Which I guess is good news.