LETTER TO EDITOR: Unreliable sources

I was disappointed to read Stephen Dinan’s story, “Health bills fail to block illegals” (Page 1, Nov. 30). Although the article attempts to discuss different viewpoints on this issue, Mr. Dinan cites an unreliable source - the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) and its research director, Steven A. Camarota.

Although CIS portrays itself as a mainstream group, it is not. It was started in 1985 by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and anti-immigrant leader John Tanton. FAIR is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights organization.

Statistics and estimates by CIS should be scrutinized closely. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “CIS often manipulates data, relying on shaky statistics or faulty logic to come to the preordained conclusion that immigration is bad for this country.”

I applaud The Washington Times for wanting diverse views represented. However, I ask that your paper stop citing this source or label it for what it is: anti-immigration.

GLENN HUTCHINSON

Charlotte, N.C.