Immigration

1.5 billion dollars: the amount of money immigration lobbies have spent since 2007.

During the first 3 months of 2013, 8 tech companies each spent over $1 million on federal lobbying efforts for immigration, totaling over $13.8 million. Compared to the first 3 months of last year where Facebook spent $650,000, this year, during the same period, it spent $2.45 million. According to FB spokeswoman Jodi Seth, the tech industry "needs a modernized, high-skilled immigration system in order to keep growing". Other companies such as Microsoft and Intel are also pushing very hard to streamline the process for bringing new workers in. In 2009, Microsoft filed the most federal lobbying reports out of any group or company on immigration, according to the Center’s analysis. Agribusiness and construction groups are also interested, but recently have not been donating as much as the tech industry.

Mark Zuckerberg's super PAC Fwd. us immigration ad:

Groups such as ImmigrationWorks USA, the National Council of La Raza, and the National Immigration Forum, who advocate for immigrant rights have been especially active in donating money The National Council of La Raza and the National Immigration Forum in 2009 spent $580,000 and $226,000, respectively, lobbying the federal government. ImmigrationWorks USA, a newer immigrant rights group, spent a total of $84,000 lobbying in 2009.

This November, several pro-amnesty groups such as the National Council of La Raza heavily supported the campaign of Terry McAuliffe who was running for governor of Virginia. The group organized 75, 000 phone calls and went door to door on his behalf in addition to running tv ads (which were probably really expensive).

Even more extreme is the amount of money that Sen. Chuck Schumer, part of the "gang of eight" received from the tech, agribusiness, and construction sectors: 4.86 million dollars.

Some PACs also influenced policy by campaigning against certain candidates. Immigrant's List, a pro-immigration PAC created the National Hall of Shame -- a list of the 10 worst anti-immigration politicians. On this list is Rep. Steve King of Iowa who once compared immigrants to dogs. 

Steve King

Sources: 

Hepler, Lauren. "Mark Zuckerberg Organizing Super PAC for Immigration Reform, Reports." Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Reportedly Organizing Super PAC for Immigration Reform. N.p., 25 Mar. 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.

Boyle, Mathew. "Breitbart.com." Breitbart News Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.

"Key Players in Immigration Debate Have Support of Special Interests." Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.

"Serve - Controversial New Immigration Ad (Mark Zuckerberg), FWD.us." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Aug. 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.