Californians for Population Stabilization
Encyclopedia
Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS) is a non-profit California organization founded in 1986 which works to "preserve California's future through the stabilization of our state's human population." CAPS was the former branch of the Zero Population Growth (ZPG) organization. It supports "replacement-level" immigration, and does so "without regard to race, ethnicity, or national origin."
for all Californians." It asserts that the current growth of population is "unsustainable
," and contributes to a growing strain on the environment and infrastructure. CAPS is listed in the annual Conservation Directory, published by the National Wildlife Federation
, as among the numerous organizations supporting conservation and preserving the natural environment in California.
The high unemployment rate in California is one of CAPS's key worries. Marilyn DeYoung, Chairman of the Board of CAPS, has pointed out that the national government is "admitting more new, legal immigrants every month than the number of new jobs our economy is creating." More legal immigrants settle in California than any other state, despite having unemployment rates as high as 18% in some parts of the state.
CAPS is equally concerned with the cost of educating immigrants. They stated, "California cannot be expected to educate millions of children brought here by untold numbers of illegal aliens and millions of legal immigrants. Schools have reached the crisis point." The organization also supports work by groups such as "English First," whose 140,000 members oppose costly bilingual education.
The organization stresses its belief that both legal and illegal immigration
are the cause of "California's runaway population growth
." According to author Edward C. Hartman, CAPS is "determined to fill the gap created by the failure of conventional environmental organizations" that do not actively oppose population growth in America. The organization is unique in that many of its board members have held leadership positions in national environmental organizations. It relies on various sources to reach the public, including television and radio ads, public events with notable speakers, articles and commentaries, and at various speaking engagements. A CAPS-sponsored TV ad ran on MSNBC
during the Republican presidential debate in September, 2011.
CAPS focuses on controlling population growth through immigration reduction
, and does so by sponsoring public awareness campaigns, working with lawmakers on policy development, maintaining a large network of member-activists, and conducting vital research. In 1993, for instance, CAPS filed a lawsuit against Hewlett Packard alleging that HP had was violating California labor laws and paid residents of India who came to the U.S. below-market wages as contract programmers. The lawsuit was first publicized on CBS's "60 Minutes
," and CAPS claimed that such wage practices would drive down wages for U.S. workers. CAPS ultimately lost the lawsuit.
It hopes, through its efforts, to eventually help improve visible signs of urban decay
such as traffic congestion
, record-breaking air pollution
, an overextended health care system
, over-development of agricultural land, water
depletion, reduced energy conservation
, and school and prison overcrowding.
Overview
Its aim is to help advance state policies and programs designed to stabilize the population at a level which they feel "will preserve a good quality of lifeQuality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
for all Californians." It asserts that the current growth of population is "unsustainable
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
," and contributes to a growing strain on the environment and infrastructure. CAPS is listed in the annual Conservation Directory, published by the National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations...
, as among the numerous organizations supporting conservation and preserving the natural environment in California.
The high unemployment rate in California is one of CAPS's key worries. Marilyn DeYoung, Chairman of the Board of CAPS, has pointed out that the national government is "admitting more new, legal immigrants every month than the number of new jobs our economy is creating." More legal immigrants settle in California than any other state, despite having unemployment rates as high as 18% in some parts of the state.
CAPS is equally concerned with the cost of educating immigrants. They stated, "California cannot be expected to educate millions of children brought here by untold numbers of illegal aliens and millions of legal immigrants. Schools have reached the crisis point." The organization also supports work by groups such as "English First," whose 140,000 members oppose costly bilingual education.
The organization stresses its belief that both legal and illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
are the cause of "California's runaway population growth
Population growth
Population growth is the change in a population over time, and can be quantified as the change in the number of individuals of any species in a population using "per unit time" for measurement....
." According to author Edward C. Hartman, CAPS is "determined to fill the gap created by the failure of conventional environmental organizations" that do not actively oppose population growth in America. The organization is unique in that many of its board members have held leadership positions in national environmental organizations. It relies on various sources to reach the public, including television and radio ads, public events with notable speakers, articles and commentaries, and at various speaking engagements. A CAPS-sponsored TV ad ran on MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
during the Republican presidential debate in September, 2011.
CAPS focuses on controlling population growth through immigration reduction
Immigration reduction
Immigration reduction refers to a movement in the United States that advocates a reduction in the amount of immigration allowed into the country. Steps advocated for reducing the numbers of immigrants include advocating stronger action to prevent illegal entry and illegal immigration, and...
, and does so by sponsoring public awareness campaigns, working with lawmakers on policy development, maintaining a large network of member-activists, and conducting vital research. In 1993, for instance, CAPS filed a lawsuit against Hewlett Packard alleging that HP had was violating California labor laws and paid residents of India who came to the U.S. below-market wages as contract programmers. The lawsuit was first publicized on CBS's "60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
," and CAPS claimed that such wage practices would drive down wages for U.S. workers. CAPS ultimately lost the lawsuit.
It hopes, through its efforts, to eventually help improve visible signs of urban decay
Urban decay
Urban decay is the process whereby a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude...
such as traffic congestion
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
, record-breaking air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
, an overextended health care system
Health care system
A health care system is the organization of people, institutions, and resources to deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations....
, over-development of agricultural land, water
Water crisis
Water crisis is a general term used to describe a situation where the available water within a region is less than the region's demand. The term has been used to describe the availability of potable water in a variety of regions by the United Nations and other world organizations...
depletion, reduced energy conservation
Energy conservation
Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption. Energy conservation can be achieved through increased efficient energy use, in conjunction with decreased energy consumption and/or reduced consumption from conventional energy sources...
, and school and prison overcrowding.
External links
- Californians for Population Stabilization website
- "Unwelcome strangers: American identity and the turn against immigration", portion of book by David M. Reimers regarding CAPS