Sierra Club Changes Position on Immigration

Ever since the divisive, internecine battles almost a decade ago, Sierra Club has steered clear of taking decisive postions on immigration - until April 24 when their board unanimously endorsed a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

2 minute read

April 28, 2013, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Arguably no issue more than immigration has divided the country's largest environmental organization, the Sierra Club. For environmentalists who feel that the preeminent environmental issue is population growth, immigration to the U.S. is part of the problem.

Lisa Hymas provides some background and references regarding the decision by the Board of Directors - directly elected by the 1.4 million members, of the largest environmental organization in the U.S.

Over the past decade and a half, the club has had vicious leadership battles over immigration and population.

Anna Palmer And Darren Samuelsohn of Politico Pro add, "Sierra Club leaders in the mid-2000s fought off an insurgent effort trying to have the club take an explicitly anti-immigration stance, with some members claiming it was needed to overcome the effects of more people living more consumptive American life styles. The effort fell apart after a pitched battle."

In the club's press release, Executive Director Michael Brune states:

The 20 million Americans with family members whose legal status is in limbo share the Sierra Club's concerns about climate and the environment.  Yet, this vital set of stakeholders and change agents has been denied civil rights.  The Sierra Club is committed to partnering with all who share our urgent concerns about advancing our democracy and fighting the climate crisis.”

Others have made the connection of immigration to environmentalism and urbanism. Sudha Nandagopal of Grist wrote on April 16, "How immigration reform can lead us to a stronger environmental movement." Planetizen reported on April 25 on a Richard Florida essay as to "why more liberal policies could be a boon for America's cities."

The club's new position occurred three days after the 175th birthday of the their founder, John Muir, himself an immigrant from Scotland.

Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Daily Grist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight