Executive Summary

The Misguided Media Hype over Anti-Immigrant Legislation:  Despite much media hype, the supposed wave of anti-immigrant politics has amounted to a few punitive laws in a handful of states, even as most states have quietly been moving forward with positive, integrative approaches to new immigrants in their communities. 

The Failed Use of Immigration as a "Wedge” Issue:  The current hype around anti-immigrant policies is, unfortunately, about electoral politics.   The media largely fell for the tactics of political opportunists who hoped to use the issue of immigration as a "wedge” issue, much as they have used gay marriage and other social issues to undermine progressive coalitions and support rightwing politicians during elections.  Yet the result has largely been political failure for rightwing politicians trying to play the anti-immigrant political card.