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The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is pleased to introduce Immigration OnPoint www.immigrationpolicy.org/onpoint, an online compilation of fact sheets that provide quick answers to commonly asked questions about immigrants and immigration. Immigration is notoriously complex, and the current immigration debate is filled with misconceptions and misinformation, making reasoned decision-making difficult. OnPoint documents aim to confront myths and provide timely and accurate information on a range of immigration-related topics. While coordinated by IPC, many different organizations have contributed their time and expertise to create these documents. We urge you to check the website frequently as Immigration OnPoint materials will be updated and added on a regular basis.

IPC is a division of the American Immigration Law Foundation. Visit our website at www.immigrationpolicy.org.

OnPoint subject areas include:

Immigrants and the U.S. Economy --What is the impact of immigration on the U.S. economy? This section includes information on immigrants and public benefits usage, tax payments, the U.S. labor market, and more.

Coming to the U.S. through Legal Channels -- How does the U.S. immigration system operate? What options are available to immigrants looking to come to the U.S. legally? Are immigrants choosing to remain here illegally? This section seeks to demystify U.S. immigration law and policy.

Immigrants in our Communities --Who are today's immigrants? How do they impact the communities we live in? This section addresses immigrant integration, examines foreign-born crime rates, and a host of other issues.

Federal, State, and Local Policy Debates --What is the federal government doing to address immigration issues? How are state and local governments responding to their specific immigration challenges? This section includes information on legislation being considered in Congress, as well as in state and local legislatures.

Facts on the Restrictionists --This section includes information on restrictionist groups and anti-immigrant activities. It also contains information about discrimination and hate crimes targeting immigrant communities.

Faith-Based Perspectives -- How do different faith communities view immigration? How can we respond to immigration debates from a faith-based perspective? This section provides materials and perspectives from the faith community on immigration and related topics.

Politics and the Immigration Debate-- How is the immigration debate affecting politics and the elections? This section includes information on the immigrant vote, elections, and the public's view on the immigration debate.

This Week's Highlights:

Why Don't They Just Get In Line? (Immigration Policy Center – March 2008) – Dispels the myth that undocumented immigrants want to be undocumented, and explains why it is nearly impossible for them to simply get in a line to come legally to the U.S.

Immigration as a Wedge Issue: Little Payoff; Big Opportunity Cost (National Immigration Forum – March 2008) This document addresses how the issue of immigration is being addressed by candidates, and what impact it has had on elections.

Basic Pilot / E-Verify: Not a Magic Bullet (National Immigration Law Center – January 2008) Background on the Basic Pilot/E-Verify program and its weaknesses.

IPC wishes to thank the many different organizations that have contributed to Immigration OnPoint. For more information on OnPoint, contact Michele Waslin at mwaslin@ailf.org (spanish/english) or Kate Voigt at kvoigt@ailf.org (english).

IPC is a division of the American Immigration Law Foundation. Visit our website at www.immigrationpolicy.org.