A recent Chicago Tribune article, "Immigration debate grows from Web roots," highlights the battle underway to define the next leg of the immigration reform debate. The article's online comment section, which netted over 2,000 comments within the first 48 hours, is a living testament to the role that the internet is playing in shaping the immigration debate.

In the article, the head of ALIPAC, a hard-line anti-immigrant network, admitted that much of the online debate has been hijacked by extremist, xenophobic, or otherwise aggressive personal attacks. In the midst of this hostile environment, new voices and communities are sprouting up to bring a positive message about immigrants and immigration reform to the forefront.

Among these are the A Dream Deferred blog, which asks presidential candidates to pass legislation that allows undocumented immigrant students who have grown up in the US a way to attend college and regularize their status. The Sanctuary is a new community blog, where bloggers who incorporate "pro-migrant" perspectives discuss everything from the plight of immigrant students to immigration reform to foreign policy concerns that affect worldwide migration.

Standing in stark contrast to the US immigration debate, ICIRR Executive Director Joshua Hoyt speaks of Ireland's steps toward the peaceful integration of new immigrants in a recent Chicago Tribune op-ed:

"The Irish government sponsors anti-racism campaigns. In 2007, the new post of minister for integration was created, and his recently released report, "Migration Nation," recommends a policy of mainstreaming, a "whole of government" approach to encouraging immigrant integration, and measures to prevent migrant exploitation and encourage civic participation. Migrants have begun to participate in local elections and last year a Nigerian immigrant was elected the mayor of Portlaoise."

Read more of Hoyt's "The New Ireland."