Evaluation of Immigration Web Sites (Set #3)
by Robert Cerf and Dawn Dehel
Article #3.1: "The Greening of the Anti-Immigration Agenda"
Accuracy The language was occasionally subjective. Lots of rhetoric: "cloak themselves in the mantle of environmentalism." Although we know who the editor is, there are no references for her citations; therefore, it is difficult to judge how error free the article is.
Authority The author is present. She has some qualifications listed at the end of the article. This site is sponsored by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR). There aren't any links from this article, except for "back". There are links to the article from the site's home page.
Objectivity The rhetorical tone of the piece is biased and is designed to sway the reader to the author's point of view. Facts, per say, are not presented, just undocumented quotes.
Currency The article is over three years old and has not been updated since. Link to home page is current.
Coverage The article goes deep, but is narrow in focus. Intrinsically, it is best used as a tool for teaching students to discriminate between implied and stated positions.
Summary Limited use with respect to the topic of immigration, but has use in teaching rhetoric and bias.
All citations from the article by Cathi Tactaquin 
Article #3.2: "Operation Gatekeeper: New Resources, Enhanced Results"
Accuracy Very reliable source, directly from the INS. Data is presented in a very straightforward fashion, but no specific editor is present.
Authority No specific individual cited as responsible for the article. The qualifications, however, are reputable (assumably) since they come from the U.S. government.There are numerous links at the top of the page.
Objectivity No advertising present. No bias or evidence of "swaying." This is just a data table.
Currency This article is from 1998, so it is at least two years out of date at this writing. There is nothing to update, being a static data table from 1998 only. Links still active.
Coverage Coverage limited to border crossings and methods of apprehension for illegal immigration. Provides baseline and intervention data in the table for comparison re: effectiveness. Good intrinsic value for student data interpretation and unique because it provides an example of governmental data.
Summary While slightly dated, this table is preferable for student research purposes because it forces them to draw their own conclusions and practice interpretation.
Article #3.3: "Illegal Immigration is a Crime"
Accuracy No editor present. Cites and documents many objective sources with a bit of "spin." Seemingly error free with respect to sources and data. No hidden sources.
Authority No specific author present but source is clearly visible and up front. Qualifications implied but not spelled out. "F.A.I.R." sponsors this article and provides links for contact. Several other links present and all are active. Reputation for specific point of view implied by sponsor.
Objectivity Advertising only for sponsor is present. Observable and obvious bias present. Clearly designed to "sway" the reader. Indeed, this is the main purpose of the article.
Currency More current than 3.1 or 3.2 above, this piece is not quite one year old. No evidence of any further updating. All links are current and active.
Coverage Broadly covers the topic of immigration. Unique in the sense that it is a blend of rhetoric and supported citations. Intrinsically valuable for student practice with respect to uncovering these nuances and biases.
Summary Valuable for student research because of presence of opposing points of view.

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