The Arizona Republic

Hate groups are resurging nationwide by feeding on anti-immigration sentiment, an undercover detective and Anti-Defamation League leaders told state lawmakers Tuesday.

Especially in the border state of Arizona, racist hate groups and border vigilante groups have too much influence in setting the tone of the immigration debate, said Bill Straus, Arizona regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.

But those who advocate for border security called such characterizations hateful and said they are meant only to "create an atmosphere of fear and hatred based on misinformation," according to Chris Simcox, president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. He and other activists challenged the assertions in the seminar, which was led by House Democrats.