How Iowa newspapers mirror and shape the attitudes and opinions of Iowans about immigration

With heightened concerns for national safety since the September 11 terrorist attacks and with more than 12 million foreign nationals who lack proper entry documentation residing in the United States, stories about illegal immigration has been among the top news stories. Using the both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including content analysis, case study, and opinion research polling conducted by researchers at the University of Iowa, this study (1) explores framing effects as an independent variable and posits that media frames can find their way into and thus influence audience frames; (2) examines how three community newspapers covered complex and emotionally charged stories of federal immigration raids in two Iowa communities, and; (3) looks at the tone of that coverage in relationship to public opinion polling of Iowans' attitudes regarding illegal immigration and public policy options to address the current illegal immigration situation in the United States.