Is xenophobia on the rise in the United States?

USA Today reports on a Southern Poverty Law Center study which finds that "since 2000, the number of extremist groups has increased by 40% ... in the past two years the growth has been largely driven by the emergence of about 144 'nativist' groups that oppose immigration."

Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an expansion of federal hate crimes laws (after noble lobbying efforts by many in the Jewish community). 

The Southern Poverty Law Center's study is a chilling reminder of the deep importance of hate crimes legislation. President Bush, according the Anti-Defamation League, is likely to veto the bill.