“A sense of optimism about the coming year is starting to settle in among advocates for immigrants who had begun to weary after years of unsuccessfully seeking reform of immigration laws and policies.” Story and survey results here.

How soon so many have forgotten.

The New York Times writes in an editorial today: “If Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona is confirmed as homeland security secretary, she will leave behind a state in full Republican control, with immigration zealots embedded in both houses of the Legislature, and not enough moderates to go around. That is the down side of President-elect Barack Obama’s decision to bring Ms. Napolitano to Washington. For years, she has been the most powerful voice of reason in a state that continues to hatch some of the dumbest, cruelest ideas anywhere for getting tough on immigrants.”  

The entire editorial is here.