Arizona's continuing illegal immigration debate represents one element behind the nation's resurgence in the number of hate groups, including two Mesa organizations named in a recently released national study.
Over eight years, the nation's hate groups have grown 54 percent since 2000, according to a report published by the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center.
In Mesa, the study identified the Nationalist Coalition, a neo-Nazi group, and the Vinlanders Social Club, a group labeled racist skinhead.
In Apache Junction, the study counted the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Movement.
Across the Valley, five hate groups were in Phoenix, while a branch of the Ku Klux Klan was listed in Tempe and an Arian Nation group located in Goodyear, according to the study.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2009/03/18/20090318mr-hategroups0318-CP.html