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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

What Was Alan Gross Doing in Cuba?

What Was Alan Gross Doing in Cuba?

In accounts from both sides of the aisle, recently-freed Alan Gross has been portrayed as a humanitarian simply trying to bring Internet access to Cuba’s small Jewish community. But there’s more to the story than that shorthand suggests.

Is Cuba a ‘Leading’ Sponsor of Terrorism?

Is Cuba a ‘Leading’ Sponsor of Terrorism?

Sen. Ted Cruz condemned President Obama’s announcement that he would normalize relations with Cuba, calling the communist country “a leading state sponsor of terrorism.” That’s a stretch, to say the least.

No Back Taxes in Immigration Action

No Back Taxes in Immigration Action

President Barack Obama misspoke when he said that immigrants living illegally in the U.S. would have to “pay any back taxes” in order to qualify for work papers under the plan he initiated via executive action. They would not.

Does ACA Give Incentive to Hire Immigrants?

Does ACA Give Incentive to Hire Immigrants?

Q: Did Obama’s executive actions on immigration include a $3,000 bonus to employers for each immigrant they hire instead of U.S. citizens?
A: Not exactly. In very limited cases, employers may avoid the Affordable Care Act’s penalty if they hire immigrants who are not eligible for health care subsidies. But the law bars employers from discriminating against employees based on eligibility.

Spinning Immigration Data

Spinning Immigration Data

President Obama exaggerated when talking about declines in illegal border crossings, and Republican Rick Santorum made a misleading claim about the foreign-born population in the United States.

Obama and Cruz Clash on Immigration

Obama and Cruz Clash on Immigration

President Obama and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz made seemingly conflicting statements about public opinion on the president’s plan to address immigration issues in the U.S.

Behind the Rising Deportations of ‘Criminals’

Behind the Rising Deportations of ‘Criminals’

President Obama said “deportations of criminals are up 80 percent.” But an independent analysis found that increase is driven largely by the removal of individuals “whose most serious conviction was an immigration or traffic violation.”

Obama’s Actions ‘Same’ as Past Presidents?

Obama’s Actions ‘Same’ as Past Presidents?

President Obama repeatedly claimed that there is presidential precedent for the executive actions he took on immigration. But are the actions Obama announced really the “same kinds of actions” taken by past presidents?

The ACA-Gruber Connection

The ACA-Gruber Connection

President Obama and Rep. Nancy Pelosi downplayed the contribution of MIT economist Jonathan Gruber to the Affordable Care Act, after controversial comments by Gruber came to light, while Republicans exaggerated his role.