Introduction Immigration is a significant subject that shapes the history of most countries. In the United States, immigration has contributed to diversified challenges that affect both immigrants and citizens. However, the rise in the number of divisive issues has contributed to the rise of a national debate that sparks a need for policies to respond to the challenges of immigration. Although media contributes to shaping policies on immigration, it influences people’s attitudes toward immigration and immigrants. Immigration is closely linked to the rise of criminal activities in the US, and the media plays a central role in determining the direction of this debate. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the media view in shaping immigration. The position of media in shaping perceptions concerning immigrants Media is a significant tool through which the public obtains information. However, the manner in which information is presented influences the viewer’s opinions significantly. In the formulation of immigration policies, public perceptions play a crucial role in influencing policymaking decisions (Demo, 2004). Therefore, the manner in which the media presents the issue of immigration influences the direction of the law. Using media to facilitate stereotyping of immigrants Contemporary society has a high prevalence of adverse attitudes toward immigrants. However, the media is to “blame for the misrepresentation of immigrants, thus leading to the negative opinions and attitudes” (Deaux, Reid, Martin & Bikmen, 2006, p. 124). The American population comprises of people from different ethnic backgrounds. However, most native inhabitants harbor uninformed perceptions regarding immigration. The complicated political and socioeconomic aspects of immigration generate some sort of threat to the people (Demo, 2004). Furthermore, the move by the federal government to grant permanent citizenship to some of the immigrants compounds the threats associated with immigrants. Recent surveys that include opinion polls across the United States indicate that most Americans advocate the implementation of policies that restrict immigration (Munro, 2014). However, this trend has been prevalent in the past, as highlighted by a study conducted early in the 1990s. According to the findings of the study, approximately 60% of the respondents disregarded immigrants, and thus they subjected them to hostility (Deaux et al., 2006). However, most researchers blame the media for failing to educate people concerning political, social, and economic factors that contribute to the migration process. Most Americans hold the belief that immigrants move to the US in search of improved economic standards and space for settlement (Fryberg et al., 2011). In the recent past, the natives have dominated the industry of mass media in the United States. However, currently, the trend is changing with the incorporation of television stations and newspapers that pass information to the readers in languages other than English (Fryberg et al., 2011). With reference to the media’s ability to reach a significant proportion of the population, its influence across the country remains significantly high. In most cases, the media