Stoking the Immigration Fire
Passionate Minority Drives Issue to Fore; Politicians Worry
JUNE KRONHOLZ

MERRIMACK, N.H. — Only 5% of the New Hampshire population is foreign-born, but even here, illegal immigration is among the most volatile issues in the presidential primary campaign. Dennis Williams is one reason why.

Mr. Williams, a retired computer project manager, says he has faxed his senators, representative and the presidential candidates 217 times in the past 20 months about his opposition to illegal immigration. He has made dozens of phone calls to Washington. He emails immigration news to a circle of 100 friends.

“Have I ever felt so empowered politically? No,â€