Under the leadership of its State Senate President, Russell Pearce, Arizona continues its attacks against immigrants, this time taking aim at school children by tightening identification requirements for school enrollment. Pearce, the author of the state’s controversial SB 1070, introduced a new set of immigration measures yesterday. As reported in Arizona Family, his newest bill, […]
Texas Law Enforcement Officers say Immigration is Federal Responsibility
February 18, 2011 By
On Thursday, police chiefs and sheriffs set out for the Texas capitol to condemn recent proposals that would require them to enforce immigration laws at the local level. They worry this would seriously get in the way of carrying out and maintaining public safety in local communities. As reported in the Houston Chronicle, the officers […]
Tennessee GOP Anti-Immigration Bills Out of Step with Constituent Concerns
February 17, 2011 By
On Wednesday, Tennessee State Rep. Joe Carr introduced a package of tough anti-immigration bills including one mimicking Arizona’s controversial SB 1070. Carr and Republican Senate sponsor Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro asserted during a press conference that they believed their legislation would survive a court challenge. Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union […]
Jury Convicts Minuteman of Killing 9-year-old and Her Father
February 16, 2011 By
On Monday, a Pima County Arizona jury convicted Shawna Forde of two counts of first-degree murder in the 2009 killing of Raul Junior Flores and his 9-year-old daughter, Brisenia. Forde was also convicted of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of Flores’ wife, Gina Gonzalez, and counts of aggravated assault and robbery. The jury deliberated […]
New Arizona Bill requires Hospitals to check Patients’ Immigration Status
February 15, 2011 By
A proposed measure in Arizona by Republican legislators would require hospitals to question a patient’s immigration status, leaving many fearing for the health of immigrants. Critics of the law, including doctors, were quick to condemn it and say it may deter immigrants from seeking medical treatment. “This is making us into a police state that […]
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Message to Latinos
February 14, 2011 By
In an interview with Univision’s “Al Punto” that aired Sunday, First Lady Michelle Obama told interviewer Jorge Ramos that comprehensive immigration reform has been “at the top” of her husband’s agenda, but, she pressed the Latino community for help to continue to move legislation such as the DREAM Act. “There wasn’t one single Republican that […]
Virginia Legislature Passes Anti-Immigration Bills
February 11, 2011 By
The Virginia House of Delegates signed off on several anti-immigration bills on Tuesday, including an Arizona style measure that would require all state and local police officers to inquire of the immigration status of any persons they arrest, sparking sharp criticism from local immigrant rights groups. Republican Del. Scott Lingamfelter of Prince William said, “My […]
Program Meant to Focus on Serious Offenders Expanding Scope and Priorities
February 10, 2011 By
A new report from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a nonpartisan think tank, examines how jurisdictions are using the 287(g) program. The program authorizes the Federal government to enter agreements with state and local law enforcement to act as immigration law enforcement officers. The purpose of 287(g) is to concentrate on removing immigrants who […]
United Farm Workers Aid Family of Deceased Teen Immigrant Farm Worker
February 9, 2011 By
The employers of a California teenage farm worker, who collapsed in the fields and died from heat stroke last year, have avoided any serious penalties according to the terms of a recent plea agreement. Originally, the labor company that hired 17-year old Maria Isabel Vazquez Jimenez to work in the Central Valley fields, as well […]
Arizona’s Anti-14th Amendment Bill Stalled
February 8, 2011 By
On Monday, the Arizona attempts to pass birthright bills hit a road block when one of the key sponsors of the anti-14th Amendment proposals stalled the measures to avoid possibly losing committee vote. Republican Sen. Ron Gould of Lake Havasu, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pulled the bill after over two hours of testimony […]
Recent Comments