UC Students Lobby for California DREAM Act

University of California students are campaigning in favor of two bills that would allow some undocumented immigrants to get financial aid while they attend college.

Throughout February, UC's Student Association is urging students on campuses statewide to write postcards to Gov. Jerry Brown asking him to sign Assembly Bills 130 and 131 by Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles.

Read more:

Posted by Jessica Damian

Bill would make hiring illegal workers a felony

Back to Basics, a political group dedicated to holding politicians accountable, called the bill a "laundry loophole."

"That's not sensible immigration policy," the organization said in a news release. "It's indentured servitude"

For complete article, click here

Posted by Elizabeth Vargas

Senator Cornyn's Immigration Reform Hypocrisy

Imploring readers to “focus our attention on the president's actions rather than his words,” Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) recently took to the pages of the San Antonio Express-News to slam President Obama on immigration issues. While doing so, however, he portrayed himself as a tireless supporter of immigration reform.

For complete article, click here

[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

Deeper Into the Shadows: The Unintended Consequences of Immigration Worksite Enforcement

President Obama's budget request, now before Congress, aims to continue an immigration enforcement policy whose unintended consequences are pushing tens of thousands of people deeper into the shadows and into the underground economy. While the president has long advocated an immigration plan that would bring illegal immigrants "out of the shadows," his administration's enforcement strategy is doing exactly the opposite.


For entire article, click here

[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

Groups march in Oakland over immigration law

Teresa Garcia
More: Bio, E-mail, News Team

OAKLAND, CA (KGO) -- A big march and demonstration got underway in Oakland Friday morning. Young people are taking a stand against Arizona's tough new immigration law.

It's the latest protest in the Bay Area against Arizona's new bill. It requires local law enforcement to check the legal status of people they suspect might be illegal immigrants.

The beats and the blessings began early Friday morning in Oakland in preparation for a March calling for immigrant rights.

For complete article and video click here

posted by: angie ngo

States inspired by Arizona illegal-immigration law face tough fiscal policies

"As state legislatures convene this month, lawmakers across the country who had vowed to copy Arizona's strict measure cracking down on illegal immigrants are facing a new reality." This article focuses on the effect the Arizona SB1070 has had on the federal government and other states which have mocked a similar law to that of Arizona's. "Georgia, Mississippi, Indiana, Florida, Nebraska, Kentucky, Utah, Pennsylvania, Texas and South Carolina are among the states where Arizona copycat bills have been drafted." Although, they have followed the steps behind Arizona's anti immigrant initiative, the federal government has ruled that despite state laws, federal laws supersede what should be enforced, causing these states to lose money when it comes to enforcing these laws. Read more here

[Posted by: Wendy Hernandez]

Racism through mail

California: Ex-Candidate Gets Prison For Lying About Mailer to Latinos


A former Congressional candidate accused of sending a mailer to Latino voters in 2006 warning that immigrants could not vote was sentenced Monday to a year and a day in prison for obstruction of justice. Tan Nguyen, a Republican who ran against Representative Loretta Sanchez, was convicted in December for lying to investigators about his knowledge of a letter sent to 14,000 registered Democrats with Latino surnames. The letter said, “If your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time.” Immigrants who have become naturalized citizens are eligible to vote. Mr. Nguyen declined to comment on the sentencing hearing except to say it did not go well.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/us/15brfs-EXCANDIDATEG_BRF.html?scp=1&sq=latinos&st=nyt

amy de la fuente

'Voluntary' immigration program not so voluntary

WASHINGTON—A voluntary program to run all criminal suspects' fingerprints through an immigration database was only voluntary until cities refused to participate, recently released documents show. The Obama administration then tightened the rules so that cities had no choice but to have the fingerprints checked.

For complete article, click here

Posted by Elizabeth Vargas

Immigration bill concerns Kentucky's Latino community

BY JACK BRAMMER

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER

Faced with the possibility that state lawmakers might pass a bill to crack down on illegal immigrants, more than 100 people, mostly Latinos, turned out Sunday to learn more about the measure.

Many of the answers they received did nothing to relieve their anxiety.

"There is a sense of fear, a sense of rejection in the Latino community about this bill," said Andrés Cruz, editor and publisher of La Voz, an English/Spanish newspaper with a circulation of 10,000 that reports on Central Kentucky's Latin American community. "To me, the bill is simply political pandering."

Cruz and Marilyn Daniel, a volunteer attorney for Maxwell Street Legal Clinic, held a two-hour informational meeting about the controversial bill at the Lexington Public Library.

During the meeting, the group also learned about a rally at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 8 at the Capitol in Frankfort to oppose the legislation.

(Posted by Haley Gordon)

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/24/2030965/immigration-bill-concerns-kentuckys.html#ixzz1E5D9TRYH

Illegal immigration declines dramatically in South Carolina

BY JAMES ROSEN

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON — As South Carolina considers enacting its own version of Arizona's tough immigration law, the number of illegal immigrants in the state has dropped significantly in recent years.

While the national total has dropped only slightly since 2007 — from 12 million to 11.2 million, or 6.7 percent — South Carolina's share of illegal immigrants has declined by 21.4 percent — from 70,000 to 55,000 — in the same period.

Jeff Passell, a demographer with the Pew Research Center who wrote the Washington group's report released Tuesday, said economic woes in South Carolina and beyond have slowed the influx of undocumented workers from Mexico and other countries.

(Posted by Haley Gordon)
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/01/2045783/illegal-immigration-declines-dramatically.html#ixzz1E5CP9eFB

Immigration and pro bono

The passage earlier this year of the controversial Arizona state law that criminalizes not carrying immigration documents and broadens local police authority to enforce immigration laws has established immigration as one of the most divisive and prominent issues in our nation. Although U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton recently enjoined some aspects of the law, the heated debate around immigration continues to raise ire in Arizona and beyond. Regardless of one's political views, the issue — and Arizona's law in particular — further highlight some serious flaws that have long been present in the current immigration system. And these flaws are underscored by the significant need for legal assistance in this area. Fortunately, we are seeing law firms undertaking immigration pro bono work in record numbers.

to view the rest of the article, click here

[posted by: Blanca Chavez - Herrera]

Border activist convicted in home invasion

Associated Press

TUCSON- The leader of an anti-illegal-immigrant group was convicted on Monday in a home invasion that left a 9-yr old and her father dead in what prosecutors said was an attempt to steal drug money to fund the group's operations.

For whole article click here

Posted by Diana Rosendo

New Poll a Warning to GOP: Immigration continues to surge in importance with Latino voters

"In a January-February 2010 survey of 500 registered Latino voters, 47% chose immigration as their top issue, while 34% selected either jobs or the economy (21% for jobs and 13% for the economy)."

Click here

posted by Izabel Pintor

Unitarians turn tragedy into lesson in tolerance

Unitarian tragedy shapes the beginning of a protest to U.S Senators to call and protest the deportation of unaccompanied children. Read more here

[Posted by Wendy Hernandez]

Originalists: Uphold Constitution by Changing It

I’m starting to think that the new leadership in Congress didn’t think their plan through very well; and by extension, neither did the people who voted for them. Case in point: their much touted orginalist idea of a strict interpretation of the US Constitution includes going back to change the 14th Amendment. It isn’t original enough for them?

To read more, click here


[Posted by Sylvia Lopez]

Feds Sending Mixed Messages on Who Gets Deported

The last thing you need in a heated argument is confusion and mixed messages. If we’re going to bicker we should be able to do it with the same set of facts and rules. That’s the decent thing to do.
We’ve been arguing about immigration for too long to remember and the one thing both sides of the argument have in common is that each feels that the system needs to be fixed. Our differences are in our definitions of fix. So far the politicians who can put us on the path to making it better have opted to leave things as they are because immigration is a wonderful wedge to drive among voters; it’s a way to get people angry enough to go to the polls. As a convenient hot button issue immigration is not broken, so why fix it?

To read more, click here

[Posted by Sylvia Lopez]

SJSU students rally to urge passage of Dream Act

By Joe Rodriguez

jrodriguez@mercurynews.com

Posted: 11/30/2010 04:53:57 PM PST

Updated: 11/30/2010 09:51:08 PM PS2

For years, college students Christian Poblano and Luis Romero had quietly supported the Dream Act. On a sunny but chilly Tuesday afternoon in downtown San Jose, the two undocumented immigrants stood in front of a line of news cameras and finally spoke out

For complete article click here

Posted By: Angie Ngo

Ariz. governor countersues federal government

Gov. Jan Brewer sued the federal government Thursday for failing to control Arizona's border with Mexico and enforce immigration laws, and for sticking the state with huge costs associated with jailing illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

For complete article click here

posted by Flor Parra

Ariz. senator changes tactics on citizenship bill

PHOENIX—An Arizona lawmaker who is challenging automatic U.S. citizenship for children of illegal immigrants is changing his tactics.
For complete article, click here

Posted by Elizabeth Vargas

6 Arcadia Students Tackle Immigration by Making a Film

by Mary Beth Faller
The Arizona Republic
When six Arcadia High School students embarked on their project, their goal sprang from the pure idealism of the young: Reaveal a solution to the problem of illegal immigration by making a documentary.
After five months, dozens of interviews and more than 40 hours of video, "The Border" reflects the nature of their subject: complicated with many different perspectives.
To read whole article, click here

Posted by Diana Rosendo

Agent: No physical evidence in Cuban militant Posada Case

BY ALFONSO CHARDY

ACHARDY@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM

EL PASO, Texas -- A federal agent acknowledged Monday in the Luis Posada Carriles trial that investigators never obtained physical evidence linking the Cuban exile militant to the converted shrimper Santrina, and never obtained a court order to search the vessel for fingerprints or other evidence that Posada traveled on it from Mexico to Miami.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/07/2055097/agent-no-physical-evidence-in.html#ixzz1DLJotZoB

(Posted by Haley Gordon)

Man pleads guilt in actress marriage fraud case

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES -- A musician accused of marrying a Mexican-born actress so she could remain in the United States has pleaded guilty to lying on an immigration form.

U.S. attorney's spokesman Thom Mrozek says Kent Ross appeared in court Friday and will be sentenced April 25.

He has admitted to lying about living with actress Fernanda Romero, who had a bit part in the film "Drag Me to Hell" and is best known for her role on the Mexican soap opera "Eternamente Tuya."

Prosecutors are not seeking prison time for either Ross or Romero, who pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a Jan. 28 immigration proceeding.

The pair were arrested in April 2010 and accused of marriage fraud. A trial last year ended when jurors failed to reach a verdict.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/04/2051371/man-pleads-guilty-in-actress-marriage.html#ixzz1DLGHwxS0

(posted by Haley Gordon)

Letters: Immigration, redevelopment, a memoriam

Several letters to the Editor with opinions on immigration.

Toughen enforcement of immigration laws

I am not surprised by “Report: 11.2 million were in the U.S. illegally” (Feb. 2). This administration is not really doing enough to enforce our immigration laws. If illegal immigrantsare caught, they are sometimes let go for what is called humanitarian reasons; in other words, they know they have a family at home that’s here illegally.

by Ana Zuniga-Maus

San Diego

Twice recently, Congressman Brian Bilbray has been given space in the Union-Tribune to present his views on illegal immigration (“Costs of illegal immigration are threat to lives, economy” Dialog, Dec. 26, and “The human, financial costs of illegal immigration,” Dialog, Jan. 30).

by Bob McCleary

Poway

I agree with Brian Bilbray’s conclusions in his Jan. 30 Opinion piece.

There is one incontestable fact – if there are 12 million to 20 million illegal or undocumented aliens living in the U.S., they have jobs or they wouldn’t be here.

by E.P. Mitchell

for complete letter responses click here

posted by Montzerrat Garcia

Border Patrol: 8men came ashore illegaly

SAN CLEMENTE – Border Patrol agents arrested eight Mexican nationals who landed by boat on the San Clemente shoreline early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

For full article, click here

posted by Izabel Pintor

Migration Flow is Stabilized

Totaled 11.2 million illegal immigrants in 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. - "No significant changes. " So described, the Pew Hispanic Center, on Tuesday, the number of undocumented immigrants in 2010, a new report. There are a total of 11.2 million.



For complete article, click here.

Posted by Mariana Verdin

Arizona Sheriff Amid Controversy

Hundreds were in favor and against the Arizona sheriff who said he was mecca of prejudice

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) .- Hundreds of people demonstrated today outside the offices of the Pima County Sheriff in favor and against official said Arizona had become the "Mecca" of prejudice and intolerance in the United States .



For complete article, click here


Posted by Mariana Verdin

Hispanic Republicans tone down immigration talk

AUSTIN, Texas — As a Republican, Rep. Aaron Pena is expected to take a hard line on immigration. But as a Latino who represents a heavily Hispanic district along the U.S.-Mexico border, the South Texas lawyer finds some of the anti-immigrant proposals in the Legislature to be unfair and unnecessarily harsh.

For complete article, click here

posted by Flor Parra

Study finds jump in immigration prosecutions

New government data shows the Obama administration has sharply increased immigration prosecutions and has stepped up cases against white-collar crimes, drug violations, organized crime and official corruption.

For complete article, click here

posted by Flor Parra

11.2 Million Illegal Immigrants in U.S. in 2010, Report Says; No Change From ’09

About 11.2 million illegal immigrants were living in the United States in 2010, a number essentially unchanged from the previous year, according to a report published Tuesday by the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington.

Despite continuing high unemployment among American workers, record deportations by the Obama administration and expanding efforts by states to crack down, the number of unauthorized immigrants in the work force — about eight million — was also unchanged, the Pew report found. Those workers were about 5 percent of the American work force.

For complete article, click here

Posted by Perla Parra

HATE CRIME

3 Ex-Officers on Trial in Obstruction Case

Three former Pennsylvania police officers went on trial Thursday on charges of obstructing justice in the beating death of a Mexican immigrant in 2008, a prosecution that Hispanics have come to view as a national test case for treatment of Latinos

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/us/14trial.htmlscp=1&sq=mexican+hate+crime&st=nyt

Report: Immigration law not enforced consistently

ATLANTA—Some local law enforcement agencies, particularly in the Southeast, are turning over illegal immigrants who commit even minor offenses to federal authorities for deportation, while others are focused on deporting more violent criminals, according to a report released Monday.

For complete article, click here

Posted by Elizabeth Vargas