The Arizona Legislature has just stepped off the deep end of the immigration debate, passing a harsh and mean-spirited bill that would do little to stop illegal immigration. What it would do is lead to more racial profiling, hobble local law enforcement, and open government agencies to frivolous, politically driven lawsuits. Read more
Arizona Goes Over the Edge
April 18, 2010
Editorial – NYT
Arizona – one step closer to a police state!
Arizona passes tough immigration bill
Los Angeles – Legislators in Arizona have passed what is being described as the toughest immigration law in the country, directing local police to determine the immigration status of non-criminals if there is reasonable suspicion they are in the country illegally, the Arizona Republic newspaper…
Right wing attempting to end “citizenship by birth”!
Immigration: ‘Birth Tourism’ Industry Markets U.S. Citizenship Abroad – ABC News
Some legislators, including U.S. Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., have called for revising the Constitution to forbid citizenship by birth alone and thereby end the attraction of birth tourists.
Among the foreigners who have given birth here, including international travelers passing through and foreign students studying at U.S. universities, are “birth tourists,” women who travel to the United States with the explicit purpose of obtaining citizenship for their child.
Increased Border Enforcement vs. Environment?
GOP: Border Patrol should control federal lands
A group of House Republicans say Border Patrol agents should be granted direct control over U.S. borders, even on federal lands managed by other agencies.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011604810_apusbordersafety.html
Let’s Make It Real! Planning meeting-Apr. 12
At the April 3rd meeting of Stop The Checkpoints it was decided to hold a Planning Meeting on Monday, April 12th at 4:00 pm at the Port Angeles Library (their week-long furlough days are over now).
Planning will take place for actions on May 1st to promote real immigration reform based on human rights and workers’ rights instead of corporate profits. Read more
Local Officers not trained as immigration enforcers
U.S.: Report Faults Training of Local Officers in Immigration
Enforcement Program
By JULIA PRESTON
Local law enforcement officials do not consistently protect
immigrants’ civil rights, a study finds.
Full Story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/us/03immig.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y
Opinion: Too Broken To Fix
New York Times – April 9, 2010 4:17 AM
Opinion: Too Broken to Fix
A program that outsources immigration enforcement also
undermines public safety. The Department of Homeland
Security must end it.
Full Story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/opinion/09fri3.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y