Feds sue Utah over illegal immigration enforcement bill

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah will aggressively fight a federal lawsuit attacking the state's controversial immigration enforcement law, Mark Shurtleff said Tuesday.

The Utah attorney general said the state was careful to tailor HB497 to reflect recent federal court opinions on other states' immigration enforcement efforts, but there are "one or two minor things they still have some heartburn over" that could be corrected by the Utah Legislature in its next session.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705394800/Feds-sue-Utah-over-illegal-immigration-enforcement-bill.html 

Feds sue to block Utah immigration law

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the Utah Legislature overstepped its authority when it passed a tough immigration law, arguing immigration enforcement is a federal duty.

"A patchwork of immigration laws is not the answer and will only create further problems in our immigration system," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. "While we appreciate cooperation from states, which remains important, it is clearly unconstitutional for a state to set its own immigration policy."

READ MORE: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52972971-90/497-attorney-bill-department.html.csp 

Editorial: Alabama's Shame

The self-inflicted wounds from Alabama’s most-abusive-in-the-nation immigration law just keep on coming. Last week, a manager for Mercedes-Benz, visiting from Germany, was pulled over in his rental car by a police officer in Tuscaloosa near where a Mercedes plant builds sport-utility vehicles. 


READ MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/opinion/alabamas-shame-cont.html

Bad economy slows foreign-born immigration to Utah

While the illegal immigration debate flared in Utah the past few years, new Census Bureau estimates suggest that immigration here by foreign-born people slowed greatly.

Based on surveys of foreign-born residents who lived in Utah in 2010 — both documented and undocumented — the Census estimates about 15,610 of them immigrated here from 2008 through 2010.

That was down from the 25,422 it estimates immigrated here from 2005 through 2007 — for a 39 percent drop between those two three-year periods.

READ MORE: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52938759-90/utah-born-foreign-percent.html.csp

More Discretion In Deportations .

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, the immigration-enforcement unit of the Department of Homeland Security, said in an outline of the initiative that its "attorneys nationwide will review all incoming cases in immigration court." The ICE said such a review would accelerate the removal of "criminal aliens and other priority cases" and prevent "new low priority cases" from clogging overburdened courts.

READ MORE: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204517204577044503987324914.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Feds offer new guidance on when to dismiss immigration cases

A memo laying out the guidelines, obtained by the Houston Chronicle, offers a clearer picture of the groups of immigrants who would benefit from the Obama administration's much-publicized plan to review 300,000 pending cases in immigration courts.

The review, first announced in August, is designed to cull from the nation's overburdened immigration court docket "low priority" cases - primarily those involving illegal immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years without committing serious crimes.

READ MORE: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Feds-offer-new-guidance-on-when-to-dismiss-2275353.php

Obama administration showing leniency in immigration cases

The elderly, children who have been in the country more than five years, students who came to the U.S. under the age of 16 and are enrolled in a college degree program, and victims of domestic violence are among those whose deportations could be put on hold under the test program, which begins Dec. 4 and could be broadened in January.
READ MORE: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immigration-review-20111118,0,1046351.story?track=rss

Deportations Under New U.S. Policy Are Inconsistent

Since June, when the policy was unveiled, frustrated lawyers and advocates have seen a steady march of deportations of immigrants with no criminal record and with extensive roots in the United States, who seemed to fit the administration’s profile of those who should be allowed to remain.

But at the same time, in other cases, immigrants on the brink of expulsion saw their deportations halted at the last minute, sometimes after public protests. In some instances,immigration prosecutors acted, with no prodding from advocates, to abandon deportations of immigrants with strong ties to this country whose only violation was their illegal status.

READ MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/us/politics/president-obamas-policy-on-deportation-is-unevenly-applied.html?ref=us 

U.S. to Review Cases Seeking Deportations

The Department of Homeland Security will begin a review on Thursday of all deportation cases before the immigration courts and start a nationwide training program for enforcement agents and prosecuting lawyers, with the goal of speeding deportations of convicted criminals and halting those of many illegal immigrants with no criminal record.


READ MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/us/deportation-cases-of-illegal-immigrants-to-be-reviewed.html?_r=1&hpw

On immigration, Marco Rubio urges the right to tone it down

"The Republican Party should not be labeled as the anti-illegal immigration party. Republicans need to be the pro-legal immigration party," the Florida lawmaker said Monday on Fox News.

The appearance follows other efforts in the past two weeks — including a story in the Wall Street Journal and a speech in Texas — in which Rubio has criticized inflammatory immigration rhetoric.

READ MORE: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/on-immigration-marco-rubio-urges-the-right-to-tone-it-down/1201722

Sandstrom to battle Wimmer for Utah’s 4th congressional seat

Sandstrom will formally announce Monday and said he had vacillated between the 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts. His original plan had been to run in the 3rd Congressional District, but that was scuttled when U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, decided not to leave his seat to challenge Sen. Orrin Hatch.

READ MORE: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52907309-90/sandstrom-district-utah-congressional.html.csp?page=1

Deportations Under New U.S. Policy Are Inconsistent

A new Obama administration policy to avoid deportations of illegal immigrants who are not criminals has been applied very unevenly across the country and has led to vast confusion both in immigrant communities and among agents charged with carrying it out.       

With Latino communities taking the brunt of those deportations, Latino voters are increasingly disappointed with Mr. Obama. White House officials hope the new policy will ease some of the pressure on Latinos, by steering enforcement toward gang members and convicts and away from students, soldiers and families of American citizens.       

READ MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/us/politics/president-obamas-policy-on-deportation-is-unevenly-applied.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=JULIA%20PRES%20IMMIGRATION&st=cse

Immigrants Are Still Fitting In

The U.S. today is home to 40 million foreign-born residents, the most ever, a number that includes people here illegally after sneaking across the border and those with legal status, who hold a green card or are citizens.

How quickly immigrants assimilate—reflected in indicators such as homeownership, learning English and achieving U.S. citizenship

READ MORE: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203537304577030292197601270.html

Arizona Poll: Views on migrants not hard-line

PHOENIX - A new statewide survey suggests the attitude of Arizonans about illegal immigrants may not be as harsh as that of many politicians.

The poll, done for the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, found 78 percent of Arizonans said they would support legislation allowing those in this country illegally to become citizens under certain circumstances. That includes having no criminal record either here or in their home country, paying a fine, getting a taxpayer ID number, and demonstrating that they can speak English.


Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/poll-views-on-migrants-not-hard-line/article_03992d59-cbe4-5599-aa63-a7b4448f3edf.html#ixzz1dgaDQaVq

The lessons of Arizona, Mississippi for Georgia Republicans

On Tuesday, state lawmakers will begin submitting bills for their colleagues’ consideration in January, when the Legislature returns to Atlanta.
We are entering an election year, which means more than a few of the measures will be intended to stir the blood and drive GOP voters to the polls in November.

READ STORY HERE:
http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2011/11/12/the-lessons-of-arizona-mississippi-for-georgia-republicans/

HB116 does not fall within the principles of the Utah Compact

Approximately one year ago, many Utah groups and individuals signed on to the Utah Compact in an effort to establish Utah’s community values as a guide to discussion about immigration reform.

The guidance the Utah Compact was designed to provide was strongly misinterpreted during the 2011 legislative session when Gov. Gary Herbert signed into law a package of immigration related laws, referred to as the Utah Solution.

READ COMPLETE STORY:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/52880098-82/utah-compact-immigration-federal.html.csp 

Utah Compact hailed for shaping, changing immigration debate

On a chilly Friday afternoon in the place marking Brigham Young’s decision to settle Salt Lake Valley, state lawmakers and the Mormon church marked the one-year anniversary of The Utah Compact — a document supporters credit for sweeping immigration reform within the Utah and across the nation.

The symbolism wasn’t accidental, according to Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

READ COMPLETE STORY HERE:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52897845-78/compact-illegal-immigrants-immigration.html.csp

Utah Compact helped turn anti-immigration tide in Arizona

SALT LAKE CITY — The outcome of Tuesday's historic recall election in Arizona should help embolden conservative Republicans who champion pragmatic solutions to the nation's immigration problems, says Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

Shurtleff, taking part in a telephone press conference Thursday hosted by the National Immigration Forum, said the recall of Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce should "give courage and support to those speaking up and being challenged by members of the far right wing of the party."

READ COMPLETE STORY: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705394066/Utah-Compact-helped-turn-anti-immigration-tide-in-Arizona.html

Will Arizona reimburse ousted state senator?

The voter recall of immigration firebrand Russell Pearce took a new twist Thursday when state Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, suggested the state’s Constitution requires campaign cost reimbursements to an ousted lawmaker.

"If people believe he has to file a lawsuit first, it could take awhile," Harper said. "If they believe we have the constitutional mandate and we should take steps, it could happen as early as next week."

READ COMPLETE STORY: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52889473-90/arizona-campaign-harper-immigration.html.csp

Recall Election Claims Arizona Anti-Immigration Champion

MESA, Ariz. — For years, Russell Pearce, Arizona’s most powerful legislator and the architect of its tough immigration law, has sought to make life so uncomfortable for illegal immigrants in the state that they pack up and go.

But Mr. Pearce, known for his gruff, uncompromising manner, was the one sent packing on Tuesday after disgruntled voters in this suburban neighborhood outside Phoenix banded together to recall him from the State Senate and replace him with a more moderate Republican.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/us/politics/russell-pearce-arizonas-anti-immgration-champion-is-recalled.html

Utah Compact has had national impact, signers say on eve of document's 1st anniversary

SALT LAKE CITY — When community activist Tony Yapias first heard about the Utah Compact last fall, he had a lot of questions.

"I didn't know what the Utah Compact was. What is this thing? Where did this come from?"

On the eve of the first anniversary of community, business, political and faith leaders publicly endorsing the document, Yapias calls the statement of principles "one of the inspired documents of our time."

READ COMPLETE REPORT HERE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705394046/Utah-Compact-has-had-national-impact-signers-say-on-eve-of-documents-1st-anniversary.html

Dethroned: How Russell Pearce lost race

Political experts will spend years analyzing how a political novice emerged from obscurity in west Mesa to knock off Arizona's most powerful lawmaker in Tuesday's unprecedented recall election.
But analysts and people involved in the fierce campaign pointed Wednesday to an array of factors in Jerry Lewis' improbable upset victory over Senate President Russell Pearce.
Those factors include:


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/11/09/20111109mesa-how-russell-pearce-lost-race.html#ixzz1dIl39AJR

Utah Compact has had national impact, signers say on eve of document's 1st anniversary

SALT LAKE CITY — When community activist Tony Yapias first heard about the Utah Compact last fall, he had a lot of questions.

"I didn't know what the Utah Compact was. What is this thing? Where did this come from?"
On the eve of the first anniversary of community, business, political and faith leaders publicly endorsing the document, Yapias calls the statement of principles "one of the inspired documents of our time."

The compact, signed Nov. 11, 2010, outlined principles to guide the immigration debate, urging federal solutions and policies that did not separate families. Some 4,500 people have signed the document online at theutahcompact.com in the past year.

READ FULL STORY HERE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/705394046/Utah-Compact-has-had-national-impact-signers-say-on-eve-of-documents-1st-anniversary.html

Amnesty: Tears, jeers for Reagan’s immigration legacy

Gerardo Avilos is surrounded by tires. Big ones and small ones, new ones and used ones — stacked so high inside a garage bay that it’s hard to tell where the black rubber ends and the back wall begins.

His business is getting people on the road again and, for the past 11 years in Salt Lake City, it’s where he has spent every day except Sunday supervising four employees replacing tires and repairing engines.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52820110-90/immigration-reagan-amnesty-bill.html.csp 

GOP Alienates Latinos, Moderates With Immigration Enforcement Agenda

The harsh stand on immigration by some GOP candidates surprises Lionel Sosa, a Republican ad man who calls the rising anti-immigrant rhetoric "grossly insensitive and irresponsible."
Sosa, who has crafted Latino-targeted campaigns for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and now Newt Gingrich, said the party's position on the highly contentious issue has taken a dramatic shift.

READ MORE HERE:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/gop-immigration_n_1040734.html

Hairstylists in Hispanic community enlisted to help fight domestic abuse

When there is no one else around, no reason to fear sudden rage crashing down without warning, the dark secrets pour out inside Antonia Medina's tiny beauty salon.

She listens in her quiet way, snipping hair inside the Little Village shop as clients tell her over the chatter of a Spanish radio station about busted ribs, broken hands or the unborn baby that was lost after a tumble down some stairs. Each time, they tell her, it's because of "him."


Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/01/3243175/hairstylists-in-hispanic-community.html#ixzz1cYsCvqKf