Last week, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley publically criticized a bill intended to revise key sections of the state’s controversial immigration law (HB 56). He even announced a special legislative session to address his issues with the bill—namely, a provision that requires school officials to check the immigration status of enrolling students and that of their …
Category Archive: Enforcement
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/21/alabama-governor-signs-bill-that-makes-states-immigration-law-even-worse/
May
17
Alabama Governor Rejects Changes to State’s Extreme Immigration Law, Starts Special Legislative Session
Today, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced his disapproval of a bill intended to change parts of the state’s extreme immigration law (HB 56) and initiated a special legislative session to address the problems. Yesterday, on the last day of the state’s regular legislative session, the Alabama Senate passed a version of a tweak bill that, …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/17/alabama-governor-rejects-changes-to-states-extreme-immigration-law-starts-special-legislative-session/
May
15
New Border Patrol Strategy Changes Rhetoric More than Substance
The U.S. Border Patrol’s newly released strategic plan is a decidedly mixed bag when it comes to border security—just like the Border Patrol’s last strategic plan, released in 2004. On the plus side, both documents advocate an intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to border security which focuses on the greatest security threats. Both plans also call for …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/15/new-border-patrol-strategy-changes-rhetoric-more-than-substance/
May
10
Obama Administration Files Suit Against Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Earlier today, the Department of Justice filed suit against Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff’s Office alleging a pattern and practice of discriminatory behavior against Latinos. According to the complaint, officers under Arpaio’s command targeted Latino drivers during traffic stops and neighborhood sweeps, and used ethnic slurs against Latino inmates with limited …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/10/obama-administration-files-suit-against-arizona-sheriff-joe-arpaio/
May
10
Justice Department Says Alabama Immigration Law Disrupts Access to Public Education
While eyes remain fixed on the Alabama legislature’s effort to revise their immigration enforcement law, HB 56, the U.S. Department of Justice informed state officials in a letter last week that the state’s immigration law has resulted in significantly higher absence rates among Latino students. According to the letter, more than 13 percent of Latino …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/10/justice-department-says-alabama-immigration-law-disrupts-access-to-public-education/
May
09
In Heart of Texas, Sheriff Takes Heat for Honoring Immigration Detainers
A local election in Travis County, Texas, is bringing to light important questions surrounding the controversial Secure Communities program. As recently reported by the Texas Tribune, Democratic primary challenger John Sisson has criticized incumbent Sheriff Greg Hamilton for honoring federal immigration “detainers”—the lynchpin of Secure Communities—because of their harm to immigrant communities. While Hamilton has …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/09/in-heart-of-texas-sheriff-takes-heat-for-honoring-immigration-detainers/
May
02
Changes to Alabama’s Extreme Immigration Law Not Enough, Critics Say
Following numerous protests, lawsuits, damaging economic reports and problems enforcing the law, Alabama Rep. Micky Hammon of Decatur proposed a bill (HB 658) that tweaks key provisions of the state’s immigration enforcement law, HB 56. Last week, the Alabama House approved those changes, some of which scaled back provisions of the law and others which …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/02/changes-alabamas-extreme-immigration-law-not-enough/
May
01
Border Patrol Agents Abusing Role as Interpreters
Over the past year, advocates in states along the northern border of the United States have reported that Border Patrol agents frequently “assist” local law enforcement officers by serving as Spanish-English interpreters and participating in 911 dispatch activities. Capitalizing on their access to noncitizens, Border Patrol agents are using these opportunities to facilitate immigration enforcement. …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/05/01/border-patrol-agents-abusing-role-as-interpreters/
Apr
26
DHS’s Current Southern Border Enforcement Strategy a Bust, Group Says
A comprehensive new report finds that the fortification of the U.S.-Mexico border which began two decades ago has reached the limits of its effectiveness, has produced severe negative side effects, and should be systematically re-evaluated. In Beyond the Border Buildup: Security and Migrants Along the U.S.-Mexico Border, the Washington Office on Latin America and the …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/04/26/dhss-current-southern-border-enforcement-strategy-a-bust-group-says/
Apr
25
Supreme Court Asks Hard Questions at Oral Arguments Over Arizona SB 1070
Almost two years to the day after Arizona enacted the notorious immigration law known as SB 1070, the Supreme Court heard arguments in what could be the first of many cases over the validity of the measure. Although most critics of the law have focused on its potential for civil rights violations, the only question …
Permanent link to this article: http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/04/25/supreme-court-asks-hard-questions-at-oral-arguments-over-arizona-sb-1070/
