El Semanario - Periodico para Hispanos en Denver y Colorado - Bilingual Latino newspaper:Immigration

American Immigration Council Challenges BIA Decision Denying Miranda-like Warnings to Immigrants

Washington, D.C.�On Friday, the American Immigration Council challenged a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ruling that immigrants who are arrested without a warrant do not need to receive certain Miranda-like warnings before being interrogated. Under federal regulations,

Is Mississippi About to Make a Costly Mistake on Immigration?

Either Mississippi lawmakers aren�t aware of the hefty fiscal and legal burdens of extreme immigration legislation on other states, or they just don�t care. This week, the Mississippi House passed HB 488, an immigration enforcement bill that allows local law enforcement to determine the immigration

REID MEETS WITH CARDINAL ROGER MAHONY ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM

Nevada Senator Harry Reid met Thursday with Cardinal Roger Mahony, the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles. Cardinal Mahony is a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act. Cardinal Mahony has publicly criticized the Arizona and Alabama laws as �mean-spirited� and

Being Anti-Immigrant Doesn�t Work in Politics, Even in the South

While anti-immigrant sentiment may win candidates a few headlines, it certainly doesn�t resonate with every day voters. Following Alabama�s GOP primary this week, a CNN exit poll found that �illegal immigration� was not a top-of-mind issue for many Alabamians. According to the survey, only 3% of the

Silicon Valley Leaders Fund Effort to Help DREAM Students

Although the DREAM Act remains stalled in Congress, students and youth activists across the U.S. continue to mobilize, march and fight for legislation that would provide a pathway to legal status for thousands of deserving undocumented students. But they aren�t the only ones fighting for a fair way

Civil Rights Leaders Speak Out Against Alabama�s �Vile� Immigration Law

Late last week, thousands gathered on the steps of Alabama�s capitol building to hear civil rights leaders�Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III and Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, among others�speak out against the state�s extreme

Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Creating Jobs and Strengthening the U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C� Immigrant entrepreneurs create jobs and strengthen the economy, and the U.S. should tailor immigration laws and policies to encourage the best and the brightest to create businesses on U.S. soil, according to a new joint report issued today by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the

Federal Verification System Won�t Help Alabama Determine Legal Status Under New Law

While the devastating impacts of Alabama�s over-the-top immigration law, HB 56, continues to be felt by Alabamans, there have been a recent string of victories. In addition to a federal judge�s ruling this week temporarily blocking state agencies from denying mobile home registrations to immigrants

Immigration: Thousands of families shattered

A new report from the Applied Research Center (ARC) conservatively estimates that there are more than 5,000 children currently living in foster care whose parents have been either detained or deported. To date, there has been no national data available on the numbers of children impacted by the

Arizona Recall

Mesa voters got their say in a historical election that resulted in the recall of Republican Senator Russell Pearce, also known as the architect of SB 1070. Pearce conceded defeat in a brief press conference in the City of Mesa surrounded by politicians, friends and controversial Maricopa County

Arizona Recall

HB 56: Indignation

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama � We�ve been reporting on the unwelcome national and global attention Alabama is receiving for its immigration law, HB 56. Now it�s time to get indignant about the maltreatment Alabama�s immigrant community is suffering under the law, and the insensitivity they�re being shown by

Bridging the Ethnic Generation Gap: Why an Aging Population Will Depend on a New Generation of

There is a generation gap in the United States and it is not only a difference in age. It is a difference in color as well. The predominantly white Baby Boomers are just this year beginning to reach retirement age. As they leave the labor force and the tax base over the next two decades, a new

ACLU Files Lawsuit Charging Alabama�s Racial Profiling Law is Unconstitutional

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and a coalition of civil rights groups filed a class action lawsuit on July 8th charging that Alabama�s anti-immigration law is unconstitutional and endangers public safety, invites racial profiling and interferes with federal law. The lawsuit charges that

Senate Democrats offer practical reforms

Senate Democrats, led by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), on June 22nd reaffirmed their commitment to a common sense, comprehensive solution to illegal immigration by introducing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011. The legislation, introduced by Senator Menendez along with fellow

Ugly politics behind Alabama's anti-immigrant law

Despite soaring deficits, cuts in social services, worker layoffs and tornado-devastated communities, Alabama's first Republican-controlled government in 136 years has turned its focus on undocumented immigrants, raising questions about policymakers' priorities. Governor Robert Bentley recently

The Great Immigration Stalemate

Five years ago, hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions of people marched in big cities and small towns across the U.S. demanding justice for the nation�s estimated 12 million undocumented residents. Hitting a high point with work stoppages on May Day 2006, the pro-immigrant protest was the

Arpaio Launches �Air Posse� to Hunt Immigrants at Border

Arizona might be giving the anti-immigrant attacks a rest in its legislature, but out on the streets not much has changed. On Tuesday Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced the launch of �Operation Desert Sky,� an airborne version of his controversial crime sweeps. This time he wants to send

Yet Another State Leaves Immigration Enforcement Bill on Cutting Room Floor By Seth Hoy

The legislative graveyard got a little bit bigger this week as lawmakers in Mississippi pronounced a series of restrictive immigration measures dead. More than 30 immigration-related bills�including an Arizona-style enforcement bill�failed to meet a legislative deadline due to disagreements over the

Undercover Informants

It is the winning formula of many of Hollywoods motion pictures, the undercover agent, who risks it all to bring criminals to justice. These protagonists operate in secrecy, associating with dangerous elements in an effort to dismantle major criminal networks. Informantes (Informants), an

Tijuana is no Juarez, residents insist

Toiling with a pile of wood planks in his garage turned woodshop, 46-year-old Roberto Carrillo exclaims without hesitation: "Tijuana is not Ciudad Juarez. We dont have the level of violence that you read every day in the papers happens there, or many other states of the country, yet for the foreign

Actions of the sheriffs office are unprecedented

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit recently against the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office (MCSO), Maricopa County, and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for refusing full cooperation with the departments investigation of alleged national origin discrimination in violation of Title VI of the Civil

Cities can opt out of Secure Communities

When San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessy wanted to opt out of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)�s Secure Communities program earlier this year, he was told he didn�t really have that option. �I wrote to the state attorney general, I wrote to ICE officials, and I was told there was

Mirth and No Matter: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Showcases Empty Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric in

In a memorable performance this week, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer refused to defend previously made anti-immigrant statements regarding undocumented immigrants and beheadings during a gubernatorial debate with Attorney General and Democratic candidate, Terry Goddard. While Governor Brewer�s opening

Pundits should listen to voters on immigration

News coverage of the recent ruling on the Arizona anti-immigrant law is re-igniting the debate over comprehensive immigration reform and the need for a federal solution. But as Washington pundits analyze the political implications of the judge�s decision, they are turning to outdated thinking

Birthright citizenship a new low for GOP

The latest flap over �birthright citizenship� has exposed a new low for Republican politicians hell-bent on politicizing the immigration debate and obstructing action on comprehensive immigration reform. Apparently, GOP politicians would rather change the Constitution than just do their job and fix

UFW joins LA union leaders traveling to Arizona

UFW joins LA union leaders traveled to Arizona to keep up the pressure against the SB 1070 anti-immigrant law. On July 28, a federal judge blocked major portions of the law, which went into effect on July 29. Leaving all identification documents �papers� behind, members of the United Farm Workers

Behind Mexico�s July 4th Election Crisis

While the United States prepares its annual July 4 celebration, Mexico will hold its own date with history on the same day. In a dozen states, voters will go to the polls to elect local and state officials. Coming one year after mid-term Congressional elections that delivered a stinging defeat

Clueless in Arizona

As news reports indicate the Obama Administration plans to mount a legal challenge to Arizona�s anti-immigrant law, recent comments by the bill�s signer, Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ), underscore the need for the federal government to intervene in just such a manner. Repeating comments she made earlier

IWJ condemns targeting of immigrant workers in BP disaster

Interfaith Worker Justice, the nation’s largest religious advocacy network for the rights of low-wage workers, expressed utter incomprehension over the checkpoints and harassment to which workers cleaning up BP’s Gulf Coast oil disaster are being subjected. “As we scramble to contain the

Another week, another death

First there was Anastasio, now there is Sergio Adrián -- both with the last name Hernández, both Mexican. One was 42 years old, the other barely 15. Both of them died in encounters with U.S. Border Patrol agents. One died in a San Diego hospital, days after he was beaten and Tased at the hands of

ACLU, Civil rights groups file legal challenge

The American Civil Liberties Union and a coalition of civil rights groups filed a class action lawsuit on May 17 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona challenging Arizona's new law requiring police to demand "papers" from people they stop who they suspect are not authorized to be in

Arizona is Not the First State to Take Immigration Matters into their Own Hands

Washington D.C. - Arizona's controversial new immigration law (SB 1070) is the latest in a long line of efforts to regulate immigration at the state level. Yet while the Grand Canyon State's foray into immigration law is one of the most extreme and punitive, other states have also attempted to

Arizona law spurs conservatives to push for immigration reform

Conservative leaders called on Pres. Barack Obama to make the first move on immigration reform and for Republicans to reclaim the issue from the fringe.

“The only way we can make this happen is with presidential leadership, and President Obama has failed to act,” said Alfonso Aguilar, former

Immigration reform could mean national ID card for all workers

A national identification card of any sort has long been thought politically unfeasible in Washington, D.C.

But the idea is again receiving attention as part of an immigration reform plan gaining ground on Capitol Hill.

In 1981, a Reagan-era Cabinet meeting famously took up the idea of a

Immigration Reaches the Boiling Point, How will Washington Respond?

Washington D.C. - As the constitutional and civil rights consequences of Arizona's punitive new immigration law become ever more apparent, proponents and opponents of the law seem to share only one area of agreement: America's immigration laws are broken and must be repaired. The proposed solutions

Repairing Immigration

Yesterday’s release of the framework for an immigration bill—Real Enforcement and Practical Answers for Immigration Reform (REPAIR) has been praised as a positive step forward in the immigration debate by the President and dismissed as a cynical play for votes by Senators Graham and Kyl. They

Arizona’s Punishing New Immigration Law Doesn’t Fight Crime

Supporters of Arizona’s harsh new immigration law claim that it is, among other things, a potent tool in the crime-fighting arsenal. For instance, the bill’s author, Republican State Senator Russell Pearce of Mesa, confidently predicts that the law—which requires police to investigate the

Thousands of SEIU members will rally in cities across the country May 1 to call for Comprehensive

Washington, DC – On Saturday, May 1, thousands of SEIU members will join faith, business and civil rights leaders across the country to rally against Arizona’s draconian anti-immigrant law and call for comprehensive reform. The message they will deliver is simple: our system is broken; the need

New Arizona Enforcement Law Sparks Calls for Economic Boycott

Arizona’s new controversial enforcement law, signed into law last week by Gov. Jan Brewer, has the potential to shake down more than just undocumented immigrants and suntanned citizens. Arizona’s businesses and tourism industry are also likely to take a hit as more and more people call for an

Human rights should drive immigration reform

Reforming our obsolete immigration system is a human rights issue that can no longer wait. Our nation needs a clear and workable path toward legal residency for the millions of undocumented workers and families living in this country.

Some proposals, such as the immigration-reform blueprint

NEXT UP: IMMIGRATION REFORM

Washington, DC—Yesterday, Senators Charles Schumer (D–NY) and Lindsey Graham (R–SC) unveiled a bipartisan framework for immigration reform legislation in The Washington Post. It was followed by a statement from the White House with the president’s commitment to “forge a bipartisan

Senators issue promising, but vague immigration reform plans

Washington D.C. - Today, in the Washington Post, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsay Graham (R-SC) laid out their blueprint for immigration reform legislation, noting that the American people want Congress to reform the badly broken immigration system. Their framework, welcomed by the

Immigrant Students Call Georgia Sheriff’s Bluff

On March 3rd, four immigrant students who are walking 1,500 miles from Miami, FL to Washington, D.C. heroically faced Gwinnett County Sheriff R.L. “Butch” Conway, a vocal proponent of “287(G)” and other enforcement policies that have resulted in the deportation of hundreds of immigrants, to

Statement by the President on Today’s Meetings on Immigration Reform

Today I met with Senators Schumer and Graham and was pleased to learn of their progress in forging a proposal to fix our broken immigration system. I look forward to reviewing their promising framework, and every American should applaud their efforts to reach across party lines and find commonsense

Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are Growing Economic and Political Force in Missouri

Washington D.C. - The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Missouri's economy, labor force, and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers, and

How Immigrants Can Help America Rise Again

With the U.S. unemployment rate still hovering around 10 percent, it’s only natural for people to worry whether America’s recent economic decline is reversible. In this month’s issue of Atlantic Monthly, correspondent James Fallow takes a step back to address just that—what he calls “the

Budgeting Immigration: Secretary Napolitano Talks Dollars and Programming

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano spent the past two days testifying in front of congressional committees addressing concerns over President Obama’s fiscal year (FY) 2011 DHS budget. Mixed in among the complaints over proposed cuts in cyber security and the Coast

Budgeting Immigration: Secretary Napolitano Talks Dollars and Programming

Real Boots on the Ground: Immigration Movement to March for Reform

Thousands of supporters are expected to dust off their marching boots and head to Washington, D.C. next month to rally for comprehensive immigration reform. Although some media headlines continue to challenge the political viability of immigration reform in 2010, there is clearly no shortage of

High unemployment reframes immigration debate

In the wake of President Obama's "jobs summit," the debate about how illegal immigration impacts unemployment has risen in volume. For Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, the summit was fatally flawed because it did not directly address illegal immigration.

"Notably absent from the president’s jobs

Secretary Janet Napolitano Testifies Before Congress

Washington D.C. - Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano. The Secretary's opening statement reiterated her view that immigration enforcement is a necessity, but that enforcement alone is not a solution for

New Report Shines Light on the Economics of Illegal Immigration

Today the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) held an event aimed at dispelling some of the most common myths about illegal immigrants and the U.S. economy and making the case that enforcement-only policies are not cost effective. MPI also released The Economics and Policy of Illegal Immigration in the

NEW AMERICANS IN THE HAWKEYE STATE Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are Growing Economic and

Washington D.C. - The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Iowa's economy, labor force, and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as workers, consumers, taxpayers, and

Immigrants with Mental Disabilities Are Deprived Their Day in Court

The U.S. legal system is premised on the idea that every party in a case is afforded his or her day in court and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. Yet, for individuals with mental disabilities facing deportation from the United States—including those whose removal will mean being permanently

Myth: Illegal Immigrants Will Receive Free Health Care

In a Newsweek article this week, “The Five Biggest Lies in the Health Care Debate,” the myth that illegal immigrants will receive free health care ranked ranked number three on the list of health care lies gone viral. The article names Rep. Steve King of Iowa, who claimed in a USA Today Op-ed

Faith and Leadership Required: A Closer Look at Last Week’s White House Meeting

Last week’s White House meeting on immigration marked another chapter in the years-long effort to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Janet Napolitano’s invitation to more than one hundred representatives from business, labor, faith, law enforcement, and immigration groups was a genuine

Non-English Speaking Mother Separated from Child: The Tragedy of Mixed-Status Families

A recent article on TIME.com follows the story of a young undocumented mother from Oaxaca, Mexico, whose baby, born in the United States, was taken away by the state of Mississippi because she “doesn’t speak English.” According to the article, the mother was allegedly deemed unfit “in part