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State / Local Policies

 

State and local police are badly needed to help overwhelmed federal immigration authorities apprehend and detain illegal aliens in the interior of our country. Illegal aliens currently outnumber federal immigration agents by 5,000 to one, and only 2,000 federal agents are active in enforcing the immigration laws in the interior of our country. Clearly, those numbers indicate that a limited number of federal agents are incapable of apprehending a majority of an estimated 12-20 million illegal aliens currently inside our nation's borders and would benefit from the assistance of the more than 600,000 state and local law enforcement officers nationwide who come into contact with illegal aliens every day. Many police officers routinely observe and even stop illegal aliens for violations of the law, however, those who arrest illegal aliens and proceed to contact federal immigration officials are all too often told to release the offenders unless a non-immigration offense is involved. This practice has commonly become known as "catch and release." Even more troublesome is the fact that some police officers are prohibited by state or local laws or policies from cooperating with federal officials, a tactic adopted by some state and local governments that favor ensuring the well-being of illegal aliens rather than protecting law abiding American citizens from unnecessary harm and the adverse effects of illegal immigration on their communities.

The 287(g) Program: A Force Multiplier

The Section 287(g) program is a means by which state and local law enforcement agencies may cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enforce our immigration laws.

Examples of Ordinances Passed by Cities and Counties

Chesapeake, Va. - On October 9, 2007, the City Council approved an ordinance (Chapter 54, Section 72.2) requiring contractors to certify that they do not and will not employ illegal aliens during the performance of a city contract.

Americans Oppose Rewards for Illegal Immigrants

Fifty-one percent of Southwest U.S. adults think that illegal aliens should not receive equal access to physical health care.

State Governments Step Up to the Plate

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), lawmakers in 44 states introduced 1,106 pieces of immigration-related legislation between January 1 and March 31 of 2008. Click here for NCSL’s full study. Number of Enacted Bills Addressing Each Issue

The Need for State and Local Immigration Law Enforcement of Immigration Laws

State and local police are badly needed to help overwhelmed federal immigration authorities apprehend illegal aliens in the interior of our country.

In-State Tuition

Federal law states "an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State ...

In the News

Judge: San Francisco Can Issue ID Cards to Illegal Immigrants

In the News - Thursday, October 16, 2008

A lawsuit to block San Francisco from handing out municipal identification cards to anyone who has lived in the city for at least 15 days regardless of their immigration status was tossed out of court Tuesday.

A lawsuit to block San Francisco from handing out municipal identification cards to anyone who has lived in the city for at least 15 days regardless of their immigration status was tossed out of court Tuesday.

Show More http://www.kcbs.com/Judge--SF-Can-Issue-ID-Cards-to-Illegal-Immigrants/3142372

Illegals Hot Topic in Local Nevada Campaign

In the News - Friday, October 10, 2008

In a town that’s nearly 90 percent white, a Grass Valley City Council candidate still is making illegal immigration a campaign issue. Ed Yarborough this week has hung handmade fliers on doors with the warning “It could happen here.” The word “here” is underlined by hand in red ink.

In a town that’s nearly 90 percent white, a Grass Valley City Council candidate still is making illegal immigration a campaign issue. Ed Yarborough this week has hung handmade fliers on doors with the warning “It could happen here.” The word “here” is underlined by hand in red ink.

Show More http://www.theunion.com/article/20081009/NEWS/810099995/1066&parentprofile=-1&title=%E2%80%98It%20could%20happen%20here%E2%80%99

Illegal college students dropping out

In the News - Sunday, August 24, 2008

"Changing laws have made life tougher for illegal immigrants in Arizona, including young people giving up dreams of college and better lives because they are unable to pay out-of-state tuition as required by voters.

With privately funded grants and scholarships lagging far behind the demand, some would-be students have dropped out, and others are considering a return to homelands they hardly remember in search of opportunity.

Mariana Alvarado Avalos, Arizona Daily Star, 24 August 2008

"Changing laws have made life tougher for illegal immigrants in Arizona, including young people giving up dreams of college and better lives because they are unable to pay out-of-state tuition as required by voters.

With privately funded grants and scholarships lagging far behind the demand, some would-be students have dropped out, and others are considering a return to homelands they hardly remember in search of opportunity.

At 22, Jesus Pineda has lived half his life in Tucson. After arriving here at age 11, Pineda learned English in three months, eventually graduated from Catalina High Magnet School and started working with his dad at their family business...."

Mariana Alvarado Avalos, Arizona Daily Star, 24 August 2008

Show More http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/24/20080824dropouts.html

Immigrants' arrests multiply at Fort Lee

In the News - Sunday, August 24, 2008

"The construction boom at Fort Lee is causing a significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants being arrested on the base compared with arrests at other military installations. And the number of arrests is likely to increase as the number of workers grows over the next year.

Luz Lazo, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 24 August 2008

"The construction boom at Fort Lee is causing a significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants being arrested on the base compared with arrests at other military installations. And the number of arrests is likely to increase as the number of workers grows over the next year.

Sixty-two illegal immigrants have been arrested this year while trying to enter Fort Lee, and all have been prosecuted for violating U.S. immigration laws, base officials said. In 2006, there were 15 arrests...."

Luz Lazo, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 24 August 2008

Show More http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-08-24-0210.html

Homeland Security Comes to Vermont

In the News - Sunday, August 24, 2008

"The changes started coming slowly to this small town where the U.S. border with Canada runs across sleepy streets, through houses and families, and smack down the middle of the shared local library.

Keith Richburg, Washington Post, 24 August 2008

"The changes started coming slowly to this small town where the U.S. border with Canada runs across sleepy streets, through houses and families, and smack down the middle of the shared local library.

First was the white, painted lettering on the pavement on three little side streets -- "Canada" on one side, "U.S.A." on the other. Then came the white pylons denoting which side of the border was which. After that, signboards were erected on some streets, ordering drivers to turn back and use an officially designated entry point.

And along with the signposts came an influx of American Border Patrol agents, cruising through the town in their green-and-white sport-utility vehicles with sirens, chasing down cars and mopeds that ignored the posted warnings...."

Keith Richburg, Washington Post, 24 August 2008

Show More http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082300816.html

Border Patrol immigration checkpoints like one approaching Hood Canal Bridge to be more common on Peninsula, agency says

In the News - Sunday, August 24, 2008

"U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints, such as one near the Hood Canal Bridge on Friday and another about six months ago near Forks, are about to become more common on the North Olympic Peninsula, said an agent.

A checkpoint was set up Friday morning on state Highway 104 one mile west of the Hood Canal Bridge.

Erik Hidle and Tom Callis, Peninsula Daily News (Wa.), 24 August 2008

"U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints, such as one near the Hood Canal Bridge on Friday and another about six months ago near Forks, are about to become more common on the North Olympic Peninsula, said an agent.

A checkpoint was set up Friday morning on state Highway 104 one mile west of the Hood Canal Bridge.

Border Patrol Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Joseph Guiliano said checkpoints on U.S. Highway 101 are planned north of Forks and south of Discovery Bay between now and mid-September.

Guiliano said agents detained six illegal immigrants at a checkpoint eight miles north of Forks about six months ago eight miles north of Forks...."

Erik Hidle and Tom Callis, Peninsula Daily News (Wa.), 24 August 2008

Show More http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080824/NEWS/808240302&SearchID=73327931267748

Family blames sanctuary policy in 3 slayings

In the News - Saturday, August 23, 2008

"San Francisco's immigrant sanctuary policies played a "substantial" role in the slayings of a father and two of his sons by allowing city officials to shield the alleged killer from deportation, despite his violent history, according to a legal claim filed Friday on behalf of the victims' family.

The claim is likely to be followed by a wrongful death lawsuit in which the family of Tony Bologna and his sons could seek millions of dollars from the city.

Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 August 2008

"San Francisco's immigrant sanctuary policies played a "substantial" role in the slayings of a father and two of his sons by allowing city officials to shield the alleged killer from deportation, despite his violent history, according to a legal claim filed Friday on behalf of the victims' family.

The claim is likely to be followed by a wrongful death lawsuit in which the family of Tony Bologna and his sons could seek millions of dollars from the city.

Bologna, 48, and his sons Michael, 20, and Matthew, 16, were shot to death on a street in the Excelsior district June 22. Edwin Ramos, 21, of El Sobrante, who authorities say is a member of a street gang, has been charged with three counts of murder...."

Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 August 2008

Show More http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/23/MNR812GPPE.DTL

Sun Valley could feel foreign worker shortage

In the News - Friday, August 22, 2008

"Officials with Sun Valley Co. in central Idaho say they will hire fewer ski instructors and other workers from foreign countries this season because a nationwide visa program has reached its limit.

Matt Parke, Sun Valley Co. personnel manager, said the 66,000 national limit for H2-B visas was reached July 29, the earliest it has been met since the program started in 1990.

AP, 22 August 2008

"Officials with Sun Valley Co. in central Idaho say they will hire fewer ski instructors and other workers from foreign countries this season because a nationwide visa program has reached its limit.

Matt Parke, Sun Valley Co. personnel manager, said the 66,000 national limit for H2-B visas was reached July 29, the earliest it has been met since the program started in 1990.

"It will definitely affect us," Parke told the Idaho Mountain Express. "We sometimes hire 200-plus H2-B employees, and with extensions we'll be about half that...."

AP, 22 August 2008

Show More http://www.2news.tv/news/27291244.html

Cobb checking status of immigrants

In the News - Thursday, July 24, 2008

"Cobb Chairman Sam Olens disputed allegations that the county is violating state law requiring officials to verify the immigration status of applicants for public benefits, such as business licenses. "We have been absolutely checking on the business licenses," of which the county has issued about 1,098, he said Wednesday. But the chairman held firm to his position that a business license is different from an

Ashley Hungerford, Marietta Daily Journal, 24 July 2008

"Cobb Chairman Sam Olens disputed allegations that the county is
violating state law requiring officials to verify the immigration
status of applicants for public benefits, such as business licenses.
"We have been absolutely checking on the business licenses," of which
the county has issued about 1,098, he said Wednesday. But the chairman
held firm to his position that a business license is different from an
occupational tax certificate (OTC), of which the county has issued
about 27,668. The county does not check the immigration status of those
applicants...."

Ashley Hungerford, Marietta Daily Journal, 24 July 2008

Show More http://www.mdjonline.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/1/section/15/item/115432.html#

Triple murder turns focus on S.F. sanctuary policy

In the News - Wednesday, July 23, 2008

"The scene repeats itself every day on city streets: A driver gets stuck bumper-to-bumper, blocking the intersection and another car's ability to complete a left turn. San Francisco authorities say that was enough to prompt Edwin Ramos to unload an AK47 assault weapon on a man and his two sons, killing all three. The murders immediately sparked public outrage, which only intensified when authorities revealed that Ramos, 21, is an illegal immigrant who

Paul Elias, AP, 23 July 2008

"The scene repeats itself every day on city streets: A driver gets
stuck bumper-to-bumper, blocking the intersection and another car's
ability to complete a left turn.
San Francisco authorities say that was enough to prompt Edwin Ramos to
unload an AK47 assault weapon on a man and his two sons, killing all
three.
The murders immediately sparked public outrage, which only intensified
when authorities revealed that Ramos, 21, is an illegal immigrant who
had managed to avoid deportation despite previous brushes with the
law...."

Paul Elias, AP, 23 July 2008

Show More http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9974463?nclick_check=1