Daily news updates from CIS

September 18, 2009

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[For CISNEWS subscribers --

1. Obama: amnesty to ultimately provide health coverage (story, 2 links)
2. Napolitano presses PASS ID Act
3. Gov't allocates $6.5b to fence over 20 years
4. Administration pledges amnesty effort (2 stories)
5. $1.2 grant to aid naturalization
6. NJ Sen. Menendez refuses support for health care
7. House panel seeks better border tech spending (2 stories, 2 links)
8. UT senator seeks verification in Census
9. NY senator backs amnesty movement
10. Baucus health bill cracks down on illegals (story, link)
11. San Francisco drug case complicated by sanctuary
12. AZ county sheriff under DOJ probe
13. NC community colleges OK enrollment for illegals' (story, 2 links)
14. Des Moines school official seeks spending controls (link)
15. Hispanic Catholic Bishops press 'reform' (story, link)
16. ACORN using federal funds in immigration fight
17. Chicago activists press Dems for amnesty
18. Houston hawks seek city crackdown
19. Activists question birth-right citizenship
20. WA activists seek expanded services for immigrants
21. WI group seeks more aid for immigrants
22. Hispanic activists attack Lou Dobbs
23. NE restaurateur group promotes amnesty
24. ACLU wins suit over detention conditions
25. Poll finds opposition to birth-right citizenship
26. Soldiers, sailors and Marines take oath in NC
27. Illegal alien dialysis patients caught in limbo
28. FBI grilling Afghani in terror probe
29. FL authorities crack license fraud scheme
30. FL police nab craft smuggling Dominicans

Subscribe to CIS e-mail services here: http://cis.org/immigrationnews.html

-- Mark Krikorian]

1.
Obama: Legalize illegals to get them health care
By Stephen Dinan
The Washington Times, September 18, 2009
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/18/obama-ties-immigration-to-health-care-battle/

President Obama said this week that his health care plan won't cover illegal immigrants, but argued that's all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage.

He also staked out a position that anyone in the country legally should be covered - a major break with the 1996 welfare reform bill, which limited most federal public assistance programs only to citizens and longtime immigrants.

'Even though I do not believe we can extend coverage to those who are here illegally, I also don't simply believe we can simply ignore the fact that our immigration system is broken,' Mr. Obama said Wednesday evening in a speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. 'That's why I strongly support making sure folks who are here legally have access to affordable, quality health insurance under this plan, just like everybody else.

Mr. Obama added, 'If anything, this debate underscores the necessity of passing comprehensive immigration reform and resolving the issue of 12 million undocumented people living and working in this country once and for all.'

Republicans said that amounts to an amnesty, calling it a backdoor effort to make sure current illegal immigrants get health care.

'It is ironic that the president told the American people that illegal immigrants should not be covered by the health care bill, but now just days later he's talking about letting them in the back door,' said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee.

'If the American people do not want to provide government health care for illegal immigrants, why would they support giving them citizenship, the highest honor America can bestow?' Mr. Smith said.

But immigrant rights groups see the speech as a signal that Mr. Obama is committed to providing health care coverage for anyone in the United States legally, regardless of their citizenship status.

'It's the first time I've certainly heard, publicly, him talking more about legal immigrants,' said Eric Rodriguez, vice president for research and advocacy at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). 'I think that was certainly positive progress. We were absolutely concerned about not hearing that.'

On Wednesday, hours before Mr. Obama's speech, the NCLR had given the administration a public scolding, demanding that Mr. Obama needed to make 'a public commitment ... to ensure that those who are here legally are covered.'

A White House spokesman did not respond to questions about where the White House would make the cutoff for eligibility, and Mr. Rodriguez said he's still waiting for an answer from the administration.

'We don't know where they mean to draw the line,' he said. 'Our biggest concern is that most people don't realize legal immigrants are currently barred from receiving health care benefits for the first five years in the country.'

Under the 1996 welfare overhaul, most federal aid programs are restricted to citizens and legal immigrants who have been in the country for at least five years. Democrats have tried this year to chip away at that rule.

Immigration has dogged Mr. Obama in the health care debate. Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican, shouted, 'You lie,' when the president, in an address to Congress last week, said his plans wouldn't cover illegal immigrants.

Lawmakers - who got an earful from constituents back home during August - have insisted on extra checks to make sure illegal immigrants do not have access to taxpayer-funded programs.

Senators have worked on language that would prevent illegal immigrants from buying insurance through a proposed insurance exchange envisioned in the health care reform package.

But the NCLR said that could lead to situations where some members of a family would be covered and others, including children of illegal immigrants, wouldn't be.

Mr. Obama said legalizing illegal immigrants is a way to take the sting out of the entire issue.

But Republicans said by pushing to legalize illegal immigrants, Mr. Obama is signaling that those here illegally eventually will get access to taxpayer-funded benefits.

Still, the push to pass a legalization bill is beginning to gain steam, even as advocates fret that the White House is moving too slowly.

On Thursday, Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, Illinois Democrat and an outspoken advocate for legalization, agreed to take leadership in writing a new, more generous bill.

'We simply cannot wait any longer for a bill that keeps our families together, protects our workers and allows a pathway to legalization for those who have earned it,' Mr. Gutierrez said. 'Saying immigration is a priority for this administration or this Congress is not the same as seeing tangible action, and the longer we wait, the more every single piece of legislation we debate will be obstructed by our failure to pass comprehensive reform.'

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Obama: Immigration Reform Will Allow Illegal Immigrants to Become Legal and Get Health Care Coverage
By Nicholas Ballasy
The CNS News, September 18, 2009
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/54230

The President’s Promise Not to Insure Illegal Immigrants Isn’t as Simple as it Sounds
The ABC News, September 17, 2009
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/09/the-presidents-promise-not-to-insure-illegal-immigrants-isnt-as-simple-as-it-sounds.html

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2.
New driver license legislation proposed
Debate on whether it increases or decreases security
By Zack Martin
Secure ID News, September 17, 2009
http://www.secureidnews.com/2009/09/17/new-driver-license-legislation-proposed

Some believe that new proposed driver license legislation would help states better secure IDs while also protecting citizen privacy. Others say it 'guts' an existing law and takes states back to pre-9/11 identity vetting for IDs.

A hearing held in the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on the proposed bill called the Providing Additional Security in States’ Identification (PASS) Act of 2009. Testimony revealed very different takes on the bill that would basically roll back, REAL ID. It’s not clear how the proposed change would impact states already complying with REAL ID and rolling out new documents. Even with this new bill looming, some states are still moving ahead to comply with REAL ID.

'The major problem with REAL ID is that it is producing very little progress in terms of securing driver’s licenses, and it is not getting us to where we need to be,' said Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 'Simply put, REAL ID is unrealistic.'

Citing the almost $4 billion estimated price tags for states to switch to REAL ID and unfeasible deadlines, Napolitano offers up PASS as an alternative. Napolitano, when she was governor of Arizona, had signed a law against REAL ID.

'PASS ID is a critical piece of national security legislation that will fix the REAL ID Act of 2005 and institute strong security standards for government-issued identification,' she said. 'PASS ID will fulfill a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, that the federal government set standards for identification such as driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards–and this bill will do so in a way that states will implement, rather than disregard. PASS ID will enact the same strong security standards set out by REAL ID as quickly as REAL ID but, critically, this bill provides a workable way to get there.'

Napolitano said that PASS ID keeps document verification and authenticating of source documents, advocates the physical security of ID production, requires that photos of applicants be taken and still has the requirement to show compliant IDs. 'All in all, PASS ID would match the security provided in REAL ID, while providing the states with more flexibility to innovate and meet the standards,' she said.

How does it differ from REAL ID?

The major difference is that PASS ID gives states different options to meet the criteria. 'While REAL ID mandates electronic verification for all source document information, PASS ID would maintain a focus on ensuring the authenticity of identity source documents that applicants present, allowing states to adopt cost-effective ways to achieve or exceed that threshold,' Napolitano said.

Since states would be able to choose how to verify identity there would be some cost savings, Napolitano said. The bill would also codify state grants for driver licenses and speed up implementation.

'States would have one year after the issuance of final DHS regulations to begin issuing compliant documents, and would have five years from that date to enroll driver’s license holders as they see fit,' she said. 'The REAL ID deadline for completing issuance of compliant driver’s licenses is December 2017. If Congress enacts the PASS ID Act as it is currently written by October 2009, states could complete enrollment by July 2016, a full one year and five months ahead of the REAL ID timetable.'

PASS ID potentially rolls back one key requirement of REAL ID, checking other states to see if an individual has multiple licenses. Napolitano and others say this was cause for privacy concerns. 'PASS ID would not require stat es to provide direct access to each other’s driver’s license databases; in fact, the bill contains protections against creating any national identity database containing all driver’s license information and requires states to adopt adequate procedures to prevent unauthorized access to or sharing of personally identifiable information,' she said.

Opponents see PASS ID as a weak substitute for REAL ID

But what Napolitano sees as privacy protection others see as a security issue. The proposed legislation would basically take driver licenses to where they were before 9/11, says Janice Kephart, a member of the 9/11 Commission and director of national security policy at the Center for Immigration Studies. 'It guts the key element of the 9/11 Commission in regards to driver licenses, which is ID verification,' she says. 'PASS ID pulls the plug on people proving who they are.'

Cutting out identity verification isn’t the only aspect of PASS ID. Kephart says the bill was put together by the National Governors Association and Napolitano.

The bill creates a new grant process for states to get funding for driver licenses, Kephart says. The new grant process doesn’t require states to account for the funds doled out. Also, if states decided to hook into federal databases to check Social Security numbers or passport information the states wouldn’t have to pay for the access. 'The way it’s written it’s a windfall for the states,' she adds.

The bill would also freeze minimum driver license security and ID standards for states to where they are now, Kephart says. 'It’s about creating an appearance of security without any real security.'

But the biggest issue is still the lack of identity verification, Kephart says. The bill would not require states to store a photo, check birth records, Social Security numbers or passport numbers. 'There’s no cross checks to make sure people don’t have multiple licenses in different states,' she says. 'The bill pulls back on all significant areas of identity verification.'

Kephart contends that the bill would also remove the REAL ID stipulation that individuals could not board airplanes without compliant identification. 'You still have to take your shoes off at the airport but the bill says no person shall be denied solely by not showing an ID or driver license,' she says.

There are some questions as to whether the bill will get anywhere in Congress. It has been shopped around since Barack Obama was elected, but it took some time before it was submitted in the Senate, suggesting there may be questions as to whether it can pass. 'As much as the Senate has not liked REAL ID I don’t think any senator wants to be pinned with rolling back a 9/11 Commission recommendation,' Kephart says.

The bill has received White House attention from Rahm Emmanuel, Obama’s chief of staff, but the administration has its concerns. 'The bill doesn’t have the support the administration wants,' Kephart says. 'It took so long for submission because they were trying to get members signed on.'

For this and other reasons it’s more likely that REAL ID will get amended, Kephart suggests. The extent of any amendments, however, aren’t clear.

How do EDLs fit in with new bill?

Unlike REAL ID, The PASS ID bill would recognize the enhanced driver licenses as being compliant with any federal law regarding driver licenses and state-issued IDs, says Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, who testified at the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Vermont started issuing EDLs earlier this year and believes they should be compliant with any future requirements. 'The importance of Vermont’s EDL being recognized as compliant with federal driver’s license standards cannot be understated as Vermont’s economic, environmental and cultural relationship with Quebec is of paramount importance,' Douglas said. 'The EDL cost Vermont about $1 million to implement, but more importantly the ease of border travel it creates is key to our economy and our relationship with Canada, Vermont’s largest trading partner.'

Not including the EDL would create a tough choice for Vermont’s citizens. 'If the Vermont EDL were not recognized as REAL ID compliant, citizens would be faced with a difficult choice–either carry an EDL for land border crossings to Quebec or carry a REAL ID compliant card for flying and/or accessing federal buildings,' Douglas said. 'If Vermont’s EDL is not compliant, it would become essentially useless as most customers would be better off obtaining a regular license and also maintaining a passport or passport card for border travel.'

But Ari Schwartz, vice president of the Center for Democracy and Technology, testified that Homeland Security should rethink the technology used in EDLs and also find a better way to secure any type of machine-readable code on the IDs. 'When used for human identification, long range or vicinity-read RFID poses serious threats to personal privacy and security: it reduces user notice and control over when information is collected from the card and enables location tracking of the cardholder because the unique identifier stored on the chip can be easily skimmed (if unencrypted),' he said. 'These serious risks make such long range RFID technology inappropriate for human identification and far outweigh the justifications asserted for its use in the EDL and passport card initiatives.'

EDLs and the Passport Card use radio frequency identification technology that can be read from 15 to 20 feet and is designed to expedite travel over land border crossings. The chip doesn’t contain information other than a unique number that acts as a pointer to a record on a secure database containing the cardholder’s photo and other biographic information.

Schwartz would like the PASS ID act to reject the use of RFID and have any machine-readable technology on the card be encrypted to protect the privacy of the cardholder. Also, he believes the data stored on the card should be limited to what’s necessary for law enforcement of other officials.

'While PASS ID is a major improvement over current law, the bill should be strengthened to further protect privacy and civil liberties while still achieving security objectives,' Schwartz said. 'PASS ID provides the opportunity to establish privacy guidance and protections for features of the state driver’s license system that will exist regardless of REAL ID.'

Some states on the way to REAL ID compliance

Despite potential changes to legislation impacting state driver licenses and IDs, Nevada is moving forward to comply with REAL ID. The Silver State, however, is giving its residents a choice of whether or not they want a document that complies with the law.

If the individual doesn’t want the new document he can receive one that does not meet the terms of the law, says Tom Jacobs, a spokesman with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Nevada will start issuing the documents in the fall and will be materially compliant by the first of the year.

The primary difference between the REAL ID documents and the others are the documents used to prove an individual’s identity. Under REAL ID residents can only use seven different documents but Nevada will allow 14 to be used to get a basic license.

The other license won’t be REAL ID-compliant and can’t be used to enter federal buildings or airports, Jacobs says. The conforming driver licenses and state IDs will have security features that identify it as being such.

There will be no difference in cost between the REAL ID documents and the others, Jacobs says. The state will conduct a marketing campaign to let residents know the difference between the documents and educate them on what they may not be able to do with the non-compliant licenses.

The campaign will also educate residents on REAL ID, Jacobs says. 'There’s a lot of misinformation out there. It’s not as insidious as everyone thinks.'

There is no national database of driver licenses, as many say, Jacobs stresses. If a resident wants a REAL ID-compliant document the breeder documents will be authenticated, scanned and stored. States will be able to share access to databases to make sure duplicate licenses aren’t being issued but the information is only stored with the state that issues the document.

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3.
Gov't: Border fence to cost $6.5B over 20 years
By Eileen Sullivan
The Associated Press, September 17, 2009
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jVdixxxUKMR4V7LXmPSdHppIur5QD9AP9MAG0

Washington, DC (AP) -- It will cost taxpayers $6.5 billion over the next 20 years to maintain the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a government audit.

But as the Obama administration realizes the long-term costs of the border fence, it does not have a way to evaluate whether this investment has helped control illegal entries into the country, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Thursday.

The $6.5 billion price tag is in addition to the $2.4 billion that's been spent to build more than 600 miles of fence segments along the southwest border. As of May 14, there have been 3,363 breaches in the fence, which cost about $1,300 each to repair, GAO found.

'We can't empty the federal treasury to satisfy some bumper-sticker notion of border security,' Rep. David Price, D-N.C. said in a statement. Price said comprehensive changes to the country's immigration laws is what will improve border security.

The fence is a Bush administration initiative that has faced several delays and cost increases.

The technological part of the government's plan to secure the border continues to be delayed, GAO said.

Until the entire technology piece is complete, it is impossible for Border Patrol to know if the security measures are working, GAO said.

Boeing Co. has the contract for the technology piece and has received about $400 million for work on the physical fence, company spokeswoman Jenna McMullin said.

On Thursday, Customs and Border Protection extended the contract option to continue to assign tasks to Boeing for another year, said Mark Borkowski, the government's director of the secure border initiative.

Borkowski said he understands the frustrations about the project's delays. But he said he's confident that Boeing and the government will find the right technology for the long stretches of the border.

Tim Peters, Boeing's vice president of global security, told lawmakers that the company has learned valuable lessons from its initial projects on the border. Peters said it's not 'uncommon' to run into technological challenges in these sort of projects.

Depending on funding, the there would be fencing or technology along the whole southwestern border except for about 200 miles around Big Bend National Park by 2014, Homeland Security officials have said. But GAO said it's more likely to be completed in 2016.

On Thursday officials told Congress that the remaining 38 miles of physical fencing is held up because of legal issues related to obtaining land.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security committee, called the fence a 'serious challenge' that the Obama administration has inherited. In remarks prepared for a hearing Thursday, the Mississippi Democrat said the GAO's findings are troubling.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The GAO report is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09896.pdf

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4.
Napolitano Touts Immigration Reform
Secretary Says Health Care Comes First
By Rene Romo
The Albuquerque Journal (NM), September 17, 2009
http://www.abqjournal.com/cgi-bin/decision.pl?attempted=www.abqjournal.com/news/state/17232214901newsstate09-17-09.htm [subscription]

Las Cruces, NM -- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that getting immigration reform legislation passed is one of the top priorities of the Obama administration, but it will be pursued only after Congress addresses health care.

Speaking at the Domenici Public Policy Conference at New Mexico State University on Wednesday evening, Napolitano also touted her department's stepped-up efforts to aid Mexico in combating powerful drug cartels.

'This is a time that we just have not seen before and may not see again,' Napolitano said of the drug-related violence in Mexico that has claimed about 3,000 victims in Ciudad Juárez since the start of 2008. 'That's why it's very important that our countries work together.'

Napolitano discussed her initiatives, unveiled in March, to beef up intelligence-gathering and law enforcement along the Southwest border and to establish regular inspections of Mexicobound vehicle and train traffic in the search for drug profits and weapons that fuel drug cartels. She praised Mexican President Felipe Calderon's use of troops to fight drug cartels and efforts to improve the integrity of municipal and state police.

'This will be a marathon, not a sprint' Napolitano said. 'But progress is being made.'

Napolitano said a comprehensive immigration reform package would include new enforcement tools, as well as provisions to streamline and simplify the visa application process, address illegal immigrants now living in the United States, and provide a way for young people whose parents brought them illegally into the country to obtain a college education.

Napolitano, the former Arizona governor who grew up in Albuquerque, said that after she graduated from college in California, former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici, who retired last year, helped her get a job with the Senate Budget Committee in Washington.

After her address, Domenici asked Napolitano to defend the Artesia-based Federal Law Enforcement Training Center - where Border Patrol agents and other federal officers receive training - from critics who say it should be moved to a more accessible location. 'I will fight for it as secretary,' Napolitano said.

The Domenici Public Policy Conference hosted by NMSU is an annual fall event that honors the six-term senator with speakers addressing topics of particular interest to Domenici, such as nuclear energy, national security, the national debt and border security.

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Napolitano: immigration reform on back burner
By Diana M. Alba
The Carlsbad Current-Argus (New Mexico), September 17, 2009
http://www.scsun-news.com/ci_13355050

Las Cruces, NM -- While the federal government is 'zooming along' on efforts to reduce the illegal drug trade and secure the border, immigration reform is on the back burner, at least for now, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told a crowd here Wednesday night.

Napolitano, addressing attendees at the 2009 Domenici Public Policy Conference, said immigration reform won't be taken up prominently until after the health-care reform issue is addressed. Still, she said it remains a goal of President Barack Obama's. She noted some work has begun in the Senate on draft legislation and said work is going on 'behind the scenes.'

'Once the Congress is done with health care, this will be one of the top three priorities he has, which is to really look at the underlying law, which from the immigration enforcement side needs to be strengthened in some areas and which on the legal migration side needs to be adjusted, so that we're really dealing with the work flow and labor issues that have been involved,' she said.

Napolitano, a former governor of Arizona, has ties to New Mexico. She moved to the state when she was 6 years old and graduated from an Albuquerque high school. She said her first job out of college was working for Pete Domenici when he was on the Senate budget committee.

Napolitano said Obama has asked her to 'play point for the administration' when it comes to working with the House and Senate on an immigration reform bill. She said some likely ideas will be ones debated previously, while others will be 'novel concepts, particularly in the enforcement area, where we really need to fill some gaps.'

The secretary said a bill also would address visa reform and immigrants who already are in the United States. She said she wouldn't give a time table for how soon the legislation might be taken up.

Napolitano spent much of her 30-minute speech outlining how her agency is taking steps to stem the illegal drug trade. She said there are efforts to increase cooperation with local and state law enforcement and with Mexican law enforcement officials. She said agent numbers have been boosted, especially in the area of intelligence gathering and analysis, which increases the likelihood of intercepting narcotics loads. The efforts target not only northbound drugs but southbound weapons and cash bundles, which finance smuggling operations, she said.

'If we can impede something in either direction, we can impact the cartels,' she said.

An audience member, during a question period, pointed out that demand for drugs in the United States is feeding the smuggling problem. Napolitano acknowledged that was the case and said preventing drug use, especially among youth, will be 'part and parcel of our effort.'

Carol Lange, an agricultural biology student who attended Napolitano's talk, said the conference is a good way to hear first-hand about the policy discussions that are important to the country.

'The economic situation is a big one on everyone's mind these days, and living so close to the border, the border is important, as well as national security,' she said.

Napolitano pledged to continue supporting the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy in Artesia, after being asked about the facility by Domenici, who was in attendance. The facility trains Border Patrol personnel, among others.

An official said about 300 non-student and 400 student attendees registered for the conference. It began Wednesday and wraps up today.

Attendee Paul Wiget, a graduate student in chemistry at NMSU, said he was especially interested in hearing Napolitano speak, though he attended panel discussions about nuclear energy, as well.

'I really wish that more of the general public could have heard the conversation about nuclear energy this afternoon,' he said. 'I think it could have dispelled a lot of the general public's concerns about the safety issues and the economic issues. There's a lot of misinformation out there about the benefits of nuclear energy.'

Diana M. Alba writes for the Las Cruces Sun-News, a member of the Texas-New Mexico Newspaper Partnership.

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5.
Groups get $1.2M to help people become US citizens
The Associated Press, September 17, 2009
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_tx_citizenship_grants.html

Dallas -- Federal immigration officials on Thursday awarded a Dallas group and 12 other organizations around the country $1.2 million in grants to help legal residents become U.S. citizens.

Citizenship and Immigration Services awarded $100,000 to Catholic Charities Immigration and Legal Services. It wasn't immediately clear how much money was awarded to the other groups, but the agency said they could apply for up to $100,000.

The announcement coincided with Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

The agency said the money goes to increase the number of people served by programs that help green card holders improve their English skills, learn about U.S. history and government, and prepare for the naturalization process.

The funds can only be used to provide direct services to immigrants with legal status in the country.

Other recipients include the Association House of Chicago; Central American Resource Center in Los Angeles; Federation Employment and Guidance Service Inc. in New York; International Institute of St. Louis; and the International Rescue Committee Inc. in San Diego.

Grants also went to the Jewish Family and Children's Services in San Francisco; Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest Inc. in New Jersey; Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, based in North Carolina; OneAmerica in Seattle; Progreso Latino in Rhode Island; Saint Mark Roman Catholic Parish in Massachusetts; and Young Women's Christian Association in Oklahoma.

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6.
Senior Democrat turns healthcare debate into fight over immigration
By Alexander Bolton
The Hill (Washington, DC), September 18, 2009
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/59331-menendez-forces-immigration-debate-into-healthcare-fight

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) is putting Democrats in a bind by seeking to let illegal immigrants benefit from the healthcare overhaul.

Menendez, the only Hispanic senator, has considerable leverage with Democrats because he may represent the deciding vote on the Senate Finance Committee set to mark up the legislation next week. He’s also the party’s campaign committee chairman, giving him added influence.

Menendez said he is withholding his support for the bill until his concerns about immigration and other matters are addressed.

His objections come one week after President Barack Obama staunchly disputed GOP accusations that the healthcare proposal would aid illegal immigrants — prompting the now-famous 'You lie!' outburst from Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).

The Senate Finance Committee bill, drafted by centrist Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), does not allow illegal immigrants to purchase health coverage over an exchange set up to create competition within the insurance industry and reduce costs.

Menendez is troubled by that language and has joined Hispanic advocacy groups in criticizing the bill for placing too heavy a burden on legal and illegal immigrants.

Immigrants are not required to show proof of citizenship or legal residency to buy health insurance. If they were prohibited from participating in an insurance exchange, they would be forced to buy coverage at a significantly higher cost than legal residents.

Hispanic advocates argue that companies employing illegal immigrants would be tempted to opt out of the national health insurance exchange to avoid having to verify the immigration status of all their workers. Nearly half of illegal immigrants receive health insurance from their employers, according to one estimate.

'We’re not very pleased with the provisions in the bill,' said Brent Wilkes, national executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens. 'We think it goes far beyond what is necessary to prevent undocumented immigrants getting tax-subsidized benefits.'

Menendez and the Hispanic advocacy groups are also concerned with how Baucus would treat families made up of both legal and undocumented residents.

'I have a series of concerns about the bill,' Menendez said.

Satisfying Menendez’s objections to the immigration provisions will not be an easy task. Any concessions making it easier for immigrants to buy insurance could be seized on by opponents who have accused Democrats of planning to subsidize health plans for illegal immigrants.

But Menendez has more power on the Finance Committee than usual because the second-ranking Democrat, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), has said there is 'no way' he will vote for the healthcare reform package assembled by Baucus.

The Finance panel has a 13-10 Democratic advantage, and while several Democrats on the committee have raised concerns about the bill, Rockefeller and Menendez are the most critical.

The New Jersey Democrat is also concerned about whether low- and middle-income residents of his state would receive high enough federal subsidies to afford coverage, and is skeptical of a proposal to tax high-cost insurance plans. New Jersey’s healthcare premiums, on average, rank among the costliest in the country.

As chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Menendez understands the importance of Hispanic voters, a fast-growing electoral bloc that overwhelming supported Obama in the 2008 election.

Prohibiting immigrants from participating in the exchange is not a point Baucus can easily concede. He is following the lead of the White House. Obama declared in a speech to Congress: 'the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.'

One Democratic aide said it would be difficult for Menendez to win the inclusion of illegal immigrants into the insurance exchange. But Menendez may have more success increasing subsidies for those mixed families that include illegal immigrants.

Under Baucus’s plan, a family that includes illegal immigrants would receive lower subsidies than those without but earning the same income.

For example, the plan would count the income of illegal immigrants in a family when assessing how much federal aid a family could receive; families with higher incomes receive lower subsidies. But the illegal immigrants in a family would not be eligible for healthcare subsidies, even though their income would be counted to determine the level of federal aid to the family.

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7.
House members raise questions about border security project
By Marjorie Korn
The Dallas Morning News, September 18, 2009
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/DN-border_18nat.ART.State.Edition1.4bb664b.html

Washington, DC -- The task of securing the U.S.-Mexico border by high-tech means is behind schedule and plagued by chronic technology problems, lawmakers were told Thursday, prompting questions about how much more time and money they're willing to invest in the current plan.

The Secure Border Initiative, run by the Department of Homeland Security, aims to use a network of surveillance equipment – along with fencing, roads and lighting – to monitor for illegal immigrants and contraband crossing the border.

Supporters told a House homeland security subcommittee that the program has made strides, while critics question how glitches will be fixed and whether the final product will be worth the price tag.

The issue was underscored last week when Gov. Rick Perry called for more Texas Rangers to help curtail violence along the Mexican border. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat who sits on the subcommittee, said if the Homeland Security program continues to be ineffective, more states may have to undertake what is chiefly a federal burden.

'If we don't do our work correctly, you're going to have governors saying 'We have to take work into our hands,' ' Cuellar said.

David Aguilar, the nation's top Border Patrol official, defended the system, saying much has been learned from mistakes and the initiative is on the road to effectiveness.

'Although we know that the last three years of SBInet have been frustrating and, at times, discouraging for all involved, we believe we are on a path towards improvement,' Aguilar said.

A report from the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office, which studies federal policies at Congress' request, warned that the effectiveness of the multibillion-dollar program hasn't been fully tested and the Boeing Co., whose federal contract for the surveillance portion of the initiative is close to expiring, hasn't worked out technical kinks that have long plagued the system.

Richard Stana of the accountability office said that Boeing's technology hasn't sufficiently progressed. For instance, new cameras being tested still register false readings on windy days. And a slew of missed deadlines for making the system fully operational has him questioning if the 2017 deadline will be met and what the final investment will be.

'Nobody knows what it's going to look like, so how would they know what it's going to cost?' Stana said.

Congress has spent $3.7 billion on the initiative since 2005, and Stana's report recommends that the Border Patrol do a cost-benefit analysis.

'We have yet to see whether or not this fencing has increased border security and justified its costs,' said Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., who chairs the subcommittee.

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Kill 'virtual fence' if not viable soon, analyst says
By Erin Kelly
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix), September 18, 2009
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/09/18/20090918border0918.html

If a costly surveillance system billed as a 'virtual fence' to protect the Southwest border cannot prove its effectiveness in 2010 at test sites in Arizona, federal officials should scrap it, a top government analyst told a key House panel Thursday.

At the same time, Border Patrol officials must come up with a way to measure the effectiveness of an actual 661-mile fence that the United States nearly has completed along the border in California, Arizona and Texas, said Richard Stana, director of homeland security issues for the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress.

That $2.4 billion fence will cost taxpayers about $6.5 billion to maintain over the next 20 years, the GAO estimated in a report released Thursday. The report said Border Patrol officials currently have no way to analyze how much good the fence is doing.

Border Patrol arrests, one measure of migrant traffic, have decreased significantly in Arizona. Authorities are encouraged, but it is impossible to attribute the drop solely to additional fencing because other factors, such as the shrinking supply of jobs in the U.S., could be in play.

The 'virtual fence' project is an even bigger question mark because it has not shown that it can do the job, Stana said.

The federal government has spent about $1.1 billion in contracts with Boeing Co. to develop the Southwest Border Initiative's SBInet, which has been tested in the Sasabe area and is set to be expanded in the Tucson region soon.

The surveillance system employs sensors, cameras and radar mounted on towers to provide intelligence to Border Patrol officials.

There have been frequent delays and failures with its equipment, including problems with cameras remaining steady in bad weather.

The system was supposed to be deployed borderwide this month, but completion has been pushed back to 2016.

Border Patrol officials acknowledged that three years of delays have been 'frustrating and at times discouraging,' but said things are looking up.

After initial problems with a pilot project near Sasabe, the system is set to be activated soon in the Tucson area and undergo tests through March.

While that testing is under way, deployment is expected to begin at a second site near Ajo, where testing would be completed by early summer of 2010, said Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar and Mark Borkowski, executive director of the Secure Border Initiative.

Meanwhile, Stana said, officials in the Department of Homeland Security have agreed to come up with a way to assess the effectiveness of the fence that has been constructed to block pedestrians and vehicles from crossing illegally.

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Sanchez Vows to Boost SBInet Oversight
By Mickey McCarter
HSToday, September 18, 2009
http://www.hstoday.us/content/view/10285/128/

Agents crippled by tech deployment delays along Southwest border
By Jill R. Aitoro
NextGov, September 17, 2009
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090917_5482.php?oref=topnews

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8.
Bennett pushes to identify immigrants
By Lee Davidson
The Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City), September 18, 2009
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705330788/Bennett-pushes-to-identify-immigrants.html

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, worries that some areas may gain extra representation in Congress — and extra federal funding — because illegal immigrants are included in census counts.

So on Thursday, he introduced a bill that would require asking in the once-in-10-years census whether people being counted are legal U.S. citizens.

'The current system is broken and unfair,' Bennett said. 'It does not make any sense for congressional seats and the Electoral College to be determined by a process that unfairly provides the advantage to those communities with high illegal populations.'

Bennett added, 'By requiring individuals to confirm their citizenship, my bill would allow the census to report the population of lawful residents, rather than including illegal residents to determine representation.'

While the bill seeks to add that question to the 2010 Census and thereafter, Bennett's bill may be too late for the census next year — or could cost the nation big money if it passes.

The U.S. Census Bureau already started printing in July the 120 million questionnaires, with just 10 questions each, that will be sent to residents early next year. It has also spent millions to encourage people of all backgrounds to respond, noting that funding for their communities is often based on population counts.

Many of the outreach efforts by the bureau have stressed that information it collects currently cannot be used by law to identify illegal immigrants or to help deport them.

How to handle undocumented people is becoming a heated issue in the race for Bennett's Senate seat next year. GOP candidates to the right of Bennett, including Cherilyn Eagar and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, have staked out hard-on-illegals stances to appeal to conservatives. Bennett's new bill may also help his appeal to the right as he seeks re-election.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Jim Bunning, R-Ky.; and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho.

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9.
Gillibrand backs immigration reform in boro visit
By Jeremy Walsh
YourNabe.com (Queens, NY), September 17, 2009
http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/09/18/queens/queensdiziyis09162009.txt

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center in Woodside got a visit from a distinguished newcomer to the borough’s constituency Monday when U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) dropped by to tour the facility and talk with residents about immigration issues.

Since Gov. David Paterson appointed Gillibrand in January to fill the seat left vacant when Hillary Clinton became U.S. Secretary of State, Gillibrand has been working to appease pro-immigration groups skeptical of her record in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As a congresswoman, Gillibrand represented a conservative constituency near Albany and voted against amnesty for illegal immigrants and for making English the official language of the United States.

'I’m very confident that our president, Barack Obama, will put this on the agenda during his first term,' she said of comprehensive immigration reform.

Gillibrand said she supports family reunification and increasing the number of visas issued to allow immigrants to work legally in the United States.

'So many of our industries rely on immigrant workers,' she said.

Gillibrand also said she has asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for a moratorium on immigration home raids until the reform passes.

'This policy is not an effective way to enforce immigration laws,' she said.

After meeting with several senior citizens at the center, Gillibrand said it was imperative that Congress pass a health care reform bill this year, indicating she favored making Medicare available to all citizens as a 'public option' to compete with private insurers.

'I don’t think it will be one of the ideas in the final bill,' she said.

The senator was well-received by the immigration center, which offered her gifts like a history book and a blanket knitted by seniors from the center’s Bronx facility.

'I was taken by her candor and her hard work and her willingness to listen,' said Bryan O’Dwyer, chairman of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. 'She has given us real hope that we will have a real advocate, along with Sen. Schumer, for not just immigrants, but Irish immigrants.'

But some of the center’s beneficiaries were skeptical of the benefits of immigration reform.

'They have to go to the end of the line and line up and pay taxes like everyone else,' said Sunnyside resident Kathleen Darcy, an Irish immigrant who blamed the closings of St. John’s and Mary Immaculate hospitals on the borough’s large population of undocumented immigrants unable to pay for the medical care they received.

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10.
Alien-ating Illegals - Baucus RX Plan Bans Lawbreakers
By Carl Campanile
The New York Post, September 17, 2009
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/alien_ating_illegals_jSVoJVP6u2YCTMzNXVwanI

The Senate budget chief threw his own long-awaited health-care reform plan into the mix yesterday - and it includes tough measures to block illegal immigrants from getting aid.

The bill, which carries a price tag of $856 billion, would also impose new taxes on insurance firms and health-coverage providers to help offset costs.

The plan, submitted by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), calls for a citizenship-verification program in order for applicants to receive federal tax credits.

Democrats in the House rejected a nearly identical amendment proposed by Republicans.

The controversy over illegal aliens triggered South Carolina GOP Rep. Joe Wilson's infamous 'You lie!' shout at President Obama during his address to Congress last week, when the commander-in-chief declared illegal aliens would be ineligible for insurance.

The Senate plan is likely to be the last health-care proposal put on the table. Now, House and Senate members, along with the White House, will step up negotiations for a compromise program that can win enough support for passage.

The Baucus measure also would require virtually all Americans to obtain coverage. Those who don't would face fines up to $950 per person or $3,800 per family - with exemptions for hardship cases.

The plan would ease income-eligibility requirements to enable millions more citizens to qualify for Medicaid, the public health-insurance program for the needy.

Like the House proposals, it sets up state insurance exchanges to make it easier for small businesses and individuals to get health care. Tax credits would be offered for individuals making less than 400 percent of the poverty level.

But unlike the House bills, the Senate plan rejects creating a new government insurance program to compete for patients. Obama, while supporting the so-called 'public option,' says it is not essential.

The Senate finance plan would require that insurers provide basic coverage to all comers, and specifically prohibits denying or limiting coverage to enrollees with pre-existing conditions.

The Baucus bill would take a bite out of insurers and medical providers to cover the 10-year costs. It would impose a whopping 35 percent excise tax on expensive insurance-company plans that provide at least $21,000 in family coverage and $8,000 for individual plans.

Additional annual taxes also would be levied on insurance providers, drug companies, labs and medical-device manufacturers.

Meanwhile, the legislation requests slashing $500 billion from Medicare, the public insurance for the elderly. Obama and the Democrats insist the cut would not restrict services.

But the recommendation has drawn a firestorm of opposition from seniors.

The fate of ObamaCare is still is unclear. The president is getting hit from both the left and right over various issues.

Liberals are furious that Obama and Senate Democrats have backed away from offering a public-insurance program.

'It should not be news to my friends in the Senate that their plan is simply too weak to pass the House of Representatives,' said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens and Brooklyn).

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Immigrants on fringes in debate's foreground
By Hiran Ratnayake and Ginger Gibson
The News Journal (Wilmington, DE), September 17, 2009
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090917/NEWS02/909170335

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11.
S.F. crack case highlights immigration dilemma
By Jaxon Van Derbeken
The San Francisco Chronicle, September 18, 2009
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/17/BAHU19NHSC.DTL

San Francisco -- A Honduran immigrant accused of selling crack in the Tenderloin went on trial Thursday in San Francisco, with his attorney telling the jury that human traffickers had forced his client to sell drugs under threat of his life.

The case of Rigoberto Valle, 23, puts District Attorney Kamala Harris in a potentially awkward position. On the one hand, she has been vocal about her emphasis on prosecuting human traffickers. On the other, Harris - a candidate for state attorney general - has also been vocal in support of cracking down on drug sales in the Tenderloin.

The prosecution of Valle also raises the volatile issue of illegal immigrants engaged in drug sales. Supporters of the city's sanctuary efforts say many immigrants are the victims of drug cartels and forced to sell once they are brought here.

Valle is subject to possible deportation after his trial, regardless of whether he is convicted, because authorities believe he is in the country illegally.

Prosecutor Richard Hechler, in his opening statement, told the jury that Valle was guilty, plain and simple. He said Valle sold two rocks of crack to an undercover officer on June 4 at Larkin Street and Golden Gate Avenue.

'This case is a sale of a controlled substance, crack cocaine, by that gentleman, that night,' Hechler said.

Valle's attorney, deputy public defender Hadi Razzaq, told jurors that his client is a victim who was brought to San Francisco by smugglers after a grueling journey by freight car and desert hike. Once here, he was ordered to sell drugs or be killed, Razzaq said.

'Deceived, imprisoned, intimidated, victimized, terrified - ladies and gentlemen, Rigoberto Valle is not guilty,' Razzaq told the jury.

Razzaq said Valle, who is expected to testify in his own defense, had sold his house in Honduras to raise $1,500 for the trip to the United States. Once he got near San Francisco, the smugglers demanded $500 more, which Valle did not have, Razzaq said.

'They locked him up for three days, and on the fourth day in the Bay Area, they forced him to sell,' Razzaq said.

He had been on the corner of Golden Gate and Larkin just 10 minutes when he was arrested, the defense lawyer said.

Razzaq said he would call an expert on human trafficking to support his defense of Valle. His client, he said, came from a village of about 100 houses, is illiterate and came to this country to support his family.

'He was terrified - he had been duped, he was essentially kidnapped and locked in a room for three days,' Razzaq said. 'He was quite literally in fear for his life.'

Brian Buckelew, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, said that although Harris is sympathetic to the plight of the victims of human traffickers, Valle's defense has offered nothing but rhetoric to back his story.

'There hasn't been any kind of tender to us of any evidence that would be verifiable,' Buckelew said. 'This is what trials are for. It is not the practice of this office to throw cases away when there is not even a proffer of evidence to support the defense.'

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12.
Rights-US: Investigations Take Testimony on 'Sheriff Joe'
By Valeria Fernandez
The Inter Press Service, September 17, 2009
http://www.globalinfo.org/eng/login.asp?ReturnPath=%2Feng%2Freader.asp%3FArticleId%3D67381 [subscription]

Phoenix (IPS) -- Justice Department investigators have met with religious and community leaders to hear testimonies on the anti-immigrant practices of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Complaints of racial profiling in traffic stops, and physical and verbal abuse in the jails have mounted against deputies of the controversial sheriff Joe Arpaio for the last couple of years. But tensions have escalated since Sheriff Arpaio signed an agreement with the federal government in 2007 to enforce immigration laws.

The controversial 287(g) program has been used to train 160 deputies in Maricopa County who conduct immigration sweeps in Latino neighborhoods and markets. Authority under 287(g) must now be renewed and Arpaio has until Oct. 15 to sign up for another term.

Last year, under the George W. Bush administration, Phoenix's Mayor Phil Gordon wrote a letter to the Justice Department asking for an investigation into claims of racial profiling. In March of this year, under the leadership of a new U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder, the Justice Department launched a probe.

Arpaio claims the investigation is politically motivated.

'It only took them 60 days to come after me,' Arpaio said. 'Sixty days. It usually takes about two years to open up a letter in the Justice Department.'

The time frame of the probe is unclear. An investigator who recently visited Arizona would not comment on the pending case.

'There are some tragic things going on inside those jails that most people ignore,' said Kevin Gibbons, a local immigration attorney.

Gibbons represents Alejandra Alvarez, an immigrant woman who was detained in a landscaping company raid by sheriff's deputies for working with fake documents. Her jaw was allegedly broken during the arrest. After three months in jail, she complained that she didn't receive proper medical care for her injury.

'The investigation can be only as good as the information we're giving them,' said Salvador Reza, a local organiser from the pro-immigrant movement PUENTE. 'Testimonies are coming out, but some of the people who can be a witness to what happens in the jails are in Mexico now.'

According to the line of questioning, some community activists believe it might extend to possible violations of Title 6 within the jails. That refers to an aspect of federal law that requires information and materials to be provided in English and other languages, such as Spanish, as a condition to receive government funding.

'He's not giving prisoners a proper translation of some of the proceedings that take place within the jails,' said Pastor Magdalena Schwartz, of the Disciples of the Kingdom Free Methodist Church in Mesa.

The current investigation against the country's self-proclaimed 'toughest sheriff' is not of a criminal nature - though some of his critics wished it was.

'We want the investigation to result in the pressing of charges against Arpaio, for intimidation, for violation of civil rights and also for criminal acts committed by his officers within his jails,' said Reza.

Despite the recent visit by Justice Department officials, many remain sceptical about the overall impact of the investigation.

'As I understand it, there are two investigations. I have very little expectations of the civil rights investigation and the findings that he has violated civil rights,' said Alfredo Gutierrez, owner and editor of the online news site La Frontera Times.

'The other investigation has to do with their overall behavior, the management of money and what their deputies have been doing in Honduras, and now it's falling apart,' he said.

Gutierrez was referring to questions raised about the use of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations, a federal statute used to prosecute mafia and drug syndicates) funding or money seized from crime activities for training of the Honduran police.

'The reason we know this is because they keep asking us questions,' said Gutierrez, a former Arizona Democratic senator. 'Their investigation has taken them in a direction we didn't anticipate.'

For the past year, a steady group of people has been protesting outside Sheriff Arpaio's downtown Phoenix offices to bring attention to the plight of immigrant families impacted by his tactics. And some feel it's starting to pay off.

'We want to stop the injustices against us,' said Victor Hugo Preciado.

Preciado believes the sheriff is only helping big corporations make money from immigrants being turned over for detention.

'We don't agree with what he's doing, separating families. I don't think it's the solution,' said Alicia Samudio, 40, another protester.

The group organised by the PUENTE movement plans to continue the protest for as long as Arpaio is in office.

This is not the first time allegations of abuse within Arpaio's jails have come to light over the 16 years that the sheriff has been in office.

The best-known case involved the death of inmate Scott Norberg in a restraint chair in 1996. His family settled a lawsuit for 8.25 million dollars against the sheriff's office.

Nor is it the first time Arpaio's office has been investigated. The Justice Department started an investigation on 1995 that resulted in an agreement two years later to eliminate the use of restraining chairs and other tactics.

In 1997, Amnesty International condemned the mistreatment of pre-trial inmates in these facilities.

But this is the first time the accusations underscore the possible misuse of powers given by the federal government to enforce immigration laws within the jails.

Recently, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Julio Mora, a U.S. citizen and his father Julian Mora, a permanent legal resident, who alleged racial profiling.

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13.
Plan lets illegals in college classes
By Mark Binker
The News & Record (Greensboro, NC), September 17, 2009
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/09/16/article/plan_lets_illegals_in_college_classes

Raleigh -- Students who cannot prove they're legal citizens would be able to take courses at community colleges under a policy the State Board of Community Colleges is poised to adopt later this week.

Even though the proposal would require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition and restrict what courses they could take, some state leaders still oppose the move, including Gov. Bev Perdue, a Democrat.

'It's hard for me to understand how the state of North Carolina can educate people when they can't work legally in the state after they're educated,' Perdue said Tuesday.

But supporters of the measure say that denying undocumented students didn't make sense.

'In general, community colleges are there to serve the people of their communities, and undocumented residents are a fact of life in our communities,' said Robert Keys, president of Rockingham Community College.

Keys sits on the committee that formulated the policy to be considered today, although he emphasized he doesn't speak for the group.

He points out that undocumented students would have to pay the higher out-of-state tuition rate, which in most cases would more than compensate the college for the cost of educating that person. And he said there would be other restrictions:

* Students who could establish they were legal residents would be given priority for classes over undocumented students.

* Undocumented students would be unable to enroll in courses for programs where they would need a state license or certification to put their knowledge to work. For example, undocumented students could not enroll in nursing courses.

As proposed, the policy largely would mirror the admissions policy for the UNC system, although it is somewhat more restrictive.

Don Cameron, president of GTCC, expressed no opinion on the policy Wednesday.

'It is a state board position, and we will adhere to what the state board decides,' he said.

When she spoke about her concerns, Perdue said the question of admitting undocumented students was part of a larger national question about immigration that Congress has left unresolved. The federal government, she said, should undertake 'a massive' immigration reform.

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat, said she would like to see a comprehensive immigration-reform bill go forward but added it was unlikely to happen in the next month or two.

As for the state board's policy, the former state senator said that as a U.S. senator, she has no say in such matters. But as an individual taxpayer, she said, 'I don't want to see my tax dollars used for people who are here illegally.'

Although the community college board's policy committee will give a final nod to the policy today, that action is mostly a formality. The measure already is on the full board's agenda for Friday.

Should the full board give its approval, the measure would have to go through the state's rule-making process, which can take up to a year and could subject the policy to appeal by the General Assembly.

'It just doesn't seem to pass the common-sense test,' said Ron Woodard, who leads N.C. Listen, a group that advocates for policies that combat illegal immigration.

'With 11 percent unemployment in the state, you would think our community college board would be focusing on helping North Carolina citizens get a job.'

Dr. Stuart Fountain, a retired Asheboro dentist, leads the board's policy committee. He said the proposal struck a balance on a very emotionally charged issue.

'We seem to have equally irritated both sides of the question,' Fountain said.

In reality, he said, few students would enter the community college system under the provision because of the steep cost of out-of-state tuition and the fact that no financial aid would be available.

'We don't think there will be many people who will be able to financially surpass that hurdle,' Fountain said.

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Community college board OKs illegal immigrant enrollment
The WRAL News (Raleigh), September 18, 2009
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/6029416/

N. Carolina panel votes to admit illegal immigrant students
By Kristin Collins
The News & Observer (Raleigh), September 17, 2009
http://www.newsobserver.com/1573/story/1694296.html

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14.
Narcisse lays out his strategy to change education in Iowa
By Melissa Walker
The Des Moines Register, September 17, 2009

The day after his term on the Des Moines school board ended, Jonathan Narcisse announced a 'call to action' to solve what he claims are fraudulent practices in reporting of state education data and an end to using taxpayer money to educate children who are illegal immigrants.
. . .
Among the things Narcisse wants changed are:

* The way the number of enrolled students is counted, along with graduation and dropout rates.

Watkins-Miller said the state's student identification number system provides accurate reporting and school districts verify that their information is accurate.

* Using public money to pay for the education of children who are illegal immigrants. Narcisse said private entities or churches could pay for these children's education.

'We absolutely as a state have to challenge the assumption that we have to provide academic services to a student who is illegally in this country,' he said.

Watkins-Miller said based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision, 'we cannot ask them questions about their immigration status' and are required to provide education to these students.
. . .
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090917/NEWS02/909170377/-1/SPORTS09

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15.
Hispanic bishops visit congressmen, link health care and immigration reform
The Catholic News Agency, September 18, 2009
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17144

Washington, DC -- A delegation of six Hispanic Catholic bishops has met with U.S. legislators to discuss topics including health care reform and immigration issues. The bishops noted that immigration and health care overlap because the failures of immigration policy will affect the health care system.

Archbishop of San Antonio José Gomez and Bishop of Sacramento Jaime Soto told a press conference on Thursday that they were 'very happy' with their dialogue with the Latino congressmen and congresswomen.

The two prelates were part of the episcopal delegation which included Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Bishop James Tamayo of Laredo, Texas; Bishop Carlos Sevilla of Yakima, WA; and Auxiliary Bishop Edgar Da Cunha of Newark, New Jersey.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) spokeswoman Sr. Mary Ann Walsh explained at a Thursday press conference that the delegation met with legislative leaders of both parties.

'We are concerned about some of the needs of the Hispanic people in the U.S., especially in four areas,' Archbishop Gomez told the press conference. He named health care reform, immigration reform, poverty and housing and education as issues of concern.

The archbishop said that the bishops were 'encouraged' by President Obama’s statement that no taxpayer funds would be used for abortions and the president’s professed support for a conscience clause for pro-life individuals and institutions.

'We will support a bill that includes those ideas from the president,' he explained, saying health care must help people 'from conception until natural death' and must include immigrants.

Responding to a question about other bishops’ comments on subsidiarity, Bishop Soto said that whether health care reform takes the shape of a public system, a private system or a combination is 'a matter for policy people to struggle with.'

The bishops’ task was to ensure Catholic 'principles and values' are respected in health care reform. 'We’re approaching it as teachers, as pastors.'

He reported that the bishops were working to ensure there is no federal support for abortion and to ensure the character of Catholic institutions is respected in law.

Archbishop Gomez reported that all but one of the meetings with lawmakers were brief. In addition to the four main issues of concern, Bishop Soto reported, some comments pertained to human rights in Cuba and forced abortions there.

'It has to provide, at minimum, some kind of safety net for the undocumented.'

Leaving out that segment of society would affect both their health care and impact the health of society in general, he remarked.

'Immigrants are human persons too. One way or the other, they’re going to need health care.'

A major concern for the bishops was that a 'significant portion' of undocumented immigrants pay for their own health care, but there has been some discussion of not even allowing them to do that.

According to Bishop Soto, the bishops find that proposal 'foolish and short-sighted' and an example of 'runaway anti-immigrant rhetoric' rather than a 'commonsense approach' to health care.

Turning to the topic of immigration reform, Archbishop Gomez said people in Congress would like to enact it 'right away.'

Bishop Soto said that politicians generally can only focus on one major issue at a time, but he reported the bishops were encouraged by the 'sincere interest' legislators have shown on the issue.

'Unless we have this comprehensive immigration reform, we will be dealing with the consequences of the failures of the immigration system not only in health care but in other areas as well.'

The USCCB released a summary of the issues the Hispanic bishops delegation discussed with legislators.

The bishops endorsed 'truly universal' health care reform that respects the dignity of all and supports all legal immigrants. They expressed opposition to any ban that would prevent legal immigrants from participation for five years and advocated that any legislation include pregnant women and children regardless of their legal status.

On immigration, the bishops endorsed legalization through a program that provides an opportunity for 'earned' permanent residency and a new worker program that includes a living wage. They expressed support for 'family-based' immigration reform and for the restoration of due process protections for illegals.

Concerning poverty and housing, the bishops expressed support for a national housing policy to preserve and produce quality housing for low income families, the elderly and other vulnerable people. They criticized 'abusive' lending practices and advocated the funding of the National Housing Trust Fund.

The Hispanic bishops encouraged federal programs that include Catholic students and teachers in federal education programs and expressed support for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. They also sought the reauthorization of the D.C. Scholarship program which helps low income students in the District of Columbia attend private schools. The bishops also endorsed the funding of students at community colleges, which many Hispanic youth attend.

In his closing comments to the press conference, Archbishop Gomez said the meeting was a 'special opportunity' for the Hispanic bishops to reaffirm Catholic social teaching with elected officials and to recognize the contribution of Hispanic communities all over the U.S.

'It is a special moment for Hispanics in the life of our country,' he said.

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Bishops talk health care, immigration with members of Congress
By Patricia Zapor
The Catholic News Service, September 18, 2009
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0904169.htm

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16.
Arpaio: ACORN using federal money in immigration fight
By Mike Sunnucks
The Phoenix Business Journal, September 17, 2009
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/09/14/daily70.html

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is subpoenaing records from the ACORN community activist group saying is could be using government funds meant for housing and social services to wage a campaign against his immigration enforcement.

The sheriff’s office seeking information regarding the group’s involvement with Arpaio critics on Melendres v. Arpaio, a case brought by a Mexican national claiming he was unfairly treated and the victim of racial profiling by deputies.

'I believe the organization used state and federal funds meant to help poor people to conduct a campaign against me and my officers,' said Arpaio in a statement. 'These records will show, I believe, that ACORN is in bed with the anti-immigration enforcement organizations, which continue to demonstrate in front of my office trying to thwart my officers from enforcing state and federal law.'

ACORN has called for Arpaio to resign and opposes his immigration raids. The group could not immediately be reached for comment.

The group has come under fire recently for offering tax advice to people posing as prostitutes and pimps. ACORN also has also been questioned for alleged voter fraud and the U.S. Senate voted earlier this week to cut off federal funding for the group.

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17.
Chicago Organizations Demand Immigration Reform
The Latin American Herald Tribune (Caracas, Venezuela), September 18, 2009
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=343941&CategoryId=12395

Chicago -- Pro-immigrant groups in Chicago are marking U.S. Citizenship Day with a call to local Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez to assume leadership of fair, humane and sensible immigration reform.

At the headquarters of the Unite Here union hundreds of people were waiting for the 'Party of the ‘Illegals,’' organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Javier Salas, host of 'Un Nuevo Dia' on La Tremenda 1200 AM (Univision Radio).

The aim is to celebrate the contributions made by undocumented immigrants with the presence of personalities from Chicago’s large Mexican-American community who will speak about their experiences before they became U.S. citizens.

'We don’t want to injure anyone’s sensibilities, but rather to raise our awareness and awaken the sleeping giant of social justice and see what we’re going to do about not accepting the unacceptable,' ICIRR policy director Artemio Arreola told Efe.

'While a great deal of attention has been on health care reform – and rightly so – the urgent need for immigration reform has not diminished,' the ICIRR said in a statement. 'If anything, the acrimony, deception and scapegoating of immigrants in the health care debate has underscored the need for a comprehensive solution that resolves the immigration issue.'

For that reason, ICIRR and the Chicago-based National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities publicly urged Gutierrez to take the leadership role in the effort.

'The scapegoating of immigrants diverts our attention from the urgent need to fix our bankrupt health care system, and the anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric sows hatred, misinformation and fear about who we are as a community,' said Oscar Chacon, the executive director of NALACC.

Over the summer, NALACC conducted community consultations in 10 cities around the country to hear directly from the people who are most affected by the current conditions surrounding immigrants, and about what a reform of immigration laws should include.

The results highlighted large differences between what the immigrant community understands to be a fair reform of immigration law and what has emerged as 'comprehensive' reform within the federal legislative environment.

Specifically, the immigrant community favors proposals for immigration reform based on the vision of the immigrant as a benefit to U.S. society and not as a burden or a threat, the organization said.

The groups are urging Gutierrez and other congressional leaders to draft a bill that has as its basic principles family reunification, recognition of the contributions made by the immigrant community and respect for their human dignity.

Among the points suggested for the new law are permanent residence for all undocumented immigrants with a path toward citizenship that recognizes their contribution and does not punish them with quotas and exorbitant fines.

In addition, suggestions have been made to facilitate family and citizens’ requests to promote family reunification and to overturn or abolish the agreements giving state and local law enforcement agencies the authority to enforce immigration laws.

'To those among us who are at the receiving end of an incredibly unjust, obsolete and immoral law, reforming it means justice,' NALACC’s Chacon said in a statement.

'For as long as the view of immigrants as ‘illegals’ and ‘criminal aliens’ pervades, we will continue with the current misguided policy framework that calls for more enforcement measures that at the end of the day, do not accomplish their aim, while exacting a tremendous human cost on migrant communities, as well as an overall waste of taxpayers’ dollars,' he said.

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18.
District H Town Hall Meeting
Residents protest illegal immigrants
By Robin Foster
The Houston Chronicle, September 15, 2009
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/heights/news/6619522.html

Perhaps 'town hall' and 'activist' have become synonymous, as Houston City Councilman Ed Gonzalez learned Sept. 10, when he invited residents of the Greater Heights community to share their concerns at a District H town hall meeting.

Gonzalez was met with an outburst from residents who want the city to change its stance toward illegal immigrants.

One resident, who declined to give his name for the newspaper, asked when the city will change its policy on illegal immigration and allow Houston police to question people about their immigration status.

'They don't call them illegal because they're here legally,' he said.

Officers shouldn't be targeting individuals who are not causing a problem or breaking the law, Gonzalez said.

'I hear the same thing about people who are homeless,' he said.

'So, it's not necessarily about whether they are illegal or legal. It's about the activity they're engaged in and if it's criminal.'

Liz Theiss called this 'politically correct crap' and said, 'We're fed up with paying for these people.

'You need to come up with ideas. That's what we're paying you for.'

'How would you like people standing in front of your house every day,' Betty Lawson asked.

She told Gonzalez day-laborers are out routinely at 11th and Shepherd, and the area is filled with trash.

'We want you to do something about it and earn your pay,' Theiss added.

Gonzalez did say city officials are looking at a program used by Harris County to check immigration status of people who enter its jails and also a Safe Communities Program, which he said is similar.

Thanks for help in navigating City Hall

Many residents thanked Gonzalez and his staff for helping them navigate City Hall.

One asked how to get a stop sign on her street, another suggested a location for a barrier to keep cars out of White Oak Bayou.

Among capital projects under way in District H are rehabilitation of Yale Street in two phases, from Interstate 10 to 17th Street, then onto Loop 610, which is in the design phase; 11th Street reconstruction from Heights Boulevard to Studewood, which should begin construction in a few months; North Main reconstruction from 20th and Cavalcade to Loop 610, which will begin design in fiscal 2011 and construction two years later.

Projects being done under the Safe Sidewalk Program are on 13th Street, from Cortlandt to Beverly and from Dorothy to Herkimer, on Shepherd Drive from 12th to 13th Street, and on Heights Boulevard from 14th to 15th Street.

Unhappy about ordinance on setbacks

David and Sherri Parker were there and had brought a dozen or so friends, all equipped with fluorescent signs that read, 'Rescind Ordinance 2004-698.'

The Parkers reminded Gonzalez that they supported him in the special election last spring and now want him to deliver on his promise to repeal the law they think wrongly increased setback lines in the 1800 block of Columbia Street.

Gonzalez is working on it, he said. But so far, the city's planners defend their measurements, which the Parkers say are not just wrong but 'fraudulent' and would prevent 19 homeowners from being able to repair their homes in the event of major damage.

Gonzalez, a former investigator with Houston Police Department, faced a crowded field to win Adrian Garcia's unexpired term for city council in a run-off election a few months ago.

He's already up for re-election in November, this time with no opponent.

Gonzalez has opened a part-time office in the district. Staffed by Laura Thorp, the office at 107 West 12th Street (at Yale) is open from 5 to 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month and from 8 a.m. to noon on the 4th Monday.

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19.
Should U.S. citizenship be automatic for U.S.-born?
On eve of Citizenship Day, both sides of debate make arguments.
By Cindy Carcamo
The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA), September 16, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/immigration-initiative-citizenship-2569313-children-h

The issue of birthright citizenship is intensifying, as groups on both sides of the immigration debate battle out the possibility of an immigration overhaul.

On the eve of Citizenship Day, immigration advocates reacted to illegal-immigration opponents who are trying to cut off automatic citizenship for children born on U.S. soil.

A California initiative created by San Diego resident Ted Hilton hopes to impose new rules for birth certificates, calling for the state to issue one type to children of U.S. citizens and green card holders and another to children of temporary residents and those here illegally.

'I think the automatic citizenship policy is bankrupting California and we have to terminate that,' Hilton said.

He said he hopes the California Taxpayer Protection initiative will be on the June ballot. His group has until mid-November to collect 400,000 signatures.

Evelyn Miller, whose Irvine home serves as a clearinghouse for petitions from surrounding counties, said she's trying to stop the 'invasion' of people coming to the country illegally.

On Wednesday, however, a roundtable of immigration and constitutional scholars spoke against changing citizenship law.

Margaret Stock, an attorney who's represented children of military families born outside the United States said the 'anchor baby' idea is a myth because a child born on U.S. soil can't sponsor his or her parents until he or she becomes 21. The process is long, and overcoming the strict requirements is challenging, she added.

'Having a baby here doesn't mean you get to stay here legally,' Stock said at the Immigration Policy Center's teleconference. 'It means that if you're deported, you have to decide to leave your baby behind or take them with you.'

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20.
'New Americans' find voice
By Dalina Castellanos
The Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, WA), September 17, 2009
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/883109.html

Leonor Rico addressed the state's New Americans Policy Council on Wednesday night, wanting her voice to represent those who can't always be heard.

'In one week I will be sworn in as a citizen after living here for 33 years,' she said. 'It's difficult for me to speak out so I can just imagine how hard it is for others.'

Rico, a regional manager for the Opportunities Industrialization Center, works with farm workers and also was speaking on their behalf.

'I don't have the same language barriers they do, and there's so much to say,' Rico said.

More than 30 people gathered in the Gjerde Center during the public hearing at Columbia Basin College in Pasco to address the council Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed last year.

The council makes recommendations to the governor's office on immigrant concerns, including helping legal permanent residents become naturalized citizens, helping immigrants learn English and improve language skills and facilitating the transfer of skills, certifications and professional credentials earned by people in other countries into the state, according to the governor's office.

The council includes representatives from state agencies, the Refugees' Advisory Council, business and labor, and community and nonprofit organizations.

Testimony presented Wednesday at CBC was heard by members of the policy council, including Gilbert Mendoza, council vice chairman from Pasco.

'The state can do a number of things (for new Americans),' said Luis Fraga, an associate vice provost at the University of Washington and a member of the council. 'The hearing helps us understand the issues from a grass-roots perspective.'

Issues like availability and access to adult English classes and education opportunities for undocumented residents were raised by some.

'These families have dreams for a higher education,' said Juanita Morales Castro, who works with farm worker families to help get their children into college.

Many families ask her if their child will be able to apply for scholarships because they were brought into the U.S. at a young age, and without documentation.

Pramila Jayapal, council co-vice chairwoman, reminded Morales Castro about a state law which allows students to pay in-state tuition regardless of status.

Jayapal also is executive director of One America, the organization that helped the governor establish the council, and organized the hearing.

'Our purpose is to learn from you,' Fraga said. 'We need your voice, your sense of reality to make our recommendation.'

The recommendations will be submitted to Gregoire by Oct. 15. The Pasco hearing was the second held in the state and the first in Eastern Washington.

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21.
Immigration study shows help is needed
By Laura Smith
The WLUK News (Green Bay), September 17, 2009
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/local_wluk_greenbay_immigration_study_shows_help_is_needed_200909171731_rev1

Green Bay, WI -- Adriana Rodriguez came to the United States from Mexico nearly 2 decades ago.

As one of 11,000 immigrants in the Green Bay area, she is now trying to master the English language.

'All my kids speak English, my husband too and I can't,' said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez works with Sister Jean at Literacy Green Bay twice a week. She wants to learn -in part-so she help her children with homework.

'Sometime they told me Mom you need to help. I say oh I can't. And because sometimes I can, I don't know what it say on the paper and I need to study, I need to speak,' said Rodriguez.

The Bay Area Community Council--a community 'think tank' made up of about 20 volunteers - unveiled its 'Immigration in Brown County' study Thursday.

Study coordinator Phil Hauck says it shows immigrants need help learning English quickly and adapting to the American culture.

'Working with families to make sure they can understand how it's different to parent, how do you interface with the school and where do you go in the community to deal with whatever you're going to deal with,' said Hauck.

The study interviewed more than 20 service providers - like Literacy Green Bay - that work with the city's immigrant community.

Literacy Green Bay says the work can be done, but more help is needed. For example, 80 people who want to learn English are currently on a waiting list for a one on one tutor.

'They're very anxious to learn the language, they want to continue, but they want a tutor. So we are desperately in need of volunteers,' said Literacy Green Bay's Executive Director Tori Rader.

The Volunteer Center in Green Bay agrees resources are there, but they're insufficient.

'People need help and support to navigate through their new community and culture. It can be scary, it is a lot of unknowns and this is where volunteers can really step up to the plate,' said Executive Director Chris Danielson.

With Sister Jean by her side... Rodriguez is grateful for the help.

'Many people speak English and reading and I say why, why me no? I need to speak, I need to study,' said Rodriguez.

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22.
Hispanic group to CNN: Rein in Dobbs
By Carol E. Lee
The Politico (Washington, DC), September 18, 2009
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27301.html

One of the country’s leading Hispanic organizations is launching a campaign designed to pressure CNN to rein in host Lou Dobbs.

The organization behind the campaign, Democracia Ahora, is kicking off the effort Friday with the release of a report based on interviews with 100 Hispanic leaders about the impact of Dobbs’ evening show.

The results of the report are not surprising – 90 percent of the interviewees believe Dobbs is helping create a negative image of Hispanics, with his frequent criticisms of illegal immigration.

But Democracia Ahora is hoping the report inspires a grassroots movement aimed at executives at CNN’s parent company, Time Warner, to draw attention to what the group calls 'frequent negative portrayals of Hispanics on the Lou Dobbs show.' It is using its release to start a national campaign, 'Enough is Enough!' that will be carried out through a Web site, www.TellCNNEnoughisEnough.com, that goes live Friday.

'We’re asking CNN, the alleged ‘most trusted name in news,’ to really hold Lou Dobbs to the journalistic standards he should be held to,' said Jorge Mursuli, president of Democracia Ahora, who expressed frustration with Dobbs’ reports that immigration contributed to thousands of new reported cases of leprosy and of a ‘superhighway’ from Mexico to Canada.

'CNN needs to take responsibility for what he’s saying,' he said, adding, 'We want CNN to insure that Lou Dobbs is going to stick with the facts. He can have his opinions but he can’t present his opinions as facts.'

Mursuili said Democracia Ahora will be coordinating petitions and encouraging other Hispanic groups to make phone calls and write letters to CNN asking the news station to 'to cease the daily drum roll of misinformation and offensive commentary about the Latino community on the Lou Dobbs Tonight show.'

Democracia Ahora has not disclosed the names of all 100 of the individuals whose responses make up the results of the study. It describes them as 'political figures, business leaders, heads of civic and community organizations, and journalists and academics.'

Among those surveyed were Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, and Dan Restrepo, a member of President Obama’s National Security Council, who Democracia Ahora says was interviewed while he was a director for the Americas Project at Center for American Progress. Others taking the survey included Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.).

The survey included questions such as, 'Many Hispanics are offended by the news content of Lou Dobbs’ show and regard him as a demagogue who is helping to create a negative image of Hispanics. Do you agree or disagree with this assessment?' according to a copy of the report obtained by POLITICO.

CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the National Security Council and representatives for Menendez, Grijalva and Roybal-Allard did not respond to requests for comment.

The survey was conducted by the Miami-based polling firm Bendixen and Associates. Communications for 'Enough is Enough!' are being handled by another Miami-based firm, Balsera Communications, which is run by Freddy Balsera, who coordinated Hispanic media for the Obama campaign and is co-chair of the Democratic National Committee’s National Hispanic Leadership Council.

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23.
Restaurant executive promoting immigration coalition
By Art Hovey
The Journal Star (Lincoln), September 18, 2009
http://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_22f77bfe-a3f6-11de-a662-001cc4c03286.html

Over a long career that he ended as a rear admiral, Jim Partington heard the deafening roar of Navy jets off the coast of Vietnam.

Now the executive director of the Nebraska Restaurant Association is listening to the debate over immigration reform and finding it almost as overpowering.

'I think the level of noise has just gotten too high,' he told a League of Women Voters audience in Lincoln on Thursday.

Partington would like to lower the volume. He also has a more specific goal: He wants to form a Nebraska coalition of business leaders, academics and others to counter the emotion surrounding immigration reform.

It's important to understand the pros and cons, he told about 50 luncheon listeners, 'but at least let's get a rationale debate going.'

'If we don't want immigration, we're going to have a stagnant economy.'

From a Nebraska perspective, 50 percent of the population growth from 2000 to 2008 was of Hispanic origin. And demographics translate to economic development.

In a more practical vein, he conceded that a highly restrictive version of immigration reform 'would affect the restaurant industry quite severely.'

In an interview after his hour-long presentation, Partington readily acknowledged the coalition isn't a reality yet.

Nor does he have a specific endorsement from members of the association at either the state or national level to promote such goals as increasing the number of visas for legal immigration or creating a national identification card.

'They are very interested in comprehensive immigration reform,' he said.

At the state level, 'I expect to reach that point' of a coalition within in a year. He wants it to be one that emphasizes education over political lobbying.

When the time came for questions after Partington's remarks, it seemed apparent there's no such thing as an audience without reservations about where immigration reform might go.

Deb Andrews, who's back in Lincoln after living in Portland, Ore., for several years, said she found it 'very disconcerting' to see Hispanic demonstrators waving Mexican flags during a reform rally in Portland.

Diana McNeil clearly had misgivings about penalty-free amnesty for 12 million or more people already living in the United States without legal status.

'If I broke the law,' McNeil said, 'I would have to answer for that.

'I don't think you can ever get it away from being political, because it is political.'

Partington said reform should include some sort of penalty for illegal entry.

However, 'it shouldn't be too onerous and we shouldn't be sending them back to their country of origin.'

When it comes to rational debate, he said, 'we should take this out of the realm of politicians who use it as a wedge issue against each other.'

Securing borders is an important part of that debate, Partington said, but he sees making that the top priority as the politically correct approach.

'The truth is if we don't have a legal way for people to come across the border. ... We're not going to get control of our international borders.'

Another sign of strong and conflicting feelings about immigration in Nebraska is an ongoing battle over a proposed ordinance in Fremont that failed by one vote at a City Council meeting last year.

As summarized Thursday by City Administrator Bob Hartwig, the failed ordinance 'relates to harboring, hiring or renting to illegal aliens.'

It is now before the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

Hartwig isn't sure what would happen next, regardless of how the court rules.

'Anything is possible now,' he said. 'I wouldn't even try to give options for the future.'

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24.
Santa Ana man, ACLU settle suit with immigration
Settlement requires ICE to detain people in a downtown L.A. facility for only 12 hours at a stretch.
By Cindy Carcamo
The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA), September 16, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/immigration-aclu-detention-2569737-officials-suit

A federal suit filed by five people who claimed they were mistreated while held in an immigration detention facility has been settled, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Wednesday.

The suit claimed, among other allegations, that a Santa Ana man was made to sleep on a concrete floor, unable to brush his teeth or change his clothes for weeks while he was held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Los Angeles.

Abelardo Chavez Flores, who was 52 when the ACLU of Southern California filed its lawsuit in April, is one of five plaintiffs represented in the case. The ACLU said that as a result of the suit, immigration officials agreed on a variety of requirements, the ACLU said.

The federal court settlement limits the time in detention to 12 hours at a stretch, except in unusual circumstances, such as a natural disaster. In addition, ICE officials must provide soap, sanitary napkins, and access to attorneys and writing materials for legal document preparation.

The agreement applies only to an immigration detention facility known as B-18 in downtown Los Angeles, and only until June 2010. The settlement does not make clear what happens after that.

'This settlement reaffirms ICE's commitment to ensuring the security and well-being of those in our custody,' ICE officials said in a written statement. 'We are confident the detention reforms announced recently by Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton will bring marked and positive change to ICE's immigration detention system. The cornerstone of these reforms is prioritizing health, safety and uniformity among all of the agency's facilities while enhancing operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.'

The settlement, which was reached Monday, stems from a lawsuit filed in federal court April 1 that alleged the 'egregious treatment' of detainees who were suspected of being in the country illegally.

The lawsuit said that detainees were not given basic health needs, such as soap and toothpaste. In addition, the suit contends that people were held in conditions that amounted to a denial of due process because, the suit said, they were cut off from the outside world.

The lawsuit described an overcrowded facility that was 'regularly overcrowded, causing violence, safety hazards and humiliation.'

The problem was that B-18 was never intended for use as a long-term detention facility, ACLU officials had said. Instead, the room was designed to hold people for short periods of time, probably no more than 12 hours.

'The disturbing human shell game of shuttling people back and forth between jails has ended at B-18. This settlement eliminates the unacceptable conditions that existed and restores detainees' dignity and their right to due process,' said Ahilan Arulanantham, director of immigrants' rights and national security at the ACLU of Southern California. 'It is one step, but an important one, in correcting our severely broken immigration detention system nationwide.'

Soon after the suit, ACLU officials said, immigration officials took steps to correct many of the problems.

'Within weeks, the agency adopted a rule that detainees could be held at B-18 for no more than 12 hours on any given day,' the ACLU said in a written statement. 'It also significantly improved conditions at B-18 by providing better access to water, hand sanitizers and sanitary napkins.'

Flores' immigration case remains pending in court. Officials are trying to charge him with being deportable, but there is no order for his removal.

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25.
Poll: No automatic citizenship for those born in U.S.
More than 1,000 readers responded to Register online poll about whether everyone born here should be citizen.
By Cindy Carcamo
The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA), September 17, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/citizenship-children-illegally-2570384-country-initiative

Nearly three-fourths of ocregister.com readers who responded to an online poll said United States citizenship should not be automatic for everyone born on U.S. soil.

About 1,050 people responded to a poll about birthright citizenship coming to the forefront as both sides of the debate are readying themselves for the possibility of an immigration overhaul.

The question posed was 'Should United States citizenship be automatic for everyone born on U.S. soil.'

As of 11 a.m. today – Citizenship Day – 73 percent of readers had clicked on 'No. We need to cut off the costly benefits to the children of parents who are in the country illegally.'

As of the same time, 23 percent had voted 'Yes. It would be too burdensome and costly to have everyone prove their citizenship.' Only 4 percent voted they didn't know how to answer.

The poll was in response to an article about several initiatives, including one in California that would impose new rules for birth certificates, essentially calling for the state to issue one type of birth certificate to children of U.S. citizens and green card holders and another to children of temporary residents and of those who are here illegally.

The attempt is aimed at cutting off automatic citizenship for children who were born on United States soil of parents who are in the country illegally.

One of the comments against birthright citizenship was from 'jskdn2' who said:

'Citizenship at birth and for minor children should automatically follow the citizenship status of their parents. It's disingenuous to argue for family unity and support a system that creates legal status in contradiction to that goal.'

Another commenter who supported birthright citizenship came from 'airickoo' who wrote:

'The sad thing is that the majority of these people probably wouldn't be citizens if we didn't have this law in effect because their German, Irish and Italian ancestors' kids wouldn't have become citizens automatically either. There are much better ways of deal with immigration, but changing this law would fundamentally undermine our country's ideology.'

Another commenter said the California initiative would prove ineffective.

'ocsleeper' wrote:

'Sounds like Ted Hilton needs to learn about federal laws versus state laws. He needs to realize that no California initiative will change the constitution or over rule the constitution. It's just going to be a waste of time and more California tax money if this initiative takes ground. He really should be focusing on pressuring congress because they are the only ones that can do anything about the 14th and how it is written.'

Supporters of the initiative say the automatic citizenship policy is bankrupting the state. In addition, they said it would save the state billions by cutting off benefits to children who did not qualify for the birth certificate offered to the children of citizens and permanent residents.

Opponents, however, say the initiative fails to address what they said are the impracticalities and costly implications to the government and taxpayers. In addition, they say the initiatives wouldn't stem the flow of people coming to the country illegally. People who come to the country illegally come for jobs and to reunite with family.

In addition, they said the 'anchor baby' idea is a myth because a child born on U.S. soil can't sponsor his or her parents until he or she becomes 21. And, the process is long, and requirements are strict and challenging to overcome, they said.

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26.
Newest Americans have kept promise to protect
By Shannan Bowen
The Star News (Wilmington, NC), September 17, 2009
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090917/ARTICLES/909179973?Title=Newest-Americans-have-kept-promise-to-protect

Most people grinned when asked to repeat the part of the Oath of Allegiance for Naturalized Citizens that says, 'I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law.'

Though they weren’t citizens until Thursday, these members of the U.S. military had already committed to that part of the oath.

The 74 military members and families of military members, stationed across the state, were welcomed at the Battleship North Carolina by Miss USA Kristen Dalton, of Wilmington, Mayor Bill Saffo, whose mother was an immigrant, and representatives of the U.S. military and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Dalton spoke of what she thought it meant to be a citizen. She said U.S. citizens have the freedom to make choices and are passionate about serving their communities.

'Americans are extremely spirited and are always looking for ways to give back,' she said.

An average of 3,400 people become new citizens each day, and typically 30 of them are members of the U.S. military, according to information from the immigration agency. Most citizenship candidates have to reside in the country for at least five years, but military members who are serving honorably can become a citizen quicker.

Those at Thursday’s ceremony – held on Constitution Day, also called Citizenship Day – were born in countries such as Venezuela, Mexico, Haiti, Germany and China, and came to the United States for various reasons.

Airman 1st Class Sai Singhar, 19, moved to Arizona when he was 15. He said he wanted to leave Burma, where he was born, because of political turmoil. 'I didn’t even speak a word of English,' Singhar said. But now he speaks clearly and almost without an accent. He said he wanted to serve the country and be able to vote.

Navy Hospital Corpsman Ricardo Tamacas, 28, was born in El Salvador but came to the United States about 20 years ago. He said he wants to be an officer in the Navy, which requires citizenship. Tamacas was emotional as he took the oath. 'I’m more secure knowing I have citizenship,' said Tamacas, a New York resident.

Before the new citizens took the oath, Saffo shared his mother’s story. 'Nowhere other than America can the son of an immigrant rise to be mayors, governors and the president of the United States,' he said.

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27.
Grady dialysis patients may not get care in other states
By Craig Schneider and Shelia M. Poole
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 18, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/grady-dialysis-patients-may-140961.html

Grady Memorial Hospital's plan to send kidney dialysis patients to several other states, where the hospital said they would qualify for care, could leave some patients stranded without adequate treatment.

At least three states on the list --- Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey --- have requirements that could shut out these new residents from routine dialysis care, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has found.

Late Thursday Grady officials could not explain the discrepancy between their plan and the states' response. They said the list of 11 states named in the relocation plan came from an outside consultant. They would not name the consultant.

'I am investigating the source of the list to make sure we had verified that these claims are true,' said Grady spokesman Matt Gove.

He said none of the patients who've left Georgia have moved to New Jersey, North Carolina or Virginia.

The hospital had said the dialysis unit would close Sunday and the hospital hoped to send about 90 patients --- some of whom are illegal immigrants --- out of state, back to their home countries or to local clinics. As many as 10 patients have already moved out of state. For many, Grady had been their last resort for dialysis care.

Late Wednesday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville issued a temporary restraining order that stopped Grady Memorial Hospital from closing its outpatient dialysis unit --- at least for a few days.

The restraining order also compels the hospital to stop the hospital's controversial plan to pay the relocation costs of some patients to move to another state or back to their home country.

The judge's action came as a relief to Ignacio Godinez Lopez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, who is a laid-off home remodeler.

'I don't know anyone anywhere else,' he said.

Patients --- some who need dialysis three times a week --- said they worried that their health would deteriorate as they moved to another state or country. Advocates said some patients were not informed that if they chose not to relocate, Grady would help them find care and take care of their bill.

'People are talking about death panels. The real death panels occurred here at Grady, when people were told to go and die,' said state Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta), a leader of the Grady Coalition advocacy group.

Controversy has built since Grady first announced in July plans to close the outpatient dialysis clinic. This week, reaction to the plan erupted.

Grady officials have repeatedly assured patients and the public that no patient would be left without care. They said they found states that provide Medicaid assistance for illegal immigrants for outpatient dialysis treatment. Georgia does not.

But officials of three of those states --- North Carolina, New Jersey and Virginia --- told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday that they do not offer Medicaid assistance for illegal immigrants for outpatient dialysis treatment.

They only provide Medicaid assistance for illegal immigrants for emergency services provided through an emergency room. None of the three states has a special program for illegal immigrants needing ongoing outpatient dialysis.

Mark Van Sciver, spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, said every state in the country is required by federal law to offer such Medicaid assistance for emergency situations.

'Why is Grady telling people to go to another state? I don't know,' said the spokesman.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is still trying to contact the other states on the list.

The restraining order, sought by patient advocates, said the plaintiffs showed 'the likelihood that plaintiffs will suffer irrevocable injury unless this court intervenes.'

The judge said Grady must provide the patients with notice in their primary language of their right to receive continued dialysis treatment at Grady. And before he will allow the dialysis clinic to close, Grady must provide the judge with a 'suitable alternative dialysis treatment plan that does not jeopardize their lives or medical needs.'

The judge set a hearing for Wednesday.

Grady spokesman Gove declined to comment on the court's action. But Grady officials have said none of the dialysis patients will be left without care. About 30 of them --- all U.S. citizens --- will be transferred to local clinics, he said.

Several of the remaining 60 have already committed to moving to other states or back to their home country.

The advocates' success in temporarily stopping the closure reflects the emergence of a new patient advocacy group --- the Grady Advocates for Responsible Care. The group played a key role in getting the temporary restraining order.

Co-founder Dorothy Leone-Glasser, a DeKalb County-based nurse and wellness counselor, said people came together about two months ago when word spread that Grady was closing its outpatient dialysis unit. Several conference calls later, the group was born.

The group worked with an existing patient advocacy group, the Grady Coalition, in the push to file the legal challenge that led to the temporary restraining order.

The group is described as an alliance of physicians, medical care providers, patients, human rights organizations and patients advocates.

The group was galvanized because 'this was a life and death issue,' Leone-Glasser said. 'There was no time to waste in trying to get these patients help. These patients didn't have a voice.'

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28.
FBI Again Questions Immigrant in Terror Probe
By Stephanie Simon
The Wall Street Journal, September 18, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125323086773921349.html

An airport shuttle driver at the center of a federal terrorism investigation returned Thursday for further questioning by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in Denver, a day after federal agents searched his apartment and interviewed him for eight hours.

Najibullah Zazi, a 24-year-old immigrant from Afghanistan, provided a DNA swab, a handwriting sample and fingerprints during his eight-hour interrogation on Wednesday afternoon and evening, according to one of his attorneys, Armstrong Graham. 'It sounds worse than it was,' Mr. Graham said. 'It was very cordial, very productive.'

The agents pressed for information about Mr. Zazi's family and friends and his travel history, Mr. Graham said. Mr. Zazi's wife lives in Pakistan, and his lawyers say he visits her there regularly. Last week, Mr. Zazi rented a car and drove to New York. He said he had to deal with some problems involving a coffee-vending cart that he operated for years on Wall Street. Mr. Zazi stayed with an old friend in the borough of Queens; earlier this week, the friend's apartment and two others were searched.

Mr. Zazi hasn't been arrested or charged. Authorities haven't released any information about the results of their searches in Queens or in the Denver area.

Both Mr. Zazi and his lawyers have repeatedly said he has no ties to terrorism.

The U.S. Attorney in Denver declined to comment on the case and the FBI didn't return calls.

A practicing Muslim, Mr. Zazi has been fasting during the day for the month of Ramadan. When Wednesday's interrogation continued past sundown, the traditional time for breaking the fast, the FBI agents brought him fast food, but Mr. Zazi didn't eat it, Mr. Graham said. 'He didn't ask for any breaks,' Mr. Graham said. 'His attitude was 'Let's get this done.''

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29.
Delray Beach DMV workers accused of accepting bribes
By Sonja Isger
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale), September 17, 2009
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-dmv-arrested-bn091709,0,6986172.story

Delray Beach, FL -- Eight more people are in jail or are to be arrested shortly for their alleged involvement in a ring that accepted bribes to issue driver's licenses to hundreds, if not thousands, of illegal immigrants.

The State Attorney's Office also has added conspiracy charges to the list of criminal charges filed against those initially arrested in May, according to information released from Michael McAuliffe's office Thursday.

In May, authorities arrested four state Department of Motor Vehicles license examiners and one outside facilitator for their role in the expansive ring.

This round, which began Wednesday, has snagged two more examiners and six additional facilitators, the State Attorney's Office reports.

Also, two other facilitators who were arrested in May, have been arrested again.

'It was insane what was going on,' Elizabeth Parker, a chief assistant state attorney who headed a multi-agency task force investigating the matter, said after the first arrests. 'They were bringing van loads of people from all over South Florida. It was so blatant.'

Armed with counterfeit immigration documents often handed to them in the parking lot of the office on Military Trail, applicants were directed to one of the five license examiners.

Few took the mandatory written exam, much less the driving test. For fees ranging from $500 to $2,500 for the documents and the special treatment, they walked away with valid licenses.

Some of the predominantly Haitian, Guatemalan and Mexican immigrants probably just wanted licenses so they could stay in the country, get a job, open a bank account and not live in fear that a simple traffic stop would land them in jail, with the next stop their home country, Parker said.

Others may have wanted licenses to acquire lucrative jobs as drug mules, she said. With a valid license, they would not have to worry that, if stopped with illicit cargo, their cars would be searched. {ZONE} PN

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30.
Boynton Beach police stop boat suspected of smuggling Dominicans
By Erika Pesantes
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale), September 17, 2009
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/boynton-beach/sfl-palm-boat-stopped-p091709,0,5110735.story

Boynton Beach, FL -- The Boynton Beach Police Marine Unit stopped a speeding boat Thursday that is suspected of smuggling migrants, possibly from the Dominican Republic, authorities said.

Officers stopped the boat, which did not have a Florida registration number, around 2:30 p.m. when they saw it speeding in a slow speed zone in the Intracoastal Waterway, Boynton Beach police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said.

The people on board did not speak English and they told an interpreter assisting police that they were from the Dominican Republic, she said.

Marine officers saw three people aboard, but searched the boat and found five others hiding in the cabin below. Boynton Beach marine officers alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Both agencies joined the suspect vessel in the Intracoastal off the 1500 block and just south of Boat Club Park.

The Coast Guard told Boynton Beach marine officers that it had stopped a similar boat off Palm Beach earlier in the day and that the incidents could possibly be related, Slater said.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Barry Bena could not confirm if the suspect vessel had been previously stopped. He also said he did not know the conditions of the migrants, but they would be offered medical attention if necessary while being screened and interviewed.

No arrests were made in the case, according to ICE spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez.

After about four hours floating on the waterway, the agencies' boats left through the Boynton Inlet along with the suspect vessel. The migrants were transferred over to a Coast Guard boat.

None of the agencies revealed where the migrants were being taken.

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Center for Immigration Studies
1522 K St. NW, Suite 820
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 466-8185 fax: (202) 466-8076
center@cis.org www.cis.org
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