USA Today: Compassion Doesn't Mean Opening the Border to Haitians

USA Today warns in an editorial that opening the border to a flood of people from Haiti isn't going to solve that country's problems. "[E]merging proposals to bypass immigration rules and bring Haitians here by the tens of thousands are rooted in impulse, not reason. They will not help Haiti or its people in the long term . . . For starters, inviting thousands to flee Haiti is no way to help Haiti rebuild. To the contrary, Haiti's survival depends on encouraging its best and brightest to remain and work on its revival."

Did the Hispanic Vote Win Mass. For Scott Brown?

John A. Tures, a political science professor with LaGrange College, says Scott Brown won Massachusetts due to "defections" by Hispanic voters from the Democratic party. "I know what you're thinking. . . Coakley must have run some anti-immigrant policy, while Brown was soft on immigration. But Coakley was the one with the pro-immigration policy . . . As for Brown, his campaign website said 'I welcome legal immigration to this country. However, we are also a nation of laws and government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration . . . I oppose amnesty. . . '" Tures concludes, "Independents kept the race in play, but failing to energize the Democrat base did more to undermine Coakley. And the biggest percentage point source of Democrat defection was the Hispanic vote."

Remittances to Mexico Fall 16 Percent

"Money sent home by Mexicans abroad plunged a record 15.7 percent in 2009 as migrants worldwide struggled to find work during the global economic slowdown, the central bank reported Wednesday," according to Bloomberg News. "Remittances -- Mexico's No. 2 source of foreign income after oil exports -- totaled $21.2 billion in 2009, compared with $25.1 billion in 2008, the bank said."

Rep. Tiahrt Makes the Grade - Introduces Bill to Block In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens

By Dustin Carnevale, FAIR Media team

During the State of the Union Address, President Obama stated that "in the 21st century, one of the best anti-poverty programs is a world-class education." Unfortunately, such an education is out of reach for millions of Americans who struggle to afford tuition while 10 states are giving tuition breaks to illegal aliens. At a time when just about every state's higher education system is dramatically increasing tuition and cutting admissions these states are subsidizing illegal immigration and rewarding illegal behavior.

However, as President Obama noted, "the price of college tuition is just one of the burdens facing middle class Americans." Every seat and admissions slot occupied by an illegal alien is a spot unavailable to a hard-working, highly-motivated citizen or legal immigrant. This practice is fundamentally unfair to those who (to again use the President's own words) "played by the rules." How is it fair that under the policies in these 10 states, someone can illegally cross an international border and receive a benefit, while a citizen or legal resident traveling into a neighboring state is denied the very same tuition?

Luckily, there are leaders in Congress like Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-4th KS) who along with Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-50th CA) have injected a common sense approach into the debate over illegal aliens' access to in-state tuition. This week, they introduced the Fairness for American Students Act. By doing so, these Congressmen hope to ensure that no illegal alien will be eligible for in-state tuition unless that same opportunity is offered to all Americans.

This legislation will also allow citizens to sue in the event they are not granted in-state tuition from a state offering this benefit to illegal aliens. This right to sue is critical and here's why. The 10 states in question are ignoring laws that have been on the books since 1996 that require this equitable approach to tuition. However in Rep. Tiahrt's home state of Kansas, a case brought by American students was dismissed when the judge denied them standing. The Fairness for American Students Act will bring just that - fairness.

No Strong Call for Amnesty in State of the Union; Gutierrez Vows Action

President Obama briefly touched on immigration during the State of the Union speech yesterday, saying, "And we should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system - to secure our borders, enforce our laws, and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation."

In a Huffington Post commentary, Rep. Luis Gutierrez says that "[Obama] did not go far enough. . ." Gutierrez says that it is clear that Congress must "set a timeline for the comprehensive immigration reform Americans want and deserve."

Jobs That Americans Will Do

Joshua Greene at Helium says that even a back of the envelope estimate shows that claims that illegal immigrants are doing jobs Americans won't is false. "When examining the statistics before your eyes we see that a HUGE chunk of undocumented workers work in jobs that Americans want and have. 10 percent of the illegal aliens that live in the United States work in management and professional settings! That between 1.2 million to 2 million jobs that any American citizen would find security in."

New Estimate - 13 Percent of California Inmates Are Deportable

The Sacramento Bee analyzed how many inmates either had or were eligible for an immigration detainer. The paper "found that as of Dec. 31, California prisons had 22,173 inmates with an immigration hold or potential immigration hold. That represented 13 percent of the state's 168,830 inmates," The Crime Report says.

ICE Whistleblower Trial Continues . . .

"A supervisory agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement testified Wednesday that former agent Cory Voorhis did not get his approval to provide the criminal record of an illegal immigrant to a gubernatorial campaign staffer," the Denver Post reported. Voorhis blew the whistle on plea-deals for criminal illegal aliens that let dangerous felons stay in the U.S., and was fired for it.

The Palin Wild Card in Hayworth-McCain Primary?

The FrumForum (set up by columnist David Frum) has a post by Paul Craft looking at the Arizona Senate primary matchup between former Rep. JD Hayworth and Sen. John McCain. "A 2010 Hayworth-McCain battle would, in many respects, fit into a larger political trend in which a conservative GOP candidate like Florida's Marco Rubio challenges an established, moderate candidate, like Florida Governor Charlie Crist (a McCain supporter)," Craft says. "But there is some hope for McCain in gaining some more traction with Arizona Republicans: Sarah Palin has promised to campaign in Arizona on her old running mate's behalf. Will she live up to this promise with Hayworth in the race? Palin's base of support surely shares more in common with Hayworth."

Immigration and State of the Union

Byron York with the Examiner says that the big question for the State of the Union address is how hard President Obama will push for amnesty. "Can he keep a campaign promise that is dear to an important constituency but unpopular with the public as a whole at a time when Democrats are terrified of further alienating voters already turned off by the Democratic agenda so far? Chances are, Obama will mention immigration in the State of the Union speech, just so he can say it's one of his priorities, and then sit back as Congress runs away from it."

German Homeschool Family Gets Asylum

"A German couple who fled to Tennessee so they could homeschool their children was granted political asylum Tuesday by a U.S. immigration judge, according to the legal group that represented them," the Washington Post reported. "Romeike says his family was persecuted for their evangelical Christian beliefs and for homeschooling their children in Germany, where school attendance is compulsory."

"Undocumented Is Not Part Of Our Vocabulary"

"Are they illegal aliens or undocumented workers? Illegal immigrants or unauthorized entrants? In the raging debate over illegal immigration, words carry loaded meanings," the Press Telegram says. "[Ira] Mehlman said [FAIR] uses the term alien because it's the legal definition of someone who is not considered a citizen under the law. 'Undocumented is not part of our vocabulary,' he said. 'An undocumented worker is a guy who left his wallet at home.'"

Haitians Continue to Apply for TPS

"Local nonprofits and Haitian organizations in Palm Beach County are quickly preparing for the expected flood of phone calls and visits from Haitians wanting protected status. The leaders of these groups also are scrambling for answers from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services on how to speed up the process," the Palm Beach Post says. "Once TPS is instituted, people forget about the part which stands for temporary," fair spokesman Ira Mehlman said. "I guarantee you at the end of that 18 months, advocates will say let's do it again. What we need to do is encourage people to go back over time and rebuild Haiti."

ICE Says Detainee Care Will Improve

The Arizona Republic has the latest about new detention standards for immigrants. "The head of U.S. immigration enforcement on Monday announced plans for an overhaul of the government's controversial detention system for people who face deportation." The paper notes that, "In Arizona, an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 adult immigrants are in detention. About 1,500 of them are housed at the federal detention center in Eloy, and a total of about 1,200 more are housed in three facilities in Florence, including the Pinal County jail. Juveniles are held at a center in Phoenix."

Schwarzenegger Says Calif. Could House Inmates in Mexico

"Speaking to reporters at the Sacramento Press Club, Schwarzenegger said California could ease its strained finances by a billion dollars if 20,000 illegal immigrants currently held in the state were housed across the border," AFP reported. "We pay them to build the prison down in Mexico. And then we have those undocumented immigrants down there in prison. It would half the costs to build the prison and run the prison. We could save a billion dollars right there that could go into higher education."

Hayworth Challenges McCain in Primary; McCain Allegedly Using "Scorched Earth"

"A GOP congresman on Sunday backed former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) who announced yesterday he will primary Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) became the first lawmaker to endorse the former radio host Hayworth's upstart bid," The Hill reported.

Meanwhile, the Politico reports that McCain has already started "scorched earth" tactics against Hayworth. "Arizona Sen. John McCain is launching a scorched-earth campaign aimed at incinerating a reelection challenge from J.D. Hayworth, the conservative former Arizona congressman and radio talk show host. McCain is attempting, with a series of hardball tactics, to cut Hayworth down before his campaign even gets off the ground."

IRLI Sues Over Nebraska Tuition Policy

"The Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) today sued the Board of Regents for the University of Nebraska System, the Board of Governors for the State College System, and the Board of Governors for each of the Nebraska Community Colleges to end the practice of public universities offering in-state tuition to illegal aliens at the expense of Nebraska taxpayers," said a press release by IRLI.

Survey Shows Public Concerns Center on Jobs, Terrorism

"As Barack Obama begins his second year in office, the public's priorities for the president and Congress remain much as they were one year ago. Strengthening the nation's economy and improving the job situation continue to top the list. And, in the wake of the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on a Detroit-bound airliner, defending the country from future terrorist attacks also remains a top priority," the Pew Research Center reports.

Gambia Refuses To Accept Criminal Deportees

"Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh, has given directives to Embassy officials in Washington DC not to identify Gambian deportees from the US when contacted by the United States Customs and Immigration Services, said a top official of the Gambian Mission. The Gambian leader has also instructed Diplomats in DC not to issue emergency passports to Gambian Immigrants on a "visa violation" removal orders, the Freedom Newspaper, a Gambian online paper reported. "The Gambian Embassy 'whistleblower' said there is some kind of discrimination in the whole affair, as his colleagues often turned in suspected political dissidents lined up for deportation to the USCIS when contacted."

FAIR Launches New Online University

We are pleased to announce the official launch of our online university. This new interactive educational experience is designed to provide a strong initial baseline for those wanting to learn more about U.S. immigration history and current policy.

This new immigration "gateway" offers a narrative overview of how immigration has historically affected culture, politics and the economy in the United States. FAIR's Online University also offers practical immigration reform solutions that enhance national security, protect jobs and wages, and preserve the environment. Click here to check out this new exciting program and make sure to share it with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Americans Divided on More Haitians to U.S.

"Though the surge [of refugees to Florida] has yet to materialize, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 31% of Americans believe Haitian refugees should be invited to live here. Forty-six percent (46%) say the refugees should not be invited to live in the United States. Another 22% remain undecided," Rasmussen reported. "Eighty-one percent (81%) of adults say they have been following news reports about the earthquake in Haiti at least somewhat closely, including 43% who have been following very closely. Just 18% are not following the news from Haiti very closely or at all."

Amnesty Supporters Divided on Immigration Levels

Jeffery Kaye says in the Huffington Post that amnesty supporters are divided about future levels of immigration and how they should be divided. The House amnesty bill, CIRASAP, called for a labor market commission to set future immigration levels. "Labor believes that by establishing a mechanism to carefully regulate migration, government will be in better position to protect the rights, wages, and working conditions of both the existing workforce and of migrant workers. Business on the other hand worry that a government commission would not only politicize the process, but take away the prerogative of business (i.e. "the market") to control future flows."

Boat Smuggling Picks Up by San Diego

"On any given night, small fishing boats from Mexico are puttering up the San Diego County coast, unlighted and so dangerously overloaded with human cargo that their hulls are barely above water," the San Diego Union Tribune reports. "Immigration authorities say there are cells of Mexican smuggling organizations that dedicate themselves to the maritime human smuggling trade, a trend that has grown dramatically in this region over the past three years."

Michigan Should Work to Stop Illegal Hiring

Jim Runstead, a Republican county commissioner from Oakland County, tells Detroit News readers that Michigan needs to be tougher to stop illegal hiring. "In Michigan, we have the opportunity to help put an end to the hiring of illegal workers. Two bills, House bills 4355 and 4969, would require companies doing business with the state to verify the legal status of all new hires. These bills were marshaled out of committee by state Rep. Mark Meadows, but have been bottled up by House Speaker Andy Dillon and Democrat whip Kathy Angerer."

James Carafano: Time For A Reality Check

Writing for the new site Daily Caller, James Carafano says that immigration won't be a winning issue for Congressional Democrats. "In the House, anything can be passed with 218 votes. The Democrats control 256. Yet the Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already said she won't let the House touch immigration until the Senate passes a successful bill first. Meanwhile, the good Senator from New York who crafted the administration's amnesty bill refused to even introduce it before the Christmas holiday break, out of fear Members would get pummeled by constituents back home. It hardly sounds like the Congressional leadership thinks it has a winning issue here."

Ruben Navarrette Jr.: Amnesty Isn't Dead Yet

Ruben Navarrette Jr. says don't count amnesty out yet, despite the Massachusetts election. "Judging from the debate over health care, Obama is a true believer -- what opponents call an ideologue -- who won't stop pushing for something he supports just because the political equation in Washington has changed," Navarrette writes. "If Obama breaks the one major promise he made to Latino voters - to deliver comprehensive immigration reform - this will make it tough for him to face the Latino community as he campaigns for re-election."

Rep. Chaffetz Introduces True Immigration Reform Resolution

"Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, introduced on Thursday a resolution, backed by several other House freshmen, calling for Congress to get tough on illegal immigration," the Deseret News reported. "Any discussion of comprehensive immigration reform must begin with a renewed commitment to enforce our immigration laws," Chaffetz said. Fax your member of Congress in support of the Chaffetz resolution now.

McCain Says Obama Needs to Lead on Amnesty

Sen. John McCain told the Western Growers Association that President Obama needed to take the lead on passing amnesty this year. He noted that he thought it was unlikely that AgJobs, a bill favored by growers seeking cheap foreign labor, would pass this year. "[Western Growers president] Nassif said the Western Growers provided McCain with policy papers on the group's concerns, including health care costs for seasonal workers and undocumented workers. Western Growers would prefer that part-time seasonal workers be exempt from insurance requirements," The Packer (agricultural news) site wrote.

Restaurant Raid Leads to Charges

"Ramon Ornelas, 42, of Norwalk, is charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with eight counts of harboring and concealing illegal aliens, three counts of mail fraud and seven counts of subscribing to a false tax return," the Port Clinton News Herald reported. The charges stem from a raid at a local restaurant chain run by Ornelas. "According to the report, Ornelas routinely paid workers in cash without withholding FICA and Medicare taxes and submitted falsified documents to the state Department of Job and Family Services."

200,000 Haitians Expected to Apply for TPS As DHS Vows Speedy Processing

The DHS is promising speedy processing for TPS applications, with an agency official sent to Miami to expedite processing. "Officials said they expected 100,000 to 200,000 Haitians who have been living illegally in the United States to take advantage of the offer from the Obama administration for temporary legal status," the New York Times reported.

Tom Tancredo: Amnesty Vs. True Immigration Reform

"In the heated debate over immigration reform, we seldom hear this simple truth uttered by anyone: Amnesty is the enemy of true immigration reform," says former Rep. Tom Tancredo. "Amnesty for persons in the country unlawfully exacerbates and magnifies every single problem our immigration system faces, yet advocates for "comprehensive immigration reform" never fail to make amnesty the centerpiece of their plans. This contradiction reveals a different agenda. They aim not to fix our broken immigration system but to destroy it."

DHS Says Jail Program With Arpaio Valuable, Will Continue

"A top U.S. immigration-enforcement official on Wednesday defended a federal program that lets local jail officials from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office check the immigration status of people booked into jail," the Arizona Republic reported. "'Sixty nine percent of the people we receive in Maricopa County have been convicted of Level 1 and Level 2 offenses, which are serious felony offenses, drug trafficking, assaults, rape,' Morton said during a meeting with editors and reporters at The Arizona Republic."

Angel Island Celebrates 100th Anniversary

The Angel Island immigration processing center is celebrating its centennial this year. "Thursday's commemoration will include some of the nation's top immigration officials alongside immigrants who passed through Angel Island decades ago," the San Jose Mercury News writes.

Brown Victory May Scuttle Democrats' Agenda

The Politico analyzes what parts of the Democratic agenda this Congress will be passed now that Senate Democrats no longer have 60 votes. "Immigration reform is probably a goner. But Republicans - no longer free to stand by while Democrats muster their own 60 votes - may help out on war funding and other national security issues," the paper says. Brown has taken several positions in opposition to programs that would benefit illegal immigrants, such as in-state tuition rates. Brown said, "Providing driver's licenses and in-state tuition to illegal immigrant families will act as a magnet in drawing more people here in violation of the law and it will impose new costs on taxpayers," in response to a report by the Gov. Deval Patrick's administration.

Immigration Will Keep Australia From Meeting C02 Goals

Monash University's Centre for Population and Urban Research has produced a report saying that immigration will keep Australia from reducing C02 emissions. "The paper's authors calculated that if the Government did not take steps to reduce emissions, emissions would grow by 40 per cent by 2020, and 83 per cent of that increase would come from the extra people. The Government wants more people because it means more young taxpayers as the rest of the population ages," the Herald Sun wrote.

Red Cross May Bring Tens of Thousands to Florida; No Mass Migration Seen Yet from Haiti

"The American Red Cross says a plan to bring 45,000 evacuees from Haiti to Florida, and 4,000 of those to Orange County, is not set in stone. The Red Cross clarified Friday who could be involved in a plan to move people out of Haiti. The Red Cross is preparing for two things: the repatriation of Americans living in Haiti and the possibility of a mass migration of Haitian nationals," WFTV reported. "Florida emergency management officials said Tuesday they are not seeing a mass Haitian exodus coming and do not expect to see one as they continue to support federal orders that call for interdicting refugees at sea and sending them back to the earthquake-rocked island nation," the Jacksonville Observer notes.

Daily Kos: Amnesty Will Cure Democrats Problems in 2010

Markos Moulitsas tells readers of The Hill that with health care reform having gone poorly, giving amnesty to millions of illegal aliens will help keep Latino voters energized and help the Democratic party in 2010. "Rarely aggressive to begin with, Democrats are now particularly gun-shy, afraid to tackle another hot-button issue even though immigration reform opponents have always been far louder than they are numerous," he says.

Local Prosecutors Blame ICE for Deporting Criminals Out on Bail

"Illegal aliens accused of crimes are more likely to be deported before trial as federal immigration procedures become more efficient," the Patriot-Ledger writes. "In a Weymouth case, a man from Guatemala was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last year after making bail on child rape and other charges. When it came time for him to enter a plea, the agency said, he was not available to be in court, and he was deported a week later."

Lamm: Get Tough on Immigration

"[Former Gov. Richard] Lamm yesterday addressed approximately 40 people at the City Club of Denver's weekly meeting. Since leaving office in 1987, Lamm, a Democrat while serving three terms as Colorado governor, has spoken numerous times on illegal immigration," the Denver Daily News reported. "Lamm wants to see something like the E-Verify system be applied to people at airports, banks, and be required for people looking to get a job. He believes such a system along with a reliable identification card would dramatically cut down illegal immigration."

Gutierrez Says This is the Year of Amnesty

"It's no surprise that activists grew frustrated last year over the lack of action by Congress and the Obama administration. In an effort to build momentum, Rep. Luis Gutierrez introduced a bill last month that outlines a plan for overhauling the nation's immigration system to create a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented Americans," notes Progress Illinois.

California County Spends Millions Due to Immigration

"San Bernardino County spent nearly $64 million in state and federal money last year to provide welfare benefits to the American-born children of illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants aren't entitled to welfare. But their citizen children are," the San Bernardino Sun writes. "This is a huge burden on our state," said Assemblyman Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, whose district includes Victorville and northwestern San Bernardino County. "Obviously, these kids are U.S. citizens and that's fine. But when you look at it, these parents should have never been here in the first place."

What Can Cause A Libertarian To Support Government Health Care?

It turns out immigration is the issue that can cause libertarians to throw up their hands and support universal health care. Shikha Dalmia with the Reason Foundation says the Senate health care bill is wrong to keep illegal aliens from buying insurance through the taxpayer funded health care exchange. "Undocumented aliens may therefore face the double bind of having to buy coverage but being priced out of the few legal avenues they have. This should trouble anyone not part of the Lou Dobbs fan club, but civil libertarians should find it particularly odious. At the same time the government tells Americans how they must spend their money, it will tell undocumented aliens where they can't spend theirs. Government intrusiveness combined with government discrimination is not a formula for social justice."

LAPD Faces Questions on Special Order 40

Leslie Dutton with Full Disclosure News has a video discussing the different stances taken by law enforcement officials regarding illegal immigration. She interviewed LA Police Chief Bernard Parks, along with a U.S. attorney and others who discussed Special Order 40.

Gillibrand Attacks Opponent for Voting Against the Sham Diversity Lottery

Elizabeth Benjamin with the New York Daily News says, "Team Gillibrand is trying to turn the tables on ex-Rep. Harold Ford Jr. by employing an issue over which she has experienced considerable grief: Immigration. As a messenger, the Gillibrand campaign has tapped Democratic fundraiser/activist and immigration attorney Brian O'Dwyer, who told me this afternoon that Ford had "the most anti-immigrant voting record in the House of Representatives" when he served from 1997 to 2007." O'Dwyer told Benjamin this was based upon a single vote by Ford to kill the Diversity Visa lottery. The Diversity Lottery has been criticized for being a security risk; for example Yemen has received diversity visas despite being a known terrorist haven.

La Raza Says Health Care Reform "Should Reflect Latino Interests"

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) likes to bill itself as a mainstream American organization, and protests loudly when described as ethno-centric. Not ethno-centric? You decide.

Consider this email action alert sent out by NCLR on January 14 with the subject line: "A 2010 To-Do List for the Senate." Item #1 on the to-do list is "Finish health care reform fairly." What should be the objective of health care reform legislation, you might wonder? "Reform should reflect Latino priorities," states the NCLR action alert.

Schumer - Kerry Collision Over Immigration?

"Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is heading for a collision with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) over whose pet issue will get top billing in the Senate later this year. Schumer is taking a lead role in immigration - and is pushing Democrats to prioritize a potentially toxic issue leading up to the November elections. Kerry is a lead negotiator on climate change and is demanding that a climate bill get pushed to the front of the line," the Politico reported.

The Law Really is The Law

"It should be easy for people to understand that a business license, by any name, is a commercial license and thereby a public benefit. Yet like many immigration laws that do not directly benefit the illegal aliens or the Americans who have created an industry out of using and rewarding them, the 2006 state law was treated as an optional requirement by virtually all local governments in Georgia," notes D.A. King. "We now have a law that says we must obey the law that says we must obey the law. And I'm sure I'm not the only one asking why a law is required for any responsible local government to do everything possible to discourage already-illegal actions."

Cuomo Cracks Down on Immigration Scams

"Two firms offering services for immigrants in Manhattan and the Bronx have been charged with fraud," NY1 reported. "Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is suing two non-profits -- International Immigrants Foundation and International Professional Association -- for allegedly scamming immigrants by making false promises of citizenship and charging exorbitant fees."

Arizona Becomes "Ground Zero" for Illegal Immigration

"Arizona is the flash point of the immigration debate, a place where high levels of illegal immigration have led to state and local restrictions, most recently a law that requires government workers to report illegal immigrants seeking public benefits," says USA Today. "In rallying against Arpaio and other Arizona politicians and laws, protesters will call for a federal solution to the state's immigration problems. The issue resonates here because more people cross illegally into the USA through Arizona than anywhere else -- nearly half those caught in the past fiscal year, the Border Patrol says. That does not include those who got past the security gantlet."

Arizona Budget Cuts Enforcement of Employer Law

The Arizona Republic reported, "As budget discussions resume at the Capitol, Senate Appropriations Chairman Russell Pearce and House Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh said Wednesday that Maricopa County's amount will be cut in half and Arizona's other 14 counties will receive no money." Arizona's law is one of the toughest in the nation.

Attorney Convicted for Marriage Fraud

An Ohio immigration attorney was convicted of marriage fraud and now faces deportation. Lillian Asante entered into a sham marriage so she could stay in the U.S. Asante's real husband was convicted as well for entering into a sham marriage of his own. "The Asantes married in Ghana in 1999 and entered the United States in August 2002. Lillian Asante attended Ohio State University law school, earning her degree in 2005, while Kwadwo Asante earned an MBA at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland," according to news reports.

FAIR Urges Termination of TPS for Other Nations to Accommodate Influx of Haitians

In response to yesterday's devastating earthquake in Haiti, Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), issued the following statement on the suspension of deportation of Haitians in the United States:

"The magnitude of the devastation in Haiti makes it impossible for people to return home under current conditions. In light of the catastrophe our government should grant Haitian nationals the ability to remain in the United States until the immediate crisis has passed.

"However, it is incumbent upon our national leaders to not only act compassionately, but to act responsibly to the American people and ensure that their compassion is not abused. In keeping with these important objectives, allowing Haitians affected by the earthquake to remain in the country must be accompanied by termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of other nations where conditions no longer merit their continued presence in this country. In some cases, such as TPS for citizens of El Salvador, the triggering event occurred more than a decade ago.

"Suspension of deportation for Haitians must also include a definitive termination date, so that we do not repeat mistakes of the past. The purpose of extending temporary humanitarian leave to remain in the United States must be to help the Haitian people and government get through the immediate crisis, not to facilitate an extended or permanent transfer of large segments of their population to the United States, imposing significant burdens on American taxpayers.

"As Americans, we believe it is in the best traditions of our nation to offer a helping hand to a neighbor as they deal with a devastating earthquake, to offer humanitarian aid and provide temporary refuge to people who cannot return home. Our long term objectives must be to help Haitians return home at the early possible date to do the important work of getting their country get back on its feet."

Beck, Palin Discuss Immigration

Marcelo Balive says Glen Beck's discussion with Sarah Palin on Fox News may shed some more light on Palin's views on immigration. "Sarah Palin seemed particularly irked that Democrats had been allowed to portray their party as the party of immigration. She said: '(We) are at fault when we allow the other side to capture this immigration issue.' She also said, 'We need to continue to be so welcoming.' She emphasized she was no fan of illegal immigration adding: 'People do need to come in the right way they cannot take advantage of what this country has to offer.'"

Help Assist the Effort to Save Haitians, to Survive and Recover

A special message from FAIR President Dan Stein

I urge you to consider the magnitude of the quake that just struck Haiti. All our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and with the many brave individuals who are mounting massive rescue efforts to help the injured and leverage the aid where it will do the most good - in Haiti. We encourage all of our members and readers to donate what they can today to this effort. If you have a relief organization that you've used in the past and that you trust, go there today and donate. You can also go to the American Red Cross Web site and find out how you can help.

Illegal Alien Lobby Makes It Very Clear: Debate Will Not Be Tolerated

By Ira Mehlman, FAIR Media Director

Ever since the defeat of the 2007 amnesty bill, the illegal alien advocacy network has been on a relentless campaign to destroy those who oppose their agenda. Their first target was FAIR. Using tactics straight out of Joe McCarthy's playbook, they have sought (unsuccessfully) to destroy FAIR's reputation and effectiveness as an advocate for the interests of the American people in the immigration debate.

The illegal alien lobby denied that they were trying to stifle debate about immigration policy. Their problem, they contended, was FAIR, not the legitimacy of the case for enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

It turns out that it is not just FAIR, or any of the other pro-enforcement immigration reform groups, that the amnesty lobby finds objectionable. It is simply that they will not tolerate any dissent and will viciously attack anyone whom they perceive to be standing in their way.

Take Steve Levy for example. Levy is the Democratic Executive for Suffolk County, home to middle class New York suburbanites, and a playground for the rich and famous who summer in the Hamptons. Levy's constituents seem to think he is a pretty swell guy and a heck of a public official: They re-elected him in 2007 with 96 percent of the vote!

During his seven years as Suffolk County Executive, Levy has decided that protecting the interests of his constituents requires that he enforce laws that were designed to protect their safety, their property values, and the county's resources. Faced with an influx of illegal aliens, Levy has prevented day laborers from congregating on street corners and parking lots, enforced housing codes that prevent multiple families or individuals from crowding into single-family homes, and taken other steps that have been wildly popular with county residents.

Needless to say, the illegal alien advocates are not pleased with him. But when Levy announced that he is considering seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor of New York, they went ballistic. A group of pro-illegal alien members of the state legislature (considered the most dysfunctional state legislature in the nation) held a press conference in Albany to denounce Levy and threaten a boycott against any institution that supports his candidacy.

Bronx Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera used the press conference to attack Levy. "Steve Levy is not the enemy solely of the Latino community and the Latino voter, he is the enemy of every immigrant community that exists in the state." Rivera's denunciation was mild compared to that of Manhattan Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV who, in a written statement charged that, "Steve Levy is a racist, white supremacist. He is crazy, and so are those who stand by him."

Any pretense that the illegal alien advocacy network merely objects to FAIR, or to any particular individual who supports immigration enforcements and limits has vanished. The truth is they will employ just about any tactic imaginable to destroy anyone who attempts to protect the public interest and who opposes amnesty for illegal aliens. The amnesty lobby does not want debate; they want capitulation.

New Details in Boston ICE Scandal - Illegal Aliens Driven to Work by ICE

Details continue to emerge about the scandal involving ICE agents who transported illegal aliens to remove snow for the New England Patriots. The Providence Journal reveals today, "At least six minors - one as young as 14 - were among dozens of workers hired by a temp agency to shovel snow at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro before Sunday's New England Patriots playoff game."

Feds Raid Philadelphia Brothels Run by Illegal Aliens

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports, "Four illegal immigrants have been indicted for operating brothels in South Philadelphia - the latest development in a federal investigation that already led to the arrests of 50 others in the city believed to be in the United States illegally."

Sen. Hutchinson Reveals Plan to Secure Border

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson unveiled her border security plan as she campaigns against Texas Gov. Rick Perry in the GOP primary election. The Houston Chronicle reported, "Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said Tuesday her plan for security along the Texas-Mexico border includes expanding state participation in Homeland Security programs that let local law enforcement enforce some federal immigration laws and that verify whether a person can legally work in the country."

Mexican Ambassador Says Amnesty Unsure in 2010

"Mexico's ambassador to the United States said Friday he expects immigration reform is unlikely to pass in that country in 2010 because of unemployment and midterm elections," an AP report today says. Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan admitted that ''Having spoken about it [amnesty] publicly at times in the past ... has done a great deal of damage to our countrymen and our allies in the United States.''

Dallas Area Suburb May Move on Illegal Immigration

"The Lewisville City Council next month will discuss requiring city contractors to ensure that their employees are working legally in the country," an AP report says. "John Gorena, an opponent of illegal immigration who narrowly won a seat on the council last year, wants the city to expand its use of E-Verify, a federally maintained electronic database system used by the government for large contracts."

Dan Stein on Health Care for Illegal Immigrants

FAIR president Dan Stein participated in a question and answer forum with the Allentown Morning Call about health care for illegal immigrants. "In general, the health care debate forces to the forefront the broad question of what kind of immigration policy the nation can afford. The question becomes quite obvious: Can we provide first-rate, high-quality health care for immigrants that lack the skills to even cover half of the cost of running that health care?" Stein told the paper.

Tuition Bill for Illegal Immigrants Fails in NJ Legislature

New Jersey legislators rejected a measure to give in-state tuition to illegal aliens. The bill, which has been proposed for years, was dangerously close to passage until immigration reform activists rallied to tell their state legislators they opposed the measure. The Inquirer wrote, "Opponents balked at voting for a measure that would provide benefits to illegal immigrants during a time of economic turbulence and angst. Democrats control both houses, but were unable to muster the votes needed in the Senate, where they hold a 22-17 edge with one seat vacant. Republicans had promised uniform opposition."

Agriprocessors Exec Pleads Guilty to Illegal Hiring

"Former Agriprocessors, Inc. slaughterhouse manager Brent Beebe pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to commit document fraud," ABC News reported. The Agriprocessors plant in Iowa was the site of a massive raid in 2008.

Illegal Immigrants Say ICE Agents Gave Them Ride to Work

The Boston Globe reports that illegal aliens caught on the way to work at Gillette Stadium were given rides back to work by ICE agents. "Federal agents detained dozens of Guatemalan immigrants en route to shovel snow at Gillette Stadium last week, and then drove many of them back to the stadium to work, the immigrants said yesterday, giving their fullest account yet of the operation."

Grand Jury Looks At Arpaio Operations

The LA Times says a federal grand jury is investigating Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. "A federal grand jury is investigating Joe Arpaio, the Arizona sheriff known for his aggressive stance on illegal immigration, for possible abuses of power in launching investigations of local officials who disagree with him, authorities said Friday."

Investor Visa Program Becomes Popular way to Buy Green Cards

The number of investor visas granted has increased since last year, a reflection of better promotion of the visas by regional investment centers, certified by the federal government under the EB-5 (investor visa) program. The advantage to the investment center is that they can count jobs indirectly created, at suppliers or other firms, as opposed to a direct employment requirement.

"That immigrant investors are more focused on obtaining visas than maximizing profits -- combined with the government's limited capacity for oversight -- has caused even some avid proponents of the EB-5 program to worry that a profusion of fraudulent or ill-advised ventures might soon flourish alongside legitimate ones," the Washington Post reported.

[FAIR comment: The EB-5 visa has become distorted from its original concept. It was a "million dollar visa" designed to attract Hong Kong residents worried about the incorporation into China. Now half that much invested buys a visa for the family. It was designed to reward entrepreneurs. Now foreigners can buy into an investment created by others who make a living off of packaging investment deals.]

New Census Numbers Show Impact of Immigration

A new analysis of Census data shows that most states have seen the share of population under-18 stay the same or contract slightly. Although no states showed a percentage increase in their younger populations, states with the highest immigration levels were unchanged. The New York Times noted that "Higher birthrates among immigrants and the migration of younger job-seekers mean that in seven states, non-Hispanic whites now constitute a minority of people under 18. Those states are Arizona, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas."

New Jersey Tuition Bill Stalls

"A plan that would let children of illegal immigrants pay in-state tuition at New Jersey colleges stalled in the state Senate yesterday, raising questions about its prospects. The bill, for which advocates have fought for eight years, is short on votes to pass but close enough that it may be considered again Monday, Senate President Richard J. Codey (D., Essex) said," according to the Inquirer.

New Bogus Study from UCLA Claims Amnesty Will Make Us Prosperous

Last Ditch Pitch Reveals Desperation of Amnesty Proponents

By Bob Dane, FAIR Communications Director

This week, the Center for American Progress released a "study" done by Dr. Paul Hinojosa-Ojeda, a radical open-borders activist-professor at UCLA. In it, amnesty is heralded as an economic nirvana because the legalization of 13 million illegal aliens will cause the gross domestic product (GDP) to rise $1.5 trillion dollars over the next ten years.

This report is a mathematical fantasy that defies common sense and years of research. It's being used by the far left political elite as a last ditch pitch to sell their amnesty agenda, but we're not buying it. Amnesty proponents understand they have a limited window until midterm elections to accomplish their agenda and they can clearly see that public support for amnesty has no pulse given 10% unemployment and massive government spending. In a desperate final propaganda push they're peddling amnesty as the new Economic Stimulus Package. It's not. It's the next massive bailout - this time to benefit 13 million illegal aliens, and a wholesale sell out of American workers. The fact that this Administration is entertaining the notion of amnesty in this economy should be an affront to every American. Just because 13 million illegal aliens could be administratively converted from illegal to legal status doesn't change the fact that most are poorly skilled, undereducated and heavily government dependent. That dependency will continue if they're made legal - in fact it gets worse because they'd get more in tax credits than they put in. Moreover, since they would have legal status, they'd be eligible for even more government benefits than they already have at the federal, state and local levels. Taxpayers will suffer. Flooding the market with more cheap labor and adding millions of government-dependent people is no way to fix our economy.

The report focuses almost exclusively on the broad GDP - the total sum of all goods and services produced - not on the plight of real people with real needs. The study claims that there would be a $792 billion rise in GDP over ten years, yet the Heritage Foundation finds that Obama's planned amnesty will give illegal immigrants not merely health care benefits, but full access to the massive U.S. welfare system comprising over 70 separate aid programs at a cost of around $700 billion per year.

Yes, our GDP could rise if we add 13 million people to the economy but that doesn't mean the per-person share of the GDP will rise. The abstract economic metric really means nothing for John Q. Public. It doesn't get him a job (in fact it reduces his chances because amnesty would add 13 million more legal workers into the economy all competing legally for the scare jobs he needs), it doesn't increase his wages and it certainly won't reduce his taxes. The winners are companies who get to keep their cheap labor supply, immigrants themselves, and the political parties who will add millions of new citizens, most of whom will vote for the party that gives them the biggest handout.

The report claims that amnesty will cause wages to rise. For whom - the illegal workers who get rewarded with citizenship and get a few more dollars per hour? Despite their claim that wages rose after the 1986 amnesty, the fact is that when properly adjusted for inflation, real wages for low-wage American workers have not increased since 1986, and since 1965 have actually decreased. Amnesty will not magically grant illegal aliens an education, better job skills, or higher earning potential. It only grants them access to taxpayer funded programs. Their wages levels may rise marginally overall, but not enough to make illegal aliens net contributors as taxpayers.

What has increased since 1986 is the amount of people coming to US expecting yet another round - their personal round - of amnesty. Granting amnesty just creates the incentive to come here illegally and perpetuates the cheap illegal labor addiction of business and keeps wages low.

A century ago, poorly-educated immigrants were needed for low value-added, mass production work. Their care generally fell on family members or private charities. Today their care falls on the public by way of massive entitlement programs. Unless immigrants can generate the "value added" to cover their costs associated with being here, their recruitment generates reduced wage costs for employers but far higher taxes for the rest of us. What made sense at one time no longer makes sense. What once was can no longer be.

Finally, converting 13 million illegal aliens into instant citizens doesn't stop the cost of illegal immigration because it just encourages more. We'll have the staggering cost of adding millions of new low-income government dependent citizens, and we'll continue to incur the cost of the next round of illegal aliens.

IRLI Argues in Court for Freemont, Neb. Ordinance

IRLI senior counsel Kris Kobach argued before the Nebraska Supreme Court yesterday in the case of Freemont vs. Kotas. IRLI is representing citizens who put a petition measure up for vote that would have put in place an anti-illegal immigration ordinance similar to those approved by other cities. The court arguments focused on whether the city could properly void the election because the ordinance violated the 'single-issue' requirement for petition measures.

Pilgrim's Pride Escapes With Fine Over Illegal Hiring

"Federal authorities have agreed not to prosecute the Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, a major chicken processor, for hiring illegal immigrant workers, and the company has agreed to pay the federal government $4.5 million over three years, said federal prosecutors for the Eastern District of Texas," the New York Times reported. Over 300 illegal aliens were arrested in raids during 2008 at Pilgrim's Pride plants.

Hispanic Groups Divided on Census Boycott

The Rev. Miguel Rivera is leading a campaign to boycott the Census in retaliation for Congress' failure to pass amnesty. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) said he opposed the effort. "Any group that boycotts the census is subjecting their community and their children and grandchildren to having a diminished voice in the halls of power and diminished resources," he said in a statement.

Detained Workers Were Heading to Patriots Field To Clear Snow?

"Dozens of immigrants pulled over Wednesday in Foxborough during a federal search for fugitives from deportation were on their way to Gillette Stadium to shovel snow before this weekend's New England Patriots playoff game, Guatemala's consul in Rhode Island said yesterday," according to the Boston Globe. "Joe Ureneck, cochairman of Massachusetts Citizens for Immigration Reform, which favors stricter controls on immigration, said Gillette Stadium should ensure that its contractors' workers are here legally."

Illegal Alien Patients Appealing Case Against Hospital

A state court judge has twice dismissed the illegal alien patient's lawsuit against the hospital, but yesterday the patients' lawyer filed an appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court. Again, the story does a stellar job of describing the plight of illegal aliens, but ignores the plight of Americans who also need care. Quite ironic considering the health care debate taking place in Washington right now.

Catholic Church Starts Postcard Campaign for Amnesty

A Catholic news site reports that "The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is launching a massive postcard campaign to encourage Congress to enact immigration reform. At least 1.5 million postcards are expected to be distributed-- 300,000 of them in Ohio, according to the USCCB press release."

ICE Detains Illegal Aliens Smuggled by Van

"Federal immigration officials pulled over four vans yesterday morning in Foxborough, detained nine immigrants, and ordered 49 more who were stopped to report to federal authorities to determine whether they are here legally," the Boston Globe reports. "The arrests were the result of a routine Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation seeking specific fugitives who have been ordered deported, agency spokeswoman Paula Grenier said."

UCLA Study Touts Economic Benefits of Amnesty

A new report from UCLA claims that amnesty would benefit the economy. "The report said that legalization, along with a program that allows for future immigration based on the labor market, would create jobs, increase wages and generate more tax revenue," the LA Times reports.

FAIR's special projects director Jack Martin notes, "The issue is not the illegal status of some of the low-wage workers, but rather the number of them chasing a limited number of jobs. Changing the legal status of some of those workers would not change the law of supply and demand. Instead, CIR would worsen the situation because another amnesty would be seen abroad as evidence that the US is never going to be able to firmly administer an immigration policy that excludes people who violate our immigration law."

Ill. Senate Candidates Dodge Amnesty Debate

"Democratic and Republican candidates alike stuck close to their party lines when answering a recent questionnaire on Immigration. They offered few specifics about what to do with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the country. And several candidates don't list Immigration as an issue on their Web sites," the AP reports from Illinois.

Illegal Aliens Sign Up for Text Message Alerts to Avoid Sweeps

"An advocate for immigrant and civil rights has started using text messages to warn residents about crime sweeps by a high-profile Arizona sheriff," the AP reported. "The sheriff said his opponents are walking a line between exercising free speech and breaking the law by helping immigration violators avoid detection. He said the texts are possibly even tipping off human-smuggling organizations."

S.C. County GOP Censures Sen. Graham; McCain Faces Tough Primary

"The Lexington County Republican Party voted Monday night to censure U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for his support of a massive federal bailout of the banking industry and for supporting a failed immigration reform bill in the U.S. Senate that would have given illegal immigrants a path to citizenship," The State newspaper reported. The county GOP is the third one to censure Graham over his amnesty support.

In Arizona, Sen. John McCain faces a tough primary fight in part due to his support for amnesty. "McCain so far has kept his distance from the new bill being written by Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Obama's point person on immigration reform, said she would appreciate the support of McCain and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who helped negotiate the 2007 version. She also said the new bill would protect U.S. jobs," the Arizona Republic wrote.

Top H-1B Employers of 2009 Revealed

Eweek has posted the list of the top 25 employers of H-1B visa holders for 2009. Technology companies like Yahoo, Amazon, Apple, Texas Instruments, Nvidia and IBM ranked in the top 50 last year but not the top 25. Google was in the top 25, as was Cisco and Bloomberg.

CHC Demands Amnesty Push in Exchange for Support of Health Care Bill

Today's Atlantic reported that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus members disclosed that they won't block health reform if the White House assures them that it will move forward with comprehensive immigration reform (including mass amnesty) before the end of the year--reform that, CHC members are demanding, will address health care reform for the millions of immigrants in this country illegally.

Amnesty Debate Groups Rallying Their Grass Roots

The Obama Administration has begun laying the groundwork to move soon on legislation that would give amnesty to more than 12 million illegal aliens. However, public positions on the issue have, if anything, become more complicated since the 2007 debate on immigration reforms proposed by President Bush. Today's Christian Science Monitor looks at how the key players in the immigration debate are mobilizing their efforts for the forthcoming battle.

New Jersey Takes Steps Toward In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens

While the DREAM Act may be on hiatus in the U.S. Congress, the state of New Jersey is moving full steam ahead in passing a proposal that would give illegal immigrant children the ability to pay in-state tuition rates at New Jersey public colleges. While the majority of the public testimony was in support of the bill, which would make New Jersey the 12th state to exempt illegal aliens from paying out-of-state tuition rates, some have argued that the proposal violates federal law because it affords illegal immigrants a benefit not offered to U.S. citizens who live in other states. Read the whole story at MyCentralJersey.com.

FAIR's Facebook Fan of the Month for January

From Jessica Wood, FAIR Social Media

The FAIR Facebook Page is kicking off the new year - a year that promises some real excitement when it comes to the immigration debate - with our 3rd installment in the Facebook "5 Questions With" series. In each installment, the FAIR social media team picks an active and influential Facebook fan to participate by answering questions about their own involvement in the immigration reform movement.

This month's featured fan is Frank Medina. Frank is a Chicago native, former immigration officer, and the author of a new blog devoted to examining the issues of amnesty and Rep. Gutierrez's attempt to pass HR 4321. Read more about Frank and his views on activism, the role that race plays in immigration, and important steps for true immigration reformers.

(Note: You do not need to have a Facebook account to view the article, though you will need a Facebook account to comment on the post.)

To become a fan of FAIR on Facebook, click here.

The Debate Over 'Illegal' Immigrants is a Waste of Time

Columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. writes that Americans often demand their rights while ignoring their responsibilities, and that's why he thinks that the whole argument against using the word "illegal immigrants" is downright silly. Bottom line is that illegal is illegal and that these people did break the law, either by entering the country without permission or by remaining here without permission once their visas expired. Mr. Navarrette's stance puts him at odds even with Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor who recently introduced the new term of "undocumented immigrants" during proceedings. Read his opinion piece from MercuryNews.com.

From Gun Control to Mass Amnesty - Mayor Bloomberg's Next Project

Ignoring the high unemployment rate and the fact that a majority of citizens oppose amnesty for illegal aliens, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is set to promote mass amnesty during his third term, much as he made a campaign against illegal guns a hallmark of his second term. Mayor Bloomberg favors more liberal laws on allowing immigrants into the country and legalizing those who lack documentation. The issue of immigration didn't play a big role in the recent race for Mayor of New York City.

Guitierrez Amnesty Bill Would Increase Foreign Labor Via H1-B Visa Program

In order to win support from the U.S. Tech industry, the recent proposal released by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) would call for the release of all the H-1B visas that went unused from 1992 to 2008 -- a total of about 309,000. The proposal would create a new, independent federal agency, to be called the Commission on Immigration and Labor Markets, that would establish "employment-based immigration policies that promote economic growth and competitiveness while minimizing job displacement, wage depression and unauthorized employment." Read all about it in today's ComputerWorld.

Levy - a Leader on State-Local Immigration Enforcement Cooperation - May Run for NY Governor

The Democratic primary for the New York state governor election could become even more interesting should an active opponent of illegal immigration decide to throw his hat in the ring. Steve Levy, the current Suffolk County executive whose opposition to illegal immigration has brought him national attention, said Sunday he was weighing a primary challenge to Gov. David Paterson. Levy signed a law in Suffolk County that required contractors doing business with the county to certify their employees are in the country legally. He also supported efforts to get day laborers off street corners and backed doing raids aimed at overcrowded houses where Latino workers live with their families. Read more about this breaking story here.