Mother of Man Slain by Illegal Alien Testifies

"Maureen Maloney wept as she described the truck barreling toward her son, rolling over him once - but not killing him - then dragging him for a quarter-mile, while onlookers watched in horror."

"'My son paid the ultimate price with his life because Massachusetts is a safe haven for illegal immigrants,' Maloney told members of the Judiciary Committee. 'The real question I ask is, Why would illegal immigrants not come to Massachusetts when we are so willing to provide them with jobs and free services they could not get in their native countries?'" the Boston Herald writes.

U.S. To Step Up Interior Repatriation for Mexicans

"The U.S. government says it will begin flying detained Mexican migrants directly to their home states instead of dropping them off at the border, where many have been victimized by drug traffickers. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told reporters in Mexico City on Monday that the U.S. will pay to deport migrants by plane to airports in Mexico and the Mexican government will arrange the last leg of the journey home," Fox News Latino says.

ACLU Will Appeal Ruling Upholding Nebraska Immigration Enforcement

"The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska announced Tuesday that it will appeal the decision of a federal judge to overturn only some parts of an anti-immigrant municipal ordinance adopted by the city of Fremont. Ordinance 5165 was approved in June 2010 with 57 percent of the votes and requires people who want to rent houses or work in Fremont to allow their immigration documents to be verified. The measure has never entered into force," Fox News Latino says.

Today on ImmigrationReform.com - Are Employers Using Guest Worker Programs to Drive Down Wages?

Our blog today includes staff reviews of two recent studies. In the first, FAIR's Director of Research Eric Ruark provides a review of a study authored by a legal immigrant professor at the University of Nevada that highlights the abuse that is built into skilled guest worker programs. Also, Jack Martin, FAIR's Director of Special Projects, gives his opinion about a recent Center for American Progress report that attempts to downplay the effectiveness of state measures that discourage illegal immigration. Find it all at www.immigrationreform.com.

Deportations Fall Rapidly Thanks to Backdoor Amnesty Program

"Are the prosecutorial discretion guidelines issued by the Obama administration last year having an effect on the number of deportation cases that the administration is pursuing? A new Syracuse University report suggests yes, federal immigration officials say no, and some lawmakers are calling 'amnesty' nonetheless," says Southern California Public Radio.

First, the report: Issued in recent days by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, the number of deportation proceedings begun in the nation's immigration courts between October and December of last year (the first quarter of federal fiscal year 2012) 'fell sharply to only 39,331 -- down 33 percent from 58,639 filings recorded the previous quarter,' a drop of more than 10,000 cases filed.

Secure Communities Starts Catching Illegal Aliens in Baltimore

"Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said the U.S. government should remove all illegal immigrants. Otherwise, he said, the administration sends a message that undocumented immigrants can stay in the country as long as they do not commit a serious crime," the Baltimore Sun reports in a story about the Secure Communities rollout there.

"The idea that people who are violating the law should have complete peace of mind is illogical," he said. "If you're violating the law, if you're in the country illegally, then you probably should be a little nervous."

California Police Chiefs Don't Want Driver's Licenses for Illegal Aliens

"While the county's two top law enforcement officers may want to see driver's licenses issued to illegal immigrants, chiefs throughout the San Gabriel Valley think any changes in the law should come from Sacramento or Washington," the San Jose Mercury News writes.

"Both LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca support issuing driver's licenses to illegals. Baca said he would also like to see some sort of transition document."

ID Fraud Complaints on the Rise Over Tax Filings

"The U.S. government says the number of identity theft complaints involving tax and wage fraud is soaring even as law enforcement tries to crack down," Yahoo News reports.

"Federal Trade Commission officials tell The Associated Press that 24 percent of the nearly 279,000 identity theft complaints it received last year came from people concerned their Social Security numbers had been stolen and used to fraudulently file for tax refunds or apply for jobs."

EB-5 Investor Visas May Be Restricted

"The US government may be clamping down on a "cash for visas" green-card program that drew fire from critics even while giving a boost to the construction industry in many recession-battered markets, according to The Daily," says Fox News Latino.

"The program, known as EB-5, gives wealthy foreigners the chance to obtain citizenship by investing between $500,000 and $1 million in ventures as varied as wind farms, ski resorts, gas stations and office towers. Two years after the investment, the visa recipient must prove that his or her money created at least 10 jobs for a chance at citizenship."

The Bad Message Behind Our Current Immigration System

"[I]f you've given up on the idea that low-wage work can lead to a dignified life, you won't care that much about unskilled immigration-the jobs immigrants and guest workers take are not only are jobs 'Americans won't do' but jobs Americans shouldn't want to do, because they're sub-poverty Third World jobs. You'll focus on educating all unskilled Americans (never mind that this is something our school system is quite bad at). If Americans don't do well in this training system, despite being given ample access, you've effectively told them they are more or less losers," says Mickey Kaus in a comment on the current immigration system and how it relates to educational policy.

ICE Arrests 63 Illegal Aliens Outside Sanctuary City Jail

"Prisons in Santa Clara County, Calif., are saying no to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and it's leading to some embarrassing high profile incidents, including the arrests by federal agents of 63 illegal immigrants shortly after the county set them free," Worldnetdaily says. "WND previously was told by a Santa Clara County official that there have been no high-profile embarrassing incidents as a result of the ordinance. But federal officials are reporting ICE agents arrested 63 people - all with ICE detainers that had been ignored by Santa Clara County - in just one recent raid."

Cancellation of Deportation Cases Reach Limit Again

"Since 1998, immigration judges have had the authority to stop up to 3,500 deportation proceedings every fiscal year, which runs from October to September. Judges can decide if a non-lawful immigrant is eligible for a 'Cancellation of Deportation' and granted permanent residency status," Fronterasdesk.org writes.

"Earlier this month, the chief immigration judge notified immigration courts around the country that the cap had been reached. It's the first time it's happened this early."

How Tough is Santorum on Immigration?

"Santorum has been trying to cement his support among social conservatives and blue collar voters. His immigration policy falls in line with the general, hard-line stance held by most of the GOP hopefuls - including Romney -- on the issue. But on at least one issue - a measure which allows undocumented immigrants brought to the country as minors a chance to obtain legal status if they serve in the military - Santorum is more hard-line than Romney," says Fox News Latino.

Ethnic Lobbies Not Happy With Special Visa Bill for Ireland

"Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) recently announced that an immigration bill he filed last year was 'about to pop.' The measure, dubbed the Irish immigration bill, would qualify Ireland for the E-3 visa program which currently applies exclusively to Australian nationals," WNYC reports. "Michael Innis-Jimenez, a University of Alabama professor and expert on Latino and Labor issues said focusing on just one ethnic group won't fill the high and low-skilled gaps in the American workforce." Read FAIR's analysis of this special interest giveaway here.

Rep. Lamar Smith - Obama Budgets for Backdoor Amnesty

"President Obama's fiscal 2013 budget came out this month and again includes the same spending, borrowing and taxing policies that have come to define his presidency. No surprise, this spending blueprint cuts several worthwhile immigration-enforcement and border-security programs," says Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX). "The president's budget continues his administration's policies of ignoring laws requiring the removal of illegal immigrants."

Supreme Court Rules False Tax Returns are Deportable

"The petitioners in the case, Mr. and Mrs. Kawashima, had been lawful permanent residents of the United States since 1984. In 1997, Mr. Kawashima was convicted of filing, and his wife was convicted of helping him to file, a false corporate tax return that understated their income and therefore deprived the government of owed tax revenue," notes Scotusblog in a writeup of Kawashima v. Holder.

Brewer Asked to Testify Before Senate

"Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) today invited Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) to testify before a Senate panel about the state's controversial and far-reaching anti-illegal immigration law," RollCall says.

"'I write to invite you to testify at a hearing on Tuesday, April 24 ... entitled 'Examining the Constitutionality and Prudence of State and Local Governments Enforcing Immigration Law,' Schumer wrote in today's letter to Brewer."

Rubio: GOP Should be Pro-Legal Immigration

"Sen. Marco Rubio says the Republican Party has to overhaul its message on immigration and do more to reach out to Hispanics. In an interview with Time magazine, the freshman senator from Florida and frequently mentioned vice presidential pick said his party needs to change its rhetoric and position itself as the 'pro-legal immigration party,'" USA Today says.

Yale Lawsuit Against Detainers Filed

"A Yale Law School clinic is suing Connecticut officials in an effort to stop them from detaining alleged criminals under a federal immigration enforcement program. The Worker and Immigration Rights Advocacy Clinic announced the federal lawsuit against state prison officials Wednesday. It targets the detention component of the Secure Communities program run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement," the Norwich Bulletin says.

Ruben Navarrette Jr. - Obama's Failed Amnesty Promise?

"Obama supporters want me to keep Latinos focused on how bad Romney is on immigration -- so that they forget how bad Obama is on immigration. The president has broken promises to make reform a priority and broken records in deporting more than 1.2 million illegal immigrants," says Ruben Navarrette Jr.

GOP Debate: Candidates Say They Will Fight Illegal Immigration

"Facing off in the state that pioneered a recent turn toward local enforcement of federal immigration law, Republican presidential candidates vowed to do more to combat illegal immigration at Wednesday's primary debate in Mesa, Arizona," Fox News Latino writes. "While the candidates generally agreed when it came to immigration, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum traded fiery accusations about health care, spending earmarks and federal bailouts."

USCIS Head Tells Silicon Valley Execs He Wants More Visas

"The Obama administration's top immigration official said Wednesday he wants to keep more foreign-born high-tech entrepreneurs in the U.S. But to make that happen, he said he needs those entrepreneurs to turn their creativity to immigration itself," CBS News reported. "With its new program, Mayorkas said the immigration service hopes to become more responsive to the fast-changing needs of tech startups. He said the agency would ultimately choose five applicants from the private sector to guide policy and training for officials who make decisions on individual immigration applications."

Today on ImmigrationReform.com - Illegal Alien Tries to Blow Up U.S. Capitol

Today on ImmigrationReform.com FAIR's President Dan Stein takes a look at the lack of meaningful news coverage about last weekend's failed attempt by an illegal alien from Morocco to blow up the visitor center at the U.S. Capitol. Plus, our Government Relations team provides more insight into how Congress failed to remove a key provision benefiting illegal aliens in the payroll tax cut deal. Find these blogs and more at www.immigrationreform.com.

Obama Administration Moves to Shut Down 287(g) Programs

"The Obama administration is starting to shut down a program that deputized local police officers to act as immigration agents. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have trained local officers around the country to act as their agencies' immigration officers. Working either in jails or in the field, the officers can check the immigration status of suspects and place immigration holds on them," USA Today reports.

"Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Texas lawmakers led by Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Austin say the Obama administration's decision to cut spending for the controversial 287(g) program could be devastating to local law enforcement. The program has helped local law enforcement authorities nationwide identify more than 275,000 undocumented immigrants in their custody," the Houston Chronicle reports.

One Third of ICE Fines Are For Paperwork, Not Hiring Illegal Aliens

"An analysis of nearly 800 audit cases ICE completed since October 2010 shows that roughly half of the 117 companies fined were not specifically penalized for hiring illegal immigrants, but for problems with the employment verification paperwork they are required to fill out for new hires," says the Houston Chronicle.

"A third of the total $1.8 million in fines issued by the agency in those closed cases involved companies that auditors found had zero workers with 'suspect documents,' the records show."

Secure Communities Program Arrives in Baltimore

"A controversial program that lets U.S. immigration officials check the citizenship status of people who have been arrested is being expanded to include Baltimore despite objections from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and immigrant advocates," the Baltimore Sun reports.

"The Secure Communities program, which began in 2008 and is being phased in nationwide, lets federal immigration officials review fingerprints collected when people are booked. The review will start in Baltimore and Montgomery County on Wednesday, according to a Department of Homeland Security letter obtained by The Baltimore Sun."

Summary Judgment in Fremont Neb. Upholds Some Provisions of Immigration Law

"Fremont can enforce employment provisions of a controversial immigration ordinance approved by its residents in 2010, but a federal judge said on Monday that the city cannot prevent those without legal immigration status from living there. A 37-page summary judgment from U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp is the latest development in an immigration dispute that began with proposed employment and housing sanctions and a city council defeat of those proposed sanctions in 2008," the Columbus Telegram says.

"Both sides portrayed the outcome as more victory than defeat. Kris Kobach, attorney for the city, said his clients prevailed on the employment issue and on parts of the housing issue. Kobach noted that participation by local employers in a federal E-Verify system to electronically screen the legal status of job applicants now is compulsory in Fremont, even though it's voluntary elsewhere."

Utah Law on Hold Pending Arizona Decision at Supreme Court

"A federal judge said Tuesday he will not rule on Utah's enforcement-only immigration law until the U.S. Supreme Court decides on a similar enforcement-only law in Arizona a few months from now. U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups, in his decision, said that while the Utah Attorney General's Office made it clear that the state's law, HB497, was different from what Arizona passed almost two years ago, it was close enough that the high court's decision could ultimately impact Utah's law," the Salt Lake Tribune writes.

Obama's Campaign Strategy on Immigration

"While the numbers of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. have leveled off during the Obama presidency, suspicion is rising about whether the president is pandering to Latinos to attract their votes in November," says the Daily Caller.

"'Despite the claims of the Obama administration that they've been tough on illegal immigration and that the border is more secure than ever,' Center for Immigration Studies director of policy studies Jessica Vaughan told The Daily Caller, 'the fact is that they have gone to extreme measures and have really stretched the authority of the executive branch to try to slow down immigration law enforcement in the interior to a slow trickle.'"

Day Laborer Convention This Week in L.A.

"[H]undreds of current and former day laborers from across the country gather this week in Los Angeles for a national conference to measure their progress since day laborers began a concerted effort to organize themselves two decades ago," the LA Times writes. "In the years since, worker centers have been built from Pomona to Staten Island, N.Y. And day laborers have become among the most recognizable faces in the nation's battle over illegal immigration. The Federation for American Immigration Reform, which seeks to restrict immigration, has encouraged local activists to fight back against such centers and the local governments that support them."

"Large numbers of day laborers are not eligible to work in the U.S., and they make work difficult for those who are, said the group's spokesman, Ira Mehlman."

Irish Visa Push Stopped For Now

"Last week, the Massachusetts Republican told the Boston press that his efforts to expand visas to workers from Ireland were 'about to pop.' But Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley seems ready to burst that bubble. The powerful ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee is opposing Brown's efforts to quickly pass a bill that could certainly help him in a state about a quarter of whose population has Irish roots. And anti-illegal immigration forces are stepping up their opposition as well, lobbying GOP senators to block the bill on the grounds that it could hurt American workers," Politico reported.

South Dakota Joins Amicus Brief Supporting SB 1070

"South Dakota has joined other states in an amicus brief supporting state sovereignty and public safety concerning immigration enforcement, according to Attorney General Marty Jackley. South Dakota joins other states to support Arizona's position that states have preexisting authority to make an arrest based on violations of federal law. The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear Arizona's immigration case," the Rapid City Journal says.

Illegal Immigrant Man Arrested in Capitol Bomb Plot

"Within the last week, authorities say, Amine El Khalifi's plan to wreak havoc was proceeding as hoped: An al-Qaida associate handed him an automatic weapon to kill security officers inside the U.S. Capitol. A bomb-laden vest would detonate the building. He would die as a martyr. But there was a problem: The explosives were inert, the gun inoperable and the supposed al-Qaida member was actually an undercover officer, according to court documents," the AP reports.

"Authorities have released only basic biographical details about El Khalifi and haven't described how they believe he became intent on destruction. He was born in Morocco and came to the United States in 1999, when he was 16 years old, overstaying his visitor visa and remaining in the country illegally, court papers say. He is unemployed and is not believed to be associated with al-Qaida."

Court Hearing Set for Challenge to Utah Law

"Eight months after Utah's immigration enforcement law was put on hold by a federal judge, attorneys on both sides will have an opportunity on Friday to argue the constitutionality of the measure. The law created by House Bill 497 would have allowed police to check the citizenship of anybody they arrest. It was initially blocked last May by U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups, 14 hours after it went into effect," the AP reports.

Montgomery County, MD, to Join Secure Communities

"Federal immigration officials next week are set to start an illegal immigration enforcement program for Montgomery County and the city of Baltimore," the Washington Post says. "In a notice to officials in Montgomery and Baltimore this week, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said Secure Communities will be deployed on Wednesday for those two jurisdictions. The notice stressed that jail officials won't have to do anything differently."

Duo Sentenced in Marriage Fraud

"Two Chicago brothers have been sentenced to federal prison for arranging sham marriages to enable foreign nationals to illegally become U.S. citizens," the AP reported. "Marc Aguja worked at his brother's law office. He was sentenced to 12 months and one day and also must pay a $10,000 fine. The brothers both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud."

Napolitano Grilled on Immigration Enforcement by House Panel

"Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano's invitation to tout her $59 billion spending request to Congress on Wednesday morphed instead into fodder for the nation's irascible debate over undocumented immigrants, a snapshot of fevered quarrels to come in this presidential election year," the San Antonio Express News says.

"Led by a group of conservative Texans, House Republicans told Napolitano they viewed President Barack Obama's policy of selective deportation of unlawful immigrants with criminal records as a program effectively granting amnesty to millions of other undocumented immigrants allowed to remain in the U.S."

Victor Davis Hanson: Why Illegal Immigration is Immoral

"To mean anything, laws have to be followed. When newcomers choose to ignore them, then the entire structure of jurisprudence crashes as well. If aliens are free to ignore federal immigration law, then cannot citizens likewise pick and choose which statutes they find inconvenient?" says Victor Davis Hanson.

"Finally, illegal immigration has wrongly been couched in terms of a xenophobic and insensitive exploiter preying on a more noble and defenseless guest. In truth, the United States is the most generous host in the world, and never more so than during the present age."

Blockbuster: IRLI Files Complaint Against Casa de Maryland

"A public interest group that pushes for immigration controls has asked Maryland to investigate the tax-exempt status of CASA de Maryland, a high-profile immigrant rights group that the Immigration Reform Law Institute says repeatedly engaged in political advocacy, breaking the law governing nonprofits," the Washington Times writes.

"In lengthy complaints sent to several Maryland agencies over the past week, IRLI charged that CASA regularly lobbies the state on legislation, endorses political candidates and supports Democrats through get-out-the-vote volunteer efforts, all while taking tax-deductible donations as a nonprofit."

Attention Huffington Post Readers - Legal Immigration is Too High

FAIR's ad campaign in support of FAIRchanceatjobs.com was reported on in the Huffington Post today, which breathlessly announced that "The debate over controlling illegal immigration has pulsed throughout election cycles for decades. But recently, a more radical strain of anti-immigrant thought, which advocates lower legal immigration levels, is gaining some momentum."

That's only the same conclusion reached by the bipartisan Jordan Commission - 17 years ago. The Jordan commission recommended reducing legal immigration to 550,000. Legal immigration hasn't declined since then.

DHS to Pay $350,000 to Illegal Aliens in New Haven Settlement

"The U.S. Government has agreed to pay $350,000 and to halt deportation procedures against eleven men who claimed that their rights were violated during a 2007 residential immigration raid in New Haven, Ct., the plaintiff's attorneys said Tuesday," Fox News Latino writes.

"The raids on the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Fair Haven came a day after the city became the first to offer identification cards to undocumented immigrants, and critics including the mayor have contended the federal sweep was retaliation for the ID program -- a charge denied by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."

Kobach Says Worker Bill Wrong Idea for Kansas

"Secretary of State Kris Kobach testified Tuesday in opposition to an immigration bill that would help undocumented workers gain work privileges in Kansas, declaring the proposed legislation a 'legal impossibility,'" the Courier Journal writes.

"House Bill 2712 would direct the Kansas Department of Labor to identify industries with labor shortages and develop a program to help qualified illegal immigrants, who might otherwise be detained and deported, to obtain work permits and legal status from the federal government."

Georgia Gov. Says No Plans to Change Law

"Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday said he was not seeking changes to Georgia's new anti-illegal immigration law despite its unintended consequences, including migrant farmworker shortages," the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes.

"The Republican governor, who signed the law in May, pointed out that parts of the law have only been in effect for months. He indicated he wanted to spend more time assessing how it is working."

Tenn. Bill Seeks Higher Bail for Illegal Aliens in Fatal Accidents

"A Republican lawmaker wants higher bails set for illegal immigrants involved in serious injury or fatal crashes. A bill proposed by state Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas would lead to higher bail amounts for illegal immigrants in those situations by automatically treating them as a flight risk -- making it harder to bond out before trial," the Tennessean writes. "Carr said the bill follows his philosophy of tackling illegal immigration one issue at a time, something he says the state should do to 'de-magnetize itself from the dependency illegals have on state services and the fact that they feel like they're welcome here.'"

Mississippi Co. Settles Suit Over Favoring Hispanic Workers

"A company targeted in one of the country's largest workplace raids against undocumented immigrants settled a discrimination lawsuit accusing it of giving preferential treatment to Latinos. Howard Industries in Mississippi was accused of not offering a job to Charlyn Dozier, a plaintiff, until after the 2008 raid. She had been applying for a position at the company every three to six months for about six years. The other plaintiffs, Veronica Cook, Yolanda Phelps and Seleatha McGee, made similar allegations," Fox News Latino writes.

Border Enforcement Looks for Cash

"Jeanette Barraza-Galindo conspicuously left her bags of teddy bears and throw pillows on a bus during an inspection at the Texas-Mexico border -- and professed ignorance about the $277,556 officers found hidden inside," says the AP. "The crime she pleaded guilty to -- bulk cash smuggling -- is increasingly drawing the attention and resources of federal authorities responsible for fighting drug trafficking across the border."

Members of Congress File Amicus Brief Supporting SB 1070 in Supreme Court

"Although states may not pass laws setting immigration policy, they may pass harmonious laws that further Congress's purposes. Because S.B. 1070 is fully consonant with federal immigration laws, mirroring their standards and definitions, it is not pre-empted. The Ninth Circuit's decision to the contrary is based on conjured conflicts that have no basis in statutory language or other Congressionally established immigration policy," says an Amicus brief filed by the American Center for Law and Justice on behalf of members of Congress in the SB 1070 case pending before the Supreme Court.

DHS Budget Cuts 287(g)

"A fiscal year 2013 budget brief released by Homeland Security today has some details on the Obama administration's immigration enforcement priorities, and one of the losers is the federal-local partnership known as 287(g)," Multiamerican online says.

"The administration is proposing a budget reduction of $17 million up front, and the document suggests a gradual phase-out in favor of Secure Communities, which is described as 'more consistent, efficient and cost effective.'"

La Raza Pressuring Auto Makers in Fight Over Alabama Law

"Earlier today, NCLR joined a coalition of civil rights and labor groups, including the NAACP, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Service Employees International Union, Southern Poverty Law Center, and UAW--one of the nation's largest labor unions--to call on Alabama's business leaders to meet with the civil rights and labor community and join in the effort to oppose HB 56," says Janet Murguia of La Raza. "We are very pleased to announce that NCLR has received a response from Hyundai and that we hope to be sitting down with them in the very near future. We also hope that other prominent automakers and businesses leaders will follow suit so that we can work with them to restore justice to the state of Alabama."

Changes Debated for Alabama Law

"Responding to objections raised by religious leaders, law enforcement and other groups, Alabama lawmakers say they plan to propose changes to the state's immigration law within two weeks. State legislators plan to retool the controversial crackdown on illegal immigration without overhauling the legislation. House Majority Leader Micky Hammon, the sponsor of the immigration bill passed last year, said the new bill will not make major changes and is not aimed at softening the law," Fox News Latino says.

New Arizona Bills Target School, Hospital Costs

"Last year, Alabama surpassed Arizona in imposing tough measures targeting illegal immigration by passing a law that does everything Senate Bill 1070 does and more. This year, some Republican Arizona lawmakers hope to reclaim the reputation for having the toughest illegal-immigration laws in the nation," the Arizona Republic says.

"Lawmakers have revived legislation that would require school districts to document the number of illegal-immigrant children in public schools and require hospital staff to report illegal immigrants seeking care."

Colorado Tuition Bill to Benefit Illegal Immigrants Moves Ahead

"Colorado's Democratic Senate gave preliminary approval Friday to a measure that would set a new tuition rate for residents who are illegal immigrants. Republicans weren't swayed. This year's immigrant tuition proposal survived on a party-line vote, but it's still unclear whether the proposal will meet its death in the Republican House, as it did last year," the Aurora Sentinel writes.

Activist Ruling By 9th Circuit Means More Deportation Delay

"A federal appeals court's decision to delay the deportation of seven illegal immigrants until the Obama administration re-evaluates their cases could encourage thousands of other illegal immigrants to seek similar rulings and could open the door to uncomfortable questions about the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S, experts said," Fox News writes.

"Daniel Kowalski, an immigration lawyer in Austin, Texas, said the ruling from the San Francisco-based court will likely lead to a surge of appeals by immigrants who believe they fit the criteria for discretion."

No Discipline Planned for North Dakota Diploma Mill

"No immediate discipline is planned for any Dickinson State University employees in the wake of an audit determining the school awarded hundreds of degrees to foreign students who didn't earn them, the chancellor of North Dakota's university system said Saturday," the AP reports.

Congressional Hearing Focuses on Guest Worker Programs

"A congressional committee took on part of the nation's illegal immigration problem Thursday during a hearing on guest worker programs. A House Judiciary subcommittee heard from witnesses from state agricultural programs in California, Georgia and North Carolina who support the idea of using foreign workers to harvest their crops," the Gant Daily says. "A bill pending in Congress would allow states to administer their own version of a visa program that brings in foreign workers for seasonal farm work. The bill also would give permission for some foreigners to work year-round in the United States, but only for limited periods of time, such as two years."

Cook County Sheriff Says Sanctuary Policy Needs Changes

"Faced with criticism that hardened felons are being set free to commit more crimes, Cook County officials wrestled Thursday with a controversial local ordinance that prohibits the sheriff's office from cooperating with detention requests from federal immigration officials," the Chicago Tribune writes. "The hearing lasted nearly four hours, and [Sheriff] Dart was among those who argued for amending the ordinance so suspected illegal immigrants charged with violent crimes or other serious felonies would be held, even if they made bail, for federal deportation proceedings.

Billboard Campaign Says Fla. Gov Welcomes Illegal Aliens

"A Florida immigration restrictionist group put up a billboard this week saying Gov. Rick Scott is welcoming "illegal aliens" to Florida. Located near the Georgia border, the billboard reads: 'Welcome Illegal Aliens: We offer jobs, free health care, education and welfare. Thank Governor Scott,'" the Florida Independent writes. "Floridians for Immigration Enforcement, the group responsible for the billboard, writes: 'This is a wakeup call for Florida Governor Rick Scott who promised Floridians he would work to get mandatory E-Verify enacted to protect our legal workers. He has remained silent and has failed to use the power of the Governor's office to help get E-Verify enacted.'"

Today on ImmigrationReform.com - US Sens Want More Guest Worker Visas

In today's ImmigrationReform.com, FAIR's Government Relations team takes a look at new legislation on the Hill that would add at least 10,500 annual guest worker visas for Irish nationals...even with a still depressed job market. Also, FAIR's Director of Research Eric Ruark wonders why the President's immigration policy is so disconnected from reality. Check out these blogs at www.immigrationreform.com.

Border Patrol Union Critical of New DHS Public Advocate for Illegal Immigrants

"The Obama administration's appointment of a public advocate for immigrant concerns about law enforcement policies makes a "mockery of the laws of the United States," the National Border Patrol Council said Wednesday," the Washington Times writes.

"'The Obama administration took its next step toward amnesty for illegal aliens by naming an advocate for illegal aliens and those concerned about immigration issues,' said NBPC Vice President Shawn P. Moran, whose group represents all 17,000 nonsupervisory U.S. Border Patrol agents. 'Amnesty is not the answer to the immigration problems of the United States and should not be an option.'"

Utah House Almost Passes E-Verify Measure; Another Vote Likely

"Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's push for an employer-sanctions immigration measure aimed at deterring businesses from hiring undocumented workers was stopped cold Wednesday morning when the House, on a close, bipartisan vote, refused to let him open a bill file. But then, a few hours later, the Orem Republican got a reprieve from Rep. Don Ipson, R-St. George," the Salt Lake Tribune writes.

Illegal Immigrant Supporters Try to Pack Hearing on Cook County Sanctuary Policy

"Cook County commissioners will be on the hot seat Thursday as they face critics and supporters of a controversial policy directing the county sheriff to ignore requests from the feds to hold suspected illegal immigrants in jail longer," the Chicago Sun Times writes.

"Immigration rights activists, expected to show up by the dozens at a public hearing in the downtown county board room, will call on elected leaders to stand by the new policy, which saves county taxpayers money and some of the U.S. citizens drawn in to deportation investigations, merely because of their last names."

New Mexico House Approves Tough Driver's License Law

"The state House of Representatives on Wednesday once again voted to pass a bill that would repeal the state law that allows undocumented immigrants to get New Mexico driver's licenses. The bill, strongly supported by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez but labeled a wedge issue by some Democratic opponents, now goes to the Senate," the Santa Fe New Mexican writes.

Anti-Enforcement Effort Targets Border Patrol

"Last month, the Forks Human Rights Group asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for an investigation into Border Patrol practices on the Olympic Peninsula. Yesterday, Napolitano got a letter from a much broader group: a coalition of organizations across northern border states," the Seattle Weekly writes. "The letter is the latest flak for the Border Patrol, which is also facing questions from Congress members and others about possible over-funding. The scrutiny, in this state, heated up after a Forks immigrant died while being chased by agents supposedly acting as interpreters."

Special Interest Bill for Irish Immigrants Being Pushed in Senate

"U.S. Sen. Scott Brown -- in the middle of a heated race for re-election -- said today a bill he filed aimed at easing the path to legal immigration for the Irish is 'about to pop' on Capitol Hill with passage possible as soon as this week. 'In Massachusetts we have such a strong demand for this because of our family and cultural ties,' said Brown about the Irish immigration bill. 'This is kind of a no brainer,'" the Boston Herald says. "Brown filed the bill, which would boost the number of work visas per year for the Irish to 10,500, last year but struggled to get support. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) filed similar legislation but Republicans balked because it would allow a sort of, 'backdoor amnesty. It wasn't going anywhere,' Brown said."

Salvadoran Military Officer Indicted for Lying on Immigration Application

"A former Salvadoran military officer accused of a role in the 1989 deaths of six Jesuit priests has been formally indicted in Massachusetts on charges he lied under oath and made false statements on U.S. immigration forms," the Sacramento Bee writes.

"Inocente Orlando Montano was arrested on the immigration charges last year and had been expected to plead guilty but didn't. He's been free on bail."

Immigration Debate Continues in Alabama

"There will be conflict over charter schools, a rumble over redistricting and a battle royale over the state budget. But perhaps no debate in the new session of the Alabama Legislature involves bigger stakes than the effort to revise the state's immigration law. Fixing it is both an economic imperative and a political dilemma for Republican leaders," says the Press-Register. "The challenge for House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate President Del Marsh is to change the law in ways that quiet its harshest critics -- and, along the way, get Alabama out of the international spotlight -- while at the same time maintaining it enough to satisfy the conservative base. So far, they've pledged only to "improve" HB56, carefully avoiding specific changes that could rile up the opposition."

How Obamacare Could Reduce Illegal Immigration

"Two of the hottest topics on the political circuit are illegal immigration and "Obamacare." They can come together into a third steaming discussion: How the Democrats' Affordable Care Act of 2010 would hasten America's journey toward a more orderly immigration program. As a recent article in Health Affairs predicts, once the health-care reforms settle in, undocumented immigrants will become the largest share of the uninsured. As legal residents enjoy universal coverage, those without would be more noticed," says columnist Froma Harop. "It's a hard reality that the United States can't supply American-style health services to any poor person who crosses the border. No country could. Even many Americans can't afford American-style health care -- a national disgrace that Obamacare seeks to remedy. Canada unapologetically patrols its government programs against unauthorized users, and so must we."

Woman Who Ran Flight School Pleads Guilty

"A Lake Elsinore woman who owns a La Verne flight school pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a visa fraud scheme that allowed people from Egypt, Sri Lanka and Taiwan to enter the United States for pilot training, even though the school was not certified to train foreign students," Patch.com says.

"Karena Chuang, 28, owner of Blue Diamond Aviation, entered the plea Monday in Los Angeles to two federal charges, admitting that she had encouraged and induced two undocumented immigrants to illegally enter the United States for her financial gain, court papers show."

Today on ImmigrationReform.com - Obama Gives Visa Holders a 'Helping Hand'

In today's issue of FAIR's ImmigrationReform.com blog our Government Relations team takes a close look at a recent DHS announcement which will ultimately seek to amend several visa programs in order to help aliens find jobs in the U.S. or keep the jobs they have. Also, have you ever wondered about the true meaning of attrition through enforcement? FAIR's Ira Mehlman tells us why illegal alien advocates don't find its definition in the least bit funny. Read these blogs at www.immigrationreform.com.

Brewer Files Initial Brief With Supreme Court in SB 1070 Case

"Lawyers for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer filed their opening brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in her appeal of a ruling that blocked enforcement of the most controversial sections of the state's immigration enforcement law. The governor is asking the nation's highest court to overturn a ruling that, among other things, barred a requirement that police -- while enforcing other laws -- question the immigration status of those they suspect of being in the country illegally," Fox News reported.

Pete Wilson Endorses Romney

"Mitt Romney on Monday announced his endorsement by former California Gov. Pete Wilson, who became both honorary chairman of Romney's campaign in California and a quick target of immigrant rights groups," the LA Times writes.

"In a statement released by the Romney campaign, Wilson said: 'Mitt Romney is an enthusiastic believer in American exceptionalism and has been a spectacular example of it.' Wilson cited Romney's record in business, his management of the 2002 Winter Olympics and his governorship in Massachusetts."

Liberian Ordered Deported for Alleged War Crimes

"A US immigration judge has ordered the deportation of a Liberian accused of presiding over atrocities during the West African country's civil war in the 1990s. George Boley, 62, the former leader of the Liberian Peace Council, was ordered out of the country by an immigration judge in upstate New York, the first-ever removal under a 2008 law to combat the use of child soldiers," the AP reports.

New Mexico House Votes Against Licenses for Illegal Aliens

"A proposal to stop driver's licenses for illegal immigrants in New Mexico is heading to the Democratic-dominated House for a politically difficult vote that likely will resonate in this year's re-election campaigns of members of the Legislature," the AP reports.

"The [New Mexico] House Judiciary Committee voted 9-6 on Friday to endorse a measure backed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez to overturn a 2003 law that allows driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. Two Democrats joined with seven Republicans in agreeing to send the measure to the 70-member House, which approved a similar proposal last year."

DHS Adds Public Advocate Position

"The Homeland Security Department has appointed a public advocate to handle complaints and questions about its immigration enforcement policies," the AP reported. "[ICE Director] Morton said [the public advocate] will be responsible for helping the public understand the prosecutorial discretion policy and other changes as well as addressing complaints about the changes."

Flood of Foreign Students Curtails College Opportunities for Americans

"This is the University of Washington's new math: 18 percent of its freshmen come from abroad, most from China. Each pays tuition of $28,059, about three times as much as students from Washington State. And that, according to the dean of admissions, is how low-income Washingtonians -- more than a quarter of the class -- get a free ride," US News and World Report writes.

"With state financing slashed by more than half in the last three years, university officials decided to pull back on admissions offers to Washington residents, and increase them to students overseas."

College Money Available for Immigrants

"The Western Union Foundation's Family Scholarship Program is a new initiative for immigrants and their families. This program is intended to help two members of the same family move up the economic development ladder through education. Scholarships may be used for tuition for college/university education language acquisition classes, technical/skill training, and/or financial literacy. For example, one family member may request assistance to attend college and the other family member may request assistance to attend an English as a Second Language (ESL) course," US News and World Report says.

"Recipients are eligible to receive scholarships in amounts of $1,000 to $5,000 per family. To be eligible, all applicants must be 18 years old or older, must have lived in the United States for seven years or less and must reside in one of the following cities at the time of application: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, New York, Washington, or Miami."

Today on ImmigrationReform.com - Surge in Foreign Students

In a blog written for ImmigrationReform.com, FAIR's Director of Special Projects Jack Martin takes a look at the surge in foreign students attending our universities and asks what happens to these students after they graduate. Check out his full blog at www.immigrationreform.com.

Rep. Smith: Obama Ignoring the Law

"In a recent interview, President Barack Obama said he can't just 'wave away the laws that Congress put in place' and that 'the president doesn't have the authority to simply ignore Congress and say, 'We're not going to enforce the laws that you've passed,'" writes Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) in RollCall.

"But that is exactly what the president has done -- ignored our immigration laws. Throughout the three years of his administration, Obama has waived applying several of our immigration rules and has refused to enforce other immigration laws."

Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing Nun

"The man convicted in the deadly Bristow, Va., accident that killed a nun was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison. Police said Carlos Martinelly-Montano, in the United States illegally, was drunk when he slammed his car into another car in 2010. The crash killed Sister Denise Mosier and injured two other nuns. He was convicted of felony murder in October," MSNBC writes. "Martinelly-Montano has twice before been convicted of drunken driving, and was awaiting a deportation hearing at the time of the accident."

AZ Farm Bureau Head Says He Will Never "Source" American Workers

"[M]y industry and others need legal access to labor pools that are seasonal, short- and long-term. These pools will not be sourced from this country. This is an essential fact," says Kevin Rogers of the Arizona Farm Bureau. "You can tell me to pay more, to use convicts, to hire more students and you can tell me technology will solve my problems."

NH Town Fed Up With Refugee Resettlement

"Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas has called for a moratorium on refugee resettlement until the "city can catch its breath" after about 300 refugees a year have been resettled in the city over the last few years. Gatsas supported HB 1405 Thursday, saying the city needs time to allow the refugees currently in the community to settle into the system, get jobs and become productive citizens. Gatsas said communication with the resettlement agencies, the state and the federal government has been poor," the Union-Leader says.

Illegal Alien Who Killed Nun in Crash Faces Sentencing

"The man convicted of felony murder for an August 2010 drunk driving accident that killed a nun and badly hurt two others is scheduled to be sentenced Friday in Prince William County Circuit Court," the Washington Post writes. "Martinelly-Montano, originally from Bolivia, had twice been arrested on drunk driving charges before the crash and federal authorities had scheduled a deportation hearing."

Democrats Unsure if GOP Amnesty Support is Serious

"Democrats face a politically tricky choice over whether to pursue a compromise with Republicans on immigration reform that was recently floated by Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. The Republican presidential contenders are willing to grant illegal immigrants legal status if they came to the country at a young age and served in the military. It's a tough election-year call for Democrats for several reasons," The Hill writes.

"Striking a compromise would allow Republicans to earn some points with Hispanic voters and lessen pressure on Republican lawmakers to support more comprehensive immigration reform. Walking away from possible common ground, however, could leave Democrats open to criticism that they missed a chance to make incremental progress."

Alternatives to Kansas' Illegal Alien Hiring Plan

"Kansas Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman is seeking a federal waiver that would allow companies to hire illegal immigrants, according to The Associated Press. There is a push by agriculture producers -- such as large dairies and feedlots across the country who are desperate for workers-- to take this to Topeka," the McPherson Sentinel says.

"Labor being done by illegal immigrants could be filled by documented workers if they were just willing to put forth the effort. They should be more willing to do a job they might not particularly enjoy and/or set aside their unemployment benefits and buckle down for the work that is clearly available. And it seems those who are willing to put forth the effort, such as those underage, are not allowed the benefit of the experience. If work environments are safe, underage workers should not be denied the valuable, lifelong and early education they could obtain from working in agriculture."

Deported Teen Was Comfortable Lying About Illegal Status to Get to Colombia

"A Dallas teenager who was deported to South America under a false name never expressed concern during jailhouse phone calls that she was being misidentified as an illegal immigrant from Colombia," the AP reported.

"The more than two dozen recorded telephone calls reviewed by The Associated Press show 15-year-old Jakadrien Turner expected to be deported to Colombia yet did not complain of having no ties to the country."

Paul Says Immigration Policy Should Avoid "Scapegoating"

"Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul outlined his views on immigration Wednesday, saying he favors a compassionate policy that doesn't rely on 'barbed-wire fences and guns on our border,'" the AP reported.

"Paul spoke to several dozen people organized by Hispanics in Politics, Nevada's oldest Hispanic community group. The Texas congressman has scheduled several days of campaigning in Nevada before the state's caucuses Saturday."

Border Patrol Agent's Family Files Suit Over Obama Gun Program for Cartels

"The family of murdered Border Patrol agent Brian Terry has filed a $25 million wrongful death claim against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives claiming Terry was killed with AK-47s that were knowingly sold under the Fast and Furious gunrunning probe to a straw purchaser for drug cartels," Fox News writes.

No Backlash to Romney Immigration Stance in Florida

"Contrary to the apparent beliefs of many candidates and most ethnic activists, Hispanics don't view immigration as their biggest political issue. In fact, the Pew Hispanic Center found registered Latino voters ranked immigration fifth out of seven issues in personal importance," says W. James Antle III in the American Spectator. "It's not the first time Romney has been all things to all people. But the much-ridiculed self-deportation strategy -- actually attrition through enforcement -- may indeed be a third way on immigration issues."

New York Times Runs Op-Ed from Student who Admits He's Here Illegally

"The United States is supposed to be a great country that welcomes all kinds of people. Does Mr. Romney really think that this should be America's solution for immigration reform?," asks Antonio Alarcon, in an op-ed he wrote in Spanish translated for the New York Times. Alarcon is attending high school in the U.S.

"You could say that my parents have self-deported, and that it was partly a result of their working conditions. It's not that they couldn't find work, but that they couldn't find decent work. My dad collected scrap metal from all over the city, gathering copper and steel from construction sites, garbage dumps and old houses. He earned $90 a day, but there was only enough work for him to do it once or twice a week. My mom worked at a laundromat six days a week, from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., for $70 a day."

Romney Wins Majority of Hispanic Voters in Florida

"Despite being labeled as an anti-immigrant candidate and losing out on the endorsement of key Latino groups, Mitt Romney was able to pull out a handy win during Tuesday's GOP primary in Florida and even took the majority of the Hispanic vote in the state. A majority of Latinos in Florida backed Romney, a sharp improvement over his 2008 showing of 14 percent among Hispanic voters. He improved even more among Cuban voters, climbing from 9 percent in 2008 to nearly 6 in 10, the Associated Press reported," according to Fox News Latino.

Florida Senate Rejects Benefits for Illegal Aliens

"A bill that would have allowed in-state college and university tuition for certain U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants died Tuesday on a tie vote in the Senate Higher Education Committee," the Miami Herald says.

"Opponents were unmoved by emotional testimony from a 20-year-old Miami-Dade College student. Instead, Sen. Steve Oelrich, a Gainesville Republican who chairs the committee, interrupted Carla Montes to dispute her contention that having to pay out-of-state tuition is unjust and unfair."

Obama Plan to End Per-Country Caps Will Hit Opposition

"President Obama's small-business growth plan includes a proposal to eliminate country-specific caps for certain immigrant visa categories. The proposal, which is likely to run into opposition from some members of Congress, would eliminate the caps to "attract more high skilled foreign workers, including entrepreneurs" to the United States, according to a White House statement," The Hill writes.

"In his State of the Union address last week, Obama called for making piecemeal reforms to immigration legislation if it proved politically impossible to do a comprehensive bill."

Springfield Debates E-Verify

"Some in the crowd scoffed and heckled. Others applauded loudly as the otherwise tame debate drew to a close. It started as a quiet crowd in the Central High School auditorium Tuesday evening but grew louder at the end of the two-hour panel discussion focused on the so-called E-Verify ordinance," the News-Leader writes.

"Springfield voters will decide the controversial measure in less than a week. If approved, it would require all "business entities" operating in Springfield to check employees' immigration status using the federal E-Verify computer program."