News

Unicoi police to participate in training on illegal-alien issues

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The Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department will participate in a federal program that will provide more training in handling issues related to illegal aliens that also could be used in other cases.

Sheriff Kent Harris and Lt. George Berry met Tuesday with two representatives of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency from New Orleans. The sheriff’s department had inquired about taking part in a program in which it would be able to take illegal aliens to a federal holding facility.

Texas county files appeal to stop border fence

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A Texas county filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court this week in the latest bid to stop construction of hundreds of miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In asking the court to review a lawsuit previously dismissed by a federal court judge, lawyers for El Paso County contend that U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff overstepped his legal authority when he waived 37 federal laws that could have slowed or blocked construction of fencing along the border.

Bush considering easing rules on foreign farm workers

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Farmers would have an easier and cheaper time securing foreign guest workers under pending Bush administration rules.

The controversial changes to the so-called H-2A guest-worker program could cut wages and speed worker recruitment. They also would relax requirements for providing foreign workers with housing and transportation.

"The Department of Labor is going to weaken oversight and enforcement," Bruce Goldstein, the executive director of the Farmworker Justice Fund, charged Wednesday.

Detaining illegals simplified through partnership with Henderson

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The Macon County Sheriff's office is stepping up its role in immigration enforcement by partnering with Henderson County in an effort to speed the process of identifying illegal aliens.

Henderson County is one of seven in North Carolina participating in the newly formed 287(g) program. As part of the new cooperative effort, Henderson's sheriff's office can access federal immigration records. The county will also work with 17 western counties, including Macon, to assist in identifying and even detaining suspected illegals.

Supporters, critics have their say on E-Verify system

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Nine months after Governor Carcieri issued an executive order requiring contractors doing business with the state to check the immigration status of new hires through the federal E-Verify system, Rhode Islanders got their first chance yesterday to comment on the controversial program. http://www.projo.com/news/content/EVERIFY_12-04-08_JJCGSFH_v19.3753922.html

Cynthia Needham, Providence (RI) Journal, December 4, 2008

Man sentenced in fatal drunk driving case in Richmond

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A Richmond judge blasted the federal government Tuesday for what he considers "its failures" in a fatal drunk driving case. An illegal immigrant was sentenced for killing two people while driving drunk on Snead Road. http://www.nbc12.com/Global/story.asp?S=9492923&nav=menu128_2

Rachel DePompa, NBC12(Richmond), December 9, 2008

15 illegal immigrants arrested at BP refinery

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Federal Immigration agents have arrested 15 illegal immigrants working as contract janitors at the BP refinery in Whiting, Ind.

The 11 men and four women arrested Wednesday by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement worked for an Illinois janitorial company. Fourteen are from Mexico, and one is from Guatemala.

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/dec/10/news/chi-ap-in-bp-illegalworkers

AP, December 10, 2008

Immigrant exodus -- Layoffs, deportations sending Mexicans home

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Layoffs, dwindling job opportunities, anti-immigrant sentiment and the crackdown on illegal immigrants are forcing hard choices on many Mexican nationals in Colorado. Though not an exodus, some are returning to a nation they haven't seen in years. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/17/immigrant-exodus/

Associated Press, Washington Times

New city law targets illegals

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The Albertville City Council passed a resolution Monday targeting contractors who employ "unauthorized aliens."

The move comes just one month after the new mayor and council took office, signaling a more serious tone regarding illegal immigration.

"That should be a pretty good indication we're serious about that hot topic from the campaign," said Councilman Chuck Ellis.

"You talk to everybody on the campaign trail and that was the one thing everyone wanted to talk about ... the effects of illegal immigration on the community."

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