The Senate voted against Arizona's right to enforce immigration laws, 55-to-43, by allowing Justice Department funds to be used in the lawsuit against the state. The vote prevented a floor vote on Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) amendment to the unemployment extension bill making its way through Congress. The amendment would have blocked funding to the Justice Department from being used in its lawsuit against Arizona.
More than 80 Members of Congress have filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Arizona against the lawsuit filed two weeks ago by the Justice Department. The Federal Government and Justice Department argue that Arizona's new immigration enforcement law preempts power granted to the federal government, but the Members of Congress argue in their brief that not only does it not preempt federal authority, but Congress encourages states to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws.
After threatening to no longer share arrest information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has announced that the city will continue to share its arrest data with federal officials, but it will not give the agents access to the names of crime victims and witnesses.
Temecula, Calif., located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, has taken immigration enforcement into its own hands. Last night, the city council approved a new ordinance that makes the use of E-Verify a requirement to possess a business license in the city.
Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina and Utah all have state legislators drafting Arizona-style immigration enforcement legislation. Polls continue to show strong national support for both Arizona's law and their own state passing similar legislation despite the federal government's recent lawsuit filed against the state.
In a meeting with White House officials this past weekend, Democratic Governors raised concerns with the Administration's decision to sue Arizona over its immigration enforcement law. The Governors were meeting in Boston for a meeting of the National Governors Association, and the Democratic Governors expressed concern over the lawsuit's potential impact on the fall elections.
A new Rasmussen Poll reveals that the majority of Americans oppose the federal government's lawsuit against the state of Arizona over its new immigration enforcement law. The lawsuit was filed by the Department of Justice on Tuesday and is suing Arizona on grounds that the law usurps federal authority on immigration. The government is also seeking an injunction, so the law does not go into effect on July 29.
President of the Pro-Amnesty organization ImmigrationWorks USA, Tamar Jacoby, writes in the Los Angeles Times that the federal government's decision to sue the state of Arizona is a bad idea. Jacoby declares her opposition to Arizona's immigration enforcement law, but argues that the Administration's decision to sue would foster anti-amnesty sentiment.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told an Ecuadorian television station that the Obama Administration will sue the state of Arizona. Pres. Obama has maintained that the Justice Department is looking into potential civil rights violations that could stem from the state's new immigration enforcement law, but has never outright said that the Administration would sue.
Mexico has been outspoken in its opposition to Arizona's new immigration enforcement law, including Mexican President Felipe Calderon who blasted the law during a recent visit to the United States. But a new report in the Washington Post highlights the treatment an illegal alien in Mexico would receive if detected.
A new poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News reveals that 58% of Americans support Arizona's immigration enforcement law that goes into effect in late-July. The poll also reveals that 75% of respondents feel the government isn't doing enough to secure the border and 83% support use of the National Guard to patrol the border.
Two legal immigrants in Washington State are working on a ballot initiative that would crack down on illegal aliens living in the state. The ballot initiative would prohibit illegal aliens from obtaining a driver's license, require all public and private employers to use E-Verify, and deny non-emergency public benefits like in-state tuition.
Arizona's new immigration enforcement law doesn't take effect for another six weeks, but the state is seeing early signs of what impact it could have on its more than 400,000 illegal aliens. School districts are reporting an increased number of students being pulled from schools, and retail businesses that typically cater to illegal aliens are seeing a decrease in profits.
The city of Orange, Calif. voted earlier this week to "Stand with Arizona" after the council approved two resolutions that support Arizona's new immigration enforcement law. The city council declared Orange a rule of law city and several NumbersUSA activists were there to offer their thoughts to the council.
A new report from Politico.com exposes a possible shift of the rhetoric used by the Democratic Leadership when speaking on the issue of illegal immigration. Democratic Leaders are considering the use of stronger words when referring to the nation's estimated 11-18 illegal aliens, but the goal will remain the same - a mass amnesty.
A new poll conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal reveals that 57% of the state's residents support an Arizona-style immigration enforcement law. The poll asked respondents if they would support allowing local law enforcement to inquire about immigration status after they've already stopped an individual.
NumbersUSA's Director of Government Relations Rosemary Jenks spoke to the supporters of Arizona's immigration enforcement law at the Phoenix Rising rally on June 5, 2010.
The Pennsylvania House passed two bills earlier today that would require state contractors and construction employers to use E-Verify to check the employment eligibility of all new hires.
Rosemary Jenks, Director of Government Relations for NumbersUSA, was one of the speakers at Saturday's rally in Phoenix, Ariz. The rally gave supporters of Arizona's new immigration enforcement law a chance to voice their support, and Rosemary read a statement from Members of Congress who also stand with Arizona lawmakers.
Supporters of Arizona's new immigration enforcement law rallied in Phoenix this weekend to show their support for the state's crack down on illegal immigration. National and local leaders spoke to the crowd, including former Congressman Tom Tancredo and the bill's author State Sen. Russell Pearce.
Last week, the Massachusetts State Senate passed an immigration enforcement amendment, 28-to-10, to an appropriation bill. The State House had previously passed a different version of the spending bill, so the enforcement amendment is at the mercy of a conference committee.
While city and county councils in California are finding ways to boycott Arizona, the city of Yorba Linda in Orange County voted unanimously to support Arizona and its new immigration enforcement law. NumbersUSA activists showed up at the city's council meeting on Tuesday night, urging the city council to vote in favor of a resolution strongly supporting Arizona.
A new Quinnipiac University poll reveals that a plurality Americans want a law similar to Arizona's immigration enforcement law passed in their own state. Forty-eight percent of Americans want their state to pass an immigration enforcement law that allows local police to ask about an individual's legal status if there is reasonable suspicion that they are in the country illegally.
A new CNN Poll reflects a shifting mood among Americans and the issue of illegal immigration. While support for Arizona's new immigration enforcement law remains strong, support for securing the border is also on the rise.
Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have admitted they haven't read the 10-page Arizona immigration enforcement law, but they were quick to criticize the bill. But in their criticism of Arizona's law, formerly known as SB1070, they also revealed their lack of understanding for federal immigration law. Here's a list of suggested readings for them and others critical of the law.
Unlike federal officials who have criticized Arizona's law, Rosemary Jenks -- an attorney and NumbersUSA's Director of Government Relations -- has read it thoroughly and offers here a full description of everything the law does.
Reps. Gary Miller (R-Calif.), Sue Myrick (R-N.C.), and Lamar Smith (R-Texas) are introducing a resolution to express the sense of the House of Representatives that state and local governments have inherent authority to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The resolution is a response to criticism of Arizona's new immigration enforcement law.
The City Council of Costa Mesa, California, has approved a resolution declaring it would not be a sanctuary city for illegal aliens. This is in stark contrast to Los Angeles, which has decided to boycott Arizona over it's illegal immigration enforcement law.
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) became a cosponsor of Rep. Phil Gingrey's Nuclear Family Priority Act. In doing so, he has joined an elite group of Congressmen and women who have cosponsored NumbersUSA's 5 great immigration bills. These bills are the SAVE Act, the Nuclear Family Priority Act, the SAFE Act, the Birthright Citizenship Act, and the CLEAR Act.
Yesterday, the respected Pew Research Center released a new poll showing Americans are backing Arizona's recently passed immigration enforcement bill, SB 1070, by huge margins. According to the poll, seventy-three percent of Americans agree with "requiring people to produce documents verifying their legal status if police ask for them.”
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who has been more than critical of Arizona's tough immigration enforcement bill SB1070, admitted yesterday before the House Judiciary Committee that he hasn't actually read the bill and was basing his information off of news reports.
Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) is blasting the Los Angeles City Council after voting yesterday to officially cutoff business with the state of Arizona. In a written statement, Rep. Miller, who represents parts of Los Angeles and its neighboring counties, said the boycott hurts American citizens and legal immigrants.
A new Pew Research poll reveals that the majority of Americans support most of the provisions offered in Arizona's new immigration enforcement law. Seventy-three percent of Americans believe that individuals should carry proof of legal status, 67% support police being able to detain an individual that can't prove legal status, 62% support police questioning an individual they suspect to be in the country illegally, and 59% support the Arizona law.
Last week, Pennsylvania Rep. Daryl Metcalfe introduced a bill similar to Arizona's recently passed immigration enforcement bill, SB 1070. Several more states are looking to introduce, or already have introduced, similar legislation as well.
What Arizona lawmakers did two weeks ago to address the state’s growing illegal alien population wasn’t only necessary, but was also just by exercising its sovereign right under the Constitution’s 10th Amendment. The bill promotes an attrition through enforcement strategy, which sets aside mass amnesties and deportations in favor of a more reasonable, rational strategy.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe has offered a bill similar to Arizona's new immigration enforcement law that would give police in the state power to enforce immigration laws. Rep. Metcalfe said the state has an estimated 140,000 illegal aliens.
Arizona's new law, Senate Bill 1070, aimed at removing illegal immigrants from that state is being called all the wrong things by the mainstream media and those portraying themselves as the champions of "immigrant rights."
A new report from the Kansas City Star covers the impact increased enforcement efforts and the recession have had on illegal immigration. According to the story, not only are illegal aliens heading home, but they're deciding to stay home in light of tighter enforcement.
Lawmakers in Arizona have clarified the new immigration enforcement law, SB1070, amidst claims that the new law would lead to racial profiling. The version of the law signed by Gov. Jan Brewer said that law enforcement officials could check immigration status if they had "reasonable suspicion" if the officer had already made legal contact. The law now says that police can only ask for proof of legal residency after making an official stop, arrest or detainment.
If you have thought about traveling to Arizona in the next couple of years, wouldn't this be a good year to do it? With open-borders groups calling for boycotts of Arizona, why not vacation in Arizona to support the 70% of voters, the governor and the majority of the state legislators who have shown the nation the courage to do what it takes to move illegal foreign workers out their jobs and state to make room for unemployed legal Arizonans? But make sure that any hotel or resort you visit is using E-Verify.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is the lone Republican working on an Amnesty bill, and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano debated the nation's efforts to secure the Southwest border. Sen. Graham said there can't be a mass amnesty bill unless the borders are completely secured.
A new Rasmussen poll shows that 60% of Americans favor letting local police stop and check immigration status.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) became a cosponsor of Rep. Phil Gingrey's Chain Migration bill last week, putting him into the NumbersUSA 5-for-5 Club. Rep. Goodlatte has cosponsored four of our "5 Great Immigration-Reduction Bills" and he introduced H.R.2305, which, if passed, would put an end to the Visa Lottery.
I just came back from taping an interview for the national CBS nightly news regarding the new Arizona immigration-enforcement law. My main point was that states are going to keep passing laws like these as long as the federal government allows 7 million illegal alien to continue to hold jobs and keep millions of Americans unemployed.
UPDATE 3:30 p.m. -- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed S.B. 1070, the tough immigration enforcement bill, into law during a press conference this afternoon.
