Supreme Court to decide Arizona immigration law

(Reuters) - The Supreme Court said on Monday that it would decide whether Arizona's tough law cracking down on illegal immigrants can take effect, a case arising from the fierce national debate on immigration policy ahead of next year's presidential election.

The high court agreed to review a ruling that put on hold the key parts of the law signed by Republican Governor Jan Brewer in April 2010. The case has been closely watched because several other states have adopted similar laws.

The law requires police to check the immigration status of anyone they detained and suspected of being in the nation illegally. Other parts require immigrants to carry their papers at all times and ban people without proper documents from soliciting for work in public places...[Full Article]

AZ Sheriff: More Troops on Korean Border than U.S.-Mexico Border

Arizona Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, a leading voice in the fight to secure the Arizona border with Mexico and in combatting illegal immigration, is wondering why there are nearly 28 times more troops on the border between North and South Korea than there are on the U.S.-Mexico border. President Obama has extended the time National Guard troops will stay on the border, however, the number of troops provided to secure the border is still not substantial...[Full Article]

Horne: Obama wants illegal immigrants to vote in Arizona

Attorney General Tom Horne accused the Obama administration Tuesday of trying to thwart Arizona’s voter-ID laws in a bid to get more illegal immigrants to the polls — presumably to cast ballots for the president and Democrats.

Horne acknowledged that a brief filed by the Department of Justice in a case to be heard next month by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals centers around the agency’s argument that Arizona’s law requiring proof of citizenship to register is pre-empted by federal law. But Horne, a Republican, told Capitol Media Services he sees something more sinister.

“I think the motive is that the more illegals that vote, the better the Obama administration thinks it will do,’’ he said.

As proof, Horne pointed out that the Department of Justice did not file its friend of the court brief until just last week. That is nearly three years after the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and others first challenged the law.

More to the point, Horne said, is that the administration waited until virtually the last minute: The case is set to be heard in just two weeks...[Full Article]

Public safety: Pinal sheriff heads to D.C., stresses border security to Congress

On an invitation from Sen. John McCain, Pinal County sheriff Paul Babeu spoke in front of Congress last week and discussed current border security with the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security.

“I think that this year, even though the debate has been heated, I believe this is our best chance to secure the border,” Babeu said.

He indicated that there was bi-partisan support from the committee and estimates some sort of immigration reform could be approved by the end of the year.

“It was a great opportunity,” Babeu said. “(The testimony) was received very well. I couldn’t have been prouder of our senator John McCain; he stood for Arizona and represented us very well.”

He said he and McCain submitted a number of first-hand accounts from Arizona residents who live near drug cartel hideouts and the crimes that have resulted from illegal immigration. He said he also cited crime statistics related to cartels and illegal immigrants.

Babeu said he wanted to make it clear to the committee (and others) is that Mexico is not the enemy of the U.S., but to the drug cartels instead.

“What we need is a secure border,” he said...[Full Article]

STEIN: Obama punts as Utah grants amnesty to illegals
President tackles Arizona for upholding federal immigration law

Last April, when Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation authorizing Arizona to enforce federal immigration laws, President Obama stepped before the television cameras in the Rose Garden and threatened to take action to prevent the law from taking effect. Within weeks, his Justice Department filed suit against Arizona on the grounds that S.B. 1070 pre-empted the federal government's exclusive authority over immigration policy.

In contrast to Arizona’s effort to enforce immigration laws passed by Congress, the Utah legislature enacted legislation in March that creates a completely separate immigration policy for Utah. One of the bills signed by Gov. Gary Herbert would grant two-year work permits to illegal aliens who reside in Utah, provided they have no criminal records. Because federal law expressly forbids illegal aliens from working anywhere in the United States - including Utah - the law gives the governor until 2013 to negotiate a waiver with the federal government. Even if a waiver is not issued, Utah would begin issuing work permits to illegal aliens beginning in 2013...[Full Article]

Arizona migrants could be denied state-tax refunds

Phoenix – Undocumented immigrants in Arizona might be unable to receive their state tax refunds if they cannot prove that the Social Security Number that they have listed with their employers truly was issued to them.

Anthony Forschino, assistant director of External Services and Special Projects Assistant Director at the Arizona Department of Revenue, told Efe that this year it is being considered a "discrepancy" when the taxpayer identification number on the return does not coincide with the Social Security Number that appears on the W2 statement.

This affects people like undocumented immigrants who apply to obtain a tax ID number, or ITIN, from the IRS.

Forschino said that the state now has a system that detects this difference, and so the state government has held back the refunds from people in this situation...[Full Article]

Arpaio Gives Broad Powers to Volunteer Deputy Squad

PHOENIX -- Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has recruited 56 volunteers who he says will be assisting his department in fighting illegal immigration, reports Maritza Lizeth Félix for Prensa Hispana. The volunteer squad was sworn in on Wednesday at a ceremony presided over by the sheriff and several celebrity supporters, including actors Lou Ferrigno (of Incredible Hulk fame) and Steven Segal. The action heroes spoke to the crowd about their support for enforcing anti-immigration laws, and dubbed Joe Arpaio “the toughest sheriff in the west.”...

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Arizona: Posse formed to help battle illegal aliens; Lou Ferrigno joins (watch video report)

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona sheriff has sworn in 56 members of a new volunteer sheriff's posse, including actor-bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.

The citizens' group will aid Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's deputies in efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

Ferrigno, best known for his starring role in "The Incredible Hulk" television series, lives in California. He says the Arizona posse volunteers can help protect the country against drug and immigrant smugglers...

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Hispanic civil rights group seeks to force provisional ballot count

An organization that convinced federal judges last month to toss out Arizona's proof-of-citizenship requirement to register to vote now is seeking a court order that could further delay a final count on Tuesday's election.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund late Friday asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to order officials in the state's 15 counties to count the votes of those who cast "provisional ballots'' because they did not show up on the voter registration rolls. And the reason they didn't show up on the rolls is that they didn't get registered because they didn't provide proof of U.S. citizenship as required by a 2004 voter-approved Arizona law.

On Oct. 26, though, the appellate court declared that requirement invalid. Based on that, MALDEF attorney Nina Perales said those who were wrongfully denied registration should have their votes counted...

[Full Article]

Arizona voter citizen proof requirement overturned

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Tuesday struck down an Arizona requirement that residents prove U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote but upheld a mandate that they present identification before casting their ballots.

Opponents of the 6-year-old law incorporating both provisions -- designed to prevent illegal immigrants from voting -- said the ruling would likely lead to thousands being turned away at next Tuesday's elections for lacking the required identification records...

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How America Can Stand By Arizona

I knew Arizona’s SB 1070 would be controversial when I introduced it, but I did not expect the national immigration debate to revolve around a state law.

While the anti-American open borders Left attack me and the law as “racist,” “nativist” and their other empty smear words, the vast majority of the people of Arizona and America support the law.

Naturally, politicians of both parties on the state and local level are trying to jump on the bandwagon as the election approaches.

On the state level, dozens of gubernatorial and attorney general candidates are campaigning to enact SB 1070 style legislation. Even Democrats like Georgia’s Roy Barnes say they’d sign such a bill. Of course a politician’s promise isn’t worth the paper it’s written on...

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Pulling Up Anchor

Illegal Immigration: Lawmakers in 14 states are joining to restore the intended meaning of the 14th Amendment: that being a U.S. citizen requires more than just your mother sneaking past the Border Patrol.

The architect of Arizona's immigration law, SB2070, announced Tuesday a new crusade to correct what he perceives as an unfortunate misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment that allows children of illegal immigrant parents to be considered U.S. citizens if they're born on U.S. soil.

"This is a battle of epic proportions," Mesa Republican state Sen. Russell Pearce said. "We've allowed the hijacking of the 14th Amendment." He says allowing what are termed "anchor babies" because they make deportation difficult is an incentive to illegal immigration. "They use it as a wedge," he said. "This is an orchestrated effort by them to come here and have children to gain access to the great welfare state we've created."...

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Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce Discusses Illegal Immigration, SB 1070, And Elections (Interview)

MESA, Arizona — On Tuesday, Aug. 24, The Latin America News Dispatch sat down with Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce to discuss the controversial immigration law, SB1070, of which he was the lead author.

At the time Pearce was up for reelection, but the incumbent senator ran uncontested, predictably coming away with 96.56 percent of the vote (a write-in candidate garnered 3.44 percent).

Though the most controversial portions of 1070 were largely blocked by a federal judge at the end of July, at least 20 states are pursuing similar legislation. Pearce vowed that he would continue his fight against what he calls the “illegal invasion” from its front in Arizona, just as the growing discontent in America will continue, he warns, with inevitable consequences in November...

[Full Article]

Ray Stevens - God Save Arizona

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrA07jcIHZI

Fearing Ariz. Law, Illegal Immigrants Head To Colo.

While the most controversial elements of Arizona's immigration law have been placed on hold, some illegal immigrants in the state are deciding it's time to leave. In nearby Colorado, the American Friends Service Committee says more than a dozen families have arrived in just the past few weeks.

Arizona's law is intended to discourage illegal immigrants from living in the state. By that measure, the legislation may be succeeding even before it's fully implemented...

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Arizona won't back down from Obama and illegal aliens, say officials

Republican state lawmaker Russell Pearce, who sponsored the Arizona immigration reform bill, pledged to take his battle against illegal and criminal aliens to the U.S. Supreme Court, after a Judge Susan Bolton of the U.S. Circuit Court, blocked the enforcement of that law's strictest provisions.

Pearce has gone as far as calling for children born in the U.S. -- known as "anchor babies" -- to be denied citizenship if their parents are here illegally. Many illegal aliens have used this ploy -- having a baby while illegally in the U.S. -- in order to avoid deportation...

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How does Ohio immigration law differ from Ariz.?

With so much attention focused on Arizona's new immigration law, some have asked how it differs from enforcement in Ohio.

Capt. Lonnie Sparkman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said the laws are not that different because both mirror federal laws.

To be more specific, Ohio does not have a state immigration law. It operates under the federal law. Arizona recently passed a state law that is, in some ways, more stringent...

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Obama Administration Poised To Challenge Arizona Immigration Law

The White House is expected to file a lawsuit next week. Arizona has raised more than $120,000 in private donations to defend the legislation.

Reporting from Washington —

A White House showdown with the state of Arizona over its tough new immigration law is likely to unfold next week, when the Obama administration is expected to file a lawsuit aimed at blocking the state's bid to curb illegal immigration on its own, according to people familiar with the administration's plans.

Arizona officials are girding for the legal challenge. The state has raised $123,000 in private donations to defend the law, according to Gov. Jan Brewer's office. Money has come in from all 50 states, in donations as little as $1.

Obama administration officials declined to reveal the basis for the suit. But legal experts say the challenge is likely to include the argument that in passing the law, Arizona violated the Constitution by intruding on the federal government's authority to regulate immigration...

[Full Article]

Arizona Governor: Most Illegal Immigrants Smuggling Drugs

PHOENIX (AP) - Gov. Jan Brewer said Friday that most illegal immigrants entering Arizona are being used to transport drugs across the border, an assertion that critics slammed as exaggerated and racist.

Brewer said the motivation of "a lot" of the illegal immigrants is to enter the United States to look for work, but that drug rings press them into duty as drug "mules."

"I believe today, under the circumstances that we're facing, that the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in," Brewer said.

"There's strong information to us that they come as illegal people wanting to come to work. Then they are accosted and they become subjects of the drug cartel," she said.

Brewer's office later issued a statement in response to media reports of her comments. It said most human smuggling into Arizona is under the direction of drug cartels, which "are by definition smuggling drugs."...

[Full Article]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzDlN7VLmXQ

SecureTheBorderAZ | June 25, 2010 | 1:00

Earlier this month, Governor Jan Brewer sat in the Oval Office with President Barack Obama to discuss the critical issue of border security. The Governor personally related to the President the concerns of millions of Arizonans over the lack of security on Arizona's southern border. During their visit, President Obama committed to present details, within two weeks of their meeting, regarding his plans to commit National Guard troops to the Arizona border and commit to spend $500 million in additional funds on border security.

Governor Brewer remains eager to receive the specific details of President Obama's border security plans. She continues to extend an invitation to the President to visit with families living along the southwestern border and see the situation firsthand.