6. News Bytes:   Virginia DMV stops accepting federal work permit card   The Associated Press reports that the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will no longer accept Employment Authorization Documents as proof of residence for obtaining a driver’s license.  The order was issued by Governor Bob McDonnell in response to an August car crash that killed a nun and involved a 23-year-old Bolivian national Carlos Martinelly Montana with previous drunken driving convictions.  Montano had been able to obtain a Virginia license even though he faced deportation proceedings.    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/sep/7/va-no-longer-accepting-employment-authorization-do/ * * * * * *    Sherriff’s New Hampshire visit prompts ’12 speculation   The Hill reports that Arizona Sherriff Joe Arpaio is headlining a Republican Party event in New Hampshire, prompting speculation that he may be considering a presidential campaign in 2012.  Sherriff Arpaio has risen to the forefront of the national immigration debate for his tough policies and has become a spokesperson for advocates of stricter immigration laws.  These policies have also brought a civil rights investigation into possible discriminatory practices by the Department of Justice and a lawsuit for refusing to cooperate with investigators.    http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/117847-sheriff-joe-arpaio-heads-to-new-hampshire-sparking-presidential-talk * * * * * *   Study: effects of birthright citizenship repeal   According to a recent study reported in The Wall Street Journal, the abolition of birthright citizenship would actually increase the number of illegally present immigrants in the United States. Jennifer Van Hook, a demographer and professor and Pennsylvania State University, noted that even when considering an immediate halt in new immigration, a repeal of birthright citizenship would still cause in increase in the number of illegally present immigrants.  Analysis by the Migration Policy Institute estimated the number of illegally present U.S-born individuals would be about five million by 2050 if birthright citizenship were repealed in the near future.    Wall Street Journal * * * * * * Homeland Security to test iris scanners   USA Today reports that the Department of Homeland Security plans to test iris scan technology that will store digital images of people’s eyes in a database.  DHS will run a two week test in October at a Border Patrol station in McAllen, Texas where iris scans will be used on illegally present immigrants.   While the iris scan technology is seen as a quicker alternative to fingerprints, its use has generated criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union.  ACLU lawyers fear that iris scanners could be used covertly to identify an individual at a distance.  They argue that this technology would allow authorities to track an individual without his knowledge.   http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/surveillance/2010-09-13-1Airis13_ST_N.htm?POE=click-refer * * * * * *   U.S. Embassy will process some visas in Mexico City   The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City will begin processing some immigrant and adoption visas in response to security threats that caused the brief closing of the consulate in Ciudad Juarez in August.  Starting October 1st, the embassy will process F4 visas for siblings of U.S. citizens who have filed petitions on their behalf.   http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7199455.html * * * * * *

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