7. Washington Watch:

Bloomberg talks immigration with Obama

Politico reports that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with President Obama and senior administration officials in Washington D.C. to discuss immigration reform.  Former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey were also present.  The meeting was closed to reporters.

Politico.com
 

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/BNALL-BNK-BNSTAFF-BNTEAMS/2011/04/19/id/393419

* * * * * *

10 lawmakers named to immigration group’s ‘Hall of Shame’

The Hill reports that the Immigrants’ List political action committee compiled a list of ten lawmakers that pose ‘the biggest obstacles’ to achieving comprehensive immigration reform.  Rep. Steve King (R-IA) was ranked first on the list, which included eight other Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC).

Amy Novick, the executive director of Immigrants’ List, pointed to King’s comments on the House floor in 2008 in which he compared immigrants to livestock.  Rep Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was ranked second on the list for his opposition to granting citizenship to children born in the United States to illegally present immigrants.

http://thehill.com/homenews/news/156707-handful-of-gop-lawmakers-make-immigration-reform-groups-hall-of-shame-

* * * * * * 

Congressman urges lawsuit on Utah immigration law

The Associated Press reports that the head of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), accused the Justice Department of being ‘hypocritical’ for not pursuing legal action against a Utah law that approves a guest-worker program for illegally present immigrants. Smith argued that the Utah law is unconstitutional and called the department’s inaction a ‘stark contrast’ to the lawsuit against Arizona for a law ‘that merely complements and assists in the enforcement of a federal law.’

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/20/congressman-urges-lawsuit-on-utah-immigration-law/

* * * * * *