U.S. to Pay Immigrants over Raids

The New York Times reports that the federal government has agreed to pay $350,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by 11 Latino immigrants who were arrested in 2007 in a series of immigration raids at their homes in New Haven, Connecticut.  In addition, the government agreed not to deport the plaintiffs.  The suit alleged that armed federal officers violated the constitutional rights of the 11 men by arresting them in their homes without warrants and without inquiring about their immigration status, informing them of their rights or explaining why they were being detained.  A statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing, adding that “the government is settling in order to avoid the additional time and expense of further litigation.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/nyregion/us-to-pay-immigrants-over-raids.html

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Alabama House Approves Bill Making Immigration Law Change

The Associated Press reports that the Alabama House voted 92-0 to make the first change to the state’s tough immigration law, allowing the use of military identification cards as proof of citizenship or legal residency.  House Majority Leader Rep. Micky Hammon, House sponsor of immigration legislation, said the bill would be included in legislation making overall changes.  House Speaker Mike Hubbard said Thursday the bill to make changes to the immigration law is still being written and he hopes it will be ready to introduce by the time lawmakers take their spring break at the end of March.  He said most of the changes will be “tweaks” and reaffirmed that “we are not backing down at all from the intent of the original bill.”

http://blog.al.com/wire/2012/02/house_approves_bill_making_imm.html

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Mississippi House Passes Tough Immigration Bill

Fox News Latino reports that a bill modeled after Alabama’s tough immigration law moved through Mississippi’s House Judiciary B Committee and will now go on to the House Education committee.  From there it would go on to the full chamber.  The bill’s sponsor, Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson (R) said the Mississippi bill has been written in a way to ensure it will stand up to legal scrutiny. The bill is supported by Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican who has been campaigning against illegal immigration since his days as state auditor.  Bryant and other proponents claim the bill will benefit Mississippi, freeing up tax money and jobs for citizens and other legal residents.  Opponents dispute those claims.  “It is still about ethnic cleansing,” said Bill Chandler, executive director of the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/02/25/mississippi-house-passes-tough-immigration-bill/

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Miami Teen to Take Immigration Plight to Capitol Hill

McClatchy Newspapers reports that Daniela Pelaez, the senior class valedictorian at North Miami Senior High School, narrowly avoided deportation with her sister at the end of March.  Daniela had big dreams of attending Ivy League Universities before a recent court decision slated her for removal from the United States.  Pelaez has lived in the U.S. since she came from Columbia at the age of 4 and currently lives with her father who is a resident.  More than 3,000 people signed an online petition to stop Pelaez from being deported, quickly bringing her story to the nation’s attention.   Florida lawmakers stepped in to help Palaez, making calls directly Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano and their efforts were rewarded with a two year stay on her deportation.  The Miami senior said she is “overwhelmed” by the amount of support she has received.  She had a chance to thank some of the politicians who helped her during a two day trip to Washington D.C. to talk to U.S. senators and several House members about her immigration battle. 

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/03/08/141199/miami-teen-takes-immigration-plight.html

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Bill to Regulate “Immigration Consultants” Passes Utah Senate

The Deseret News reports that the Utah Senate passed SB144, a bill to regulate non-attorney “immigration consultants.”  Sen. Luz Robles (D) said she introduced the legislation to address fraud at the hands of unscrupulous “immigration consultants” hired by refugees, undocumented Utahans as well as legal residents to help them fill out immigration papers.  Immigration consultants will be required to register with the state Division of Consumer Protection, undergo criminal background checks and post bonds.  Te bill now moves to the Utah House for further consideration.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865551416/Bill-to-regulate-immigration-consultants-passes-Senate.html

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