Border and Enforcement News

Idaho state senators voted 29-6 for a bill designed to prevent illegal immigrants in Idaho from receiving most local, state and federal public assistance. The Associated Press reported that supporters overcame objection from a handful of Democrats and Republicans who said it would be ineffective and could be a tool for discrimination. The bill, which would require a person to prove lawful presence in the United State s before receiving assistance such as Medicare, now goes to the House.

Those who oppose the bill feel it’s not going to address the solution and the benefits being denied weren’t clearly defined in the bill. “If you apply for a library card, that’s a public benefit. Going to a city park? That’s a public benefit,” Senator Chuck Coiner argued. “Where’s the definition of public benefit that prevents this thing from getting carried away?” Senator Kate Kelly, who voted for the bill, said the bill may have to be amended to address these issues.

*****

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman said that nine undocumented immigrants caught in a large raid in Massachusetts last week and currently held in Texas will be released on humanitarian grounds. The El Paso Times reported that each person will have to appear before an immigration judge to determine if they will be deported. Out of the 361 workers detained, 116 were sent to El Paso and 90 went to the center in Port Isabel, Texas.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.