Crying Wolf

Originally published on the AILA Leadership Blog

On August 20 John Morton, head of ICE, issued a memorandum to the agency about how to handle deportation cases involving foreign nationals who are also legally eligible to apply for green cards.  The policy has got the anti-immigrant restrictionists and their friends on Capitol Hill in a tizzy and howling about (what else?) back door amnesty.  It has also provided fresh anti-immigrant fodder for Fox News.

But the ICE memo represents a welcome (and all too rare) outbreak of common sense at the agency, not a back door amnesty program.  I would suggest that the restrictionists, politicians, and televised talking heads read the memo before incorrectly (and irresponsibly) claiming it authorizes the mass cancellation of deportations or directs the dismissal of deportation cases against dangerous criminals.

The truth is that the memo is quite limited in scope.  It affects only foreign nationals in deportation proceedings who are the beneficiaries of immigrant visa petitions, which, when processed,  will give them an immediate right to file for a green card.  Stated differently, the memo affects only people who can immigrate legally under existing laws--meaning they have otherwise played by the rules and waited their turn for a visa.

To suggest that the memo will lead to the dismissal of deportation cases against dangerous criminals, as some have charged, is ludicrous.  In fact, the memo directs that ICE attorneys "shall promptly consult with the Field Office Director (FOD) and Special Agent in Charge (SAC) to determine if there are any investigations or serious adverse factors weighing against dismissal of proceedings."  Adverse factors include criminal convictions, evidence of fraud or other criminal misconduct, and national security and public safety considerations.

I have never been shy about criticizing ICE when it is warranted.  But this memo, if implemented across the US, could go a long way toward reducing the tremendous backlogs that plague the immigration courts, and relieving overcrowding in the vast ICE detention system.  The memo represents an attempt to efficiently use  scarce law enforcement resources so the government can target for removal those who would do Americans harm--terrorists, violent criminals, drug traffickers, and alien smugglers.

It is stunning that the "just say no to sensible immigration policy" crowd, with Senator Grassley as their loudest cheerleader in Congress, once again cries wolf in the face of smart immigration enforcement.

OH Senate Candidate Lee Fisher Endorses Dream Act

Columbus, Ohio – This morning I was at a breakfast meet and greet with Ohio Senate candidate Lee Fisher and twelve Columbus area Latin@ leaders. Fisher spoke briefly, then is was time for the guests to ask questions. I was the first to ask him a question and of course it was about the Dream Act and immigration reform. Do you support the Dream Act and immigration reform? To this, he gave a solid YES. He is on record indicating he supports a pathway to citizenship but to my knowledge has never been asked specifically about the Dream Act. This was good....! 

The questions continued; Would you support the Dream Act as a stand along bill? He responding by saying that he prefers Dream to be a part of comprehensive immigration reform but if elected "I will support it either way." I then asked; Can you go on record at a public event stating this support? He quickly commented, "I feel like I'm on Meet the Press", then gave another "yes" to this request. I told him that I will be following up very soon on this!

Oh...one more question Lt. Governor...When you are elected our new Ohio Senator, will you take Comprehensive Immigration Reform as priority in the first few months of 2011? There was some hesitation but again he gave a YES!

Stay tuned for an event for Lee Fisher to hold to his word. 

- Ruben Castilla Herrera

A Tidbit of Cinci's Immigrant History

In reading a story about Nast Trinity United Methodist Church in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, there was a gem of history that I'm sure Senator SEITZ and MECKLENBURG (both names of german origin) choose to forget: that Cincinnati has a history of marginalizing immigrants.  Too bad they have not learned from the struggles faced by their own ancestors.

Here is the excerpt from the article:

The Rev. Dave Weaver, Nast's pastor, has been a part of many of the discussions. He's heard all the talk.
To him, Nast's mission for the future is clear, just as it has been since the church started caring for German-speaking immigrants who clogged the neighborhood early in the 19th century.
Those immigrants, about a third of the city's 46,000 residents in 1840, were isolated. Like newcomers everywhere, they were chastised by other immigrant groups and needed help assimilating to their surroundings. Early in the 20th century, the population shifted to urban Appalachian and later to African-American.
The full article is entitled "Nast church's mission unwavering after 175 years", August 24, 2010.

Immigrant-owned businesses Prevent Widespread Vacancies

Ethnic businesses ending vacancies
Friday, August 20, 2010

The Short North has the market cornered on funky. Worthington is considered posh and German Village quaint. What’s the quick image of Northland, besides sprawling?

How about global?

The Morse Road commercial corridor past the former Northland Mall is likely the only place in Columbus where you can get a temporary henna tattoo and then cross the street for a pinata. It’s immigrant-owned businesses along Morse Road that are credited with preventing the widespread vacancies that were feared when the mall closed in 2002. According to neighborhood groups, ethnic stores sprinkled amid national discount chains have created a diverse destination that is attracting traffic and thus more businesses.

David Walker, a cultural geographer at Ohio Wesleyan University, has a word for it: “Immigrantification,” or gentrification by immigrants.

Click Here to read more.

Why immigration matters: 50 reasons

Jeff Gauger,The Executive Editor of the Canton Repository listed 50 reasons why immigration is important to him.  In an area that has a strong Latino impact in economic growth (with Robert Torres as City of Canton, Director of Developement and Kim Perez as Stark County Auditor) there are many more reasons why immigration should be important to him as well as all residents of Stark County. Below are some favorites from Gauge's list.

August 23, 2010, Canton Repository
Immigration has gotten a bad rap. Which is too bad. Here are 50 reasons immigration is important to me:

Madeleine Albright, first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state, for President Bill Clinton. Born in Czechoslovakia.
Irving Berlin, composer and lyricist. Born in Russia.
Sergey Brin, computer scientist, co-founder of Google. Born in what was then the Soviet Union.
St. Frances X. Cabrini, co-founder of the Order of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, missionary among immigrants in New York City, founder of orphanages in the United States. Born in Italy.
Fernando Caldeiro, U.S. astronaut. Born in Argentina.
Andrew Carnegie, businessman and philanthropist. Born in Scotland.
Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist who transformed science with his theory of special relativity, Nobel laureate. Born in Germany.
Gloria Estefan, singer, songwriter. Born in Cuba.
Enrico Fermi, physicist who helped develop the first nuclear reactor while at the University of Chicago; Nobel laureate. Born in Italy.
Felix Frankfurter, U.S. Supreme Court justice. Born in Austria.
Greta Garbo, movie actor. Born in Sweden.
Marcario Garcia, staff sergeant during World War II, recipient of the Medal of Honor for action in Germany. Born in Mexico.
Andrew Grove, founder of Intel. Born in Hungary.
Henry Kissinger, political scientist, national security adviser to President Richard Nixon and later secretary of state for Nixon and President Gerald Ford; Nobel laureate. Born in Germany.
Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo, fourth governor of New Mexico, first U.S. senator with roots in Mexico. Born in Mexico.
Yo Yo Ma, virtuoso cellist. Born in France.
Dinaw Mengestu, writer and novelist. Born in Ethiopia.
John Muir, naturalist and early preservationist. Born in Scotland.
Rupert Murdoch, businessman in media, founder, chairman and CEO of News Corp. Born in Australia.
Mohammed Odeh al-Rehaief, Iraqi lawyer who helped rescue prisoner of war Jessica Lynch in 2003 in Iraq. Born in Iraq.
Hakeem Olajuwon, professional basketball player. Born in Nigeria.
I.M. Pei, architect. Born in China.
Wolfgang Puck, chef and restaurant owner. Born in Austria.
Joseph Pulitzer, crusading newspaper publisher. Born in Hungary.
Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer. Born in the Dominican Republic.
Hyman G. Rickover, U.S. four-star admiral who directed development of nuclear propulsion for U.S. Navy submarines. Born in Poland.
Dr. Albert Sabin, developer of an oral polio vaccine. Born in Russia.
Rubén Salazar, newspaper reporter and television news director, martyr for Chicano rights. Born in Mexico.
Jem Spectar, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Born in Cameroon.
Igor Stravinsky, composer and conductor. Born in Russia.
Nikola Tesla, inventor and engineer who made early contributions to the development of electricity. Born in what is now Croatia.
Maria Agatha Franziska Gobertina von Trapp, the real Maria of “The Sound of Music” fame. Born in Austria.
Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo. Born in Taiwan.
Ahmed Zewail, chemist and physicist, professor at the California Institute of Technology; Nobel laureate. Born in Egypt.

For Gauger's Complete list, click here.

Finding It Easier to To Be Cruel Than Taking the Risk of Being Kind

Here is another immigration horror story from our own backyard that demonstrates the inhumanity of the current system:

Father’s final days filled with deportation fears
Sunday, August 22, 2010, By Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch

The Jaars family, shown praying at a 2005 vigil held on their behalf, still is battling deportation. They are, from left, daughter Roslee, son Grant and parents Abraham and Delecia.

A North Side family, fighting for years to remain in the United States, now faces a larger battle.

Abraham Jaars, who left South Africa 24 years ago with his young family amid a fractious apartheid regime, has cancer and precious time left.

Yet efforts to deport him, his wife, and their son and daughter persist, despite a judge’s recommendation five years ago that the matter be settled.

“The Jaars(es) are productive members of our society who have come to know this country as their home,” wrote U.S. District Judge R. Guy Cole.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous denial of asylum, and Cole agreed with the technical legal reasons for that decision. But he said “this result appears pointless and unjust.”

Abraham, 68, his wife, Delecia, and grown children Roslee and Grant have had nothing more than a traffic ticket since they left South Africa in 1986 on six-month visitor visas. They own a house and cars, paid their taxes and are active in their church, said Ryan Mowry, a friend of the family’s.

Cole had encouraged federal immigration officials to, “at a minimum, consider indefinitely deferring enforcement,” according to court records.

But that hasn’t happened, said the family’s attorney, Dennis Muchnicki.

“They have been fighting it tooth and nail,” he said of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, “and never attempted to resolve the matter.”

The family members have said they inadvertently overstayed their visas by two years but sought asylum based on persecution under apartheid. Mr. and Mrs. Jaars are multiracial.

Five years ago, Rob Baker, former field-office director for detention and removal operations in the Detroit office of ICE, delayed deportation by one year but promised nothing more.

“I can't have personal feelings about these cases, about whether they’re being wronged or not,” Baker said then . “I really have to use the law and follow it to the best of my ability.”

Click here for the entire story.
.

Immigration is a complex human, economic issue

August 17, 2010, Middletown Journal Guest Column by Tony Klimek, a resident of West Chester Twp., and a member of the Central Committee of the Butler County Democratic Party.

America is a land of immigrants. Immigrants are part of our country and have contributed to our culture and economy. However, our immigration policy has not kept pace with a rapidly changing world.

Reform is needed to meet the needs of a globalized economy. We must implement reform that respects the dignity of human life, addresses the complexity of the issue, and strengthens our country.

We must move beyond the simplistic refrain of “illegals have no rights and should be sent back.” Human beings cannot be “illegal.” The label dehumanizes and attempts to justify treating immigrants as subhuman objects without rights.

Throughout history, authoritarian societies and politicians have dehumanized minorities to remove their rights, justify their exploitation, and create fear. History is repeating itself in Arizona, Butler County and across the country. We must seek solutions through dialogue and respect; we should not use fear and bigotry to exploit the vulnerable in our society for political gain.

To characterize and label a human being as illegal is contrary to our country’s founding principles, and inconsistent with the religious teaching that man was created in the image of God. Everyone has a right to work to provide for themselves and their family. To deny that right is a betrayal of humanity.
Click here for full column.
.

Wadsworth Update: Whatever you do may seem insignificant ...

...but it is most important that you do it. (Gandhi)

And today's victory has demonstrated this principle.  At tonight's meeting a majority of the City Council voted to withdraw the Resolution No. 10-10, which would have supported Arizona's SB 1070. The votes were as follows:
In favor of withdrawal of the Resolution:
Beth Workman (R)
Tim Eberling (R)
Susan Hanlon (R)
John Sharkey (D)
Against withdrawal of the Resolution:
Bruce Darlington (R) (sponsor of Resolution)
Dennis Shultz (R)
Jim Riley (R) (sponsor of Resolution)

There were many residents of Wadsworth that spoke against the resolution as well as others from faith-based organizations that came from nearby areas such as Akron, Wooster and Apple Creek -- thanks to the organizing efforts of Church World Service! And thanks to everyone who made calls and sent emails!!!

To read news coverage of the Council meeting click here.

Lead by Example: Letter to Wadsworth City Council

Thank you to our ally and friend Farhad Sethna who wrote the letter below.  Please consider doing the same!  Scroll down to the August 10 Action Alert for the contact information of the Wadsworth City Council.

Respected Wadsworth City Council Members:

            I am writing this letter to voice my opposition to the proposed Resolution No. 10-10 for the reasons set forth below.

            As background, I am an adjunct professor at the University of Akron School of  Law and in addition I teach a class on Immigration Law, Crimes and Justice in the Justice Studies program at Kent State University.  I also have owned and operated my own immigration law practice for over the last 15 years being privileged to represent hundreds, if not thousands, of immigrants to achieve the American dream.

             I was surprised and shocked to hear that the City of Wadsworth- given its strong immigrant roots had introduced Resolution No. 10-10.  In fact, the home page of the City of Wadsworth website proclaims the humble immigrant beginnings of the City of Wadsworth and the hard work and dedication of its pioneering immigrant founders.  Therefore, it comes as a distinct surprise that a city with such strong immigrant roots now takes an anti-immigrant stance of this nature.

             It is unquestionable that we all as Americans want to have an orderly system of laws and government.  Indeed, our constitution is founded on a premise of a “government of laws, not of men”.  Unfortunately, the Arizona legislation tilts that mandate in the favor of men and away from laws.  By making it necessary for a police officer to inquire about the immigration status of any person who the officer deems “illegal”, the law allows an impermissible blurring between a police officer’s role to protect and serve versus criminalizing the victim or the complainant.  Further, the law is invidious in that it clearly allows for racial profiling by allowing officers to inquire about immigration statuses of people who they suspect are undocumented.  In my class at Kent, I teach from a book in which one of the chapters in tellingly titled “What does an undocumented alien look like?”.     

             Let us turn to cost.  The costs of apprehending and deporting every undocumented alien in the State of Arizona- even if it were possible- are enormous.  These costs range in the tens to the hundreds of millions of dollars in enforcement alone, not counting losses to the State in the form of taxes, lack of opportunities, and losses to businesses.  Rather than concentrate law enforcement on apprehending violent gangs, criminals and human traffickers, Arizona would rather spend its resources on attempting to identify and deport undocumented day laborers and migrant workers struggling to feed their families. In most cases- these workers- make no mistake- are doing jobs that no American worker would want to do.

             While the Resolution quotes from the “Federation for American Immigration Reform” (FAIR), it should also take note of the various other studies that have been released by non-partisan groups including the newspapers and University of Arizona studies which identify the true cost of deportation and the estimated economic losses arising from such measures.  Those estimates would, in my professional opinion, give a more “fair” assessment of the economic impact.  For comprehensive list, please visit: 

  http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/special-reports/qa-guide-arizonas-new-immigration-law

             Law enforcement officers in Arizona have themselves decried SB 1070.  It would take away from their ability to actually apprehend violent criminals who will go unchecked because “illegals” would be afraid to report them.  Therefore, SB 1070 really makes Arizona (and the rest of the nation) less safe by providing cover for violent criminals, including drug traffickers, human traffickers, child abusers, pimps, and all other manner of violent and depraved offenders.

             The Resolution is incorrect in proposing that the law requires only aliens to carry documents.  If a police officers stops an individual and inquires about their immigration status, if that person does not have proof of their citizenship, how is that person supposed to prove their citizenship, lawful permanent resident, or any other legal status in the United States?  The agencies of the US Government provide a plethora of documents which indicate legal status.  Are we now expecting the average law enforcement officer on the street to become an expert in recognizing and understanding immigration documents?  Imagine the burden on law enforcement, a burden it can ill afford given these tough economic times.  Who is going to pay for and house these hundreds if not thousands of undocumented aliens?

             To conclude, lets us now turn to the City of Wadsworth.  I am guaranteeing you that there are undocumented aliens working within the City of Wadsworth.  Indeed, I have represented employers in Wadsworth who have struggled to find US workers and have been unsuccessful.  The problem lies not with the undocumented worker.  The problem lies with the fact that we do not have workers to do jobs that our economy requires. 

             I personally obtain services from at least two businesses in Wadsworth.  If this Resolution passes, I will be certain to indicate my disapproval to both these entities and any others with which I do business in Wadsworth.  The time has come for us all-in the words of President George Bush- to determine whether we are either “for or against” actions which harm America.  Decent, hardworking immigrants- while undocumented- help the American economy at a difficult time.  These aliens are for America and the American way of life.  They are the new blood that can rejuvenate our flagging economy.  Immigrants are a driving force for economic growth- see http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/new-americans-buckeye-state for details about the value of immigration to Ohio. President Bush had a strong vision for immigration, but unfortunately one which could not pass the bitter rancor and divide even among the Republican party.  Indeed, until facing a recent tough primary battle, Senator John McCain was one of the chief proponents of immigration reform.  Unfortunately, it appears that “Tea Party” like politics has curbed any reasonable and logical debate on most matters, including immigration.  This resolution is a prime example of such a knee-jerk reaction to “tea bag” rhetoric.

             Rather than commending the unconstitutional and factually bankrupt assertions of extremist views, it would be better to use our energy to further immigration to the State of Ohio in order to create jobs, develop business, and grow our economy.  We are losing population at a rapid rate.  Clearly this is because Ohio does not afford the opportunities that people are seeking.  If we were to make Ohio a destination for the new economy, for clean power, for alternative energy sources, for education, and healthcare, we would once again bring back the vitality which drove Ohio to the forefront of our nation’s economy less than a century ago.  Rather than praise Arizona’s SB 1070, Wadsworth City Counsel should condemn it and simultaneously propose some methods to attract and keep business in the City of Wadsworth and in Northeast Ohio in general.

             I will be very happy to discuss this matter with you via telephone or in person anytime.  Please feel free to contact me with your questions and comments.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Fernando's Hideaway

Originally posted on the AILA Leadership Blog

By David Leopold, AILA President and Crystal Williams, AILA Executive Director

Washington reminds us Fernando Lamas, the Saturday Night Live character played by Billy Crystal who would interview various celebrities, often confusing them with someone else.  Always during the interview he would say, "You look mahvelous" and the sketch would end with, "It's better to look good than to feel good."

In Washington, it’s all about looking good too.  It doesn’t matter what the reality of any given situation might be.  All that matters is how it looks so that it can be packaged into a talking head sound bite and sold to the American public lock, stock, and barrel.

In the national “debate” on immigration, it’s all about looking good too.  It doesn’t matter if what is being said is accurate, or if what is being proposed is effective.  It only matters if someone notices you look tough on immigrants, even if what you propose or pass does nothing to fix our broken immigration system.

So we get a Senator once known for his integrity and thoughtfulness suddenly making up a phenomenon that doesn’t exist (“drop and leave”) and using it as a basis to argue that we ought to make stateless persons of innocent babies born in the U.S. to foreign nationals.  Then we get a group of Senators who only days ago stood for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform suddenly proposing—and passing—an enforcement-only measure that offers no solutions and accomplishes nothing more than adding to the national deficit.

In the meantime, we have approximately 11 million people, the vast majority of whom are here for no reason other than to better their lives and the lives of their families, living in the shadows and vulnerable to exploitation.  We have an over-taxed deportation system that can’t seem to figure out which way to turn.  We have a immigration detention apparatus in which 113 people have perished since 2003.  We have politicians all out-promising and under-delivering.  Nothing is fixed.  No progress is made.

It’s time to stop worrying about how it looks and start looking at how it works.  We know what needs to be done.  Now, will our so-called national leadership show a little courage and do it?  Or will they pretend, like Fernando did, that everything just looks “mahvelous."

Action Alert: Wadsworth Pro-Arizona Resolution

On August 3rd, Wadsworth City Council had a second reading of a pro-Arizona, anti-immigrant resolution.  A local group, Wadsworth 9.12 paired with the Grassroots Rally Team (a group connected with FAIR) to have a room full of supporters of the resolution.  We need to counter their efforts!  For more information about the resolution, please view the Medina Gazette article by clicking here.
 

What can you commit to?  We need people to:

• Attend the next meeting (third reading) on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 7:00 p.m at Wadsworth City Hall. (Let me know if you need a ride. We will leave at 5:00 from Columbus).
  
• Make a phone call (330-335-2759) for the clerk of Council)
• Send an email (emails below).
• Contact anyone you know in the Wadsworth area (and other areas) and share this information. Ask them if they can commit to any of the above actions.

Not from Wadsworth?  Well, as MLK said, "Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere."

 

List of Wadsworth City Council members:

Mayor Robin Laubaugh 

E-mail: rlaubaugh@wadsworthcity.org

Tom Palecek, President of Council

E-mail: tpalecek@wadsnet.com

Jim Riley, Council At-Large

E-mail: jriley1@wadsnet.com

Susan Hanlon, Council At-Large

E-mail: schanlon@wadsnet.com

Beth Workman, Council At-Large

Phone: 330-703-1551  

E-mail: bworkman@soprema.us

Tim Eberling, Ward 1

E-mail: roadhouse@wadsnet.com

Dennis Shultz, Ward 2

E-mail: dshultz@wadsnet.com

John Sharkey, Ward 3  

E-mail: jsharkeyjr@yahoo.com

Bruce Darlington, Ward 4

E-mail: bdarlington1933@verizon.net

A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN REGARD TO ARIZONA SENATE BILL 1070 AMENDED BY ARIZONA HOUSE BILL 2162 ENACTED TO ASSIST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN ENFORCING UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION LAWS

WHEREAS, this Council believes strongly in the integrity of the borders of the United States and that the federal government has a duty to protect these borders, including regulating the numbers and the qualifications for entrance into the country; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has failed in its role to protect our borders from an unprecedented number of illegal aliens entering our country; and

WHEREAS, the State of Arizona is in the unusual and unfortunate position of enduring the vast majority of illegal border crossings and suffering from the narcotics trafficking into our country; and

WHEREAS, the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates that 500,000 illegal aliens live in the State of Arizona; and

WHEREAS, after considering both Fiscal Costs and Fiscal Revenues, it is estimated that illegal aliens cost the State over $2.7 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, the State of Arizona has passed Arizona Senate Bill 1070, which was amended by Arizona House Bill 2162, to assist the federal government in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws; and

WHEREAS, the Arizona law requires its law enforcement officers to verify a person’s immigration status with the federal government if the officer has a reasonable suspicion to believe that the person is unlawfully in the United States, and

WHEREAS, the Arizona law expressly prohibits the use of racial profiling and is designed to help enforce the nation’s immigration laws in a way that does not violate anyone’s civil rights, and

WHEREAS, the Arizona law requires aliens to register for and carry documents with them that the federal law already requires such aliens to possess and does not require United States citizens to carry any documents;  

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WADSWORTH, STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1.  That this Council hereby expresses its support for the people of Arizona who must endure the direct consequences of our federal government’s failure in protecting our borders. This Council further applauds and thanks Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and the Arizona State Legislature for protecting its citizens when the federal government has refused to do so.

Section 2.  That the Clerk of Council shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and to the clerks of the Arizona House of Representatives and the Arizona Senate.

 

Tell Ohio Sen. John Carey to Focus on a Real Solution

Ohio will do what it can until federal government tackles immigration reform
 BY JOHN CAREY • August 6, 2010

 Read Full article in the Chillicothe Gazette.

. . . On March 24, my colleagues and I approved Senate Bill 35, legislation that directs the Ohio Attorney General to pursue a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Attorney General under the federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that would allow state law enforcement officers, who receive special training, to help enforce federal immigration laws in Ohio. It is important to note that the law specifies that no law enforcement officer may enforce federal immigration rules unless they have completed the necessary training, and nothing in the bill requires police to participate in this training.

That same day, the Senate also passed Senate Bill 150, a proposal that would give local law enforcement greater flexibility to assist federal immigration officials in the deportation of illegal aliens in Ohio.

Under current law, a county sheriff has the authority to arrest and detain illegal immigrants who violate a criminal provision of federal immigration law. However, this authority does not extend to civil provisions of the law, which includes matters of deportation. This limitation has left many local law enforcement officers with their hands tied in trying to address the illegal immigration problem in their communities.

SB 150 would allow local sheriffs to seek an agreement with the federal office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help in the investigation, apprehension and detention of illegal aliens who violate civil and criminal provisions of federal immigration law. In addition, the bill would allow local sheriffs, at the direction of their county commissioners and upon the request of federal immigration officials, to receive into custody anyone who is being detained for deportation or charged with a civil violation of federal immigration law. Like SB 35, nothing in SB 150 requires local police to enforce federal immigration laws or take suspected illegal aliens into custody.

In addition, after officials from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation testified before the Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee last fall that the agency does not currently check to see if injured workers are authorized to work in the United States before paying out benefits, legislation was introduced in the Senate to address the issue. Senate Bill 238, which passed the Senate in May, would require every injured worker in Ohio to prove to the BWC that he or she is authorized to work in this country, ensuring that the money companies are paying into the system now is only being used to cover the injury claims of employees who are legally authorized to work in the U.S.

America is a nation of immigrants, and I think most Americans believe that people from other countries who want to live and work here legally, should have a path to do so. However, illegal immigration poses a threat to our national security and financial stability and should not be tolerated. Until the federal government tackles immigration reform, Ohio, and other states, will continue to do everything possible to protect taxpayer resources and keep their local communities safe.

SB 35, SB 150 and SB 238 are all pending in the Ohio House. For more information, please visit the Ohio General Assembly website at www.legislature. state.oh.us.

John Carey, a Wellston Republican is the state senator for the 17th District, which includes Pike and Ross counties. To view his website click here. He can be reached at (614) 466-8156 or Email: SD17@senate.state.oh.us.


Dear Senator Carey,


State and local immigration enforcement measures waste valuable state resources on a federal responsibility and create mistrust in immigrant communities, leading to rising crime, while they DO NOT solve the immigration problem.

Furthermore, the BWC bill ignores employer responsibility in favor of placing the blame on the easy target and while burdening the entire public.


 If you, Senator Carey, really wanted to aide in the solution, you would should spend your time talking to your Congressional representatives about comprehensive immigration reform instead of this kind of obvious political pandering.

Sincerely,
Name

DREAM of an Act

DREAM of an act

Here's an immigration bill that deserves bipartisan support

Published on Thursday, Aug 05, 2010

Akron Beacon Journal
http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/100008694.html

Congress is not about to embark on comprehensive immigration reform less than three months away from midterm elections. Even if it did, the chances are slim to nil the legislative debate would yield rational solutions to the country's complex immigration problems. Sen. Arlen Specter observed recently that ''the political pandering on the immigration issue has reached the hysterical level.''

Indeed, it has. The disgrace of it is that otherwise reasonable lawmakers, such as South Carolina's Sen. Lindsey Graham, have jumped on the anti-immigration bandwagon, among other ploys targeting for repeal the 14th Amendment, which, since the 1860s, has guaranteed citizenship to those born or naturalized in the United States. And all this at a time when the U.S. economy needs to attract and develop the vital energies and capabilities that hard-driving, motivated immigrants bring.

None of this is to deny that the country has an immigration problem. Estimates are that more than 11 million people are living here illegally. The vast majority of them come searching for political and economic security and are prepared for the hard work to secure the future for their families.

The realistic objective, especially for a country that cherishes its roots as a nation of immigrants, is to create a process that would simplify and encourage legal residency and citizenship. If Congress lacks the appetite to do battle now on comprehensive legislation, it certainly can take up a more manageable aspect of the problem: a means to legalize the status of children who are illegal residents through no decisions of their own.

That is the purpose of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minority Act, the most recent version of which was introduced in 2009. Better known as the DREAM Act, the bill proposes that children who were brought into the country before they were 16 years old earn conditional residency status if they have lived here at least five years, are of ''good moral character'' and have earned a high school degree or equivalent. After six years, they can apply for permanent residency if they have completed at least two years of post-secondary education or military service.

The bill offers these youths the incentives they need to develop into productive contributors, a pool of talent the country should not reject.

Congress is not about to embark on comprehensive immigration reform less than three months away from midterm elections. Even if it did, the chances are slim to nil the legislative debate would yield rational solutions to the country's complex immigration problems. Sen. Arlen Specter observed recently that ''the political pandering on the immigration issue has reached the hysterical level.''

Indeed, it has. The disgrace of it is that otherwise reasonable lawmakers, such as South Carolina's Sen. Lindsey Graham, have jumped on the anti-immigration bandwagon, among other ploys targeting for repeal the 14th Amendment, which, since the 1860s, has guaranteed citizenship to those born or naturalized in the United States. And all this at a time when the U.S. economy needs to attract and develop the vital energies and capabilities that hard-driving, motivated immigrants bring.

None of this is to deny that the country has an immigration problem. Estimates are that more than 11 million people are living here illegally. The vast majority of them come searching for political and economic security and are prepared for the hard work to secure the future for their families.

The realistic objective, especially for a country that cherishes its roots as a nation of immigrants, is to create a process that would simplify and encourage legal residency and citizenship. If Congress lacks the appetite to do battle now on comprehensive legislation, it certainly can take up a more manageable aspect of the problem: a means to legalize the status of children who are illegal residents through no decisions of their own.

That is the purpose of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minority Act, the most recent version of which was introduced in 2009. Better known as the DREAM Act, the bill proposes that children who were brought into the country before they were 16 years old earn conditional residency status if they have lived here at least five years, are of ''good moral character'' and have earned a high school degree or equivalent. After six years, they can apply for permanent residency if they have completed at least two years of post-secondary education or military service.

The bill offers these youths the incentives they need to develop into productive contributors, a pool of talent the country should not reject.

Update on Wadsworth and Toledo Immigration Resolutions

Wadsworth – The City Council considered a resolution, Res. No. 10-10, “to support the State of Arizona in regard to Arizona Senate Bill 1070” but they did not yet vote on the resolution. It was submitted for a third reading. Public commentary lasted about two and half hours and most of the presence there was from the Wadsorth 9.12 group as well as the Grassroots Rally Team. Many local community members were also opposed to the resolution, with comments ranging from “this is despicable,” to “I agree with the Arizona bill but this is not the place for City Council” to warnings from residents that they will leave if the City passes such a divisive resolution (one resident making such a comment was a ‘legal immigrant.’) The resolution presumably will be voted upon at the next meeting on Tuesday, August 17th.

Toledo – The Toledo Resolution “calls upon the President of the United States, the United States Congress and encourages the Ohio General Assembly and the Governor to enact and support comprehensive immigration reform that will for the State of Ohio address the issues of undocumented immigration at its’ roots and will keep families together and uphold our values as Americans and promote sound and sustainable economic growth.” The resolution passed, with the council voting 10-2 Tuesday night, with councilmen Tom Waniewski and Rob Ludeman dissenting. Click here for the full article.

Who Doesn't Have Cojones?

Originally published on the AILA Leadership Blog

She’s going to do all that she can to continue down the litigation path to allow secure borders…Jan Brewer has the “cojones” that our president does not have to  look out for Americans, not just Arizonans, but all Americans, in this desire of ours to secure our borders and allow legal immigration to help build this country, as was the purpose of the immigration laws

Guess who said that? Who else but Sarah Palin!

The half-term—“I can serve the people of Alaska better on Fox News”—Governor of Alaska was on Fox News Sunday (where else?) talking about Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s losing court battle to revive the moribund S.B. 1070 “show me your papers” law.

Catchy sound bites, especially when made on the safety of a facebook page or in a Fox News studio, are pretty easy to construct.  It gets a little more difficult when you try to mix in facts.

Sarah Palin, Governor Jan Brewer, and others who claim Obama doesn’t have the “cojones” to enforce the immigration law may want to read yesterday’s TRAC Immigration Report.  According to the report “newly-released figures from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) show that during the first nine months of FY 2010, more non-US citizens were removed from the country than during any similar period in the Bush Administration.”  The report also shows that the “sharp increases in ICE detention and removal of non-U.S. citizens had been accomplished largely by catching noncitizens who had not committed any crimes in this country but who had either crossed the border illegally or had overstayed their visas.”  TRAC also reports a current shift in targeting to noncitizens who have committed crimes in this country.  ICE “has already broken all previous records, and climbed to an all-time high,” according to TRAC.  In fact, under Obama, the removal pace of criminal aliens is 60% higher than under the last year of the Bush administration.

To be sure, I have serious questions about whether ICE is actually engaging in smart enforcement.  Who is really being removed? Is ICE really focusing on terrorists, violent criminals, and drug dealers?  Or are they continuing to inflate the statistics by removing unfortunate folks that somehow got caught in the web of America’s dysfunctional immigration system?  And, like many others, I am also eagerly awaiting signs of significant improvements in the dysfunctional ICE detention apparatus which has claimed the lives of 113 immigrants since 2003.

Yet, to brazenly claim that Obama is soft on immigration enforcement is pure demagoguery.   But I guess speaking the truth takes “cojones.”

Representative Combs after the Injunction

States rethink illegal immigrant bills after Arizona ruling
By Alan Gomez
USA Today, August 02, 2010

Phoenix - Legislators who wanted to bring an Arizona-style immigration law to their own states are changing course after a federal judge temporarily halted the core of Arizona's law.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled last week that key portions of the law could not go into effect, prompting an immediate appeal from Republican Gov. Jan Brewer that could end up before the Supreme Court.

Courtney Combs, a Republican state representative in Ohio, was planning to file a nearly identical bill this week but says he will remove the parts Bolton blocked to avert the possibility of a lawsuit.
Filing an Arizona-style bill "would be wasting taxpayers' money," Combs says. "I think we need to make sure that we comply with what the federal courts come up with." Read full article.
.

Wadsworth, OH Will Consider Resolution Supporting Arizona

Last week the City Council of Wadsworth voted to place a Pro-Arizona/Anti-immigrant resolution on the agenda for a second reading and vote at the next council meeting on August 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
(To view an article regarding the resolution, click here.)
If you can attend, the meeting info is the following:
When: Meeting starts at 7:30.
Where: Wadsworth City Hall, 120 Maple Street, Wadsworth, Ohio 44282.
 In the alternative, please call. 330-335-2759 (couldn't find an email).

Toledo city council may take up illegal immigration issue

It looks like Toledo city council may once again take up the issue of illegal immigration. Two weeks ago, the mayor broke a tie and voted against a council resolution condemning Arizona's new law.

One councilmember who voted against the resolution last time has created a new resolution he thinks is more relevant. Despite budget issues and unemployment, Toledo city council will once again tackle illegal immigration.
Councilman Mike Collins voted against the original resolution because he felt it needed to be more relevant to Ohio. So he's proposing a new measure for consideration. He says, "It touches on the events that took place in Arizona, but the focus goes directly toward Columbus."
Collins resolution differs from the last one in that it calls for sanctions against "perpetrators of human trafficking" and asks Ohio's governor and general assembly to reject measures similar to Arizona's law. "He sent it to me and I looked at it and I said a lot of this stuff looks pretty good."
Click here to read entire story.