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The Daily News
4/30/07
National Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska unveiled an alternative immigration plan to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. Under Hagel’s plan illegal immigrants would be evaluated on a point system. Those who accumulated sufficient points would be eligible for a green card. The evaluation of an immigrant would encompass work history, education level, the family’s English proficiency, civic engagement in the community, and length of time spent in the U.S. Those who qualify for a green card would have to wait in line behind those who have legally applied. In addition, eligible immigrants would have to pay $2,000 in fines and fees, pass background checks, learn English and U.S. history, pay back taxes, and register for the Selective Service if applicable. The Columbus Online Community
Reuters reports that a bipartisan group of senators is working to find a compromise on immigration reform. Immigration reform has proven a contentious issue; one that must be balanced between those who favor a path for citizenship for illegal immigrants to conservatives who do not want anything that even appears like amnesty. The Senate majority leader has scheduled the issue for debate in the U.S. Senate during the final weeks of May. Reuters
Kansas English could become the official language of the state of Kansas in a bill sent to the governor on Friday. Under the bill, no government agency has to provide documents or hold meetings in any language other than English.WIBW CBS 13
The Daily News
4/25/07
Missouri Saint Louis County Associate Circuit Judge Barbara Ann Crancer set a date of September 13 for a hearing on Valley Park’s immigration ordinance that prohibits landlords from renting to illegal aliens. The judge left a temporary order in effects that bars the city from denying occupancy licenses to those who rent to illegal aliens. It seems difficult to understand how the city could turn apartment managers into de facto immigration agents. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch
National “U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) in introducing legislation that creates 10 new permanent and temporary federal judgeships for the U.S. District Courts to deal with the backlog of immigration-related cases. Under the definitions in the bill, Arizona would receive five of the 10 new judgeships - four permanent and one temporary. ‘Increasing numbers of apprehensions along the Southwest border have led to a tremendous backlog of immigration-related cases in the federal courts,’ said Kyl. ‘Adding more judges to the courts where the backlog is the greatest, as this bill does, will help alleviate the burden on our court system.’” The Daily Dispatch
Indiana A former employee of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles pleaded guilty to charges of bribery was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday. Julian Marie Sanchez sold various BMV documents to people with false social security numbers. South Bend Tribune
The Daily News
4/24/07
California Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 13 suspected illegal workers at Eagle Bag Corporation Friday. The workers apparently were using stolen social security numbers. A government audit revealed that an astonishing 47 out of 80 employees at Eagle had submitted counterfeit immigration documents with false alien registration numbers used to obtain work. Thirty-three employees were allegedly using stolen social security numbers. The company faces no charges at this time. CBS5.Com KPIX TV
Minnesota Minnesota’s Republican governor, Republican Gov.
Tim Pawlenty, has promised to veto an education bill that amongst other things allows
undocumented aliens who have completed high school to pay in-state-tuition rates. The Minnesota Daily
Nevada The State Senate passed a bill early this week making English the state’s official language. All official proceedings must be conducted in English if the resolution is approved by the State House and the governor. PR Newswire
National The Associated Press reports that Republicans in the Senate may be softening their position on immigration reform perhaps allowing reduced penalties for illegal aliens seeking to change their immigration status. What is clear is that time is running out in the House and the Senate to reach a compromise on immigration reform. It appears more unlikely each day that any reform measure will pass this year. Next year is even less likely with a presidential election on the horizon. ABC6.com
The Daily News
4/23/07
Arizona According to the Verde Independent, a bill that would forbid people from soliciting labor on the streets is headed for passage in the Arizona legislature. The bill would make it a misdemeanor to solicit labor on private property or in a right of way. The measure is undoubtedly directed against undocumented immigrants. The Verde Independent
National According to the Helicopter Association International, the House is going to conduct two hearings on immigration reform this week. Within every major proposal is some kind of electronic verification of employees’ identity. One proposal calls for tamper-proof Social Security Cards with biometric identifiers. The House will likely try and reach a compromise between the Strive Act and the President’s immigration reform proposal. Helicopter Association International
North Carolina Three sheriffs have decided to use a federal program that allows them to house illegal aliens in their prisons while awaiting deportation proceedings. The counties receive $66 a night for each illegal they hold. Sheriffs in Mecklenburg and Gaston counties also check the immigration status of foreigners that are arrested. WRAL.Com
Colorado “Colorado State troopers started a five-week training program Tuesday to learn how to perform limited immigration enforcement. Twenty-two troopers will be trained in immigration law, civil rights issues, spotting fake documents and how to use immigration databases", said Jeffrey Copp, special agent in charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Investigation in Denver. http://www.rockymountainnews
.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299 ,DRMN_15_5502041,00.html
The Daily News
4/22/07
Arizona A local business owner is trying to get Payson, Arizona’s immigration ordinance on the ballot so that the voters can decide the issue. The ordinance requires anyone who wants a business license or wants to renew a business license to sign an affidavit stating that they don’t hire illegal aliens. A business can lose its license for hiring illegal aliens. Jim Hill, a local business owner, does not think that he can determine if documents are legitimate or false. He apparently hopes that voters will repeal the ordinance. For example, he says that if someone presents a Nebraska birth certificate, how could he determine if it is legitimate? He has never seen one before. The Payson Roundup
California The San Francisco Chief of Police reaffirmed the city’s status as a sanctuary city. One community activist says that some people are afraid to call the police because they think that the police could be cooperating with ICE. ABC News 7
A bill that would prohibit local governments from passing ordinances that bar landlords from renting to illegal aliens was advanced Tuesday by the State Assembly Judiciary Committee. In February, Calderon introduced Assembly Bill 976 that "would prohibit a city, county, or city and county from requiring a landlord to, among other things, compile, disclose, report, provide, or otherwise take any action regarding a tenant or a prospective tenant based on the immigration or citizenship status of that tenant," according to the bill's summary. North County Times
New Jersey A group of Riverside businesses is attempting to get a permanent injunction to stop the enforcement of the city’s immigration ordinance, which has been temporarily suspended. There will be a hearing on May 14th to determine if there are any reasons that the injunction should not be granted. The ordinance passed last year prohibits landlords from renting to illegal aliens or businesses from hiring them. Cherry Hill Courier Post
Illinois Hampshire, Illinois, passed an English only ordinance. The city simply doesn’t want to spend money to put things in Spanish. The Northwest Herald
Rhode Island The town of Lincoln, Rhode Island, rejected an immigration ordinance late last week that would have prohibited landlords from renting to illegal aliens and revoked business licenses of those who could not prove that their workers are legal. WLNE, ABC TV 6
Texas “Local police would be required to enforce immigration law if they want state money to fight border crime under a bill approved by a State House Committee today.” The bill would require localities to turn over suspected illegal immigrants to ICE. El Paso Times
The Monitor says, “But the bill itself says cities cannot adopt policies or ordinances that say they won’t “fully enforce the laws of this state or federal law relating to: drugs ... or immigrants or immigration.”If they do, they won’t get the money. “ The Monitor
National To illustrate how paramount the issue of immigration reform is, Government Technology reports, “State legislators in all 50 states are considering nearly three times the number of immigration-related bills than they were this time last year, according a new report from the National Conference of State Legislatures. At least 1,169 pieces of legislation designed to address immigration or immigrant-related issues have been introduced in all 50 states which is more than twice the total number of bills considered during 2006.” Government Technology
The Daily News
4/17/07
Colorado The general manager and two other employees of Worley & McCullough Inc., a potato farm in Colorado that was raided by Immigration agents on Monday, were arrested on six charges of “running a scheme to provide fake identification documents to illegal immigrants who worked on the farm.” My Fox Colorado
Florida A bill that would have created penalties for businesses that knowingly hire illegal workers was resoundingly defeated in the State House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. A number of members are involved in the agricultural business. Some members believe that it is not up to the state of Florida to regulate immigration. The Houston Chronicle
Tennessee The State Senate passed a bill that will require businesses to
verify that all new hires are in the country legally. Basically, the bill mandates
that all businesses that operate in the state must participate in Basic Pilot, the federal
government’s voluntary program that uses a database to match names, Social Security
numbers, birthdates, and other information presented by employees. The bill only
requires employers to check employees who they are required to issue a W-2 for. http://www.wlns.com/Global
“Legislation that provides for enforcement of immigration laws by local law enforcement agencies is advancing despite considerable criticism, including contentions that it violates federal law and cannot be implemented. The bill cleared a crucial hurdle Tuesday when the House Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee approved. The measure - SB2318/HB1983 - faces a Senate floor vote Thursday.” Knoxnews State News
Ohio Seven Hispanic men suspected of being in the U.S. illegally were taken into custody Wednesday while they were laying carpet in a school in Martins Ferry, Ohio. They were working for a subcontractor from the Columbus area. KTRF 7, CBS Affiliate, Wheeling, West VA
South Carolina The State Senate passed legislation Wednesday to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. “Under the proposal, any business that has a contract with state or local governments must check the legal status of employees through a federal program and hire only employees who show identification issued by either South Carolina or another state with strict license requirements.” The bill also requires anyone 18 or over to verify that they are a citizen or legally in the country. WLNS.Com News 6
California ICE arrested 9 suspected illegal immigrants working on a military base in San Diego Thursday. The employees who worked for a subcontractor had fake green cards. “The arrested employees were all Mexican nationals working for Classic Party Rentals, an events-management firm that has access to the base, one of a dozen or so military installations in the San Diego area.” Reuters
The Daily News
4/17/07
Wisconsin The city of Green Bay is planning on considering an ordinance that will require businesses or individuals that apply for or renew a business license to promise that “they are here legally and won’t hire any illegals.” In addition, Tuesday, “the council approved liquor license transfers to four applicants under the condition that the applicants promise to hire no undocumented workers.” The city thinks that it needs to send a message that lawbreakers are not welcome in Green Bay. Green Bay Press Gazette
Colorado Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents conducted a raid early Tuesday morning in Monte Vista, Colorado, arresting 19 suspected illegal immigrants working on a potato farm and processing plant. The name of the company is Worley & McCullough. The Pueblo Chieftain
Ohio Joseph Fulmer, 46, who operates the Stitching Post, a business that sells and repairs sewing machines in Centerville, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to four charges related to hiring illegal aliens.
Encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to come to the United States. (He allegedly made trips to Mexico to recruit illegals.)
Harboring illegal aliens
Fraud and misuse of government documents
Engaging in a pattern of hiring illegal aliens
The federal government is making it clear that those who knowingly hire illegal aliens will face criminal prosecution. cantonrep.com
Texas Legislation, HB 904, has been filed in the State House that would prohibit the state, including local governments, from building or funding day labor centers, places maintained or built to provide day laborers a location to congregate to find work. Representatives do not want the state doing anything to support illegal immigration. House panel considers bill to outlaw day labor centers | News for Austin, Texas | kvue.com | Local News
Arizona The State Senate is considering legislation that will make it a crime to solicit work in public, i.e., on street corners, etc. The bill is intended to make it more difficult for illegal daily laborers to find work and disrupt traffic on the streets. Proposed legislation targets day laborers | www.azstarnet.com ®
The Daily News
4/16/07
Oklahoma In a 41-6 vote Monday, the Oklahoma State Senate passed extensive immigration legislation. The House has already passed the measure. The legislation will create harsher penalties for employers that hire illegal workers and public employers will have to verify that their new employees are legal using Basic Pilot. State and local law enforcement will be required to detain illegal aliens and any person applying for a state ID will have to prove residency or citizenship. The bill-if enacted, will deny government social services such as welfare and healthcare to illegals and create a felony charge for those who harbor, shelter, transport, or conceal illegal aliens. Some describe Oklahoma’s legislation as the toughest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the nation. Talequah Daily Press
Tennessee The Tennessean reports that businesses are coming under increasing pressure to examine new workers’ identification before offering them a job. Small business owners are not able to be document police the article maintains. The state may go even further than federal law as legislation has been proposed to mandate that all employers in Tennessee participate in the federal government’s Basic Pilot Program to help ensure that their workers are legal. The Tennessean
State lawmakers also might pass a law that would make it illegal to fly the flag of another nation above the American flag or the state flag on government property. TriCities.com
Pennsylvania Mayor Barletta of Hazelton is bemoaning the fact that Hazelton Police arrested four illegal aliens in a high speed chase on Sunday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not come to pick up the four because of a shortage in manpower. Two of the illegals were released because the charges against them were not serious. The story appears to be indicative of a nationwide problem with detaining illegal immigrants arrested on criminal charges. See the link below for more details. The Standard Speaker
The Daily News
4/16/07
North Carolina Gaston County decided to end its business relationship with Bank of America, closing its 10 million dollar account. Bank of America has been issuing credit cards in Los Angeles to customers with no social security numbers. The county passed an ordinance last November that was designed to forbid the county from doing business with any contractor that hires illegal aliens. The county doesn’t want to do business with any company that supports illegal immigration in way. WBTV 3, CBS
North Carolina may join the growing list of states cracking down on illegal immigration. A bill has been proposed in the State House, HB 1485, which would require the state to check the immigration status of those charged with crimes or seeking public assistance. The bill would also require businesses operating in the state to verify that their workers are legal. wral.com
Montana The State House rejected an immigration bill that would have stopped the state from doing business with any contractor that knowingly hired illegal immigrants. The Senate had previously approved the measure. Some detractors charged that the bill was too vague and could have penalized law-abiding businesses. The Billings Gazette
National The Gilroy Dispatch reports that there is a serious shortage of agricultural workers nationwide. Bob Moitozo, for example, has over 300 tons of oranges to be picked on his farm in Santa Clara County, California but not enough workers to pick them. Farmers are scaling back on labor intensive fruit and vegetables such as strawberries and oranges nationwide. For more details, see the article below. Gilroy Dispatch
The Daily News
4/12/07
National Democratic presidential candidate Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut in a comment-perhaps indicative of a shift within the Democratic Party on illegal immigration declared that the nation needs severe penalties both civil and criminal against businesses who knowingly hire undocumented workers. It appears less likely that the Democratic Congress is going to be able to pass any kind of immigration reform: the political rewards are few and the risks monumental.
In other national news, the United States Senate passed S 1104 on Thursday which will increase the number of translator visas for Iraqis and Afghanis from 50 to 500. Fox News reports that at the rate ICE is arresting illegals it will take only 23,000 years to arrest them all. Fox News
West Virginia Glendale, West Virginia-The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and city police arrested four men working at a construction site on the suspicion of being illegally in the United States. The police have turned the men over to ICE which will determine if the subcontractor who hired the men will face charges. When the men were apprehended, they could not produce any identification. WTOV 9, NBC Affiliate, Wheeling
Missouri A judge put a 15 day restraining order on a Valley Park Ordinance on Thursday, April 5, that would prohibit landlords from renting to illegal aliens. Some landlords believe that they could be sued for racial profiling if they try to comply with the ordinance. KSDK NewsChannel 5 - Judge Halts Valley Park Immigration Ordinance
The Daily News
4/12/07
North Dakota On Wednesday, in Towner, North Dakota, ICE raided Sandhills Dairy, a family farm owned by the Zimmerman family, and arrested 13 people suspected of being in the United States illegally. Mike Zimmerman, the owner, said that immigration handcuffed his son as he was coming out of the shower, handcuffed his employees, and pointed a gun at the head of his life-time friend. ICE publicly denied his allegations. Mr. Zimmerman indicated that he believed that all workers’ documents had been in order. He is vehemently protesting the way that this raid was conducted. The Minot Daily News
Tennessee The State House Transportation Committee resurrected HB0491 which calls on the State Highway Patrol to enforce immigration laws. The bill would enable the Highway Patrol to negotiate with Homeland Security to train officers to enforce immigration law in the course of their duties. The Senate passed its version earlier this year. The Tennessean
National Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) proposed legislation called “SKIL” (Securing Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership Bill) that would “exempt from the H1-B visa quotas U.S. educated foreign workers with advanced degrees in math, science, technology and engineering fields. The bill would also create a market-based H-1B cap, expanding or decreasing depending on demand.” Internetnews.com
The Daily News
4/11/07
National Marketplace reports that over 18,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested in worksite raids since May. This figure makes is exceedingly clear that businesses cannot afford to haphazardly hire large numbers of illegal aliens; the risk is too great. Marketplace also reports that there has been a 40% increase in participation in the Basic Pilot Program since June. The bottom line is that business is starting to take compliance with immigration law a lot more seriously. People are facing felony charges for knowingly hiring illegal workers. The federal government is much more serious about enforcing immigration laws. The figures above are quoted from Marketplace.
According to an article posted on govexec.com, “The Department of Homeland Security is revamping its electronic systems for helping employers verify the identities of workers and for storing biometric and biographic information on people who apply for immigration benefits.” The article states that Homeland Security is updating its database that contains over 100 million records on immigrants. The Basic Pilot Program is to be improved: “Under the changes, employers now will be able to query the system using numbers assigned to workers on their permanent resident cards and employment authorization documents. Additionally, the department is testing another upgrade that would let employers compare photographs on worker ID cards to digitally stored photos.” President Bush noted in speech in Arizona Monday how important it is to ensure that businesses will be able to verify that their workers are legally in the country. govexec.com
Georgia Here is a real dilemma for businesses trying to comply with the law. “In Georgia a 2006 law forces employers to accept only identification from states that don't issue ids to illegal immigrants, a law that clashes with the federal mandate that employers accept driver's licenses from all 50 states as valid ID. ‘Which law do you obey?’ says Bob Thomas, executive director of the Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia.” Business Week
Tennessee The State Senate delayed action on a bill that would require employers to participate in Basic Pilot in order to verify that new hires are legal. Canadian Business Online
Montana Montana just joined a growing number of states opposing the Real ID Act. The Real ID Act may make it difficult, inconvenient, and expensive for many Americans to obtain or renew a state ID or driver’s license. Montana Passes Bill to Reject Real ID Act | Politics | New West Network
The Daily News
4/10/07
Tennessee Representative Fincher has proposed legislation, based on Georgia’s, that
would deny most state aid to illegal immigrants. The state would have to verify that
those who receive aid for such programs as fuel assistance are legally in the country.
The provision would also require that jails check the immigration status of those
arrested for felonies or DUI’s. In addition, state contractors would have
to verify that their workers are legal using Basic Pilot, Homeland Security’s
verification system that matches names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers. The bill
is called the Tennessee Immigration Compliance Act. The Herald Citizen
Arkansas The county of Bentonville may pass an immigration ordinance. “Benton
County should set an example and pass a resolution not to do business with any entity
employing illegal immigrants", Justice of the Peace Burton Schindler said Monday. The
ordinance would require that any business that contracts with the county sign an affidavit
stating that they do not knowingly hire illegal aliens. “Lying or failing to sign
would put the company on a do not use list.” The Morning News
Maryland The state of Maryland failed to pass a bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to be able to pay in-state-tuition. The House of Delegates approved the legislation last month, but Republicans in the Senate threatened to filibuster. They believe that the state should invest its education dollars in those who are legally able to work in the state to obtain a good return. The Baltimore Sun
The Daily News
4/9/07
National President Bush unveiled his plan for comprehensive immigration reform in Yuma, Arizona, Monday outlining his plan in four major parts. The President commenced by discussing the nature of the immigration problem; its economic, social, judicial, and political effects. According to the President, it is necessary to have a comprehensive immigration reform package that addresses each area of the problem. The first goal is to secure the border. Mr. Bush said that we have already made significant progress. The number of illegal aliens apprehended trying to cross the border has fallen 30%; we’ve increased the number of border patrol agents, and we are now utilizing sophisticated technology to protect our borders. By 2008, the President plans to have 18,000 border patrol agents-up from 9,000. Second, the President says that we need to have a temporary worker program to relieve pressure on the border. There are many jobs that Americans are not willing to do, so we need to provide a way for guest workers to come to the United States legally. The next area of reform is employer enforcement. The President wants to have a tamper proof ID for foreign workers to make it easier for employers to know that their workers are legally eligible to work in the United States. Finally, dealing with the most controversial aspect of immigration reform, the President declared that we must to something to resolve the legal status of the approximately 12 million illegal immigrants who are already here. Deporting them is simply not a practical possibility. The President wants to offer a worker visa that can be renewed every 3 years. Illegal aliens who want to obtain permanent residency can do so by learning English, paying fines, keeping a job, staying out of trouble with the law, and paying back taxes. What the President did not, however, do was provide specifics but kept to generalities.
H-B1 Visas The government has reached the maximum number of H-B1 Visa
applications for the fiscal year of 2008. Skilled foreign workers will have to wait
to apply.
Oklahoma Vinita, Oklahoma, passed an ordinance which states that businesses that knowingly
hire illegal workers or hire workers who cannot prove that they are legal could lose their
business license. Citizens can file complaints about suspected violators with the
police department. After receiving a complaint, the business will then have 3 days
to provide evidence that their workers are legal. If they don’t, they could
lose their business license and be fined $200 in municipal court. Area businesses
are also asked to participate in Basic Pilot, a Homeland Security program that matches
Social Security Numbers with names and birthdates of employees to attempt to verify that
employees are legally eligible to work in the United States. In addition, any
contractor who does more than $10,000 in business with the city must sign an affidavit
certifying that they do not knowingly hire illegal workers. News Examiner Enterprise
Georgia Starting on July 1, 2007, Georgia residents will have to prove that they are in the U.S. legally to receive most forms of aid such as Medicaid, food stamps, or assistance paying the electric bill. They will have to present an original birth certificate, passport, or other documents as well as a valid state photo ID, which will not be required if the person has a valid passport. These requirements are all part of sweeping immigration reform that the legislature passed last year. Macon.com
Mohawk Industries will soon be going to court to defend itself in a suit filed under RICO, which alleges that the company has conspired to pay workers lower wages by systematically breaking immigration laws and hiring illegal workers. Now, one employee and one former employee are accusing the company of tampering with witnesses. The critical question remains: will employees be able to use racketeering laws to sue their employers for damages from lower wages that result from hiring illegal workers, or will competitors also be able to sue under RICO? Rome News Tribune
Arizona The State House approved a measure, which had been defeated last week, that requires that anyone who wants a state or local permit to do business in the state must be able to prove that he or she is legally in the country.The Yuma Sun
The Daily News
4/5/07
Arizona The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill, already passed last month by the House, that would make it a crime to knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The bill will now go the full senate. The legislation also would require businesses to sign an affidavit that states that they do not knowingly hire illegal workers. Employers who provide false information on affidavits could face up to a year in prison and fines from $2500 to $50,000; second time offenders, in addition to the aforementioned penalties, could also lose their business license for 90 days; and third time offenders could receive up to 18 months in prison and fines ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. KTAR News
The Arizona State House of Representatives narrowly defeated three proposed immigration bills on Wednesday. The first proposal would have required that anyone seeking or renewing a business license in the state demonstrate that he or she is legally in the United States. The government would be prohibited from issuing licenses to illegal aliens. The second measure that failed to pass would have created an exemption for motorists from foreign countries that would have allowed them to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Arizona with a valid license from their own country if they can demonstrate that they are in the United States legally. The third would have forbid state and local agencies from accepting the matricula consular, which is a form of identification issued by the Mexican government at consulates and the embassy in Washington to Mexican nationals frequently because they have no other form of ID. KVOA, Tucson
Arkansas The State Senate Judiciary Committee defeated a bill Monday that would have made it a crime to knowingly transport or harbor an illegal alien.
Massachusetts Freed Muller Saad, who operated 5 Star Cleaning, was sentenced to a year of probation and a $5000 fine for hiring over 100 unauthorized workers to clean hotels, motels, and restaurants. The workers had visas that did not authorize them to work in the United States. The Burlington Free Press
The Daily News
4/4/07
Illinois Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided a pork plant owned by Cargill Inc. early Wednesday morning in the river town of Beardstown, Illinois, as part of an investigation into the hiring practices of Quality Service Integrity Inc. which had been providing sanitation workers to the Beardstown plant. Sixty-two people were arrested in the raid: 13 managers and employees of Quality Services Incorporated and 49 illegal aliens. Some of the arrested persons will be charges with identity theft and some with being in the United States illegally. According to ICE, “’Today's enforcement action is part of ICE's aggressive ongoing pursuit of employers who egregiously violate the law,’ said Elissa A. Brown, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago. ‘All employers in all industries and locations must comply with the nation's laws. ICE, and our law enforcement partners, will continue to enforce immigration laws from all angles, including: criminal charges, asset seizures, administrative arrests and deportations.’ Brown heads a six-state area which includes: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin.” Two of the managers charged are charged with aggravated identity theft and aiding others in committing identity theft.
Source: ICE
The Daily News
4/3/07
Oklahoma An Oklahoma Senate committee moved immigration legislation forward Tuesday to deny welfare benefits to illegal aliens, raise their tuition rates, and give the police the authority to detain people on immigration charges. In addition, this legislation would require state and local governments to verify that their workers are in the country legally. Any businesses contracting with the state would have to do the same. The State House already approved this legislation last month. The committee, however, voted to keep in-state-tuition rates for the children of illegal immigrants. KOTV 6
Maryland A few more details have emerged about last week’s ICE raid of Jones Industrial Network, a temporary staffing agency based in Baltimore. Approximately 69 workers from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Kenya, and Ghana, have been arrested at six locations in the Baltimore area. Jones Industrial Network has not been charged to date for allegedly hiring illegal aliens, but a bank account containing more than $636,000 has been seized. Charges may well be forthcoming. Hometown Annapolis.com
Senator Janet Greenip is sponsoring
legislation to require that anyone seeking a Maryland driver’s license prove that he
or she is legally in the country. Hometown Annapolis.com
Mississippi Approximately
77 illegal workers were arrested working on construction projects in Tennessee,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Many of the workers of the workers were
employed by Tarrasco Steel and used false social security numbers. 77 undocumented workers
arrested - Nashville, Tennessee - Sunday, 04/01/07 - Tennessean.com
The Daily News
4/2/07
National According to the Baltimore Sun, the White House’s immigration reform plan would allow undocumented workers to apply for a work visa that lasts for three years and can be renewed indefinitely at the whopping cost of $3,500 per renewal. In order to become legal residents, the undocumented workers would have to return to their home country and apply through a U.S. embassy or consulate to reenter the U.S. legally and pay an even more staggering fine of $10,000. The Baltimore Sun
Missouri The mayor of Valley Park vowed to continue fighting to keep illegal immigrants out of the city despite opposition from other city officials. The Board of Aldermen had voted earlier in March to suspend enforcement of an ordinance that denies occupancy licenses to apartment complexes or others who rent to illegal immigrants. Critics point to the high cost of defending Valley Park’s immigration ordinances and the bad image generated by the city. The Belleville News Democrat
Arizona “Fourteen travel agency owners or employees were indicted on human smuggling and other charges for allegedly selling airline tickets they thought would be used by illegal immigrants, officials said Thursday. While the charges against the employees were connected only to the sale of tickets to undercover officers conducting a sting, authorities said their analysis of records shows that the six travel agencies sold tickets to an estimated 6,800 illegal immigrants since mid-2005.” The short selection above was quoted directly from the Napa Valley Register: See the link to the left for more details.
Rhode Island A proposal to require all employers in the state to use the federal government’s Basic Pilot Program has been introduced in both the State House and the Senate. The Senate Labor Committee heard 90 minutes of testimony on the subject. The Basic Pilot Program verifies that the social security number that an employee provides matches his or her name and birth date. The program is run by Homeland Security. The Pawtucket Times