Blog & Updates
Immigration Policy Update for May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
VAWA reauthorization passes House, stripping protections for immigrant victims of domestic violence. House DHS Appropriations bill has plenty for enforcement, zero for immigrant integration. The law catches up to Sheriff Joe. House passes appropriations for Department of Justice. House Budget would end Child Tax Credit for low-income immigrants.
ICE Offers Inadequate Response to Secure Communities Task Force
May 04, 2012 - Posted by Brittney Nystrom
On April 27, ICE issued its response to the recommendations of the Secure Communities Task Force The response was totally inadequate, amounting to little more than a grab bag of initiatives ICE was pursuing anyway—many only tenuously related to the Secure Communities program.
Policy Update for April 30, 2012
April 29, 2012 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
The Supreme Court hears arguments in the lawsuit against Arizona’s SB 1070. Faith leaders step up calls for immigration reform. The Senate passes VAWA reauthorization, with provisions to protect immigrant domestic violence victims. Secretary Napolitano testifies in the Senate about DHS operations. House Appropriations Committee passes Judiciary Committee funding bill.
Immigration Policy Update for April 19, 2012
April 19, 2012 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
The Supreme Court will hear the Government’s case against Arizona’s SB 1070. Anti-immigrant laws spur motivation for citizenship applications. Child tax credit for some low-income workers may be sacrificed in House Republican budget cuts. Senate holds hearing on racial profiling.
Immigration Policy Update for April 11, 2012
April 11, 2012 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
Family Unity Waiver Process proposed rule now open for public comment. Congressman Lamar Smith has strange holiday fantasies. Prosecutorial discretion review expanding to seven additional immigration courts. Supreme Court strikes another blow at retroactive application of laws. Justice Department cuts negotiations with Sheriff Joe. Syrians get TPS.
Immigration Policy Update for March 12, 2012
March 12, 2012 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
Court blocks two more Alabama law provisions. Evangelicals dialogue about immigration in Alabama. House hearings on the ICE budget, visa overstays and DWIs. Aggravated felony: murder rape and…cheating on your taxes. Rep. Smith calls new detention standards “hospitality guidelines.” (Lucky thing he didn’t go into the hotel business.)
Immigration Policy Update for February 17, 2012
February 17, 2012 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
The President releases Fiscal Year 2013 budget. Hearings in House avoid real immigration solutions for agriculture. Low-income immigrants spared from tax cut offsets. ICE creates a Public Advocate position. Studies project big costs to Alabama from its anti-immigrant law. ICE vs. Cook County, Ill., in fight over immigration detainers.
Policy Update for October 21, 2011
October 21, 2011 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
Republicans in the House and Senate attacked the Administration for its decision to prioritize immigration enforcement on national security threats. Mandatory E-Verify legislation in the House is stalled by conservative critics. Alabama is seeing a worker shortage in some sectors after passage of a harsh anti-immigrant law.
Cosmetic Changes are not Enough: Secure Communities Program Needs Sweeping Reform
July 19, 2011 - Posted by Brittney Nystrom
Immigration Policy Update for June 22, 2011
June 22, 2011 - Posted by Maurice Belanger
The House GOP introduced legislation to create mandatory e-verify for the entire country. The House also passed a DHS spending bill for next year. In the Senate two bills were introduced to protect refugees and workers. Around the country, the Administration’s “Secure Communities” program is generating opposition.
