Clinton appointee guts Arizona law to defend citizens from illegal aliens
An activist group battling illegal immigration is calling for citizens to remain "calm" after a ruling from a federal judge in Arizona gutted a state law intended to defend citizens from illegal aliens – a decision a key member of Congress called "beyond absurd."
The ruling released today by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, a Clinton appointee, struck down sections of the Arizona law that made it a crime not to carry appropriate papers for immigration registration and criminalized illegal aliens' efforts to get jobs.
Topics: Illegal immigration, SB 1070, Judge Susan Bolton, Gov. Jan Brewer, William Gheen, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC
U.S. District Judge Bolton's decision came down Wednesday morning -- she ruled to temporarily block some key parts of Arizona's immigration law, while allowing other parts.
The preliminary ruling, which was 36 pages long, outlines what was blocked and what was kept on pages 3 and 4.
Subjects: Illegal immigration, U.S. District Judge Bolton, SB 1070, Gov. Jan Brewer, Justice Department, State Sen. Russell Pearce
The dramatic tableau has been assembled: Arizona's immigration law, S.B. 1070, has been defanged by federal Judge Susan R. Bolton, but Gov. Jan Brewer vows to soldier on. Let the howling begin. Victory celebrations and protests alike are under way as the fate of the statute hangs in the lurch. At least 40 rallies are planned in 27 cities by scores of groups -- including the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, University of Arizona Students Against SB 1070, the Border Action Network, We Reject Racism Campaign, Jewish Voice for Peace, Interfaith Worker Justice, the Alliance for Global Justice, the Tucson YWCA and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
There's anger and resolve on the other side, however. Jesse Kelly, a former Marine running as Republican candidate for Arizona's 8th Congressional District against Democratic Rep. GabrielleGiffords, says the original legislation should stand.
Subjects = Illegal immigration, Judge Susan Bolton, SB 1070, Obama administration, William Gheen, ALIPAC, public support
PHOENIX - Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his patrol deputies will conduct their 17th crime suppression sweep in the Valley on the same day SB1070 goes into effect.
According to an MCSO press release, Arpaio plans to continue enforcing all state and federal immigration laws despite the controversy surrounding the state’s new immigration law.
Arpaio and up to 200 deputies and posse volunteers will participate in the operation, the release stated.
The 11th-hour decision by a federal judge to block the most controversial provisions of Arizona's immigration law won't stop the clock on the fight over illegal immigration.
Soon after U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton issued her ruling on SB 1070, putting on hold some of its most divisive measures for cracking down on illegal immigrants, a disappointed but defiant Republican Gov. Jan Brewer made clear she would not back down.
"This fight is far from over," she said in a statement. "In fact, it is just the beginning, and at the end of what is certain to be a long legal struggle, Arizona will prevail in its right to protect our citizens."
Subjects: Illegal immigration, SB 1070, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, William Gheen, ALIPAC, Gov. Jan Brewer
CONTACT: Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC)
(866) 703-0864 WilliamG@alipac.us
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC has been conducting TV, Radio, and
newspaper interviews all day about the group's "Safe Departure" request
for Obama to allow illegal immigrants to leave the nation unhindered at
border checkpoints when news of the court ruling on the Arizona law came
in.
ALIPAC issues the following official statements.
"There is a sense of extreme anger sweeping America today, in reaction
to the news that Obama and US District Judge Susan Bolton thwarted
Democracy in America. We are appealing to Americans to remain calm and
to channel that anger into sweeping politicians, business leaders, and
special interest groups that support Comprehensive Immigration Reform
out of power in the elections. ALIPAC stands ready to lead that
effort."
An anti-immigration group is calling on the Obama administration to ensure a smooth exit for illegal immigrants who are trying to leave the U.S. due to the weak economy and Arizona's strict new immigration law.
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) is urging U.S. citizens to pressure the White House and the Homeland Security Department to establish "safe departure" border checkpoints along the U.S. border for illegal immigrants so they can leave without fear of being detained or prosecuted for immigration crimes.
Subjects: Illegal immigration, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, ALIPAC, William Gheen, border checkpoints, amnesty
PHOENIX - The effect of Arizona's new immigration law may be making its way into classrooms.
Jeffrey Smith, superintendent of the Balsz Elementary School District, said more than 500 students in the district did not show up on the first day of school this week.
While he admits it’s not unusual for a large number of students to not make it on the first day, he said this year’s number was unusually high compared to previous years.
Subjects = Illegal immigration, SB 1070, Balsz Elementary School District, school enrollment decline, country illegally
Arizona's tourism industry has a target on its back, but the widespread boycotts over the state's immigration law might not be hitting the mark.
Recent data compiled by a market research group show hotel bookings across the state -- as well as in tourism hot spots Phoenix and Scottsdale -- have been on the rise the past two months.
CONTACT: Americans for Legal Immigration PAC
(866) 703-0864 WilliamG@alipac.us
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) is asking American citizens
to contact the White House and the Department of Homeland Security to
request that "safe departure" border checkpoints be established to offer
safe passage to illegal immigrants who are leaving Arizona and leaving
the United States in response to state level enforcement of existing
federal laws and Constitutional provisions.
Arizona is reporting a mass exodus of illegal aliens who are selling
their property and moving to other states or back to Central and South
America. This pattern of a peaceful and gradual exodus mirrors reports
from other states that have passed immigration enforcement laws.
Illegal immigrants detected trying to get into or out of the United
States at border patrol checkpoints will be barred from applying to
legally immigrate to the US for a minimum of ten years. Safe departure
checkpoints would allow illegal alien families to depart the US without
fear or hindrance.