Topic: Ira Mehlman

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Dream Act: California embraces anti-Arizona role on illegal immigration

The California Senate passed its version of the Dream Act this week, setting itself up as a leader among states addressing illegal immigration with greater sympathy.
More illegal immigrants deported for traffic offenses. Problem for Obama?

US deported a record number of illegal immigrants for drunken driving and other traffic violations in 2010. The trend makes immigrant advocates furious and the get-tough crowd suspicious.
US border spiraling out of control? Hardly, top border official says.

The commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection sought to counter the widespread perception that security is deteriorating along the US-Mexico border with reams of data.
Illegal immigration: Can states win fight against 'birthright citizenship'?

Several state lawmakers want to make 'birthright citizenship' – the guarantee that all children born in the US are citizens – the next front against illegal immigration. It could be a tough battle.
Why DREAM Act passed House, but may fall in Senate

House lawmakers passed the latest incarnation of the DREAM Act 216 to 198 late Wednesday. The Senate is expected to take it up Thursday, but its prospects there look dim.
Fresno State student president outed as illegal immigrant. Does it matter?

Fresno State University student body president Pedro Ramirez was revealed to be an illegal immigrant by an anonymous tip. He says he won't step down.
Obama as border cop: He's deported record numbers of illegal immigrants

New data suggest that the dramatic rise in deportations for illegal immigrants since 9/11 has continued under President Obama, hitting record levels in 2009.
Nebraska town: Is illegal immigration crackdown worth the cost?

Facing costly legal battles with civil rights organizations, the city council in Fremont, Nebraska, may halt a law prohibiting businesses from hiring illegal immigrants.
Arizona lawmaker Russell Pearce takes aim at automatic citizenship

Legal scholars laugh out loud at Arizona state Sen. Russell Pearce's proposal to limit automatic citizenship and warn that it would be blatantly unconstitutional.
Obama's Arizona immigration law summit: what to expect

President Obama will meet with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Thursday to discuss the Arizona immigration law. But room for compromise appears to be minimal.
Arizona immigration law has echoes of controversial federal act

Elements of the Arizona immigration law echo 1995's controversial Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gave some local law enforcement officials the authority to identify and detain immigration offenders.
College student and illegal immigrant: Should she stay or go?

Jessica Colotl is a college student at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. She’s also an illegal immigrant, which was revealed during a traffic stop. Her case raises tough questions about immigration laws.
After Arizona, why are 10 states considering immigration bills?

The Arizona immigration law set off a national powder keg. But state lawmakers are not shying away from the issue – and some appear to be inspired by Arizona.
Arizona immigration law: Can city boycotts work?

After new Arizona immigration law, the Web lends weight to city councils' calls for boycotts of Arizona, and cities within the state may have legitimate beefs, say legal experts.
Arizona immigration law revised: backtracking or fine-tuning?

The need for changes to the controversial Arizona immigration law is evidence of its faults, critics say. Proponents say the substance of the law is unchanged.
Arizona immigration bill: just the latest among state measures

The Arizona immigration bill, which the president called 'irresponsible' and 'misguided' on Friday, is one of many state initiatives introduced in the absence of strong national immigration reform.
Time short for immigration reform plan

As immigration reform advocates prepare to march on Washington, a draft bipartisan plan gets scrutiny.
New immigrants avoiding big cities, study finds

More new immigrants are settling in mid-size metropolitan areas like Detroit and Minneapolis, according to a study released Monday.
Illegal immigration down - because of economy or border control?

New data show the illegal immigrant population in the US plunged between 2008 and 2009. The report has sparked a debate about the reasons behind the decline and what it means for reform.
Opponents on immigration reform gear up for forthcoming battle

Obama has signaled he’ll take up immigration reform soon. As a result, both sides are mobilizing their forces.
California sweep targets illegal immigrants with criminal records

Federal agents arrested almost 300 people in California Thursday, as part of a new focus on targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. Most of those arrested had been convicted of serious or violent crimes, officials said.
Some illegal immigrants to be held in old hotels, nursing homes

The Obama administration announced new reforms Tuesday aimed at improving the standards of detention facilities for illegal immigrants.
States move against in-state tuition for illegal immigrants

In recent years, states have barred undocumented students from getting the lower tuition fees.
In hard times, illegal immigrants lose healthcare

In California, some counties consider screening them out from nonemergency services.