Arizona Mythbusting

Published by Laura Rampersad in Advocacy Alerts, General on May 4th, 2010

By Linda Chavez

http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | Arizona has just passed the toughest anti-illegal immigrant law in the country — but you have to wonder: Why now? Illegal immigration is down nationally from its high in 2000, with border apprehensions lower than they’ve been in 35 years. There are fewer illegal aliens in the U.S. today than there were just two years ago, from 2008 to 2009, 1.2 million illegal immigrants left. In Arizona alone, more than 100,000 illegal aliens have left the state over the last two years, and the number of illegal aliens caught trying to cross into Arizona has been down by almost 40 percent over the last three years. So why did politicians rush to enact a poorly drafted, arguably unconstitutional law at this moment?

The horrific murder of an Arizona rancher in March provided popular momentum for the legislation. A few days before his murder, Robert Krentz found large quantities of illegal drugs on his property and reported it to the police — certainly motive for the vicious cartels that run drugs across the Mexican border to take a hit out on Krentz. Unfortunately, this one murder has led many people to believe that crime in Arizona is rampant and that illegal immigrants are the cause.

The problem with this theory is that actual crime statistics tell a different story. Crime in Arizona has consistently gone down over the last 15 years, even while illegal immigration was increasing. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports show that the violent crime rate statewide in Arizona has been cut by almost 40 percent since 1995, and property crimes have followed the same pattern.

To Read More:  Click here

RIFA Update on Arizona Law

Published by Laura Rampersad in Advocacy Alerts, General on April 24th, 2010

A Call to Action-

Yesterday Governor Brewer of Arizona signed a bill requiring police to harass or arrest anyone who “appears to be an undocumented immigrant.” This bill will create an America where people are racially profiled, our fragile economy is further damaged, and our neighborhoods are less safe because good people fear the police. This law could spread across the country, if you and I don’t take action to stop it.

Do we want to live in an America where this is acceptable? Or will we live in a country where 12 million people have a path to citizenship, children aren’t torn away from their parents, and police can protect our cities and neighborhoods because they have the trust of those living there.

Sign this petition to the President and Congress saying that you stand for the America that values people and their families, the economy, and our public safety.

Governor Brewer provided a clear illustration for why we need comprehensive immigration reform. Thousands of people have been gathering at the Arizona statehouse for the 24-hour vigil that’s been ongoing since the state legislature passed the bill last Monday. In addition, more than 7.000 Reform Immigration FOR America supporters in Arizona called and faxed the Governor to tell her that if she signs this bill, she’ll do so without the support of her state.

Will you help us fight this bill in Arizona and continue to build the movement for better immigration policy?

Click here to sign this petition

We’ll take these petitions and deliver them to the President and leadership in Congress. President Obama is paying attention – in response to our efforts already, he said, “Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others.”

He couldn’t be more right – we must stop this in Arizona before it makes its way across the country. Please join me in opposing this bill today.

Gabe Gonzalez
Reform Immigration FOR America

p.s. On May 1, we’re marching in cities across the country to show that we won’t wait any longer – find a march near you!

Supreme Court Ruling helps Immigrants

Published by Laura Rampersad in Advocacy Alerts, General on March 31st, 2010

March 31, 2010

Washington D.C. - The American Immigration Council applauds today’s Supreme Court decision on the right to counsel for noncitizens charged with committing a crime. The Court held that criminal defense lawyers must advise their noncitizen clients about the risk of deportation if they accept a guilty plea. The Court recognized that current immigration laws impose harsh and mandatory deportation consequences onto criminal convictions, and that Congress eliminated from these laws the Attorney General’s discretionary authority to cancel removal in meritorious cases. The Court said, “These changes to our immigration law have dramatically raised the stakes of a noncitizen’s criminal conviction. The importance of accurate legal advice for noncitizens accused of crimes has never been more important.”

To Read More:

http://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/docs/Padilla-PressRelease.pdf

Faith Leaders confront 287g

Published by Laura Rampersad in Advocacy Alerts, General on March 4th, 2010

This is a presentation delivered by Rev. Gary Henderson and actress Rocio Martinez to faith leaders in the community. This presentation depicts everyday events in Nashville and urges clergy to get involved in comprehensive immigration reform and to communicate to their churches, synagogues and mosques the effect that 287g is having on families. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Department entered into a 287g agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 200Library7. This event was co-sponsored by the Coalition for Education About Immigration (CEI) and Clergy for Tolerance and hosted by Loews Vanderbilt Plaza.

Link to video: tnjfon.org

Holland man agrees to stop handling immigration documents

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on February 14th, 2010

but denies he improperly represented himself

By Nate Reens | The Grand Rapids Press

January 28, 2010, 9:50PM

HOLLAND — A notary public accused of acting as a qualified immigration attorney has agreed to stop preparing and submitting immigration-related documents as part of a settlement, court records show.

Elias Cruz Ortiz, 77, denied all allegations that he improperly represented his professional duties, but surrendered his notary public license and will stop advising people on immigration matters.

Ortiz owned and operated Servicios Mundo Hispano, which he has since closed in the wake of the claim in Ottawa County Circuit Court.

The Holland man was sued by Farmworker Legal Services on behalf of Rodolfo Rubio, who paid $500 for an immigration petition Ortiz was not authorized or qualified to prepare.  Megan Reynolds, who represented Rubio, said it is unclear how many people Ortiz assisted over decades of opening and closing various offices in the Holland area.  Each of his clients could face immigration problems because Ortiz used his business address and that could result in missed notices and the start of deportation proceedings.

“There are serious consequences possible here and it’s important to make sure that there’s no confusion about a person’s level of education and professional ability,” Reynolds said.

Miles Murphy, Ortiz’s attorney, said his client is a “longtime upstanding member of the community.”

“He categorically denies any improper conduct,” Murphy said.

Ortiz could not be reached for comment.

An injunction barring Ortiz from immigration work stipulates he will pay $5,000 for offenses of the court order.  Reynolds claimed Ortiz violated the state’s Immigration Clerical Assistant Act that mandates non-attorneys who provide services or advice to register with the government.

Ortiz did not claim he was not an attorney and was not the equivalent of a notario publico, a title in Latin American countries refers to a person who has obtained a law license, Reynolds said.

E-mail Nate Reens: nreens@grpress.com

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/01/holland_man_agrees_to_stop_han.html

JFON Year in Review

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 28th, 2010

JFON publishes its Year in Review Letter summarizing their work in 2009.  This report includes two client success stories, summary of special projects, new case statistics and funding data.

To View:  2009-e-letter

JFON begins Know Your Rights Outreach

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 14th, 2010

JFON has finally gained access to the ICE Detention Facility in Calhoun County to conduct Know Your Rights presentations to detainees.  This outreach program is funded by grants from the UMCOR Immigration and Refugees Ministries and the Michigan State Bar Foundation (Administration of Justice Grant).   JFON Attorney Liz Balck makes monthly visits to the Calhoun County facility.  The intent of the presentation is to present legal options to those facing deportation or awaiting a ruling on their asylum application, so they can make the best decision for themselves.  Unlike those facing criminal prosecution, those detained by ICE do not have the right to court appointed attorney and often do not have funds to pay for a private attorney.  The wait in detention can place great hardship on the individual and his/her family outside the facility, with detentions sometimes lasting a year or more.  So far, Liz has made one visit to the Women’s pod, which does not even have access to a law library; and a second to the men’s pod where she met with 20 men.  Her presentations have been well-received by immigrants and staff.  In fact, Calhoun County staff have asked that she be present next month when ICE conducts its facility audit and they are also trying to have Liz conduct a staff training.

Chaos - 75 miles from the Border

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 6th, 2010


Carl Shusterman writes: “On arriving at my office on Monday, December 28, 2009, I was informed that one of my clients and her family were being detained by CBP Officers at an inland checkpoint. I immediately called her on her cell phone, and spent the rest of the day in an effort to explain to the CBP that both my client and her family were legally present in the U.S. and should immediately be released from custody. Below is the story as told by my client. I hope this will inspire the CBP to better train its officers, to treat immigrants with respect and to open the lines of communication with immigration attorneys.”

Full article at: http://shusterman.typepad.com/nation-of-immigrants/2010/01/chaos-at-the-border.html

No Samaritans Allowed: U.S. Prohibits Helping Migrants

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 4th, 2010

By: Miguel De La Torre
Posted: Monday, October 12, 2009 5:55 am 
Section: Columns on Culture and Media

Why is it that the United Statesprohibits me from being faithful in following my Lord and Savior‘s admonishment to imitate the example of the Good Samaritan?(Luke 10:29-37)

During my time in the desert, while walking the migrant trails with food and water strapped to my back looking for those crossing the border to provide physical, spiritualand medical assistance, I came across Jesus several times.

On this highway through Hell, thousands of brown bodies die torturous deaths in fulfillment of a U.S. policy called Operation Gatekeeper designed to deter future immigration through the death of those who out of desperation attempt the cross. But among these migrants, who like lambs are sent to their slaughter, is Jesus.

Jesus was once an immigrant escaping Herod‘s reach, and Jesus today is an undocumented immigrant escaping the poverty caused by NAFTA. If you want to see Jesus, then join me in the desert for there he is again being crucified for the sins of U.S. foreign economic and trade policies toward Latin America during the past century.

To read more: click here