‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration: SB 1070 Hearing; Fremont Sued; Firings Over UT List

America's Voice Blog

Posted 07/22/10 at 10:28am

Today’s hearing in Phoenix over the federal lawsuit—and other suits—filed against Arizona law SB 1070 occupies the attention of the Spanish-language press, which covers it from a variety of angles.

SB 1070 hearing. Notimex reports that 81 Congressional Republicans have signed an amicus brief in favor of Arizona. According to the article, the brief argues that “the federal government’s lawsuit lacks merit, and the state of Arizona has the right to defend itself against illegal immigration.” EFE reports that an amendment sponsored by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) to block the federal government from taking up lawsuits of this type, however, has failed.

SB 1070 also continues to draw international attention. AFP reports that at the annual Parliamentary Presidents’ meeting in Geneva, 11 countries signed a resolution declaring “concern and condemnation” of SB 1070, considering it “racist, xenophobic and anti-immigration of any kind.”

While the courts decide the future of SB 1070, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is getting ready to receive potential detainees. EFE reports that Arpaio has opened a special “1070” section in his infamous “tent city.” He told the news agency:

“Citizens here sincerely hope that SB 1070 will result in large numbers of illegal aliens being captured and arrested.”

Arpaio already has a 287(g) agreement to enforce immigration law, which has led to accusations of racial profiling. 2,700 lawsuits have been filed against Arpaio, and he is under investigation by federal agencies including the Department of Justice.

Fremont sued. The AP reports that the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) is suing the town of Fremont, Nebraska, over a recently-passed ordenance prohibiting residents from renting to or hiring undocumented immigrants. According to MALDEF, the lawsuit seeks “to protect immigrants from unlawful, local regulation of immigration, contravening constitutional and federal authority.”

Firings over UT list. Univisión.com covers the firing of the two state employees involved in releasing names and personal information of 1,300 presumed undocumented immigrants based on private government information.

DREAMers call for action. EFE reports that the group of young people detained on Tuesday for engaging in civil disobedience in Senate offices is calling for the politicians who claim to support the DREAM Act to stop engaging in mutual recrimination over the lack of legislative action and pass the bill.

David, an activist from Chicago, told EFE:

“We have been waiting ten years. That’s enough. I’m tired. I’ve graduated from high school and I can’t do anything because I don’t have nine numbers (a Social Security number). It’s the only thing I need.”

"Visible deterrent." EFE reports that about 250 of the National Guard troops who are about to be dispatched to the border in San Diego “will carry visible weapons to discourage undocumented immigrants from crossing.” This "visible deterrent” is also directed at possible drug traffickers, the article adds.

America's Voice has started a new series, “‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration,” to bring Spanish-language coverage of immigration and politics to a wider audience. Look for daily roundups (in English) of some of the best Spanish-language news.

The latest Spanish-language reporting and analysis on immigration can now be found at AmericasVoiceEspanol.com. Check it out!