ICE raids

Tanya Broder from NILC is talking about possible responses to recent and expected ICE raids. These are "enforcement actions" in which major employers of immigrants are raided for "violations" of federal law. The strategy is to tell the stories about families being broken up when parents are taken away from their kids, etc.

Some states are "filling the gaps" in providing help to these families.

This really applies in the heartland. I am recalling recent raids at the Swift plant in Grand Island, as well as the recent raid in Postville, Iowa.

Dave

local enforcement of immigration enforcement

Arguments against involving local law enforcement in immigration laws: When you involve local and state police, you hinder public safety. Victims won't come forward. There will be widespread racial profiling. Often local police are against mandated enforcement as it stretches their resources thin. They can't enforce criminal laws if they have to spend time enforcing federal civil immigration laws. Oregon actually has a state law BANNING local law enforcement of immigration law. NILC's website has information about state and local laws that are out there.

Dave

more on e-verify

Found this on the e-verify website:

What's New
Information for Federal Contractors
The Executive Order (Amending Executive Order 12989) dated June 9th, 2008, instructs federal agencies to require contractor participation in E-Verify, and the proposed rule provides detailed guidance on how that requirement is to be implemented. However, the proposed rule is not a final rule; it is a proposal that is open for public comment at this time.
Please see the press release dated June 9, 2008 " DHS Designates E-Verify as Employment Eligibility Verification System for All Federal Contractors" linked below. For more information on how this Executive Order impacts your company, as an organization who engages in contracts with the federal government see "Federal Contractors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" linked below.

e-verify/immigration

The next topic is state laws requiring e-verify for employment. This would require employers to "verify" against a federal database whether an individual applying for employment has a valid Social Security number. The problem is that e-verify is only 90% accurate.

California passed a law that has the effect of rejecting e-verify in the state. Other states are looking at requiring e-verify.

Dave

Immigration panel

They are talking about legislation being introduced in various states to deny public benefits and access to education to immigrants. The model was an Oklahoma bill. This effort succeeded in some states, but failed in Nebraska in the last session. Go Huskers!

Dave

Immigration panel

This panel is about fighting state and local restrictions on Services for Immigrants. The panelists are with national organizations who advocate on immigration issues. I asked them to address what LSC funding programs can do. Just doing introductions now. Audience members are all reflecting on rising anti-immigrant sentiments in their states and community.

I raised the recent Fremont, NE issue that their city council is addressing, which would authorize local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. A lot of that is happening nationwide.

Vivek Malhotra of the ACLU immigration project is beginning the presentation.

More to come...

Dave

multi-party litigation without class action - 2

Need to also look up state "Private Attorney General Act" if there is one.

Dave