Phoenix voters say immigration issues are their top concern

Illegal immigration is the top concern of Phoenix-area voters, according to a new poll by Arizona State University and KAET-TV Channel 8.
Twenty-seven percent of the Maricopa County voters surveyed in the November poll said illegal immigration was the region's biggest problem -- ahead of health care, air quality, traffic, schools and the economy.

Link to full story
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/11/19/daily24.html

Convictions for employing and harboring illegal aliens upheld

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions of a Florida retail store owner and his accountant (defendants) who employed illegal aliens in violation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). (United States of America v Khanani, 10thCir, 90 EPD ¶42,984)

Link to full story
http://hr.cch.com/news/employment/112107a.asp

Vehicle fleeing from Border Patrol gets stuck in river

A vehicle eluding Border Patrol agents about 9 p.m. Tuesday got stuck in the Rio Grande near the Asarco plant, but U.S. officials could not get involved because the vehicle was on the Mexican side.

Link to full story
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_7520858

Woman pleads guilty to hiring illegals

St. Louis -- An eastern Missouri businesswoman faces sentencing in February after pleading guilty to federal charges of hiring illegal aliens. Joette Reidy of Washington was an officer of Lochirco Fruit and Produce, which did business as "Happy Apples." In addition to Reidy's felony plea on Tuesday, the company pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of hiring illegal aliens. Happy Apples produces candy apples from a warehouse in Union. The apples were grown at its orchard in Marthasville.

Link to full story http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071121/NEWS01/711210330/1007/NEWS01

I.C.E. Bows to Political Pressure

Every time you think that the federal government is getting a grip on the magnitude of the problem that illegal immigration presents, they do something to undermine their own efforts.
As we noted here and here, the Irving Police Department is cooperating with I.C.E. in a program called the Criminal Alien Program (CAP). They have seen a reduction in crime and have referred 1,700 illegal aliens to I.C.E. for deportation.

Link to full story
http://lonestartimes.com/2007/11/21/ice-bows-to-political-pressure/

Des Moines Snubs Talk of 'Sanctuary City'

November 21, 2007--There are no plans to make Des Moines a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants. City councilwoman Christine Hensley says Des Moines won't change its immigration policies.
Earlier this week, Hensley told Channel 13 that she had talked with immigration groups about making Des Moines more welcoming for immigrants. But Hensley says that the matter was blown out of proportion.

Link to full story
http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7392505

Illegal alien jailed on numerous charges

A 33-year-old Mexican man who was previously convicted of dealing heroin in Oregon, deported and then arrested again in Belgrade last spring, was sentenced Friday in federal court for reentering the country illegally. Marcos Oliveras-Coyotl, 33, of Mexico, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for "illegal reentry of a removed alien," according to the U.S. attorney's office. He also was ordered to pay a $100 fine. Oliveras-Coyotl, who pleaded guilty to the charge, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula. According to prosecutors, a Montana Highway Patrol officer saw a man walking along the frontage road in Belgrade at 2 a.m. on April 1.

Link to full story
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2007/10/28/news/70charges.txt

Mexican gets 30 months for illegal entry

A 33-year-old Mexican man who was previously convicted of dealing heroin in Oregon, deported and then arrested again in Belgrade last spring, was sentenced Friday in federal court for reentering the country illegally.Marcos Oliveras-Coyotl, 33, of Mexico, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for "illegal reentry of a removed alien," according to the U.S. attorney's office. He also was ordered to pay a $100 fine.Oliveras-Coyotl, who pleaded guilty to the charge, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula.

Link to full story
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2007/10/28/news/70charges.txt

Hispanic advocates will continue to seek Frances Semler’s removal from park board

Local Hispanic advocates and a national labor leader said Sunday they will continue to seek the removal of Frances Semler from Kansas City’s park board.
The latest development in the ongoing battle over Semler’s appointment by Mayor Mark Funkhouser came at a news conference local leaders called to launch new efforts to educate the public about their position.

Link to full story
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/337211.html

Smuggling attempt leaves one dead, others injured

A pickup truck loaded down with 12 illegal immigrants crashes in Brooks County killing one of those immigrants. It happened just before 2 o'clock this afternoon on Brooks County Road 307. That's about 11 miles south of the Falfurrias checkpoint. We're told that county road is a favorite of immigrant smugglers as they try to bypass that checkpoint. The Department of Public Safety says that the driver of the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control. That sent the vehicle into a ditch where it rolled several times. The driver ran from the scene leaving the 12 immigrants behind. Several managed to get to a nearby highway and flag down a driver who called 9-1-1. A 20 year old man was pronounced dead at the scene. 7 others were taken to local hospitals. The four remaining immigrants are now in the custody of Border Patrol.

Link to full story
http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/10855586.html