Obama Administration Changes Immigration Policy
Last Thursday, August 18, 2011, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a letter to members of Congress promising a case by case review of new and pending removal (deportations) cases to ensure that the prosecutions are consistent with the Department’s priorities.  The letter also promises new guidelines relating to “compelling cases involving a final order of removal.”  The letter is available here along with an attachment.

You can listen to the August 22nd WDET Craig Flahe Radio Show regarding the announcement, featuring Susan Reed, colleagues David Koelsch, Ryan Bates, and Lawrence Garcia, and fellow panelist Vicki Echegiyen who shared her heartbreaking story here.

Please read and disseminate the following Consumer Advisory released by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) regarding the deportation announcement: Click here

Richmond Father Who Faced Deportation Gets Reprieve

From the Detroit Free Press
By Elisha Anderson

Florencio Avila Cachu, 37, a husband and father of three from Richmond, came to the U.S. illegally in 1992. He was set to be deported Friday.

But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said today – hours after Avila Cachu spoke at a news conference – that the agency stopped his removal pending further review.

“Consistent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s current priorities focusing on convicted criminal aliens and those who pose a threat to public safety, the agency has moved to administratively halt this removal pending further review,” ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls said in a statement issued today.

READ MORE HERE >>

2011 Statewide Immigrant Rights Summit

Friday, September 23, 2011
Lansing Community College
Conference Center

Michigan Immigrant Rights Center is pleased to invite all immigrant and refugee advocates and service providers of Michigan to attend the 2011 Statewide Immigrant Rights Summit on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Registration is Free. Please click on the link below to register and view the Summit agenda.

http://www.michiganimmigrant.org/index_html/

You can listen to the August 22nd WDET Craig Flahe Radio Show regarding the announcement, featuring Susan Reed, colleagues David Koelsch, Ryan Bates, and Lawrence Garcia, and fellow panelist Vicki Echegiyen who shared her heartbreaking story here.

Please read and disseminate the following Consumer Advisory released by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) regarding the deportation announcement: Click here

By H. Bob Sakaniwa, American Immigration Lawyer’s Association

From Immigration Impact

As President Obama indicated in an immigration speech in El Paso, Texas, earlier this month, in a global marketplace, the United States needs the best and brightest to stay in our country to work, innovate and help create jobs for the benefit of all Americans.  Well-educated, foreign-born professionals have made enormous contributions to our country, and we should do all we can to retain the next generation of these types of contributors.  Just two days after President Obama put the topic of immigration reform back into the national debate, the administration exercised its executive authority to expand the number of science, technology, engineering, and math degree (STEM) programs that can be used to qualify foreign graduates to extend their post-graduate training.

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Immigration Law: Supreme Court Upholds Law Targeting Employees

By David G. Savage

From Los Angeles Times

The Supreme Court on Thursday gave Arizona and other states more authority to take action against illegal immigrants and the companies that hire them, ruling that employers who knowingly hire illegal workers can lose their license to do business.

The 5-3 decision upholds the Legal Arizona Workers Act of 2007 and its so-called business death penalty for employers who are caught repeatedly hiring illegal immigrants. The state law also requires employers to check the federal E-Verify system before hiring new workers, a provision that was also upheld Thursday.

Full Article

Snyder’s Opposition to Arizona-style Law Applauded by Immigrants Rights Groups

From The Arab American News

On Thursday morning at the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual public policy breakfast at the Detroit Athletic Club, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder fielded questions regarding proposed anti-immigrant legislation in Michigan.

After a speech which highlighted the contributions of Hispanic and Latino businesses to Michigan’s economy and the importance that immigrants are playing in Michigan’s economic recovery, local business owners pressed the Governor on Arizona-style legislation introduced in the state legislature, HB 4305.

Full Article

Deportation Delayed for Sterling Heights Woman, Daughter

From The Detroit Free Press

By Naomi R. Patton

Federal immigration officials have granted a Sterling Heights woman and her 18-year-old daughter a one-year deferral from deportation back to Albania.

William Swor, the family’s Detroit attorney, said Violeta Kaso, 53, and her daughter Ola, received a letter today from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which deferred the family’s scheduled June 15 deportation to May 23, 2012.

“This is very exciting,” said Swor, who sued in federal court in April, to prevent the family’s deportation. Ashley Mammo, the family’s immigration attorney filed the request for deferral.

Full Article

First Quarter 2011, Record 1538 State Bills Relating to Immigrants Introduced

From Hispanically Speaking News

By HS News Staff

State legislatures continue to grapple with immigration issues at an unprecedented rate. In the first quarter of 2011, state legislators in the 50 states and Puerto Rico introduced 1,538 bills and resolutions relating to immigrants and refugees. This number surpasses the first quarter of 2010, when 1,180 bills were introduced.

As in past years, employment, identification/driver’s licenses and law enforcement remain top areas of interest for immigrant-related bill introductions. With passage of federal health care reform, however, health also emerged as a top contender. This quarter, the number of health-related bills was more than double those introduced during the same quarter last year. Following last year’s example of Arizona’s SB 1070, omnibus bill introductions also increased in 2011.

Full Article