AltWeeklies Wire
A Congressman Uncovers Two Studies Showing the Impacts of Illegal Immigration, Smugglingnew
The federal government's border fence has been called the Tortilla Curtain. But in the swamp of border politics, there's a more effective barrier at play, one that filters ideas rather than people. It explains why most Americans still don't fully understand the disaster on our southern border.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
12-10-2009 |
Immigration
Water Rights: An Activist Faces Prison after Refusing his Sentence for 'Littering'new
On Dec. 4, a year after he was cited for littering on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, activist Walt Staton was back in federal court, because he refused to pick up garbage.
Tucson Weekly |
Tim Vanderpool |
12-10-2009 |
Immigration
It's Tough Being an Immigrant, Unless You're Richnew
The Dallas Morning News recently reported that City Hall is looking to create a regional center under a federal program that offers green cards and a shot at permanent residency to immigrants willing to invest $500,000 or $1 million in the city.
Dallas Observer |
Patrick Williams |
12-07-2009 |
Immigration
Young Undocumented Immigrants Face Dead End After High Schoolnew
An estimated 65,000 undocumented immigrants graduate from high school each year, only to enter a purgatory in which they feel they can neither return to Mexico nor become productive, law-abiding citizens. Attorney Laurel Herndon calls them “blameless."
Boulder Weekly |
Jefferson Dodge |
12-07-2009 |
Immigration
How San Francisco's Sanctuary Sellout Hurts Undocumented Teensnew
Before: The city coddled undocumented teen criminals. After: The city punishes undocumented teens who commit crimes (and some who don't, too).
SF Weekly |
Lauren Smiley |
11-18-2009 |
Immigration
Is a Draconian Law Forcing Innocent Men Out of the Country?new
Over the last 13 years, the federal government has deported more than 1 million immigrants following criminal convictions -- a number that has escalated dramatically in the last decade. But what if the men are innocent, and the law doesn't care?
Philadelphia City Paper |
Julia Harte |
11-10-2009 |
Immigration
Boots On the Ground: A Day in the Life of a Border Sheriffnew
Sheriff Arvin West and his 17 deputies patrol a county nearly twice the size of Delaware on the Texas-Mexico border. And West, chair of Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition, has traveled to Washington, D.C., 13 times since 2005 to testify about border security.
The Texas Observer |
Melissa del Bosque |
11-04-2009 |
Immigration
Denver's Intiative 300 is Out to Put the Brakes on Illegal Immigrationnew
Although enforcing federal immigration laws is not the jurisdiction of municipal police, enforcing traffic laws is. That's what inspired Dan Hayes to come up with a way to get immigrant drivers without licenses off the road — if not out of the country altogether.
Westword |
Jared Jacang Maher |
11-02-2009 |
Immigration
San Fran's Mayor Forces a Legal Stalemate While Hundreds of Kids Face Deportationnew
City Hall echoed with delighted whoops of Si se puede! last week, as a veto-proof majority of the Board of Supervisors voted to give juvenile immigrants their day in court before referring them to federal immigration authorities. But the battle over the civil rights of immigrant kids is far from over.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Sarah Phelan |
10-28-2009 |
Immigration
Bhutanese Refugees Move from Nepalese Camps to Our Slow Job Marketnew
The 15 refugee families settling in Colorado Springs face the unique challenge of surviving a time of economic turmoil while acclimating to a new culture and new language, all with limited assistance.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Anthony Lane |
10-15-2009 |
Immigration
A Border Project Faces Accusations of Lobbying Pressure and Wasted Moneynew
According to some critics, the push for consolidating services at the Nogales port comes from the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, a powerful trade group representing 125 produce dealers, brokers and distributors who import Mexican fruits and vegetables. Big money is at stake: In Nogales, produce has grown into a $2 billion industry.
Tucson Weekly |
Tim Vanderpool |
10-07-2009 |
Immigration
One Border Coyote and His Accomplice Have Been Captured and Released 35 Timesnew
The story the Popes tell opens a window on the world of alien- and drug-smuggling, and the criminals who operate within it. It also shines a light on a system that fails citizens in multiple ways, the most maddening being the number of times these crooks are set free to strike again.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
09-16-2009 |
Immigration
Photos: La Nueva Generacionnew
Santa Cruz's Beach Flats neighborhood is a community in transition. The older generations, having immigrated mostly from Mexico, South and Central America, have started new families. Through their children, they are both changing the way that they’ve lived for decades and changing the way that the rest of Santa Cruz lives today.
Good Times Santa Cruz |
Curtis Cartier |
09-16-2009 |
Immigration
Border Agent Who Shot Immigrant Sues Gov't Over Invasion of Privacynew
Border Patrol agent Arturo Lorenzo and his wife are suing the U.S. government, saying that releasing the video of him shooting 20-year-old Ramiro Gamez Acosta invaded Lorenzo's privacy and destroyed his reputation, exposing him and his family to death threats.
San Diego CityBeat |
Justin McLachlan |
09-16-2009 |
Immigration
The Burmese Come to Houstonnew
Get in, get out. Refugees have a shrinking window of support until it's time to fend for themselves.
Houston Press |
Mike Giglio |
09-08-2009 |
Immigration
