News
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Time to let immigration bill die
April 28, 2011
Story courtesy: indystar.com
The most favorable thing that can be said about state Sen. Mike Delph's hodge-podge immigration bill is that the legislature may run out of time before it can vote it up or down.
With Friday's deadline for the session approaching, Senate Bill 590 is in conference committee undergoing still more of its endless tinkering; meanwhile, public hearings ground on Tuesday and Wednesday, with another round set for today.
Efforts to appease its legion of critics have only further complicated the sprawling piece of legislation, without resolving its legal and constitutional issues or allaying fears it would brand Indiana as a hostile spot on the international map.
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Federal Appeals Court Upholds Decision on Controversial Bill
April 11, 2011
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a lower court decision that blocked the most contested provisions of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that a federal judge did not abuse her discretion in blocking provisions of the law that would, among other things, require police to check immigration status if they stop someone while enforcing other laws.
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Immigration bill ignores legal reality
April 9, 2011
Story courtesy: indystar.com
Now that Indiana's House of Representatives is back in session, a House hearing is likely on Senate Bill 590, the anti-immigration proposal. While Hoosiers prepare for the battle lines to be drawn anew, perhaps we can agree on one basic point. The foreign invasion must stop. But who is contributing to the problem? And how can it be effectively addressed?
At the Senate Committee hearing on SB 590, out-of-state witnesses spoke at length in support of the bill. Each thanked Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, for his invitation to speak in favor of yet another of his anti-immigration bills. They painted a bleak picture of America and pointed their collective finger
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Bart Peterson Signs Indiana Compact
April 8, 2011
Contact: Kathryn Williams, 317-946-6493
Mike Murphy, 317-414-0964Bart Peterson Signs Indiana Compact
Former Indianapolis Mayor Joins Long List of State Leaders as SignersIndianapolis, IN., April 8, 2011….Bart Peterson, former Mayor of Indianapolis (2000-2008), today signed the Indiana Compact, joining former Mayor Hudnut, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, and a long list of state leaders from academia, the business community, and faith-based and social services communities who have signed the Compact.
“Indianapolis must, above all, be a city that welcomes diverse talent. The Indiana -
Rewards of welcoming Russian, other immigrants
April 5, 2011
Story courtesy: indystar.com
Among the more misguided legislative proposals to come before the General Assembly this session is Senate Bill 590, which addresses illegal immigration. Patterned after a similar bill in Arizona, which already has proven detrimental to the best interests of that state, SB 590 would invite racial and ethnic profiling and infringe on civil and human rights. It would send the wrong message to legal immigrants who might bring new business, new investments and new talent to our state.
Immigration reform is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by the federal government in pragmatic and compassionate ways that are enforceable and humane. Passing separate
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Hispanics in southern Indiana fear bill targeting undocumented immigrants
March 28, 2011
Story courtesy: Louisville Courier Journal
Hispanics in southern Indiana fear bill targeting undocumented immigrants
Raul Avila’s family has run a Mexican grocery and restaurant in Clarksville for the past five years, building a livelihood on supplying familiar foods and brands to the area’s many Hispanics.
But Avila worries his family could lose that business if the Indiana legislature passes a bill requiring police to verify the citizenship or immigration status of people they stop and suspect may be illegal immigrants.
Such a law would “really affect all the Hispanic business,” he predicted, by driving many Hispanics from Southern Indiana and keeping many
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Former Indianapolis Mayor Signs Indiana Compact
March 22, 2011
Contact: Mike Murphy 317-414-0964
Kathryn Williams 317-946-6493Former Indianapolis Mayor Signs Indiana Compact
William Hudnut Urges Rational DebateFormer Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut today signed the Indiana Compact. The Compact is a statement of five principles developed by the Alliance for Immigration Reform in Indiana (AIRI), that is intended to guide debate on immigration policy in Indiana.
“Our debate on immigration should be civil and respectful of all parties, keeping in mind federal law and the U.S. Constitution,” said Hudnut. “The Indiana Compact offers guiding -
Case for state intervention weakens
March 17, 2011
Story Courtesy: indystar.com
The more adamantly state Sen. Mike Delph defends his immigration bill against mounting opposition, the weaker the case for this sprawling legislation appears.
He calls it a straightforward matter of respect for the law, and dismisses opposition by the state's top law enforcement officer as "political" and "knee-jerk."
He says undocumented immigrants are economically bleeding the state, but concedes that a study of their costs and benefits still needs to be done. At the same time, he says the money doesn't matter; it's the principle.
Nor is he fazed by the likelihood that federal authorities, who would have the final say on persons detained under his
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Kenley: Revamp immigration proposal
March 15, 2011
Story Courtesy: indystar.com
A top Senate Republican is looking for alternatives to Indiana's immigration proposal.
As it stands now, the proposal would allow police officers to investigate a person's immigration status after any violation, including a traffic stop. But Sen. Luke Kenley wants to table that plan because he no longer thinks it would reduce Indiana's illegal immigrant population.
Kenley is looking to other states for ideas, particularly Utah, where legislation headed to the governor would require police to investigate the status of only those charged with serious crimes and would give guest-worker permits to some illegal immigrants.
Kenley, R-Noblesville, is worried
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UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL INDIANA SIGNS INDIANA COMPACT
March 11, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2011
CONTACT:
Mary KinneyPublic/Media Relations Manager
317.921.1224 (business hours)
317.984.2727 or 498.0647 (after hours)
mary.kinney@uwci.org
Follow me on Twitter @mlouisekinneyUNITED WAY OF CENTRAL INDIANA SIGNS INDIANA COMPACT
'Common sense approach' appeals to volunteer leaders
INDIANAPOLIS – March 11, 2011...United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) today added its name to the list of those supporting the Indiana Compact, a statement of principles for immigration policy reform.
Ellen K. Annala, UWCI's president and CEO, said the compact's "common sense
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Mennonites, Presbyterians Oppose Indiana Immigration Bill (SB 590)
March 9, 2011
Story Courtesy: AOLnews.com
A tough new bill targeting illegal immigrants in Indiana has several faith traditions speaking up in protest.
The Elkhart Truth reports that the Mennonite Church USA, which is headquartered in Indiana and represents 939 congregations nationwide, has registered its official opposition to Senate Bill 590.
Meanwhile, according to The Indianapolis Star, leaders of the Presbyterian Church have said they will not hold their biannual conference in Indianapolis this summer if SB 590 passes. That has the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association worried about the bill's potential impact on tourism revenues.
Opponents of SB 590 have coalesced around a
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Curry signs petition leaving immigration reform to feds
March 1, 2011
Story Courtesy: indystar.com
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry announced today that he signed a petition that encourages Indiana lawmakers to leave immigration reform to the federal government.Several groups organized the “Indiana Compact” because of concerns regarding Senate Bill 590, which would impose wide-ranging immigration reforms that some consider to be unnecessary and potentially unconstitutional, and many local leaders have signed it.
In a press release issued this afternoon, Curry said he signed the compact because he fears the cost of enforcing immigration reform would be too great and that the law might dissuade some victims from reporting crime.
“If this
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Immigrant worries that bill would hurt Indiana citizens
February 25, 2011
Story Courtesy: indystar.com
The Feb. 17 front-page article "Would Arizona-style law hurt Indy?" rightly points to the potential damage Senate Bill 590 would have by scaring off conventions. After the recent Arizona anti-immigrant bill became law, which SB 590 mirrors, legal and illegal immigrants began to leave that state, hurting it economically.
According to the U.S. Census, from 1997 to 2007 some Indiana business sectors supported by immigrant labor saw revenue increase: construction (54 percent), manufacturing (56 percent) accommodation and food services (76 percent). Consider the negative impact on these businesses if immigrant workers flee our state.
SB 590 would hurt
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ATTENTION ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Indiana Economic Recovery Threatened by Anti-Immigrant Legislation
February 24, 2011
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Ali Noorani, National Immigration Forum
RE: Indiana Economic Recovery Threatened by Anti-Immigrant Legislation
DATE: February 23, 2011
The voters of Indiana want solutions. Responsible elected officials and policy-makers in Indiana must navigate the hot-button issue of immigration away from costly, divisive and controversial proposals and toward solutions that focus on the state’s pressing needs.
The Arizona-style bill (Senate Bill 590) was introduced by Senator Mike Delph. It has passed the Senate and now goes to the House for consideration. Governor Mitch Daniels, who may run for the Presidency in 2012, has not indicated whether or not he supports
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Immigrants fear bill’s chilling effect
February 23, 2011
Story Courtesy: indystar.com
Newcomers to the United States often find Indianapolis a friendly and welcoming city, but several immigrants said Tuesday that could change if a bill pending in the Indiana legislature becomes law.
Their concern stems from an immigration reform measure that, if passed, would require state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws. That includes checking immigration status if they suspect a person they stop for another offense might be in the country illegally.
Speakers at an immigration forum at the Jewish Community Center said Senate Bill 590, sponsored by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, could have a chilling effect on Indianapolis' future