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1. Ex-ICE chief investigated
2. IN Senate advances bill
3. TX state Rep. targets Congress
4. AK House panel looks at bill
5. RI capital against Sec. Comm.

1.
Former ICE intelligence chief is among immigration agents under investigation
By Andrew Becker
The Washington Post, February 23, 2011

Several agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including the former head of the agency's intelligence office, are subjects of an internal inquiry into alleged personal misconduct, sources say.

James M. Woosley, who was ICE's assistant director for intelligence, was relieved of his position, according to a Department of Homeland Security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing. Several other mid- to low-level ICE employees are also subjects of the investigation. The probe surrounding Woosley has to do with travel receipts and a subordinate, sources said.

Woosley's departure precipitated a shuffle of ICE leadership, with a new intelligence director and a new chief of immigration enforcement and removal operations quickly named. ICE officials announced the changes to employees earlier this month.

ICE spokesman Brian P. Hale said the agency and the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general initiated the probe of alleged misconduct "involving a small number of employees," but he declined to comment further until the investigation is complete.

"Agency programs are unaffected by the investigation, and the office in question will continue normal operations," Hale said in a statement.

Woosley could not be reached for comment.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/22/AR201102...

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2.
Immigration bill advances to House
By Heather Gillers
The Indianapolis Star, February 23, 2011

An Arizona-style immigration measure passed the Senate 31-18 Tuesday evening despite the opposition of community leaders who say it will hurt Indiana's image and lead to racial profiling.

The wide-ranging bill would task state and local police with enforcing federal immigration law and require most government documents and hearings to be in English only.

Proponents said the bill would help protect Indiana from terrorists who might sneak in via the Mexican border, from competition from illegal immigrant laborers who might drive down wages, and from the tax burden of paying for the government services they use.

"This bill should not be called the Immigration Matters bill," said Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis. "It should be called the Indiana Security and Taxpayer Protection Act."

Opponents of the bill include some of the state's largest employers such as Eli Lilly and Co. and Cummins Inc., as well as associations that represent cities and towns, hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Some business leaders say they already are hearing from conventions, conferences and prospective employees who say they would avoid coming to Indiana for fear that visitors would be targeted by police based on their appearance.

The bill's author, Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, was absent for the vote because he was taking the bar exam, the professional test to become a lawyer. He has said the bill merely enforces existing laws and does not encourage racial profiling, which he called "illegal, immoral and wrong."
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http://www.indystar.com/article/20110223/NEWS05/102230330/1001/ENTERTAINMENT/Senate-OKs-immigration-bill-fought-by-businesses?odyssey=nav|head

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3.
Texas Rep. Wants to Turn Illegal Immigrants Over to Members of Congress
Foxnews.com, February 23, 2011

A Texas lawmaker wants to bring the illegal immigration problem directly to Congress. Literally.

A new proposal from Texas state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst would allow law enforcement officials to drop off illegal immigrants at the offices of any U.S. senator or representative.

The proposed bill only applies to illegal immigrants about to be released on bail or discharged after completing a sentence and does not detail what the U.S. senator or representative is supposed to do with them.

The bill merely authorizes law enforcement officers to release illegal immigrants to a congressional office, and to have an employee of that office sign a document acknowledging the transfer.

According to 1200 WOAI in San Antonio, Kolkhorst described the proposal as a "cry for help" to Congress over border security. She said she intends to push for approval in the legislature.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/23/texas-rep-wants-turn-illegal-...

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4.
Ark. panel looks at illegal immigration bill
The Associated Press, February 23, 2011

A House panel is considering a ban on state benefits to illegal immigrants in non-emergency situations, a move that Gov. Mike Beebe's office says could cut off services provided by the state for some children and prenatal care.

The House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear the proposal by Republican Rep. Jon Hubbard of Jonesboro. It would bar state agencies from providing benefits to anyone in the country illegally. The proposal would not apply to cases involving emergency or life-saving measures.
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http://www.necn.com/02/23/11/Ark-panel-looks-at-illegal-immigration-b/la...

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5.
Providence wants to opt out of federal program
The Associated Press, February 23, 2011

Providence has asked to opt out of a federal program that allows police to check fingerprints of all people arrested to verify their immigration status.

Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare said in a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the Secure Communities program will create fear in the immigrant community and mistrust of police.

Writing on behalf of Mayor Angel Taveras, Pare said in the letter there have been "conflicting reports" about whether local law enforcement agencies are compelled to participate. He asked for information about how the city could stay out.
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http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/20110223provid...