1. 2008 deportations rose 46 percent
2. UT legislature targets immigration
3. FL lawmaker wants expedited deportation
4. AZ co. sheriff to defy Obama's scrutiny
5. TX co. to decide fate of detention operator
6. TX city accused of cover-up

1.
US deports 46 percent more Mexicans and Central Americans
Agence France Presse, December 18, 2008

The United States deported more than 154,000 Mexicans and Central Americans in the 2008 fiscal year, in a 46 percent rise on the previous year, an official statement said here Thursday.

More than 212,000 were deported altogether, with almost three quarters from Mexico and Central America, according to the statement released by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the border town of McAllen, Texas.

Most -- 82,000 -- were Mexicans, many who had crossed their country's 2,000-mile (3170-kilometer) land border with the southern United States.

All countries saw a rise apart from Nicaragua, which had a slight drop to just over 2,000 deportations.
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http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=081218223610.lidtnzli&show_article=1

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2.
Immigration issues on front burner at Utah Legislature
Lawmakers put forth bills on crime, reform for 2009
By Arthur Raymond
The Deseret News (Salt Lake City), December 19, 2008

A pitch for a million-dollar project to target immigration-related crime, a plea for help from Utah's federal congressional representatives and a few tweaks to pending state immigration-reform legislation will be considered during the next legislative session.

Those changes were proposed as the the final acts of the special-project legislative Immigration Interim Committee, which ceased to exist after Thursday's final meeting at the Capitol. The committee spent the past nine months traveling the state and hearing from Utahns on one of the hottest political topics.

The committee was put together following the passage of SB81, the controversial immigration omnibus bill passed in 2008 amid fierce debate and contention. It is not scheduled to take effect until next July.

The committee recommended clarification of some language in the bill, and new add-on committee bills that will attempt to address issues raised by the new laws. As the legislation continues to morph and expand, at least one committee member feels that there remain just too many questions, and not enough answers. Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, wants to put on the brakes.

"I think we have several areas that still need review," Romero said. "I would be more comfortable with a delay (in SB81's implementation)."
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http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705271558,00.html

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3.
Bennett: Deport immigrant criminals
By Duane Marsteller
The Bradenton Herald (FL), December 19, 2008

Manatee, FL -- State Sen. Mike Bennett again wants to offer non-violent immigrant prisoners a one-way ticket home.

Bennett, R-Bradenton, has re-filed a proposal that would deport such state prisoners to their home countries if they agree to leave in exchange for serving less than their full sentences. A similar measure he filed in the last legislative session died in committee and got a lukewarm response from Gov. Charlie Crist, who opposes early release.

But Bennett said Thursday the plan “is a no-brainer” that would remove immigrant criminals and save money at the same time.

“Getting them out of here for a $600 plane ticket instead of $20,000 a year to keep them (in prison), I’m all for that idea,” he said.

Bennett’s bill would order state prison and federal immigration officials to implement the federal Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) program in Florida.

Under the program, legal and illegal immigrants who are serving time in state prison for non-violent crimes would be eligible for conditional early release if they have a final deportation order against them. They also must waive any right to appeal their state convictions and agree not to return to the United States.

Those caught re-entering the U.S. must serve out the remainder of their state sentences and could face an additional 20 years in federal prison.
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http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/story/1108218.html

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4.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio: Obama, Holder won’t dissuade immigration raids
By Mike Sunnucks
The Phoenix Business Journal, December 18, 2008

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says scrutiny of racial and ethnic profiling by incoming President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will not deter his get-tough approach to illegal immigration.

“I’m not stopping,” said Arpaio. The Republican sheriff said he plans to continue crime sweeps and raids aimed at illegal immigrants and businesses that employ them.

The Obama administration and Holder are expected to increase the focus on racial and ethnic profiling by police. Critics of Arpaio’s immigration enforcement argue the sheriff’s office targets Hispanics and such actions take away from more serious investigations.

Arpaio said his immigration sweeps are nondiscriminatory and if people have complaints they can contact federal authorities. “Go ahead and take them to the FBI,” said Arpaio, who just won reelection to a fifth term.

Arpaio said another immigration sweep will soon occur.
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http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/15/daily57.html

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5.
Williamson commissioners set to vote on immigrant detention operator
Critics have condemned holding families in former prison, but some officials lean toward renewing contract.
By David C. Doolittled
The Austin American Statesman, December 19, 2008

Williamson County commissioners are set to vote next week on renewing a contract with the company that operates a much-criticized immigrant detention center in Taylor.

Since 2006, the county has had a contract with Corrections Corp. of America and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to act as the intermediary between the two and disburse federal funds for the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, which holds immigrant families while they await decisions in their immigration cases.

That contract is set to expire Jan. 31, and commissioners will take up renewing the contract for another two-year term during Tuesday's meeting.

County Judge Dan A. Gattis and Commissioner Ron Morrison, whose precinct includes the detention facility, said they are leaning toward renewing the contract. Precinct 1 Commissioner Lisa Birkman and Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said they are undecided. Several calls to Commissioner Cynthia Long were not returned.

"I'm leaning to renew because I did the last time," Morrison said. Commissioners voted to renew the contract in January 2007.

"I based it on touring the facility and looking at the situation. I like the idea that families stay together, are fed, clothed and in a comfortable place — as comfortable as an ex-prison can be. You can't hide the fact that it was once a jail cell."

Morrison said he has visited the former medium-security prison three times and plans to tour it again Monday.

The county's contract with Corrections Corp. and Immigration and Customs Enforcement allows for any party to terminate the contract within 120 days.
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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/12/19/1219hutto...

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6.
Foes of Farmers Branch illegal-migrant efforts cite 'secrecy'
By Stephanie Sandoval
The Dallas Morning News, December 19, 2008

Accusations and conspiracy theories are flying in Farmers Branch these days.

Attorneys who have filed numerous lawsuits against the city over its anti-illegal immigrant efforts say the city is engaged in a pattern of possibly illegal attempts to keep information about the litigation out of the public eye.

But just a day after yet another suit was filed, city officials said Thursday that they have and will continue to follow the state's open meetings and public information laws.

And they, in turn, accuse the Bickel & Brewer Storefront of making false and inflammatory accusations; using residents to circumvent the courts and get confidential information on the city's legal strategy; and trying to drain the city's coffers.

"We believe there is an ongoing pattern of secrecy and attempts to hide information from the people who have a right to receive that information – the citizens of Farmers Branch," plaintiffs attorney Bill Brewer said.

That pattern, he said, started with back-room discussions on ordinances seeking to ban most illegal immigrants from renting property in the city. And it continues with delays in turning over bills showing how much the legal battle is costing the city, he said.

"How dare they continue to pursue this pattern and course of conduct," Mr. Brewer said.

City officials said they have abided by the law.

"There is no veil of secrecy," City Council member Harold Froehlich said, adding that the city would prove as much in court.

City Manager Gary Greer agreed.

"We're giving out everything that we're required to by law," he said.
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http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-fb...