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1. Napolitano to reconsider REAL ID
2. AZ state candidate has 'legal woes'
3. Nashville English-only law fails
4. TX city runs deficit to fend suit
5. AZ city lauds accomplishments

1.
Feds to 'rethink' license mandate
By Thomas Frank
USA Today, January 22, 2009

Washington, DC -- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Thursday afternoon that she will "rethink" a program that requires every state to issue more secure driver's licenses by the end of the year.

The new licenses, required under a 2005 federal law, aim to prevent criminals and potential terrorists from getting fake IDs. But the licenses have been opposed by many governors, who cite the cost. Added opposition comes from the American Civil Liberties Union, which says the cards are, in effect, a national ID card.

"It really has taken the form of a huge unfunded mandate on states which are struggling with huge cuts right now," Napolitano said Thursday, one day after she was sworn in as head of the third-largest federal department. Napolitano, the governor of Arizona until Tuesday, noted that she had signed a bill in June barring the state from complying with the license law.

Last year, the Homeland Security Department extended a May 11 deadline for states to issue new, tamper-resistant licenses. States now have until Dec. 31 to issue new licenses that require applicants to present documentation in person showing they are in the country legally.

Napolitano said she will meet with governors to discuss the license program required under the Real ID law and "look at its cost compared to its value."
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-22-securelicense_N.htm

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2.
District 13 candidate's legal woes worry some lawmakers
By Yvonne Wingett and Casey Newton
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix), January 23, 2009

A leading candidate to replace a Phoenix state representative has raised concerns among some lawmakers who worry her legal woes could limit her effectiveness as a legislator.

Lydia Hernandez, a well-known immigrant-rights activist, is on a short list of candidates to replace former Rep. Steve Gallardo. Gallardo won a fourth term to represent west and southwest Phoenix but did not take the oath of office, choosing to become a political consultant instead.

Hernandez, 40, of Maryvale, made a name for herself in the Valley as an advocate for causes that support the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

She also has drawn criticism from some Democratic leaders at the state Legislature, who worry about misdemeanor traffic convictions, an arrest for suspicion of human trafficking and questions about her husbands' legal status.

She says her life experiences will make her an effective lawmaker; others disagree.

"The citizens of Arizona are very concerned about this situation," said Rep. Robert Meza, D-Phoenix. "We want to get the most competent, ethical person in District 13 - someone who is solution-driven as opposed to a bomb-thrower."

Meza said he was most concerned about a 1999 incident in which Hernandez was detained and questioned on suspicion of transporting undocumented immigrants southeast of Tucson. Hernandez was cited for speeding but was never charged with transporting immigrants. Records in the case were purged and sealed in 2007.
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http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/01/23/20090...

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3.
Nashville Won’t Make English Official Language
By Robbie Brown
The New York Times, January 22, 2009

Nashville voters on Thursday rejected a proposal to make English the city’s official language and largely to prevent government workers from communicating in other languages.

In Nashville, a Ballot Measure That May Quiet All but English (January 11, 2009)

The proposal was introduced by Eric Crafton, a metropolitan councilman. It was opposed by a broad coalition including the mayor, civil rights groups, business leaders, ministers and the heads of nine institutions of higher education.

“The results of this special election reaffirm Nashville’s identity as a welcoming and friendly city,” Mayor Karl Dean said in a statement.

Mr. Crafton had said the policy would encourage immigrants to learn English and save the city more than $100,000 in translation and related costs. The policy allowed exceptions to its English-only rule for issues of health and safety.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/us/23english.html

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4.
Court fight over illegal-immigrant rental ban forces Farmers Branch to dip into savings
By Stephanie Sandoval
The Dallas Morning News, January 22, 2009

The court fight over Farmers Branch's attempt to ban housing rentals to illegal immigrants is forcing the city to dip into its savings.

The city's court loss in the lawsuit over Ordinance 2903 leaves it with a payment looming of about $900,000 to the plaintiffs' attorneys. That, along with escalating legal bills as the trial over the third incarnation of the housing ban approaches, and the cost of severance packages for nearly two dozen employees laid off last summer, forced the city to dig into its reserve fund for about $2 million.

Today, the City Council in a special workshop will start discussing how to raise revenues or cut expenses to cover the shortfall and build the reserve fund back to the target level of $8.6 million, or 20 percent of the operating budget, city Budget Director Charles Cox said.

"I would not categorize [the financial] situation as dire," Cox said. "But I think we're at the point where decisions need to be made."

He said he would present several recommendations to the council.

The financial news has some opponents of the illegal-immigration-related ordinances saying, "I told you so."

Opponents have long said the ordinances were unconstitutional and would cost millions to defend in court.

From 2006 through the end of 2008, the city spent more than $1.5 million on illegal-immigration-related legal fees. That doesn't count the $900,000 lawsuit award that hasn't been paid because the city is contesting the amount. But the city must put it as an expense on its financial books, Cox said.

"We were told that Ordinance 2903 was constitutional and it would win," former mayoral candidate Gene Bledsoe said. "It didn't. And we've got our third iteration of the law now. ... Some of us, we pointed out that this is going to cost us lots of money."

He said opponents never supported illegal immigration, but opposed ordinances they believed would not stand up in court and would cost the city millions of dollars to defend.
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http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012308...

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5.
Migrant-status policy change aiding officers
Raids prompted new Mesa protocol
By Nathan Gonzalez
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix), January 23, 2009

Three weeks after a revised immigration policy went into effect, Mesa police says its officers are better trained to report and detain suspected illegal immigrants.

The department revised its Immigration and Customs Enforcement Protocol last fall after a series of immigration controversies, and it has been training its officers since October.

The changes, which went into effect Jan. 1, have given officers a better understanding of when to ask for a person's immigration status and report them to ICE authorities, Assistant Chief Mike Denney said.

The policy is similar to those in Scottsdale and Phoenix. All three cities now ask for a suspect's status when arrested and booked into jail.

If officers suspect an immigration violation or a prisoner admits to being illegal, they can contact ICE.

The policies stop short of satisfying illegal-immigration opponents who believe police should arrest anyone in the country illegally regardless of circumstance.

Last year, the issue sparked heavy debate as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office conducted a series of raids and rounded up undocumented immigrants throughout the Valley, including Mesa.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio criticized Mesa for failing to ask questions about immigration status when dealing with suspects.

The new policy is designed to address those concerns.

"There are times we should be asking questions" of suspected illegal immigrants, Denney said. "There is a vehicle through this protocol to do that."
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http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/01/23/20090...