This week (5.23.2011)

In SC, Crackdown on Undocumented Immigrants Moves Forward

A controversial bill that tasks police officers with determining the immigration status of people they stop is heading to the S.C. House floor, where Republicans have made its passage a priority.

The anti-illegal immigration bill – called racial profiling by Democrats – passed the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, 15-7. It already has passed the Senate.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Says An Arizona-Style Law Would Hurt His State

Speaking to the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Gov. Rick Snyder said that an immigration law such as the one passed last year in Arizona would "encourage a divisive atmosphere."

The governor, a Republican who was elected to his post in November, on several occasions has said the state, whose economy has been among the hardest-hit in the country, needs immigrants.

Arizona Asks for Donations to Build Fence to Stop Immigration from Mexico

A new Arizona law green-lights a fence to stop illegal immigration across the state's southern border. But with state coffers empty, lawmakers are hoping that Americans will donate their own money and supplies to the fence's construction.

As States Tweak and Pass Immigration Laws, Question Becomes: Will They Ever be Constitutional?

As the Utah comprehensive immigration legislation goes through the courts, other states grappling with undocumented immigration are paying close attention. In Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal signed a comprehensive immigration bill Friday that includes an enforcement measure very similar to Utah’s version. Alabama has one, too, and it is moving close to passage in the Legislature.

The halting of Utah’s law could cause them concern. After all, state lawmakers worked at length with attorneys to try to eliminate constitutional issues a federal judge raised with Arizona’s law.

Santana Scolds Georgia for New Immigration Law

Carlos Santana on Sunday used baseball's annual Civil Rights Game as a platform to admonish Georgia and Arizona for their new immigration laws.

Santana received the Beacon of Change Award before the Braves-Phillies game. The Grammy-winning musician said he was representing immigrants before adding: "The people of Arizona, and the people of Atlanta, Georgia, you should be ashamed of yourselves."

Andrew Simpson

Andrew Simpson is a Policy and Outreach Associate at Sojourners.