Rick Green will propose HB1024 before the Senate Committee tommorrow Feb 1st (weather permitting)! We need people to make phone calls, write emails, and show up at the Committee meeting. There are 12 bills being proposed before HB1024 so you don't have to be there at 10am to see it introduced. I plan on showing up around 10 to set up camera equipment.
REVISED AGENDA
Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs
Thursday, February 01, 2007
10:00 AM OSC, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
Sen. Steve Faris, Chair Sen. Gilbert Baker, Vice Chair Sen. Ed Wilkinson Sen. Shawn Womack
Sen. Randy Laverty Sen. Bobby Glover Sen. Bill Pritchard Sen. Jack Crumbly
REGULAR AGENDA
Number Sponsor Subtitle
(Bills before HB1024)
SB59 SB87 SB121 SB190 SB198 SB202 SB209 SB210 SB214SB224SB225 HB1037
HB1024 R. Green AN ACT TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM CONTRACTING WITH BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
HB1007 HB1287
_________________
Rep. Jim Medley's bill HR1003 REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONGRESS TO SECURE OUR NATION S BORDERS AND TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY. was voted down in the Committee on STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS in the House. The bill had some good things to say to the Federal Government about illegal immigration. Unfortunately, it also included support for a Guest Worker Program. HR1003 also failed to advocate punishment for businesses that hire illegals. According to Green, Medley may try to work on the bill and introduce it later on. I would suggest emailing Medley a version of his bill that does not include a Guest Worker Program.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Arkansas support for Guest Workers on agenda for 01/31/07
Sorry about the late notice, I got sick yesterday. HR1003 is on the agenda for tommorrow. It may or may not be presented. HR1003 is the bill that demands the federal government enforce immigration laws but also request a guest worker program. Here's the agenda from the Arkansas website.
AGENDA
House Committee on State Agencies and
Governmental Affairs
86th General Assembly
Regular Session, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
10:00 AM
Room 151, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
REGULAR AGENDA
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1225 Lamoureux AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE NONPARTISAN ELECTION OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
HR1003 Medley REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONGRESS TO SECURE OUR NATION S BORDERS AND TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY.
HB1286 Lamoureux TO ADD A MEMBER TO THE SUPERVISORY BOARD FOR THE ARKANSAS CRIME INFORMATION CENTER.
SCR3 Critcher TO COMMEND THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROMOTING WORLD HEALTH AND TO SUPPORT ITS BID TO OBTAIN OBSERVER STATUS IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
HB1320 Ragland TO MODERNIZE THE PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF A DEPUTY TREASURER.
________________
Also, I have asked around about the Mexican Consulate and got this in my email:
It was in the "Our Town: Little Rock notebook" section of the dem gaz on 1/17: "Residents and shopkeepers in the neighborhood around UALR are invited to a community workshop January 31st. The workshop begins at 7 PM at the Bailey Alumni Center at 28th and Campus Drive West." This is about the University District Partnership, and presenting consultant's vision. See: http://www.ualr.edu/communityengagement/universitydistrict.asp. When you click into the various screens, you can see area defined with businesses, Mexican Consulate, absentee ownership (with area of missing detail) info on city sponsored redevelopment/Tif district, who the participants are, etc.. Why I even brought it up to you was the Consulate.
I wanted to attend this but UALR announced that all facilities would be shut down at 5pm. I assume that the community workshop was also cancelled.
AGENDA
House Committee on State Agencies and
Governmental Affairs
86th General Assembly
Regular Session, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
10:00 AM
Room 151, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
REGULAR AGENDA
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1225 Lamoureux AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE NONPARTISAN ELECTION OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
HR1003 Medley REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONGRESS TO SECURE OUR NATION S BORDERS AND TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY.
HB1286 Lamoureux TO ADD A MEMBER TO THE SUPERVISORY BOARD FOR THE ARKANSAS CRIME INFORMATION CENTER.
SCR3 Critcher TO COMMEND THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROMOTING WORLD HEALTH AND TO SUPPORT ITS BID TO OBTAIN OBSERVER STATUS IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
HB1320 Ragland TO MODERNIZE THE PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF A DEPUTY TREASURER.
________________
Also, I have asked around about the Mexican Consulate and got this in my email:
It was in the "Our Town: Little Rock notebook" section of the dem gaz on 1/17: "Residents and shopkeepers in the neighborhood around UALR are invited to a community workshop January 31st. The workshop begins at 7 PM at the Bailey Alumni Center at 28th and Campus Drive West." This is about the University District Partnership, and presenting consultant's vision. See: http://www.ualr.edu/communityengagement/universitydistrict.asp. When you click into the various screens, you can see area defined with businesses, Mexican Consulate, absentee ownership (with area of missing detail) info on city sponsored redevelopment/Tif district, who the participants are, etc.. Why I even brought it up to you was the Consulate.
I wanted to attend this but UALR announced that all facilities would be shut down at 5pm. I assume that the community workshop was also cancelled.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Arkansas Immigration update
HB1024, which denies state contracts to companies that hire illegals is on the agenda for Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
10:00 AM
OSC, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
Chair:Senator Steve Faris 501-865-3333
Vice Chair:Senator Gilbert Baker 501-327-8653
Senator Ed Wilkinson 479-996-4171
Senator Shawn Womack 870-424-5000
Senator Randy Laverty 870-446-5005
Senator Bobby Glover 870-552-7150
Senator Bill Pritchard 479-442-8611
Senator Jack Crumbly 870-633-7338
________________
HR1003 has been referred to the STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS Committee and so far is not on any agenda. It should be on an agenda for some time this week. So far, I believe our best effort is to pressure Jim Medley into amending the sections of HR1003 that ask for a Guest Worker Program.
Jim Medley
Business Phone : 479-783-4500
Fax : 479-783-0029
E-mail : medleyj@arkleg.state.ar.us
District : 64, (Fort Smith area)
Some info about Guest Worker Programs:
Although the dictionary definition of guest worker program and amnesty is diffferent. A Guest Worker Program has the same effect on illegal immigration as an amnesty. A WorldNetDaily article recently pointed out that America's ability to track immigrants is already a broken system. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will fall apart trying to check the status of guest workers, and everyone wanting to enter illegally will know it! Here's the article:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53908
Here's what a Guest Worker Program will mean for the Arkansas taxpayer! Currently, Arkansas pays $117 million for illegals. By 2010, it will be $202 million and by 2020, it will be $356 million if a guest worker law is passed. These estimates are done by the researchers at the Federation for American Immigration Reform:
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer
During the national immigration debate last year, pro-illegal immigration first tried to block the building of a wall, which was the beginning of the pro-illegal protest. Then they tried to add amnesty to the bill that authorized the wall. When that didn't work, they demanded a Guest Worker Program. Because of the problems of Guest Worker Programs and the fact that it is supported by those who want more illegal immigration, any Guest Worker Program has now become a bad idea with an even worse image. Many US citizens and legal immigrants who couldn't go to protest because they worked demanded that immigration reform be done without any compromise. Americans will reject any Guest Worker Program just like they rejected HB1525 in Arkansas!
_______________
I would like to lobby regarding both of these bills on Monday but not by myself. I can be there at about 10am and stay until late evening. Tuesday, I will videotape the Senate Committee meeting at 10am.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
10:00 AM
OSC, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
Chair:Senator Steve Faris 501-865-3333
Vice Chair:Senator Gilbert Baker 501-327-8653
Senator Ed Wilkinson 479-996-4171
Senator Shawn Womack 870-424-5000
Senator Randy Laverty 870-446-5005
Senator Bobby Glover 870-552-7150
Senator Bill Pritchard 479-442-8611
Senator Jack Crumbly 870-633-7338
________________
HR1003 has been referred to the STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS Committee and so far is not on any agenda. It should be on an agenda for some time this week. So far, I believe our best effort is to pressure Jim Medley into amending the sections of HR1003 that ask for a Guest Worker Program.
Jim Medley
Business Phone : 479-783-4500
Fax : 479-783-0029
E-mail : medleyj@arkleg.state.ar.us
District : 64, (Fort Smith area)
Some info about Guest Worker Programs:
Although the dictionary definition of guest worker program and amnesty is diffferent. A Guest Worker Program has the same effect on illegal immigration as an amnesty. A WorldNetDaily article recently pointed out that America's ability to track immigrants is already a broken system. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will fall apart trying to check the status of guest workers, and everyone wanting to enter illegally will know it! Here's the article:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53908
Here's what a Guest Worker Program will mean for the Arkansas taxpayer! Currently, Arkansas pays $117 million for illegals. By 2010, it will be $202 million and by 2020, it will be $356 million if a guest worker law is passed. These estimates are done by the researchers at the Federation for American Immigration Reform:
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer
During the national immigration debate last year, pro-illegal immigration first tried to block the building of a wall, which was the beginning of the pro-illegal protest. Then they tried to add amnesty to the bill that authorized the wall. When that didn't work, they demanded a Guest Worker Program. Because of the problems of Guest Worker Programs and the fact that it is supported by those who want more illegal immigration, any Guest Worker Program has now become a bad idea with an even worse image. Many US citizens and legal immigrants who couldn't go to protest because they worked demanded that immigration reform be done without any compromise. Americans will reject any Guest Worker Program just like they rejected HB1525 in Arkansas!
_______________
I would like to lobby regarding both of these bills on Monday but not by myself. I can be there at about 10am and stay until late evening. Tuesday, I will videotape the Senate Committee meeting at 10am.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Immigration Bill in Arkansas supports Guest Worker Program
Found another immigration bill in Arkansas. It is being presented by Representative Medley. It's actually a Resolution that will be sent to the US Government, but it does have some importance. Medley is one of the 17 members of the committee on Public Health that voted for HB1024, which denies state contract to illegals.
Most of the language of HR1003 is good, but unfortunately it also includes support for a Guest Worker Program. I would suggest calling Medley and the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs and asking them to remove the sections of the bill that advocate a Guest Worker Program and make HR 1003 a compromise. I've highlighted the parts that need to be changed in red. Rick Green, who wrote HB1024, is also on the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.
HR 1003 is on the agenda for 01/26 (tommorrow) at 9:00am in Room 151.
House Committee on State Agencies and
Governmental Affairs Members:
Rep. Jeff Wood, ChairRep. Rick Saunders, Vice ChairRep. David Evans Rep. Robert Jeffrey Rep. Horace HardwickRep. Denny SumpterRep. Daryl PaceRep. Mark Pate Rep. Eric Harris Rep. Marilyn Edwards Rep. Rick GreenRep. Pam Adcock Rep. Steve Harrelson Rep. Earnest Brown
Rep. Eddie Cheatham Rep. Lance Reynolds Rep. Buddy Lovell Rep. Clark Hall Rep. Charolette Wagner Rep. Dan Greenberg
_________________
*JDF055* 01-22-2007 13:55 JDF055
State of Arkansas 1
86th General Assembly 2
Regular Session, 2007 HR 1003 3
By: Representative Medley
HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND 9 THE CONGRESS TO SECURE OUR NATION’S BORDERS (AND 10 TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY.) 11
Subtitle
REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONGRESS TO SECURE OUR NATION’S BORDERS AND TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY.
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the federal government to secure its borders and protect the security of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the growing number of illegal aliens currently in the United States demonstrates that existing immigration laws and enforcement measures are not sufficient to stop illegal aliens from crossing our borders; and
WHEREAS, the failure of federal immigration law and practices to adequately address illegal immigration causes a drain on limited state resources for Arkansas’ educational, social services, judicial, law enforcement, and penal systems, and thereby causing an economic hardship on the State of Arkansas and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the failure of federal immigration law and practices causes our citizens to question, if the federal government cannot secure our borders from illegal immigration, how can our nation secure its borders to protect its citizens from foreign terrorism and the importation of illegal drugs; and
WHEREAS, the failure of federal immigration law and practices has caused Arkansas citizens and the citizens of other states to look to state and local government to solve immigration problems that can only be adequately addressed by a comprehensive and vigorous federal effort to secure our borders and to provide foreign workers and visitors reasonable access to
our country,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
That the members of the House of Representatives respectfully request that President George W. Bush and the members of Congress take swift action to enhance and enforce federal immigration law in order to provide a comprehensive national resolution to the illegal immigration problem that exists in Arkansas and throughout the nation, and that federal action
include, but not be limited to:
(1) Securing our nation’s borders by stopping unlawful entry that is now made by many means of transportation;
(2) Developing a guest worker program that efficiently and quickly processes applicants for guest worker status while adequately screening applicants for criminal backgrounds and employability;
(3) Developing a guest worker taxation system that, in addition to emergency services, would be used to provide limited basic health care services to guest workers;
(4) Cooperating with and assisting other countries in developing procedures and databases in those countries necessary for criminal background checks, the listing of each citizenship held, the employment skills, and the educational background of a visitor or immigrant to the United States; and
(5) Cooperating with the State of Arkansas and other states in order to address current problems faced in the states by the illegal immigration that now exists.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon adoption of this resolution, the Chief HR1003 3 01-22-2007 13:55 Clerk of the House of Representatives shall forward copies of this resolution to President George W. Bush, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the President of the United States Senate, and to all the members of the Arkansas congressional delegation with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record.
Most of the language of HR1003 is good, but unfortunately it also includes support for a Guest Worker Program. I would suggest calling Medley and the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs and asking them to remove the sections of the bill that advocate a Guest Worker Program and make HR 1003 a compromise. I've highlighted the parts that need to be changed in red. Rick Green, who wrote HB1024, is also on the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.
HR 1003 is on the agenda for 01/26 (tommorrow) at 9:00am in Room 151.
House Committee on State Agencies and
Governmental Affairs Members:
Rep. Jeff Wood, ChairRep. Rick Saunders, Vice ChairRep. David Evans Rep. Robert Jeffrey Rep. Horace HardwickRep. Denny SumpterRep. Daryl PaceRep. Mark Pate Rep. Eric Harris Rep. Marilyn Edwards Rep. Rick GreenRep. Pam Adcock Rep. Steve Harrelson Rep. Earnest Brown
Rep. Eddie Cheatham Rep. Lance Reynolds Rep. Buddy Lovell Rep. Clark Hall Rep. Charolette Wagner Rep. Dan Greenberg
_________________
*JDF055* 01-22-2007 13:55 JDF055
State of Arkansas 1
86th General Assembly 2
Regular Session, 2007 HR 1003 3
By: Representative Medley
HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND 9 THE CONGRESS TO SECURE OUR NATION’S BORDERS (AND 10 TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY.) 11
Subtitle
REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONGRESS TO SECURE OUR NATION’S BORDERS AND TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY.
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the federal government to secure its borders and protect the security of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the growing number of illegal aliens currently in the United States demonstrates that existing immigration laws and enforcement measures are not sufficient to stop illegal aliens from crossing our borders; and
WHEREAS, the failure of federal immigration law and practices to adequately address illegal immigration causes a drain on limited state resources for Arkansas’ educational, social services, judicial, law enforcement, and penal systems, and thereby causing an economic hardship on the State of Arkansas and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the failure of federal immigration law and practices causes our citizens to question, if the federal government cannot secure our borders from illegal immigration, how can our nation secure its borders to protect its citizens from foreign terrorism and the importation of illegal drugs; and
WHEREAS, the failure of federal immigration law and practices has caused Arkansas citizens and the citizens of other states to look to state and local government to solve immigration problems that can only be adequately addressed by a comprehensive and vigorous federal effort to secure our borders and to provide foreign workers and visitors reasonable access to
our country,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
That the members of the House of Representatives respectfully request that President George W. Bush and the members of Congress take swift action to enhance and enforce federal immigration law in order to provide a comprehensive national resolution to the illegal immigration problem that exists in Arkansas and throughout the nation, and that federal action
include, but not be limited to:
(1) Securing our nation’s borders by stopping unlawful entry that is now made by many means of transportation;
(2) Developing a guest worker program that efficiently and quickly processes applicants for guest worker status while adequately screening applicants for criminal backgrounds and employability;
(3) Developing a guest worker taxation system that, in addition to emergency services, would be used to provide limited basic health care services to guest workers;
(4) Cooperating with and assisting other countries in developing procedures and databases in those countries necessary for criminal background checks, the listing of each citizenship held, the employment skills, and the educational background of a visitor or immigrant to the United States; and
(5) Cooperating with the State of Arkansas and other states in order to address current problems faced in the states by the illegal immigration that now exists.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon adoption of this resolution, the Chief HR1003 3 01-22-2007 13:55 Clerk of the House of Representatives shall forward copies of this resolution to President George W. Bush, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the President of the United States Senate, and to all the members of the Arkansas congressional delegation with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
HB1024 passes house!
HB1024 passed the House! The bill to deny state contracts to companies that hire illegal aliens passed the Arkansas House of Representatives with a 92-5 vote! The bill will now go before the
Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, no schedule has been posted yet. Here is the list of the Committee members:
Legislative Members
Chair:
Senator Steve Faris 501-865-3333
Vice Chair:
Senator Gilbert Baker 501-327-8653
Senator Ed Wilkinson 479-996-4171
Senator Shawn Womack 870-424-5000
Senator Randy Laverty 870-446-5005
Senator Bobby Glover 870-552-7150
Senator Bill Pritchard 479-442-8611
Senator Jack Crumbly 870-633-7338
In Session Phone:501-682-2902
Out of Session Phone:501-682-6107
Here is the roll call vote on HB1024 before the House. Video footage should be up soon!
Yeas: 92
Abernathy Adcock Allen Anderson Berry Blount Bond T. Bradford Breedlove E. Brown J. Brown Burkes Burris Cash Cheatham Cook Cooper Cornwell L. Cowling
D. Creekmore Davenport Davis Dickinson S. Dobbins Dunn Edwards D. Evans L. Evans Everett Garner Gaskill George Glidewell R. Green Greenberg Hall Hardwick
Harrelson Harris Hawkins House Hoyt D. Hutchinson Jeffrey D. Johnson J. Johnson
Kenney Key Kidd King Lamoureux W. Lewellen Lovell Lowery Maloch M. Martin
Maxwell Medley Moore Norton Overbey Pace Pate Patterson Pennartz Pickett Pierce Powers S. Prater Pyle Ragland Rainey Reep Reynolds J. Roebuck Rogers
Rosenbaum Sample Saunders Schulte L. Smith Stewart Sullivan Sumpter Thyer
Wagner Walters Wells Wills Wood Woods Wyatt
Nays: 5
Flowers Hardy Hyde Shelby Webb
Not Voting: 3
T. Baker Chesterfield Mr. Speaker
Video 1
Video 2
Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, no schedule has been posted yet. Here is the list of the Committee members:
Legislative Members
Chair:
Senator Steve Faris 501-865-3333
Vice Chair:
Senator Gilbert Baker 501-327-8653
Senator Ed Wilkinson 479-996-4171
Senator Shawn Womack 870-424-5000
Senator Randy Laverty 870-446-5005
Senator Bobby Glover 870-552-7150
Senator Bill Pritchard 479-442-8611
Senator Jack Crumbly 870-633-7338
In Session Phone:501-682-2902
Out of Session Phone:501-682-6107
Here is the roll call vote on HB1024 before the House. Video footage should be up soon!
Yeas: 92
Abernathy Adcock Allen Anderson Berry Blount Bond T. Bradford Breedlove E. Brown J. Brown Burkes Burris Cash Cheatham Cook Cooper Cornwell L. Cowling
D. Creekmore Davenport Davis Dickinson S. Dobbins Dunn Edwards D. Evans L. Evans Everett Garner Gaskill George Glidewell R. Green Greenberg Hall Hardwick
Harrelson Harris Hawkins House Hoyt D. Hutchinson Jeffrey D. Johnson J. Johnson
Kenney Key Kidd King Lamoureux W. Lewellen Lovell Lowery Maloch M. Martin
Maxwell Medley Moore Norton Overbey Pace Pate Patterson Pennartz Pickett Pierce Powers S. Prater Pyle Ragland Rainey Reep Reynolds J. Roebuck Rogers
Rosenbaum Sample Saunders Schulte L. Smith Stewart Sullivan Sumpter Thyer
Wagner Walters Wells Wills Wood Woods Wyatt
Nays: 5
Flowers Hardy Hyde Shelby Webb
Not Voting: 3
T. Baker Chesterfield Mr. Speaker
Video 1
Video 2
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
HB1024 update 01 23 07
HB1024, the bill to deny state contracts to companies that hire illegals, cleared the Committee on Public Health that met at 10:00am 01/23/07. The bill passed 17-2!. Here are some details about what happened:
Rick Green introducted the bill. After the introduction, supporters of the bill spoke in favor of the bill and immigration reform. Representative Gaskill gave the best support. The 2 Representatives who opposed the bill were Flowers and Hardy. Flowers basically tried distract Green by claiming that HB1024 would involve the Federal Government. Green mentioned that the bill deals with state contracts and only denies them if the company is found to be hiring illegals. Green also mentioned that 2 states have already adopted this type of law.
Representative Hardy whined about the fact that the bill does not include contracts in the private sector. Green stated that state contracts involve taxpayer money and that contracts in the private sector can be dealt with later.
The other opposition was from Rita Sklarr (maybe mispelled, don't care) of the ACLU. Sklarr repeated the complaint about the Basic Pilot Program. Green pointed out that not even the Basic Pilot Program is required. Only that a company make an effort to prove legal status of workers. Here's video footage of the Committee meeting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-16NZyaciGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGit7UC7Dc
HB1024 should go before the House Wed. 01/24/07 at 1:30pm. We will still need to fight for this bill and put pressure on Representatives such as Barry Hyde. Keep making phone calls and try to visit!
Rick Green introducted the bill. After the introduction, supporters of the bill spoke in favor of the bill and immigration reform. Representative Gaskill gave the best support. The 2 Representatives who opposed the bill were Flowers and Hardy. Flowers basically tried distract Green by claiming that HB1024 would involve the Federal Government. Green mentioned that the bill deals with state contracts and only denies them if the company is found to be hiring illegals. Green also mentioned that 2 states have already adopted this type of law.
Representative Hardy whined about the fact that the bill does not include contracts in the private sector. Green stated that state contracts involve taxpayer money and that contracts in the private sector can be dealt with later.
The other opposition was from Rita Sklarr (maybe mispelled, don't care) of the ACLU. Sklarr repeated the complaint about the Basic Pilot Program. Green pointed out that not even the Basic Pilot Program is required. Only that a company make an effort to prove legal status of workers. Here's video footage of the Committee meeting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-16NZyaciGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGit7UC7Dc
HB1024 should go before the House Wed. 01/24/07 at 1:30pm. We will still need to fight for this bill and put pressure on Representatives such as Barry Hyde. Keep making phone calls and try to visit!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Fight for HB1024
Today we visited the Capitol to check up on HB1024. Rick Green informed us that he had enough votes to pass the House Commitee on Public Health. We talked to a few representatives just to remind them. While we were there, a representative from the ACLU showed up and began lobbying against the bill! The ACLU has decided to fight against a bill that would reduce illegal immigration in Arkansas. They claim that the identification system, the Basic Pilot Program, is flawed and may cause discrimination. The Chamber of Commerce (which supports illegal immigration) claims the Basic Pilot Program fails 20% of the time. The ACLU also cites DHS and the GAO, organizations that have their own failure rates. Here are the ACLU talking points:
· Promote discrimination against workers and make the employer susceptible to lawsuits(doesn't every regulation do that?)
· Put worker privacy at risk(You have to prove legal status to get a job in the first place)
· Impose high costs on businesses and workers (The cost illegal immigration on America is bigger!)
Here's a link to the "fact" sheet that they sent to the Committee members and used to lobby with today.
http://www.acluarkansas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=13
Betsy Hagan suggested that anyone who lives in the district of Representative Jim Medley should give him a call ASAP and ask that he allows HB1024 to pass.
____
A more local threat will have to be dealt with if HB1024 makes it to the House. According to Rick Green, Representative and contractor Barry Hyde of District 40 (North Little Rock area) is lobbying hard against HB1024. This is technically MY state representative! If you also live in Arkansas House district 40, call Barry Hyde at 501-371-0255 or the AR House phone numbers 501-682-6211 (in session) or 501-682-7771 (out of session). I will demand that he at least allow HB1024 to pass.
HB1024 is going before the House Committee on Public Health Tuesday Jan 23rd (tommorrow!), 10:00am, Room 130. The ACLU, along with other illegal immigration supporters will likely be there to advance their agenda. I will try to tape the event. It is recommended that you show up at around 9:30am to get space!
· Promote discrimination against workers and make the employer susceptible to lawsuits(doesn't every regulation do that?)
· Put worker privacy at risk(You have to prove legal status to get a job in the first place)
· Impose high costs on businesses and workers (The cost illegal immigration on America is bigger!)
Here's a link to the "fact" sheet that they sent to the Committee members and used to lobby with today.
http://www.acluarkansas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=13
Betsy Hagan suggested that anyone who lives in the district of Representative Jim Medley should give him a call ASAP and ask that he allows HB1024 to pass.
____
A more local threat will have to be dealt with if HB1024 makes it to the House. According to Rick Green, Representative and contractor Barry Hyde of District 40 (North Little Rock area) is lobbying hard against HB1024. This is technically MY state representative! If you also live in Arkansas House district 40, call Barry Hyde at 501-371-0255 or the AR House phone numbers 501-682-6211 (in session) or 501-682-7771 (out of session). I will demand that he at least allow HB1024 to pass.
HB1024 is going before the House Committee on Public Health Tuesday Jan 23rd (tommorrow!), 10:00am, Room 130. The ACLU, along with other illegal immigration supporters will likely be there to advance their agenda. I will try to tape the event. It is recommended that you show up at around 9:30am to get space!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Legistlature events and updates
There is a lot going on at the State Capitol!
We did a lot of planning with the the Eagle Forum Event at the State Capitol. There are several issues that the Eagle Forum is planning to deal with, including illegal immigration.
HB1024 is on the agenda for the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and
Labor. On Tuesday Jan 16th, the bill was tabled so that nobody would vote on the bill. On Tuesday January 22nd, Rick Green will introduce the bill again. Eagle Forum is preparing to lobby for this bill and we're going to need help from every conservative! Here is the plan for passing HB1024:
Friday 1/19- We need to call the Committee that the bill is being introduced to. Betsy Hagan suggested that we poll them to get a yes/no on how they will vote and then inform them that you want HB1024 to pass. Most activist agree that phone calls are very effective in lobbying.
Monday 1/22- The Eagle Forum will be lobbying at the State Capitol and needs as many people there as possible. They will meet in front of the Arkansas House of Representatives at the State Capitol (2nd floor) at around 1:00pm. We will then hunt down the Committee members and talk to them in person!
Tuesday 1/23- Rick Green stated that he will introduce HB1024 again. This time, we will want a conservative presence in the Committee room. The details of the committee are below:
House Committee on Public Health, Welfare andLabor
86th General Assembly
Regular Session, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:00am
10:00 AM
Room 130, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
To help out, here is the contact information for the Committee members:
http://www.arkansas.gov/house/index.html
In Session Phone:501-682-6211
Out of Session Phone:501-682-7771
Eddie Cooper (Chair)
District:71
870-368-4409
Johnny Key (Vice Chair)
District: 81
870-425-5200
Rep. Stan Berry 479-331-2500
Rep. Susan Schulte 501-843-8187
Rep. Sandra Prater 501-988-0695
Rep. Denny Sumpter 870-732-5938
Rep. Daryl Pace 479-524-5549
Rep. Jim Medley 479-783-4500
Rep. Marilyn Edwards 479-521-1973
Rep. Roy Ragland 870-448-6640
Rep. Rick Green SPONSOR!
Rep. Willie Hardy 870-833-1359
Rep. Pam Adcock 501-568-3398
Rep. Stephanie Flowers 870-535-1032
Rep. Gregg Reep 870-226-7108
Rep. Dawn Creekmore 501-888-3411
Rep. Mike Burris 501-337-4391
Rep. Sharon Dobbins 501-376-1654
Rep. Billy Gaskill 870-239-4383
Rep. Eddie Hawkins 501-849-2295
Just remember that after the bill leaves the Committee, the battle will have just begun!
We did a lot of planning with the the Eagle Forum Event at the State Capitol. There are several issues that the Eagle Forum is planning to deal with, including illegal immigration.
HB1024 is on the agenda for the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and
Labor. On Tuesday Jan 16th, the bill was tabled so that nobody would vote on the bill. On Tuesday January 22nd, Rick Green will introduce the bill again. Eagle Forum is preparing to lobby for this bill and we're going to need help from every conservative! Here is the plan for passing HB1024:
Friday 1/19- We need to call the Committee that the bill is being introduced to. Betsy Hagan suggested that we poll them to get a yes/no on how they will vote and then inform them that you want HB1024 to pass. Most activist agree that phone calls are very effective in lobbying.
Monday 1/22- The Eagle Forum will be lobbying at the State Capitol and needs as many people there as possible. They will meet in front of the Arkansas House of Representatives at the State Capitol (2nd floor) at around 1:00pm. We will then hunt down the Committee members and talk to them in person!
Tuesday 1/23- Rick Green stated that he will introduce HB1024 again. This time, we will want a conservative presence in the Committee room. The details of the committee are below:
House Committee on Public Health, Welfare andLabor
86th General Assembly
Regular Session, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:00am
10:00 AM
Room 130, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
To help out, here is the contact information for the Committee members:
http://www.arkansas.gov/house/index.html
In Session Phone:501-682-6211
Out of Session Phone:501-682-7771
Eddie Cooper (Chair)
District:71
870-368-4409
Johnny Key (Vice Chair)
District: 81
870-425-5200
Rep. Stan Berry 479-331-2500
Rep. Susan Schulte 501-843-8187
Rep. Sandra Prater 501-988-0695
Rep. Denny Sumpter 870-732-5938
Rep. Daryl Pace 479-524-5549
Rep. Jim Medley 479-783-4500
Rep. Marilyn Edwards 479-521-1973
Rep. Roy Ragland 870-448-6640
Rep. Rick Green SPONSOR!
Rep. Willie Hardy 870-833-1359
Rep. Pam Adcock 501-568-3398
Rep. Stephanie Flowers 870-535-1032
Rep. Gregg Reep 870-226-7108
Rep. Dawn Creekmore 501-888-3411
Rep. Mike Burris 501-337-4391
Rep. Sharon Dobbins 501-376-1654
Rep. Billy Gaskill 870-239-4383
Rep. Eddie Hawkins 501-849-2295
Just remember that after the bill leaves the Committee, the battle will have just begun!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
HB1024 update
Message from State Representative Rick Green to keeparkansaslegal:
It was a pleasure to meet you also. I am pleased that you are able to embrace HB 1024 and I hope that our State taking this step of leadership in this area is a responsible and positive step to help resolve this issue. I have marked my calendar for the Eagle Forum's meeting on the 18th and will try and stop by the Capitol Cafeteria for a few minutes. Feel free to have your friends and associates contact their local Representative and Senator regarding this bill to show your support. I don't anticipate any problems at this point but I have learned not to let my guard down. I anticipate making the amendments and running this bill in committee on Tuesday, January 16th at 10am in Room 130 which is the same room you were in today on the 1st floor of the Capitol.
Thank you for writing.
Rick Green
State Representative District 66
________________
Right now HB1024 is in the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. Rick Green is going to add some amendments to the bill that will do a better job of punishing companies that hire illegals. As he mentioned in the statement, HB1024 will be in committee Tuesday Jan 16th at 10:00am. It's the second bill on the committee agenda so it could be brought up around 10:30-11:30am or even later. Below are the members of that committee. So far, I haven't been able to find any other bills that concern immigration.
Rep. Eddie Cooper, Chair
Rep. Johnny Key, Vice Chair
Rep. Stan Berry Rep. Susan Schulte Rep. Sandra Prater Rep. Denny Sumpter Rep. Daryl Pace Rep. Jim Medley Rep. Marilyn Edwards Rep. Roy Ragland Rep. Rick Green(sponsor) Rep. Willie Hardy Rep. Pam Adcock Rep. Stephanie Flowers Rep. Gregg Reep Rep. Dawn Creekmore Rep. Mike Burris Rep. Sharon Dobbins Rep. Billy Gaskill Rep. Eddie Hawkins
Here is the Arkansas House contact information. From here, you should be able to contact or leave a message for a state representative.
In Session Phone: 501-682-6211
Out of Session Phone: 501-682-7771
It was a pleasure to meet you also. I am pleased that you are able to embrace HB 1024 and I hope that our State taking this step of leadership in this area is a responsible and positive step to help resolve this issue. I have marked my calendar for the Eagle Forum's meeting on the 18th and will try and stop by the Capitol Cafeteria for a few minutes. Feel free to have your friends and associates contact their local Representative and Senator regarding this bill to show your support. I don't anticipate any problems at this point but I have learned not to let my guard down. I anticipate making the amendments and running this bill in committee on Tuesday, January 16th at 10am in Room 130 which is the same room you were in today on the 1st floor of the Capitol.
Thank you for writing.
Rick Green
State Representative District 66
________________
Right now HB1024 is in the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. Rick Green is going to add some amendments to the bill that will do a better job of punishing companies that hire illegals. As he mentioned in the statement, HB1024 will be in committee Tuesday Jan 16th at 10:00am. It's the second bill on the committee agenda so it could be brought up around 10:30-11:30am or even later. Below are the members of that committee. So far, I haven't been able to find any other bills that concern immigration.
Rep. Eddie Cooper, Chair
Rep. Johnny Key, Vice Chair
Rep. Stan Berry Rep. Susan Schulte Rep. Sandra Prater Rep. Denny Sumpter Rep. Daryl Pace Rep. Jim Medley Rep. Marilyn Edwards Rep. Roy Ragland Rep. Rick Green(sponsor) Rep. Willie Hardy Rep. Pam Adcock Rep. Stephanie Flowers Rep. Gregg Reep Rep. Dawn Creekmore Rep. Mike Burris Rep. Sharon Dobbins Rep. Billy Gaskill Rep. Eddie Hawkins
Here is the Arkansas House contact information. From here, you should be able to contact or leave a message for a state representative.
In Session Phone: 501-682-6211
Out of Session Phone: 501-682-7771
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Events in Arkansas UPDATE!
The Eagle Forum Legislative Session Meeting has been moved to Thursday January 18, 2007. I apologize to anyone else who showed up. The meeting will be at the State Cafeteria and start at 9:30am.
I did get an update about HB1024; An Act to prohibit state agencies from contracting with businesses that employ illegals. I talked with the sponsor of the bill Rep. Rick Green. Green will amend the bill with stronger enforcement and plans to introduce the bill next week to the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. I have invited Green to attend the PCRA Assembly meeting and the Eagle Forum events so that we can work on passing this legislation.
________________
The Pulaski County Republican Assembly will meet Tuesday, January 16, 2007, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Terry Library Meeting Room. Please bring names and phone numbers of people who would be willing to call legislators for legislation we want passed or defeated. We will be working on a phone chain list. Please call Doug or Doris Reed, 868-4742, if you have any questions.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Update on Arkansas and ACLU sues police
1/9/07 There is only 1 bill regarding immigration that I could find: HB1024 AN ACT TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM CONTRACTING WITH BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Submitted by Rick Green. I will invite Rick Green to the Eagle Forum Legistlative Session.
_________________________
from: The Drudge Report
ACLU sues state police (will Rogers be next?)
01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, January 9, 2007
By Karen Lee ZinerJournal Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union yesterday filed a federal lawsuit against the state police, alleging racial profiling and violation of the constitutional rights of 14 Guatemalan nationals during a July traffic stop that led to their detention by immigration officials. (illegals have no constitutional rights)
Steven Brown, director of the Rhode Island affiliate, yesterday noted the unusual nature of the lawsuit filed by ACLU volunteer attorney V. Edward Formisano.
“It’s very rare for individuals like these plaintiffs to be willing to step forward and challenge questionable police practices that they’ve been subject to,” said Brown.
“The citizenship status of the plaintiffs is really irrelevant to this lawsuit. These were individuals who were in a van that was stopped for a minor traffic violation. The question is whether police have a right to detain individuals for no other reason than the way they look …”
Said Brown, “The law generally prohibits racial profiling on the highways. It prohibits stopping or searching vehicles based on the person’s race or ethnicity, all of which we think were present in this case. It also specifically bars police officers from detaining individuals in cars longer than necessary to address the initial traffic violation. From our perspective, that restriction was clearly violated in this case.” (What about common sense?)
The lawsuit names the State of Rhode Island, the state police, state police Supt. Steven M. Pare and Trooper Thomas Chabot individually; and a “Jane Doe” state trooper whose identity the ACLU was unable to establish. State police spokesman Maj. Steven G. O’Donnell said yesterday, “We respect the ACLU’s right to file any lawsuit but we have reviewed this matter at length and continue to support Trooper Chabot’s actions. We also respect the court process and we’ll wait and see how the court rules” before making any comment.
The allegations stem from a traffic stop by Chabot early on July 11 on Route 95 in Richmond.
According to the lawsuit, Chabot pulled over a van operated by Carlos A. Tamup because Tamup had failed to use his turn signal when changing lanes.
The lawsuit alleges that Chabot first confirmed that Tamup’s license and registration were valid and that he had no criminal record.
“Chabot nonetheless proceeded to open the doors of the vehicle, and by utilizing Tamup as a translator, requested all the passengers to also provide identification,” according to an ACLU synopsis of the case. When some failed to do so, Chabot then asked them to produce documents “demonstrating their U.S. citizenship.”
When none of the 14 were able to do so, Chabot advised them that they would all be escorted to the federal Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Providence.
Then, the lawsuit states, Chabot instructed Tamup, the driver, that he was responsible for the vehicle’s passengers, and that if any passenger attempted to escape from the van en route to Providence, that passenger would be “shot.”
Chabot and the trooper identified only as “Jane Doe,” then escorted the group to the Providence ICE office.
Formisano, the ACLU lawyer, is seeking a declaratory judgment that the defendants violated the constitutional rights of the driver and his passengers, and demands punitive and compensatory damages on behalf of the 11 plaintiffs. Besides Tamup, the plaintiffs are: Astrid G. Estrada, Wendy M. Estrada, Guilfredo E. Munoz, Jose A. Aquino, Cruz F. Rivera, Jose Burgos, Abelino M. Urizar, Israel Tebalan, Rolando Noriega, Boris R. Cruz, and Elsa Hernandez Villavicencio, all of Providence. (I thought they were from Guatemala?)
The lawsuit argues that the actions by the state police “violated the state’s Racial Profiling Prevention Act, as well as the driver’s and passengers’ constitutional rights to be free from discrimination and from unreasonable searches and seizures.”
The suit argues that the defendants “knew or should have known that the search, seizure and detention of the plaintiffs were without reasonable or probable cause, and were therefore unlawful under the circumstances.” The lawsuit also steps into the heart of a national controversy over whether local police should be involved in enforcement of federal immigration laws. (Police should have to let 14 unknown people go, just like they had to let Mohammed Atta go)
Brown said, “To their credit, many police departments across the country have rejected the opportunity to enforce those laws for a number of reasons. I think first they recognize they don’t have the expertise with these laws … also, that doing so undermines trust in the communities that they serve. People in immigrant communities are going to think twice before they contact police if they’ve been victims of a crime, if they think they’ll be the ones who end up on trial.”
The van stop also rattled Rhode Island civil rights advocates, who during a public forum this summer and a subsequent news conference, criticized state police Superintendent Pare’s response to the incident. Pare ordered an internal review after the ACLU filed a complaint. That investigation cleared Chabot; Pare stated that Chabot acted “professionally and appropriately,” and denied racial profiling by the trooper. The state police response to the first complaint “expressed complete satisfaction with the way the stop and detention occurred, which led to this lawsuit,” said Brown. (Socialist sue when they don't get their way)
_________________________
from: The Drudge Report
ACLU sues state police (will Rogers be next?)
01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, January 9, 2007
By Karen Lee ZinerJournal Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union yesterday filed a federal lawsuit against the state police, alleging racial profiling and violation of the constitutional rights of 14 Guatemalan nationals during a July traffic stop that led to their detention by immigration officials. (illegals have no constitutional rights)
Steven Brown, director of the Rhode Island affiliate, yesterday noted the unusual nature of the lawsuit filed by ACLU volunteer attorney V. Edward Formisano.
“It’s very rare for individuals like these plaintiffs to be willing to step forward and challenge questionable police practices that they’ve been subject to,” said Brown.
“The citizenship status of the plaintiffs is really irrelevant to this lawsuit. These were individuals who were in a van that was stopped for a minor traffic violation. The question is whether police have a right to detain individuals for no other reason than the way they look …”
Said Brown, “The law generally prohibits racial profiling on the highways. It prohibits stopping or searching vehicles based on the person’s race or ethnicity, all of which we think were present in this case. It also specifically bars police officers from detaining individuals in cars longer than necessary to address the initial traffic violation. From our perspective, that restriction was clearly violated in this case.” (What about common sense?)
The lawsuit names the State of Rhode Island, the state police, state police Supt. Steven M. Pare and Trooper Thomas Chabot individually; and a “Jane Doe” state trooper whose identity the ACLU was unable to establish. State police spokesman Maj. Steven G. O’Donnell said yesterday, “We respect the ACLU’s right to file any lawsuit but we have reviewed this matter at length and continue to support Trooper Chabot’s actions. We also respect the court process and we’ll wait and see how the court rules” before making any comment.
The allegations stem from a traffic stop by Chabot early on July 11 on Route 95 in Richmond.
According to the lawsuit, Chabot pulled over a van operated by Carlos A. Tamup because Tamup had failed to use his turn signal when changing lanes.
The lawsuit alleges that Chabot first confirmed that Tamup’s license and registration were valid and that he had no criminal record.
“Chabot nonetheless proceeded to open the doors of the vehicle, and by utilizing Tamup as a translator, requested all the passengers to also provide identification,” according to an ACLU synopsis of the case. When some failed to do so, Chabot then asked them to produce documents “demonstrating their U.S. citizenship.”
When none of the 14 were able to do so, Chabot advised them that they would all be escorted to the federal Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Providence.
Then, the lawsuit states, Chabot instructed Tamup, the driver, that he was responsible for the vehicle’s passengers, and that if any passenger attempted to escape from the van en route to Providence, that passenger would be “shot.”
Chabot and the trooper identified only as “Jane Doe,” then escorted the group to the Providence ICE office.
Formisano, the ACLU lawyer, is seeking a declaratory judgment that the defendants violated the constitutional rights of the driver and his passengers, and demands punitive and compensatory damages on behalf of the 11 plaintiffs. Besides Tamup, the plaintiffs are: Astrid G. Estrada, Wendy M. Estrada, Guilfredo E. Munoz, Jose A. Aquino, Cruz F. Rivera, Jose Burgos, Abelino M. Urizar, Israel Tebalan, Rolando Noriega, Boris R. Cruz, and Elsa Hernandez Villavicencio, all of Providence. (I thought they were from Guatemala?)
The lawsuit argues that the actions by the state police “violated the state’s Racial Profiling Prevention Act, as well as the driver’s and passengers’ constitutional rights to be free from discrimination and from unreasonable searches and seizures.”
The suit argues that the defendants “knew or should have known that the search, seizure and detention of the plaintiffs were without reasonable or probable cause, and were therefore unlawful under the circumstances.” The lawsuit also steps into the heart of a national controversy over whether local police should be involved in enforcement of federal immigration laws. (Police should have to let 14 unknown people go, just like they had to let Mohammed Atta go)
Brown said, “To their credit, many police departments across the country have rejected the opportunity to enforce those laws for a number of reasons. I think first they recognize they don’t have the expertise with these laws … also, that doing so undermines trust in the communities that they serve. People in immigrant communities are going to think twice before they contact police if they’ve been victims of a crime, if they think they’ll be the ones who end up on trial.”
The van stop also rattled Rhode Island civil rights advocates, who during a public forum this summer and a subsequent news conference, criticized state police Superintendent Pare’s response to the incident. Pare ordered an internal review after the ACLU filed a complaint. That investigation cleared Chabot; Pare stated that Chabot acted “professionally and appropriately,” and denied racial profiling by the trooper. The state police response to the first complaint “expressed complete satisfaction with the way the stop and detention occurred, which led to this lawsuit,” said Brown. (Socialist sue when they don't get their way)
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Illegals attack unarmed National Guard
From worldnetdaily.com:
Gun-carrying volunteer members of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps have launched patrols along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona in support of National Guard troops who just 48 hours earlier were attacked by gunmen and had to retreat, according to officials. More at this link:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53656
Gun-carrying volunteer members of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps have launched patrols along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona in support of National Guard troops who just 48 hours earlier were attacked by gunmen and had to retreat, according to officials. More at this link:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53656
Events in Arkansas
Tuesday, January 9th, there is supposed to be a court hearing for Wayne Fincher, a militia member who has been arrested on gun possesion charges. I believe that most militia members support our cause and I know that many members of our group are interested in this story. I don't have the address for the court he is going to. Here is his attorney's contact info:
Oscar Stilley info@oscarstilley.com
Attorney at Law
2120 North B Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
479-573-0726
479-573-0647 fax
Thursday January 11th 9:30-11:30 State Capitol Cafeteria, Eagle Forum legistlature day! Eagle Forum will have a meeting with conseratives and state government officials. This is a great opportunity to meet with and lobby your representatives. You can contact Betsy Hagan: bhhagan@sbcglobal.net
Oscar Stilley info@oscarstilley.com
Attorney at Law
2120 North B Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
479-573-0726
479-573-0647 fax
Thursday January 11th 9:30-11:30 State Capitol Cafeteria, Eagle Forum legistlature day! Eagle Forum will have a meeting with conseratives and state government officials. This is a great opportunity to meet with and lobby your representatives. You can contact Betsy Hagan: bhhagan@sbcglobal.net
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
A New Year with old problems
Hello Everyone, I took a vacation and had to do some work for Christmas and New Year's Eve. Although we have New Year, we have several illegal alien problems from last year. Here is another story about the effects of illegal immigration in Arkansas. Is illegal immigration worth exposing Arkansas citizens to this?
Immigration officials detain family of boy who confessed to rape
BY SHARON C. FITZGERALD ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTEROGERS
- Immigration officials have detained the family of a 12-year-old Rogers boy who confessed earlier this year to raping a female relative, Rogers police and a Benton County prosecutor said. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began investigating the family last week after a Rogers school official told him about the case, said Rep. John Boozman, RArk. We try to use the power of the office for the good, Boozman said Friday. The congressman from Rogers said his office called immigration officials in Northwest Arkansas and asked them to check on the family's legal status.
Rogers school officials became concerned when they learned the boy was adjudicated on a rape charge and they had not been notified, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack said Friday. Parents of juveniles facing adjudication are supposed to notify school officials as part of a court-ordered safety plan made early in a juvenile case, he said. The school wasn't notified about the safety plan in this case, Womack said. What motivation did the parents have to notify the school?
A lot of issues would have been melted away had the school been notified. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Rogers police went to the family's apartment Thursday and took two adults and four children into custody, Womack said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Fort Smith could not be reached for comment Friday. The 12-year-old was taken into juvenile custody in August after Rogers police received information that he had raped an 8-year-old female family member, said Van Stone, Benton County chief deputy prosecuting attorney. On Nov. 27, Benton County Circuit Judge Jay Finch ordered that the boy receive two years probation and outpatient individual and family counseling after he confessed to the rape, Stone said. The boy, who was 11 at the time of the crime, was released to his parents and allowed to return to school, Stone said. The overriding goal of juvenile court is rehabilitation, Stone said. Every juvenile who comes through the court is assessed by a trained professional and a recommendation is made to the court.
Rogers School Superintendent Janie Darr told Boozman about the boys case when the congressman visited with her last week, Boozman said. Darr said Friday she never mentioned the child by name, but that the case came up during a conversation with the congressman. I didn"t ask [Boozman] to look into anything, Darr said. I did not give him the name or any confidential information about the student. Darr said she could not comment on the child's case and didn't know how many students in Rogers public schools have been adjudicated in juvenile court. No statistics are kept on how many adjudicated delinquents are in the public school system, said Petie Cobb, chief juvenile probation officer for Benton County.
This story was published Sunday, December 31, 2006
__________AND__
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Immigration Deports Juvenile Rapist, Family
By Robin Mero The Morning News
BENTONVILLE -- Immigration officials deported a 12-year-old convicted rapist from Rogers and his family Thursday after school officials expressed concern about the boy being in school to 3rd District Rep John Boozman, R-Rogers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Rogers police raided a Rogers apartment early Thursday, taking into custody the boy, his three siblings and two parents. Three family members were hiding in the attic, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack said.
"This was an egregious crime committed by an undocumented person and has involved the resources of many agencies. It's very sobering when these issues are manifested in juveniles," Womack said.
The boy pleaded guilty in November before Benton County Circuit Judge Jay Finch to raping an 8-year-old relative at the family's home in August. The boy was age 11 when the rape occurred.
The Morning News' policy is not to print the names of children convicted of crimes, and immigration officials did not release the name of the boy or his family.
School offices were closed for the holiday, and Rogers Superintendent Janie Darr couldn't be reached for comment. Boozman said Thursday he visited the district last week and Darr told him about a student convicted of rape, but not on school grounds, so officials were concerned about expelling him. She also mentioned the student appeared to be an illegal immigrant, Boozman said.
Boozman, who served seven years on the Rogers School Board, said he immediately looked into the situation and asked immigration officials about the family's status.
"My way of thinking is, you always err with the safety of the children," Boozman said. "I asked Immigration what was going on, and they got involved. That's what my office is here for, to help you -- whether you're a superintendent or a man on the street."
Immigration has been a heated topic in Rogers since Womack requested last month six city police officers be trained and certified through Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The program grants state and local law enforcement authority to identify and detain illegal immigrants.
Womack has said illegal immigrants are responsible for nearly half of "the worst of the worst" drug crimes in Rogers. Some immigrant advocates have submitted letters opposing the proposal, while others, including Boozman, have written letters in support.
Van Stone, chief deputy prosecutor, said Finch sentenced the boy to two years of probation and ordered him to undergo psychosexual screening, risk assessment and outpatient treatment. A boy that age could not be charged as an adult, even under Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction laws, Stone said.
Finch said Thursday he can't address specific cases but children who are illegal immigrants aren't eligible for Medicaid and often can't afford inpatient treatment programs for sex offenders. While cases are pending, juveniles are released under strict conditions, Finch said.
"In many ways, the conditions are more stringent than what we impose on adults," Finch said.
Prosecutors recommend a safety plan requiring parents to inform other adults of a child's charge. Sexual assault cases involving family members require parents control the child's exposure to others in the home.
Juvenile Probation is authorized to notify a school after a conviction, said Petie Cobb, supervisor of the Benton County Juvenile Probation Office. However, with an allegation involving child maltreatment, the Department of Health and Human Services must determine the validity of the claim and, if it's substantiated, inform a school counselor of names and relationships. This investigation is done immediately -- separate from any court action -- and must be reported to the school within 10 business days.
The Arkansas Crimes Against Children division of the Arkansas State Police contracts with the department to investigate the allegations, said Bill Sadler, state police spokesman. Either the department or the state police send a form to the school, but that form is part of a sealed file. He wouldn't confirm whether a notice was sent in the case of the 12-year-old boy.
Julie Thompson, media representative of the Arkansas Department of Education, provided documents Thursday showing a student can be refused enrollment if he or she has been convicted of a felony and the district has implemented a related policy.
However, the laws governing expulsion are limited to acts committed on school grounds or during school hours.
By the Numbers
Juvenile delinquency petitions, Benton County
2004 586
2005 755
2006 802*
* Number to date
Source: Administrative Office of the Courts
The Mexican "government", Tyson Foods, the ACLU, and other groups have plenty of money to spend lobbying and staging protest. Do you think they would compensate a victim of illegal alien crime?
Immigration officials detain family of boy who confessed to rape
BY SHARON C. FITZGERALD ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTEROGERS
- Immigration officials have detained the family of a 12-year-old Rogers boy who confessed earlier this year to raping a female relative, Rogers police and a Benton County prosecutor said. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began investigating the family last week after a Rogers school official told him about the case, said Rep. John Boozman, RArk. We try to use the power of the office for the good, Boozman said Friday. The congressman from Rogers said his office called immigration officials in Northwest Arkansas and asked them to check on the family's legal status.
Rogers school officials became concerned when they learned the boy was adjudicated on a rape charge and they had not been notified, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack said Friday. Parents of juveniles facing adjudication are supposed to notify school officials as part of a court-ordered safety plan made early in a juvenile case, he said. The school wasn't notified about the safety plan in this case, Womack said. What motivation did the parents have to notify the school?
A lot of issues would have been melted away had the school been notified. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Rogers police went to the family's apartment Thursday and took two adults and four children into custody, Womack said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Fort Smith could not be reached for comment Friday. The 12-year-old was taken into juvenile custody in August after Rogers police received information that he had raped an 8-year-old female family member, said Van Stone, Benton County chief deputy prosecuting attorney. On Nov. 27, Benton County Circuit Judge Jay Finch ordered that the boy receive two years probation and outpatient individual and family counseling after he confessed to the rape, Stone said. The boy, who was 11 at the time of the crime, was released to his parents and allowed to return to school, Stone said. The overriding goal of juvenile court is rehabilitation, Stone said. Every juvenile who comes through the court is assessed by a trained professional and a recommendation is made to the court.
Rogers School Superintendent Janie Darr told Boozman about the boys case when the congressman visited with her last week, Boozman said. Darr said Friday she never mentioned the child by name, but that the case came up during a conversation with the congressman. I didn"t ask [Boozman] to look into anything, Darr said. I did not give him the name or any confidential information about the student. Darr said she could not comment on the child's case and didn't know how many students in Rogers public schools have been adjudicated in juvenile court. No statistics are kept on how many adjudicated delinquents are in the public school system, said Petie Cobb, chief juvenile probation officer for Benton County.
This story was published Sunday, December 31, 2006
__________AND__
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
Immigration Deports Juvenile Rapist, Family
By Robin Mero The Morning News
BENTONVILLE -- Immigration officials deported a 12-year-old convicted rapist from Rogers and his family Thursday after school officials expressed concern about the boy being in school to 3rd District Rep John Boozman, R-Rogers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Rogers police raided a Rogers apartment early Thursday, taking into custody the boy, his three siblings and two parents. Three family members were hiding in the attic, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack said.
"This was an egregious crime committed by an undocumented person and has involved the resources of many agencies. It's very sobering when these issues are manifested in juveniles," Womack said.
The boy pleaded guilty in November before Benton County Circuit Judge Jay Finch to raping an 8-year-old relative at the family's home in August. The boy was age 11 when the rape occurred.
The Morning News' policy is not to print the names of children convicted of crimes, and immigration officials did not release the name of the boy or his family.
School offices were closed for the holiday, and Rogers Superintendent Janie Darr couldn't be reached for comment. Boozman said Thursday he visited the district last week and Darr told him about a student convicted of rape, but not on school grounds, so officials were concerned about expelling him. She also mentioned the student appeared to be an illegal immigrant, Boozman said.
Boozman, who served seven years on the Rogers School Board, said he immediately looked into the situation and asked immigration officials about the family's status.
"My way of thinking is, you always err with the safety of the children," Boozman said. "I asked Immigration what was going on, and they got involved. That's what my office is here for, to help you -- whether you're a superintendent or a man on the street."
Immigration has been a heated topic in Rogers since Womack requested last month six city police officers be trained and certified through Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The program grants state and local law enforcement authority to identify and detain illegal immigrants.
Womack has said illegal immigrants are responsible for nearly half of "the worst of the worst" drug crimes in Rogers. Some immigrant advocates have submitted letters opposing the proposal, while others, including Boozman, have written letters in support.
Van Stone, chief deputy prosecutor, said Finch sentenced the boy to two years of probation and ordered him to undergo psychosexual screening, risk assessment and outpatient treatment. A boy that age could not be charged as an adult, even under Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction laws, Stone said.
Finch said Thursday he can't address specific cases but children who are illegal immigrants aren't eligible for Medicaid and often can't afford inpatient treatment programs for sex offenders. While cases are pending, juveniles are released under strict conditions, Finch said.
"In many ways, the conditions are more stringent than what we impose on adults," Finch said.
Prosecutors recommend a safety plan requiring parents to inform other adults of a child's charge. Sexual assault cases involving family members require parents control the child's exposure to others in the home.
Juvenile Probation is authorized to notify a school after a conviction, said Petie Cobb, supervisor of the Benton County Juvenile Probation Office. However, with an allegation involving child maltreatment, the Department of Health and Human Services must determine the validity of the claim and, if it's substantiated, inform a school counselor of names and relationships. This investigation is done immediately -- separate from any court action -- and must be reported to the school within 10 business days.
The Arkansas Crimes Against Children division of the Arkansas State Police contracts with the department to investigate the allegations, said Bill Sadler, state police spokesman. Either the department or the state police send a form to the school, but that form is part of a sealed file. He wouldn't confirm whether a notice was sent in the case of the 12-year-old boy.
Julie Thompson, media representative of the Arkansas Department of Education, provided documents Thursday showing a student can be refused enrollment if he or she has been convicted of a felony and the district has implemented a related policy.
However, the laws governing expulsion are limited to acts committed on school grounds or during school hours.
By the Numbers
Juvenile delinquency petitions, Benton County
2004 586
2005 755
2006 802*
* Number to date
Source: Administrative Office of the Courts
The Mexican "government", Tyson Foods, the ACLU, and other groups have plenty of money to spend lobbying and staging protest. Do you think they would compensate a victim of illegal alien crime?
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