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Attorneys for a young Dreamer facing deportation claim in a federal petition that immigration officers violated her right to freedom of speech, arguing she was targeted by authorities because she spoke out at a news conference about her hopes for immigration reform and the effect of enforcement raids on her family.

The allegation of retaliation is contained in a petition filed in federal court by a coalition of immigration and civil rights attorneys trying to stop the deportation of Daniela Vargas, who was detained by immigration agents in Mississippi minutes after she spoke at the news conference.

The Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Immigration Law Center joined Vargas immigration attorneys to file a habeas petition late Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Claiming U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violated Vargas 5th Amendment due process rights to a hearing before an immigration judge and her 1st Amendment right to be free from unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech, the petition seeks her immediate release, as well as a court hearing to challenge the decision to deport her.

She was targeted for speaking out against the ICE enforcement actions in the Jackson area and for going public with her story, said Michelle Lapointe, a senior staff attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center. We want to send a message to ICE that they cannot behave in this manner that targets people for exercising their 1st Amendment rights.

Vargas, 22, who was brought to the U.S. from Argentina when she was 7 years old, is one of a handful of young immigrants who now finds their legal status in question years after being accepted under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the Obama-era measure that allows immigrants brought into the country as children to work legally and protects them from deportation.

Danielas case is representative of the mean-spirited and misguided immigration policy of this administration that seeks to deport law-abiding young people who have contributed to their communities and who, for all intents and purposes, are Americans, Lapointe said. They grew up here. The only issue is they were brought to this country by their parents many, many years ago.

Growing up in Morton, a small city 35 miles east of Jackson, Miss., Vargas graduated high school in 2013 with honors, ranking ninth in her class with a 3.77 grade point average. After attending the University of Southern Mississippi, she recently took on a full-time job as a manager of a small store because she could not afford tuition.

Vargas first came under the media spotlight on Feb. 15, after ICE agents detained her father and brother outside their Jackson home as they left for work. Vargas barricaded herself in her home, yet federal agents returned with a search warrant and broke in. After handcuffing her, the petition claims, federal agents later released her, saying they knew her DACA status had lapsed, but that they were giving her a hall pass.

Shaken, Vargas emerged from the house to speak to local media reporters who had gathered outside. Two weeks later, on March 1, ICE agents detained her shortly after she spoke at a news conference outside Jackson City Hall about the need for a path to citizenship for immigrants living in the country without authorization.

Videotape of the news conference shows Vargas saying, "Today my father and brother await deportation while I continue to fight this battle as a Dreamer to help contribute to this country which I feel is very much my country."

According to the petition, ICE agents in two vehicles later pulled over her friends car, and one ICE agent who had previously raided her home said to Vargas: Remember me? You know who we are; you know why were here, and youre under arrest for being an illegal immigrant. She is now being held at a detention center in Louisiana.

In the petition filed Monday, Vargas attorneys argue the actions taken against her could have a chilling effect on others who wish to speak out about immigration. The arrest, detention, and imminent deportation that Ms. Vargas currently faces have injured her and continue to injure her, and would chill any person of ordinary firmness from continuing to speak out on issues related to immigration enforcement and policy, the petition states.

According to her attorneys, Vargas has two pending legal avenues to remain in the country lawfully. In 2012 and 2014, she was approved for the DACA program. While her DACA status expired in November as she tried to save up the $495 fee to renew it, her attorneys filed a renewal application in February.

In addition, Vargas also has a pending 2014 petition for a U non-immigrant visa based on her status as the child of a victim of a serious crime who has suffered mental or physical abuse and is cooperating with government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

Last week, ICE issued a public statement indicating that Vargas case would be heard before an immigration judge. However, federal officials have served Vargas paperwork noting they plan to deport her to Argentina without a court hearing, because she allegedly entered the U.S. under a Visa Waiver Program and waived her right to contest removal.

Jarvie is a special correspondent.

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'Dreamer' targeted for deportation for speaking out on immigration, attorneys say - Los Angeles Times

President Donald Trump's Rust Belt-fueled victory in 2016 sprang from his staunch commitment to protecting American jobs, in part by curbing and controlling immigration. Trump has swiftly begun to follow through on one of his key promises -- to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He also issued two executive directives for the Homeland Security Department detailing a new administrative launch and expansion of deportation policies for undocumented residents.

The consequence of Trump governing almost exactly as he campaigned is that his job approval rating is hovering not too far below his 46% level of support in the popular vote. To maintain even this modest approval rating, however, he will need, at a minimum, to hold his currently broad Republican base. That will involve satisfying the interests of two different educational camps within the party that don't always agree. There is an upper-educated group of Republicans that consists of those with a four-year college degree or at least some postgraduate education -- about 30% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, according to 2016 Gallup data. The remaining 70% are what we might call the "average educated" -- those with, at most, a high school degree or some college experience but no college degree.

The Democratic Party has a similar divide: 35% are upper educated and 65% average educated. The average educated dominate both parties in numbers, if not always in policy influence. Journalists working the 2016 presidential campaign generally referred to the average educated as "working-class voters" and deemed them pivotal to Trump's success, although Gallup research shows that less than a third of Americans overall label themselves working class.

The two Republican educational camps largely agree with Trump's premise that the nation cannot support the current level of new immigrants -- whether legal or undocumented. More than six in 10 upper-educated Republicans and seven in 10 average-educated Republicans told Gallup in January 2016 that they were dissatisfied with the overall level of immigration into the U.S. This contrasts with 75% of upper-educated Democrats and 62% of average-educated Democrats feeling either satisfied with the current level of immigration or wanting it expanded.

Satisfaction With Level of Immigration Into the U.S.

Republicans are similarly unified on the grand priority for immigration -- whether the main focus should be on securing the border or addressing the status of immigrants already here illegally. Gallup polling finds Republicans in both educational groups agreeing strongly with Trump's emphasis on first halting illegal immigration at the border before dealing with immigrants already living in the country illegally: 63% of upper-educated Republicans and 61% of average-educated Republicans say this should be the priority.

Democrats are united around a completely different view on this matter, as both upper- and average-educated Democrats prioritize dealing with the illegal immigrants already residing in the U.S. -- presumably by offering some type of amnesty and citizenship (69% and 61%, respectively, both favor dealing with illegal immigrants already here).

Main Focus in Dealing With Illegal Immigration

Trump must now turn to the difficult and complex task of formulating an actual policy for immigration reform that carries campaign politics and cultural history as "nervous passengers."

In terms of building a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border (California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas), both upper- and average-educated Republicans favor its construction (51% and 66%, respectively). Average-educated Republicans, however, are nearly twice as likely as upper-educated Republicans to "strongly favor" a border wall: 41% vs. 23%. Meanwhile, the vast majority of upper- and average-educated Democrats oppose such a wall (95% and 83%, respectively).

The second part of immigration reform has to do with handling illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. The Trump administration has already initiated new deportation orders, with priority being given to deporting illegal immigrants who have criminal records or who have been accused of crimes but not yet convicted. However, if Trump moves beyond this and tries to deport all undocumented immigrants as he promised during his campaign, he could face internal backlash. Only a slight majority of average-educated Republicans (55%) support deporting all illegal immigrants, while a slight majority of upper-educated Republicans (56%) oppose it. Majorities of both educational groups of Democrats (79% of upper educated and 60% of average educated) also oppose.

Achieving comprehensive immigration reform will depend on how Trump navigates this issue. While upper-educated Republicans are generally aligned with Democrats against mass deportation, a slight majority among Trump's all-important average-educated base view the matter differently. Keeping this campaign promise could present a real political challenge for Trump, to say nothing of the cultural chaos that would result if large numbers of illegal immigrants were removed from their jobs, communities and, in some cases, their families. It could affect Republicans' chances of holding both chambers of Congress in 2018 as well as their occupancy of the White House in 2020.

Trump's way forward may be to play to Republicans' support for the American value of cultural pluralism. Although a slight majority of average-educated Republicans side with deporting all illegal immigrants, they still believe that immigration in general is good for the U.S. and indicate a willingness to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently living here.

Contrary to the deep partisan divides that surfaced in the campaign on the general direction for immigration reform, both Republicans and Democrats seem to honor the country's long-standing positive view of the value of immigration, saying that immigration is mostly good for the country rather than bad. This includes 54% of average-educated Republicans and 72% of upper-educated Republicans -- along with most Democrats, regardless of education.

Views on Immigration Being Good or Bad for U.S.

When asked if illegal immigrants should be given the chance to become U.S. citizens, large majorities of all four party/education groups agree they should. While that may seem to contradict average-educated Republicans' support for mass deportation, it indicates a degree of ambivalence that gives Trump room to maneuver.

Allowing Illegal Immigrants a Chance to Become U.S. Citizens

Bottom Line

Donald Trump won the presidency on a strong anti-illegal immigrant platform. His success in office -- both on this issue and others -- may depend on how well he satisfies the policy desires of the two educational segments within his own party: the large group of average-educated Republicans who tend to mirror his ideological leanings, and the smaller group of upper-educated Republicans whom he may sometimes have to tow along. Trump has the unified backing of both Republican groups for focusing first on halting illegal immigration (over dealing with immigrants currently here). Both Republican groups are also broadly dissatisfied with the current level of immigration into the country, meaning they may welcome Trump's attempts to limit it. At the same time, upper-educated Republicans are not as supportive as average-educated Republicans in terms of building a border wall and deporting illegal immigrants.

Given unified Democratic opposition to both policies, Trump risks trouble (both in passing legislation, and politically in 2018 and 2020) if he only sticks with his comparatively less-educated base on these policies. On the other hand, straying too far from those positions could risk "going back on his campaign promises" and thus anger his core supporters.

Trump can likely hold his Republican base together as he refashions U.S. immigration policy so long as he doesn't follow through with mass deportation. He could possibly go even further and bring the two parties together by bending to many Americans' celebration of immigration and their willingness to extend the opportunity of citizenship. Reaching consensus on immigration policy could be the first of many compromises by this deal-making president.

V. Lance Tarrance is a Gallup contributor.

Read the rest here:
Can a 'Nation of Immigrants' Reform 21st-Century Immigration? - Gallup

LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV)

A group of Rancho High School students organized a rally this afternoon to promote the passage of the BRIDGE Act.

Its a bill that would allow children brought to the United States illegally at a young age to stay in the country. Those children are now referred to as DREAMERs.

Supporters say they believe it would be a more permanent solution than the current executive ordered signed by former President Barack Obama.

"We believe that our voices should be heard and, although we don't have DACA, we have family members that have DACA and we've seen how hard they work," said Rancho sophomore Joanna Conchas, who helped set up the rally.

"I have a sister myself, who has DACA, she's a DREAMer herself."

RELATED LINK | Trump's border, immigration actions worry Las Vegas 'Dreamers' and activists

Joanna says the culture in recent weeks of deportations and immigration roundups have left her in a state of fear.

"It's scary to not know maybe by the day of tomorrow, my parents will not be home or my sister will have no job and she'll be gone," she said.

Familiar chants of "Si se puede" translated to "Yes we can" filled the streets in front of the high school and drew about 40 students, teachers and supporters.

Rancho High School teacher Reuben D'Silva says he was undocumented when he was growing up in Las Vegas.

"It was something you kept to yourself. It was something that shamed my family a lot. The fact that we were quote-unquote illegal," D'Silva said.

The teacher sympathizes with students dealing with the same struggles he did and feels the BRIDGE Act can make it through a divided Congress.

RELATED LINK | Young DREAMers wait and worry on the next move from Donald Trump

"John McCain supports this bill, Senator Lindsey Graham supports this bill. These are conservative icons. There is growing bipartisan support for this bill," D'Silva said.

The BRIDGE Act still has a long way to go before the students can claim victory. It has just been referred to a committee.

Originally posted here:
Rancho High School students conduct rally for immigration reform ... - News3LV

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Poughkeepsie Journal Published 1:00 p.m. ET March 7, 2017 | Updated 15 hours ago

Letters to editor(Photo: Poughkeepsie Journal)Buy Photo

Before President Trump's recent address to Congress, he suggested that he might reconsider his controversial stance on immigration policy.

Those of us whosupport an inclusive view of America will be watching the presidents next move, as will the nations business leaders.

It is well known that immigrant workers play a critical role in many U.S. industries, including technology, hospitality, constructionand agriculture.

We should also be concerned about the impact to the U.S. tourism industry, which was highlighted in a March 1 New York Times article, New York Expects Fewer Foreign Tourists Saying Trump Is to Blame, (Feb. 28).

As noted by The New York Times, New York Cityexpects tourism from foreign visitors to drop for the first time in years, with an estimated loss to citybusinesses of at least $600 million.

According to a recent Forbes article, international visitors spent $246 billionin the US in 2016, which is greater than exports of autos ($152 billion), agriculture ($137 billion), and petroleum products ($97 billion).

Lets hold our elected leaders accountable to enact immigration reform that will strengthen our industries, keep families together and attract more foreign visitors to the US.

Nora and Jon Sweet

LaGrangeville

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US needs immigration reform that won't hamper commerce, culture: Letter - Poughkeepsie Journal

Editorial board, The Republic | azcentral.com Published 9:05 p.m. MT March 5, 2017 | Updated 8 hours ago

The Department of Homeland Security issued a sweeping set of orders Tuesday that implement President Trump's plan to increase immigration enforcement. Wochit

John Moore/Getty Images Our national political leaders committed the real crime of illegal immigration. The United States needs comprehensive immigration reform in order to solve its border problems. Increasing the numbers of Border Patrol agents and spending billions on surveillance and security efforts are not enough.(Photo: Getty Images)

Immigration reform matters to Arizona for reasons that range from humanitarian to economic. That made last week a wild roller-coaster ride.

It was encouraging to hear reports early in the weekthat the Trump administration thinks the time may be right for reform including a pathway to legalization.

Donald Trumps history of bashing immigrants gives him a Nixon-in-China opportunity to muscle comprehensive reform through Congress, so this was promising.

But the presidents address to Congress Tuesday did not capitalize on that opportunity.

Instead, he hurled the usual unrelenting litany of blame at the undocumented. He also made the ridiculous assertion that our southern border is wide open for anyone to cross.

With the conciliatory tone toward the countrys undocumented population absent from the speech, it looked likecomprehensive reform was off the agenda.

Instead of proposing to solve the long-standing problem of 11 million people living and working in shadows of a great nation, Trump used his bully pulpit to tout his new office of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement, which is ostensibly to support victims of crimes by undocumented immigrants.

DIAZ: Do you believe Trump's immigration reform is possible? Not me

Should such victims be supported? Of course. All crime victims should get the help they need.

Should dangerous criminals be deported? Of course. Quickly and permanently.

But Trumps new VOICE office is an official U.S. government platform from which to promote the fallacious idea that undocumented immigrants as a whole are prone to committing violent crime.

They are not. And portraying them as dangerous inflames the discussion and makes reform much more difficult.

That was the low point of the roller-coaster ride.

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., right, and John McCain, R-Ariz.(Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic file)

A couple of Republican senators began the uphill climb from there.

ArizonaSen. John McCain and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham understand the difference between criminals and hard-working mothers a distinction that Trump misses.

RELATED:McCain, Graham: Deportation efforts should focus on serious criminals

Among the questioners at a CNN town hall the senators attended Wednesday were Angel Rayos, the son of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, a working woman who was deported after checking in with Immigrationand Customs Enforcement in Phoenix, and Jamiel Shaw Sr., whose 17-year-old son was murdered by an undocumented immigrant.

Graham told them:

"Here's what I think: Most Americans want the man who killed your son to be deported yesterday, and never come back," Graham said. "I think most Americans want your mother not to have been deported. I can tell the difference between your mother and the person who killed his son. Don't you think most Americans can see that difference?"

Now another Phoenix parent has been deported after what was supposed to be a routine visit to ICE. The children of Juan Carlos Fomperosa Garcia are left wondering why. Their father was following ICE requirements, they say.

The president should be able to see it and explain it to the American people.

McCain said: "We have to have comprehensive immigration reform, which gives people a path to citizenship, but it's a long, hard, tough path.

Arizona has known the need for that kind of reform for many years. Our state has been through the spasm of anti-immigrant nativism on which Trump built his political career.

MORE:Phoenix church said no 2 years ago, is now asanctuary for migrants

It didnt work here, and it wont work on the national level either.

The very important job of reforming our immigration policies should bring lasting order to the border and assure this country has a legally authorized workforce. But reform can't ignore11 million people whose presence is a result of our flawed immigration policies.

Nor will continuing to vilify those people create an atmosphere conducive to the kind of compromise necessary to achievemeaningful reform.

Many undocumented people are relatives, friends and neighbors of Arizonans. They have family and social ties to our communities. They have also contributed their labor and their talents to our collective success.

Arizona knows this very well, and Arizona has a great deal to gain from rational, humane immigration reform.

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Our View: Another wild ride on the immigration reform roller coaster - AZCentral.com