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The idea of with-holding state money from any Alabama city that wants to become a Sanctuary City is the thought behind "Alabama proud," a proposal from state GOP lawmakers.

Though, the plan isn't stopping some people in Huntsville. The leader of the Spanish American International Chaplain Association, Rosa Ortiz, plans to lead a group directly to Mayor Tommy Battle with their concerns.

"Someone has to step up," Ortiz said.

Rosa Ortiz is a legal immigrant from the Dominican Republic, and said she feels for those who are undocumented in America and hiding in fear of deportation.

"We need to have empathy for these people," Ortiz said.

It was after President Trump signed executive orders to crack down on illegal immigrants and cities harboring them that Ortiz decided to lead the fight in Huntsville to keep undocumented immigrants safe.

"These people have houses," Ortiz said. "They're children are in schools. This is all they know."

She told me she's gathered supporters, and wants to meet with Mayor Battle to have Huntsville become a "welcoming city."

"That's what we need," she said.

City leaders say they wish to remain bipartisan, but released this following statement:

Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns. The City of Huntsville will not become a Sanctuary City. Mayor Tommy Battle said he took a vow when elected to uphold the laws of our country and the Constitution of the United States, and he and the City will abide by those laws. We are already registered as an Inclusive City, employ a multicultural relations office, and have a Human Relations Commission, all of which help us connect regularly and productively with our multicultural residents. As a non-partisan municipality, our elected leaders are focused on providing city services to our residents, promoting jobs and economic development, education, public safety and quality of life opportunities - things we can affect and change. We recognize there are different opinions on recent actions coming out of Washington, D.C., and encourage citizens with concerns to contact their local Congressional representative and the White House.

Though, Ortiz said she is still hopeful that Huntsville leaders will hear her out.

City officials said they encourage anyone who wants to see this change to contact the district's congressman Mo Brooks.

Excerpt from:
Immigration reform advocates look to have Huntsville become a "welcoming city" - WAAY

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Sex and the City actress Kristin Davis, an ambassador to refugee camps in Central Africa, broke down in tears during a TMZ interview over the notion that Donald Trumps immigration ban has killed the dreams and futures of many people across the world who need help.

Davis, who last visited a refugee camp in December, said most people were still struggling with finding their next meals or preparing for the hardship of winter, and werent completely aware of Trumps plans. Still, she said, they remained so hopeful about better futures in America.

Mostly everyone just thinks America is wonderful and in their wildest, wildest dreams they would get to come here, she said before breaking down. And it makes me said to think that that could change.

I love America, she added. I dont want people to think were not kind people.

Davis said its important people stay informed, and understand that refugees are not enemies.

Im worried very, very worried, very upset, Davis said. [Refugees] are the victims. I dont think we should be blaming them, but I have hope that the checks and balances in our government can step forward and rectify the situationI think that everybody standing up is inspiring.

These Celebrities Stood With Hillary Clinton:

Next: 'Sex and the City' Stars Hint at New Sequel

Read more:
Kristin Davis Breaks Down Crying Over Trump's Immigration Reform - PopCrush

A petition urging Congress to tackle immigration reform that was started by a dairyman in Marsing is gaining momentum and support from dairymen in other parts of the state, according to industry officials.

Bob Naerebout, executive director of the Idaho Dairymens Association, said the petition is starting to gain signatures online and via mail from dairymen in the Magic Valley, the hub of Idahos milk and cheese production. The petition, started this month, seeks to gather at least 10,000 signatures by Feb. 3, urging Idahos congressional delegation to address immigration reform, specifically the lack of a visa program that would provide year-round labor for the the industry.

I had a lot of dairyman ask why we havent done this before and earlier, Naerebout said.

Story continues below video

The Marsing-based dairyman who started the petition declined to comment and provide his name for this story.

Dairies are not part of the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers program, which allows agricultural groups to bring foreign nationals into the country to fill temporary jobs. Other agricultural sectors in Idaho, such as hops growers, have utilized this program.

Naerebout said the the dairy industry isnt necessarily looking to be included in the H-2A program, but seeks a viable visa program that would allow producers to bring in foreign labor to fill what the petition describes as a massive shortage of workers.

The petition also supports providing legal status for those already working at Idaho, though Naerebout clarified the industry is not asking for that status to be defined as citizenship.

Even if the petition drive falls short of its goal of 10,000 signatures, Naerebout said the organization will continue pressing for immigration reform this year.

Well continue to work with other organizations that we work with to make immigration front and center, he said. Our best chance for getting it addressed is this year.

Idaho Dairymen Association President, Tony Vanderhulst, owns a dairy near Wendell, said he supports the petition. He said if dairies dont have enough labor, industries and companies that rely on mile, like cheese and yogurt factories, could feel the impact.

If the dairy industry doesnt have the labor it needs it will affect the Chobanis of the world, he said.

At the moment, his dairy has enough employees, but he said the labor pool is tightening up.

Were sitting okay, but I have friends who are short 3 or 4 people, he said. Winters been rough.

Olivia Weitz is the Canyon County and city of Caldwell reporter. She can be reached at 465-8107 or oweitz@idahopress.com. Follow @oliviaweitz1.

Read more:
Immigration reform petition started by Marsing dairyman gaining ... - Idaho Press-Tribune

As president Trump's immigration crackdown prompts nationwide protests, Reason Foundation convened three policy experts in Washington, D.C., to discuss the moral and economic case for reform.

The experts' conclusions are startling. Left unchanged, the current immigration system is likely to prevent the president from reaching his four percent economic growth target. Further tightening of immigration regulations could provoke a recession. Foreseeable consequences of a continued crackdown against immigration include the loss of entrepreneurship, a major financial blow to American higher education, and the creation of a police state.

Panelists differed on whether Trump's so-called "Muslim ban" was motivated by incompetence or malice.

PANELISTS

Ilya Somin - Law professor, George Mason University. Contributor, The Volokh Conspiracy, at The Washington Post.

Tim Kane - Economist, Hoover Institution at Stanford University; editor of Peregrine, an immigration journal.

Shikha Dalmia - Senior Analyst, Reason Foundation.

Produced by Todd Krainin. Cameras by Krainin and Ian Keyser.

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Immigration Reform in the Era of Trump - Reason

The H-1B visa is the popular pathway that helps high-skilled foreigners work at companies in the U.S.

It's a program that's particularly near and dear to the tech community, with many talented engineers vying for one of the program's 85,000 visas each year.

During a White House briefing Monday, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trump will continue to talk about reforming the H-1B visa program, among others, as part of a larger push for immigration reform.

Spicer said Trump will do so through executive order, as well as by working with Congress.

Details on both options are unclear.

In a draft executive order dated January 23 obtained by CNNMoney, changes could impact numerous programs. There were no details on how this would impact the H-1B, except to say that there will be a report within 90 days with suggestions on how to make the program more efficient and how to allocate the visas.

Currently, the visas are doled out by a lottery, and the number of applicants continues to swell each year. In 2016, demand was three times more than the quota.

Related: Bipartisan bill aims to reform H-1B visa system

Three new bills have been introduced this year, offering up suggestions for how to reform the program, including to a proposal to give visas to the highest bidders.

But there are many other programs mentioned in the draft that are important to the tech community. Programs like the J-1, for summer work travel, and the OPT, for international students to stay in the U.S. after graduating. Both were recently revised under the Obama administration. Also, the E-2 program, which is an investor visa, is subject to change.

L-1 visas, which are given to foreign workers who transfer to the U.S. from a company's office abroad, would be subject to site visits, according to the draft. It says that within six months, Homeland Security will start preforming site visits for all L-1 holders.

Within two years, the draft order proposes to expand on-site visitation to all employment-based visa programs.

The International Entrepreneurs Rule is also in question. It was passed during the final days of the Obama administration and extends "parole status" to entrepreneurs as a creative alternative to a startup visa -- which the U.S. doesn't have.

While the draft order didn't specifically name the Enterpreneurs Rule by name, it proposed eliminating all parole use that "circumvents statutory immigration policy," which this rule would fall under. The rule is also under a pending freeze issued during Trump's first day in office.

More here:
Trump's immigration reform: High-skilled visas may be next - CNNMoney