The U.S. Department of Justice announced last week that it had filed a constitutional challenge to Arizona’s new immigration law, S.B. 1070 (discussed earlier on this blog here and here), seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against its enforcement. The suit was filed on behalf of the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State, which
Read moreCategory: immigration & asylum
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Law Criminalizing “Material Support” of Designated Terrorist Organizations, Including Provision of Legal Advice
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project, affirming in part and reversing in part the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision, issued in 2007. [Washington Post; CCR] In a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts, the Court upheld 18 U.S.C. § 2339B(a)(1)—which makes it a federal crime to “knowingly provid[e] material support
Read moreU.S. Publishes Annual Trafficking in Persons Report
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State put out its annual Trafficking in Persons Report. This year, for the first time, the report includes a section on the United States; however, it was given the highest rating (complete compliance with the standards set in the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)). In the words of Secretary Clinton, “This human rights abuse
Read moreNews Clips – May 23, 2010
Protests continue in Thailand as Asian Centre for Human Rights decries international community’s silence and the EU Parliament and Human Rights Watch express concern over violence, emergency provisions, and censorship. The BBC has provided a detailed overview of the situation. Human Rights Watch urges new British government to reform counterterrorism strategies and investigate British agents’ complicity in torture and rendition. [HRW] Related cases decided by the
Read moreU.N. Experts Express "Serious Doubts" Regarding Arizona Law's Compatibility with Human Rights Obligations
Yesterday, several U.N. rapporteurs and independent experts issued a joint statement calling into question whether the new Arizona law targeting undocumented migrants (discussed here and here) is compatible with the United States’ human rights treaty obligations. The experts warn of the possibility of racial profiling, suppression of minority groups’ cultures, and unjustified use of detention. The statement also notes, in reference to Arizona House
Read moreArizona Modifies Some Provisions of Immigration Law
In the face of heated criticism and constitutional challenges, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law House Bill 2162, which supersedes Senate Bill 1070 (discussed earlier on this blog here). The Governor’s issued a statement upon signing HB 2162, which asserts that the bill: defines and clarifies even further the proper implementation and enforcement of the law. These changes specifically answer legal questions raised
Read moreArizona Passes Law Targeting Undocumented Migrants
Today, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law what the New York Times is characterizing as the country’s toughest immigration law. Although immigration falls within the federal legislature’s province, Arizona has acted in the face of what it sees as the failure of Washington to address the issues raised by a large, undocumented immigrant population. While states cannot assume the
Read more