Top 10 U.S. Immigration News Stories of 2009

A new year is coming and it seems like a good time to think back on 2009.  Here is my list of the top 10 U.S. immigration news stories for 2009:

1.  Comprehensive Immigration Reform:  Representative Luis Gutierrez’s introduction of a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the U.S. House of Represenatives on December 15. 

2,  Enforcement Now, Enforcement Forever:  To the surprise of many who thought that they were voting for change in the 2008 elections, the Obama Administration continues to adhere to immigration “enforcement now, enforcement forever” in its immigration policies.

3.   Adios, Lou Dobbs:  Lou Dobbs abruptly departs from CNN (announced at the beginning of his last CNN show) this fall to “pursue other opportunities.”  Many Latinos and immigrants had viewed Dobbs as conducting “war” on them for years.

 
4.  Feds Prosecute Teens Involved in Killing of Luis Ramirez:  After a state prosecution resulted in the acquittal of the defendants on the most serious charges, the U.S. government files a federal hate crimes prosecution in the killing of Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania.

5.  Sheriff Joe’s Reign of Terror Continues:  Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio continues a reign of terror over immigrants and Latinos generally in Arizona.  Along these lines, state and local governments continue to actively pursue the regulation of immigration and immigrants in 2009.

6.  Steadfast Champion of Immigrants, Senator Edward Kennedy Dies.  RIP.

7.  R.A. Finally Prevails:  The victim of horrific spousal abuse, Rody Alvarado, with the help of a UC Hastings clinic, finally prevails after years of litigation in her efforts to remain in the United States.

8.  Death on the Border Continues:  Deaths on the U.S./Mexico border sadly continue as migrants from Mexico seek passage to the United States.

9.  The Supreme Court:  The U.S. goverment loses three of four immigration cases in the U.S. Supreme Court Term ending in June.  Late in the summer, Justice Sonia Sotomayor is confirmed as a Justice on the Court and is the first Latino on the Court.  Justice Sotomayor has already made a difference in the judicial discourse on immigration.

10.  Matter of Comnpean Vacated:  Attorney General Eric Holder vacates Matter of Compean, a heavy-handed, last minute effort by the Bush administration to thwart ineffective assistance of counsel claims by noncitizens in immigration proceedings.

Honorable Mention:

1.  “You Lie”:  The immigration-related outburst of Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) during an address of President Obama on health care reform.

2.  The Olympics — What Goes Around Comes Around:  The Chicago Olympic bid fails, with the U.S. government’s treatment of foreigners an apparent issue.

3.  Happy Halloween!  Target’s tone-deaf  “illegal alien” Halloween costume.

4.  New UN Refugees Deputy:  Georgetown Dean Alex Aleinikoff is named United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. 

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Of course, I had to make many hard decisions in winnowing this list.  Sorry for any omissions.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

KJ