Carol Lam Asked To Step Down

US Attorney Carol Lam was reportly asked by the Bush administration to step down. Her jurisdiction covered San Diego and Imperial Counties. "Lam, a Bush appointee who took the helm in 2002, was targeted because of job performance issues – in particular that she failed to make smuggling and gun cases a top priority . . . When she took over, Lam made it clear that she planned to focus less on low-level smuggling cases in favor of public corruption and white collar crime, which would mean fewer but more significant prosecutions."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070112-9999-1n12lam.html

Cases of harboring (providing shelter to) illegal aliens are a subset of human smuggling.

Our border region needs a US Attorney dedicated to the enforcement of US laws against crimes related to illegal immigration.

Senate's Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

A Senate bill (S9)for a "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007" was introduced by Nevada Senator Harry Reid. Further information is available at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/

As of this date, the text of the bill is just a goal statement. The actual bill is expected to be similar to last year's Senate bill S2611 for a "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006".

Farmers Branch Texas - II Rental Ban

The City of Farmers Branch Texas has passed an ordinance (#2892) requiring proof of citizenship or residency to rent in rental complexes. From a brief review, the ordinance takes into account lessons learned by the Escondido rental ban related to legal issues such as contract interference, prospective effect, etc.
http://www.ci.farmers-branch.tx.us/

The ACLU has filed a complaint against the ordinance in Federal District Court, ND Texas, Dallas Division (3:06cv02376).
http://www.ipress.info/

Escondido Passed II Resolution

The City of Escondido passed a resolution (2007-16) on illegal immigration requesting authorization from the Federal Government to make inquiries on the legal status of persons who may be illegal immigrants. The resolution was item 12 on the meeting agenda for January 10, 2007.
http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/government/index.html