Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Las Vegas Sol:

Lucha Libre tackles immigration; ICE arrests 3,100; Reid promotes Dream Act

Here’s a collection of interesting news in the realm of immigration from coast to coast.

Settling the immigration debate with a suplex: Lucha Libre USA has announced a wrestling tour in which the battle over immigration will be waged not by bespoke-suited politicians in Congress, but by bedazzled-masked macho men inside a ring.

The first of the two main combatants is RJ Brewer, a Phoenix resident and supporter of Arizona's tough immigration laws who "enjoys volunteering with the Border Patrol along with his pit bull 'Visa' by his side" in his spare time, according to his wrestler bio.

Brewer will do battle with the Blue Demon, an immigrant "hero" from Mexico City.

"I represent the Latino people. We are human beings," the wrestler told the Associated Press. "I support the immigrant people no matter what country they come from."

Brewer often carries an Arizona flag and claims he is the son of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (he's not; actually he's a real estate agent from Massachusetts).

The tour is not coming through Las Vegas, but there are some nearby stops. The remaining schedule: April 13, Los Angeles; April 14, Fresno, Calif.; April 20, Houston; April 22, Dallas; April 29, Phoenix; May 11, San Antonio; May 12 Round Rock, Texas.

Immigration sweep nets 3,100: In a recent six-day immigration enforcement operation focusing on convicted criminals, federal authorities arrested 3,168 people across the nation, officials announced Monday.

In Nevada, there were 38 total arrests, 31 in Las Vegas, six in North Las Vegas and one in Henderson, according to Virginia Kice, spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which carried out the operation known as "Cross Check."

"The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE's ongoing commitment and focus on the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens and those that game our nation's immigration system," ICE director John Morton said in a statement.

"Because of the tireless efforts and teamwork of ICE officers and agents in tracking down criminal aliens and fugitives, there are 3,168 fewer criminal aliens and egregious immigration law violators in our neighborhoods across the country."

Officers arrested 2,834 immigrants that had prior criminal convictions, 1,063 of whom had multiple criminal convictions and 1,477 had felony convictions.

The recent operation marked the third nationwide "Cross Check" operation in two years. The first came in May 2011 and resulted in the arrest of 2,442 convicted criminals. The second operation in September 2011 resulted in the arrest of 2,901 convicted criminals.

Reid Dream Act Op-Ed: On Sunday the Miami Herald published an op-ed by Sen. Harry Reid advocating for passage of the Dream Act.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would allow some young immigrants in the country illegally to work toward a legal residency status and citizenship if they pursue higher education or enlist in the military.

Referencing the story of Daniela and Dayanna Pelaez, a Miami high school valedictorian and her sister who are facing deportation and have received extensive media coverage, Reid wrote:

"Within the complicated immigration debate, Daniela and Dayanna represent an area of common ground. Republicans and Democrats can agree that as a nation of immigrants, we cannot afford to lose – and should not reject – the talents and contributions of two hard-working, law-abiding young women with promising futures who grew up loving our nation, and dreaming of lives as productive Americans."

Reid also fought back against the common criticism that the Dream Act would encourage future immigrants to enter the country illegally.

"To be clear, the DREAM Act applies only to young people already here, not future immigrants as opponents allege," the Senate majority leader wrote.

Reid has said he planned to bring the Dream Act, which Congress has previously failed to pass, up for a Senate vote this year.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy