Sun Hispanic community and immigration news

Homeland Security official resigns after immigrants freed from jails: Feb. 27, 2013; By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press; The Associated Press has learned that the Homeland Security Department official in charge of the agency's immigration enforcement and removal operations has resigned after hundreds of illegal immigrants were released from jails because of government spending cuts.

Watchdog group says system allows employers to take advantage of immigrant workers: Feb. 27, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; The current immigration system is manipulated to deny rights afforded under federal labor law to immigrants who are not legally eligible to work but are employed nevertheless, an advocacy organization says. The National Employment Law Project,a national advocacy organization that focuses on employment rights of low-income workers, released a report Tuesday detailing ways in which employers take advantage of workers lacking legal status.

Immigration 'lines' vary widely in length: Feb. 26, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; With immigration reform's rise to the top of the agenda on Capitol Hill, there has been much discussion about immigrants residing in the country illegally "getting in line."

Proposed bill would make English official language of Nevada: Feb. 25, 2013; By Cy Ryan; A bill introduced by state Sen. Don Gustavson would designate English as the official language of Nevada. It would require certain government documents, transactions, proceedings and publications to be in English.

Data dump: Nevada's Hispanic population grows steadily but isn't fastest in U.S.: Feb. 20, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; Nevada is home to the 14th largest Hispanic population in the country, according to new data released by the Pew Research Center.

Immigration march planned for Sunday: Feb. 19, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; A march in support of reforming the U.S. immigration system is planned for Sunday in downtown Las Vegas.

Horsford, community organizations coming together to support immigration reform: Feb. 19, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford joined with officials from an array of Las Vegas community organizations Tuesday morning to express support for passing immigration reform legislation this year.

War of words under way in immigration reform debate: Feb. 19, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; As the immigration debate gets fully underway in Congress, Nevada lawmakers are bracing for tough policy battles. They also are looking for ways to avoid a war of words.

Nevada’s Hispanics come of age politically: Feb. 17, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; More than 125 years ago, after the 1874 elections, Pablo Laveaga became the first Hispanic ever elected to the Nevada Legislature, representing Humboldt County. The next Hispanic legislator in Nevada came 70 years later. The third was not elected until another 38 years had passed. Recently, however, thanks to changes in the state’s demographics and opportunities that have come from tweaks in the state electoral system, Hispanics have been getting elected at a much faster pace.

Young Las Vegan reflects on his responsibility as face of immigration reform: Feb. 13, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; Just over three months ago, Alan Aleman was just excited to live life fully in the open.

National union campaign backing immigration reform launches in Las Vegas: Feb. 11, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; National and local union workers rallied today in Las Vegas, promising to throw the weight of organized labor behind a push for U.S. immigration reform. “(Immigration reform) is a national priority for the labor movement,” Maria Elena Durazo, secretary-treasurer of Los Angeles County Labor Federation, told union members gathered Monday at the Cashman Center.

Undocumented immigrant from Las Vegas to attend State of Union: Feb. 11, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; Every year, a hand-picked set of special guests sits with the first lady as the president delivers the State of the Union address.

Young immigrant discusses life outside the shadows, president’s recognition: Feb. 10, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; In the excitement of the moment Alan Aleman did not capture all of the little details, and he struggles to recall them now. President Barack Obama held up Aleman as an example of just the kind of immigrant that deserves a chance to make a life in the United States during a recent speech at Del Sol High School.

From seat on Judiciary, Amodei could play outsized role in immigration reform: Feb. 10, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; The Nevada lawmaker who may end up having the most influence over the immigration reform bill is the one who has, to date, stayed the most silent: Rep. Mark Amodei.

Unions come to embrace immigration reform: Feb. 7, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; Until the start of the millennium, the AFL-CIO openly opposed immigrants living and working in the country illegally. In 2000, the group’s executive council voted to endorse a new policy including a path to citizenship. The shift occurred for a variety of reasons, labor analysts say, and is reflective of changing union membership levels and demographics.