Agency allows immigrants here illegally to avoid raids, prison by turning selves in
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5914689.html
By Hernan Rozemberg, San Antonio Express-News
July 30, 2008, 2:37AM

[Editor's Note: we received the press release early today. - tc]

Rather than risk getting caught, turn yourselves in.

That's the latest government strategy in its ongoing effort to dramatically reduce the nation's ballooning population of illegal immigrants.

Scheduled to be unveiled next week, it was announced Sunday by Julie Myers, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in an interview with a Spanish-language television network.

Myers told the network that "Operation Scheduled Departure" will allow illegal immigrants without criminal records a chance to literally "self-deport" by turning themselves in to her agents.

Good afternoon, and thank you for allowing me to respond in writing, as I am presently out of town.

As you know, Derechos Humanos, along with 6-7 community groups, called for a protest of Joe Arpaio’s appearance at his book signing at the Barnes and Noble. Because of Maricopa Sheriff’s Arpaio’s outrageous police actions in the communities of Phoenix, as well as his political views surrounding the immigration issues in general, many of us in Tucson have made a promise that we will not allow him to come into our town without him hearing from those of us who stand in support of the thousands of workers and their families who have borne the brunt of his narrow-minded, ignorant policies. That he would come to Tucson to promote a book filled with lies, fear, and ignorant perspectives about immigrants, was especially appalling to us.

We stand for the principles of peace and justice. We live in a very precarious moment in history, where, again, human beings are being demonized and scapegoated, exploiting on the ugly and fearful in all of us. Derechos Humanos protested Arpaio, handing out flyers, briefly explaining why,and what he has done in Phoenix. You can have one of our leaflets if you would like, but among other things we denounce his antics that have created great racial divisions in Phoenix, at a more than $41,000,000 cost to the taxpayers, and a few other actions he has engaged in. The leaflet states that we “continue to work for a community that is diverse, respectful, and appreciative of each other’s differences.” Others brought signs and megaphones, with someone bringing a large piñata with Arpaio’s face glued on the head. I am sure you are aware that these types of symbolic images are not only common, but generally are used in context of referring to the policies of individuals in power.

I am now the target of a corporate-media-sponsored campaign to get me fired from my job as the Pima County Legal Defender.