PHOENIX, AZ – Today, five individuals and Somos America, a Latino community-based coalition, sued Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) and Maricopa County, charging that they or their members were unlawfully stopped and mistreated by law enforcement because they are Latino. The class action lawsuit – which builds upon a complaint filed last December – is before the U.S. District Court in Arizona.
Immigrants’ Rights
Lopez-Valenzuela v. Maricopa County, Arizona
In November 2006, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure titled “Proposition 100,” which amended the bail provision of the Arizona Constitution to create a blanket no-bail scheme for undocumented persons charged with certain felonies in Arizona. The original bail provision of the Arizona Constitution stated that all persons charged with criminal offenses shall be eligible for bail, with specific enumerated exceptions. Proposition 100 changed the state constitution to deny bail for felony offenses if the person being charged “entered or remained in the United States illegally,” and the proof is evident or the presumption is great that the individual has committed the crime they are accused of.
MALDEF, ACLU Win Permanent Injunction Of Farmers Branch Anti-Immigrant Ordinance
National, Local Civil Rights Groups Join MALDEF in Court Filing Against Hazleton Ordinance
CHICAGO, IL – Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the nation’s leading Latino civil rights organization, filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in an appeal of last year’s federal court decision that struck down Hazleton, Pennsylvania’s anti-immigrant ordinances. MALDEF was joined in their effort by 25 national civil rights and Pennsylvania-based Latino and immigrant advocacy organizations.
Lozano v. City of Hazleton, Pennsylvania (Amicus Counsel)
MALDEF, ACLU and Otero County Sheriff’s Department Resolve Civil Rights Suit
Daniel T. v. Otero County, New Mexico
Morales v. Barnett
Dominguez v. State of Texas (Hazlewood Act)
Georgia Sheriff Ignores Obligation To Comply With Immigration Enforcement Pact
Families Sue Otero County Sheriffs Over Illegal Immigration Raids
Civil Rights Coalition Challenges Arizona Employer Sanctions Law
Valle del Sol v. Goddard (Arizona Contractors v. Candelaria)
MALDEF and Community Coalition Reach Agreement With City of Albuquerque on Policies Against Local Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the nation’s leading Latino legal organization, and a coalition of community organizations led by El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos announced that the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and the city of Albuquerque have agreed to implement new police procedures related to the city’s policy against local enforcement of federal immigration laws. The new procedures clearly state that Albuquerque police are not to engage in investigating a person’s immigration status nor are they to enforce federal civil immigration laws.