Latest Immigration News
The United States is a country of immigrants - and accepts more immigrants than any other country. According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 1.13 million people became permanent legal residents of the United States in 2009.
Immigration reform remains a hot button political issue. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that as of January 2009, about 10.8 million illegal immigrants were living in the United States, down from 11.6 million from the year before. Of those immigrants, 62 percent had come from Mexico.
During the spring of 2010, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law the Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, one of the broadest and strictest measures against illegal immigration in decades. One of the most controversial measures of the law was that immigrants had must have registration documents in their possession at all times. Critics of the measure thought it could lead to racial profiling, and protests were held across the country as other local governments and businesses boycotted doing business with Arizona. Despite the controversy, Arizona's law has prompted similar ones to be introduced in several other states.
In July, the United States Justice Department filed suit that the Arizona law interfered with federal regulations and requested injunctions against parts of the bill, including that the arrest and detainment of illegal immigrants based on "reasonable suspicion." A district court judge blocked parts of the law from going into effect and appeals are underway.
As economic woes became the forefront of midterm elections, discussion of immigration reform decreased - but has the potential to be a major issue in the 2012 elections. Some prominent democrats, such as Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, were reelected in part by voters who supported measures like the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to legal residency for young adults who came to the United States as children and complete two years of college or military service.
To read and watch the latest reports on immigration, see below.
- Play CBS Video Evening News Online, 03.04.11
- Play CBS Video "Gun runner" scandal allegedly connected to agent's death
- Play CBS Video ICE: Massive drug and crime cartel roundup
- Play CBS Video Evening News Online, 02.16.11
- Play CBS Video Deadly Ambush for U.S. Agents
- Play CBS Video State of the Union 2011 In Full
- Play CBS Video Obama Addresses Illegal Immigration and Education
- Play CBS Video Evening News Online, 01.21.11
- Play CBS Video "Tiger Mother" Parenting Debate
- Immigrant students revive Mass. Pentecostal church
Immigrant students revive Mass. Pentecostal church
Read Full Story - Utah Legislature passes immigration reform package
Utah Legislature passes immigration reform package
Read Full Story - Ex-manager gets house arrest in Miss. mass raid
Ex-manager gets house arrest in Miss. mass raid
Read Full Story - Greece: 59 migrants on hunger strike hospitalized
Greece: 59 migrants on hunger strike hospitalized
Read Full Story - Greece: 59 migrants on hunger strike hospitalized
Greece: 59 migrants on hunger strike hospitalized
Read Full Story - Lawsuit: Company sought to hire illegal immigrants
Lawsuit: Company sought to hire illegal immigrants
Read Full Story - Mexican Senate rejects tough immigration proposals
Mexican Senate rejects tough immigration proposals
Read Full Story - Howard Industries guilty in immigration raid
Howard Industries guilty in immigration raid
Read Full Story - Latest Ariz. immigration bills have tougher path
Latest Ariz. immigration bills have tougher path
Read Full Story - Men sentenced to 9 years in hate-crime death
Two Pennsylvania men part of group of white high school football players who attacked Mexican immigrant
Read Full Story - Arizona Senate panel OKs illegal immigration bill
Arizona Senate panel OKs illegal immigration bill
Read Full Story - Mass. banker to match immigrants' college savings
Mass. banker to match immigrants' college savings
Read Full Story - ICE auditing 1,000 more companies' hiring records
ICE auditing 1,000 more companies' hiring records
Read Full Story - Utah Lawmakers Want Permits for Illegal Workers
As Several States Consider Immigration Reforms Similar to Arizona's Controversial Laws, a Bipartisan Pair of Utah Lawmakers say Their Plan Will Generate Millions for their State
Read Blog - ICE auditing 1,000 more companies' hiring records
ICE auditing 1,000 more companies' hiring records
Read Full Story