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, 10.19.11
- Play CBS Video Fact check: Romney and Perry on immigration
- Play CBS Video Report: Day after Romney, Perry showdown
- Play CBS Video The Drive: Perry shows signs of life
- Play CBS Video Romney, Perry spar over immigration; Perry booed
- Play CBS Video Evening News Online, 10.18.11
- Play CBS Video Evening News Online, 10.14.11
- Play CBS Video Impact of Alabama's immigration law
- Play CBS Video Dairy Queen owner gives back to his community
- ICE officer arrested for pot smuggling
A drug trafficker tipped off officials to an ICE officer's marijuana scheme, leading to a high-speed desert chase
Read Full Story » - Dominican Republic to target illegal immigrants
Dominican Republic to target illegal immigrants
Read Full Story » - APNewsBreak: ICE officer arrested in pot smuggling
APNewsBreak: ICE officer arrested in pot smuggling
Read Full Story » - For deportee, a journey home and a vow to return
After 13 years in the United States, Ivis Lopez is being flown back to Honduras, leaving behind his kids and a fiancee
Read Full Story » - ICE deports record number of immigrants in year
ICE deports record number of immigrants in year
Read Full Story » - U.S. deports nearly 400K in a year - a record
More than half of hundreds of thousands deported during recently completed fiscal year had felony or misdemeanor convictions
Read Full Story » - ICE deports record number of immigrants in year
ICE deports record number of immigrants in year
Read Full Story » - Severe stutter mars Jamaican's asylum case in US
Severe stutter mars Jamaican's asylum case in US
Read Full Story » - Severe stutter mars Jamaican's asylum case in US
Severe stutter mars Jamaican's asylum case in US
Read Full Story » - Court blocks Ala. from checking student status
Court blocks Ala. from checking student status
Read Full Story » - Court blocks Ala. from checking student status
Court blocks Ala. from checking student status
Read Full Story » - Immigrants in Ala. fear families being torn apart
Strict new law leaves Hispanic families afraid of being deported and separated; Employers see it as a threat to business
Read Full Story » - Court to Ala.: Don't check students' immigration
Part of controversial immigration law requiring schools to check students' immigration status blocked by federal appeals court
Read Full Story » - Court blocks Ala. from checking student status
Court blocks Ala. from checking student status
Read Full Story » - US court: No immigration checks at Ala. schools
US court: No immigration checks at Ala. schools
Read Full Story »