I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
A study by the Arizona Republic has found little connection between arrests of violent criminals and the immigration sweeps that have made Sheriff Joe Arpaio famous.
“While [a crime sweep policy] succeeds in locating illegal immigrants, its effectiveness in combating major crimes is questionable, and there are concerns that such sweeps draw resources away from activities that do combat major crimes,” the paper reported.
A three-day crime sweep in Mesa, Ariz., involved 83 deputies and supervisors and resulted in the arrest of 59 people —but it cost $38,387.
Arizona has come under national scrutiny after passing the toughest immigration law in the nation. The law makes it a state crime to be in Arizona without proper documentation.
Supporters say it is a necessary law to stop the flow of illegal immigration from Mexico and a response to lack of action from the federal government. Civil rights organizations have expressed concerns that it will result in racial profiling by police.
The story details one particular incident:
Deputies stopped Martinez-Villaman for failing to use a turn signal, according to the sheriff’s records. They arrested him after they say he failed to show identification.
Before he was arrested, Martinez-Villaman, a Mexican citizen living legally in the U.S., claims he gave the arresting deputy various documents, including an Arizona ID card, proof of insurance, a passport and a visa, according to court records.
Martinez-Villaman was jailed and held for 13 days when he could not pay bond, court records say.
His attorney, Scott Halverson, said Arizona’s new law might encourage more law-enforcement agencies to mirror Arpaio’s approach to immigration enforcement. It could also result in more cases like Martinez-Villaman’s.
“Even though the law tries to preclude that, the message it sent out throughout the community for law enforcement inclined to do this, is just go ahead and stop whoever you want,” he said. “This is sort of a wink-and-a-nod implicit carte blanche to stop people for suspicion, just a check to see if they’re here illegally.”
