Posted on 07/07/2012 4:32:53 PM PDT by Libloather
Holder says civil rights ‘under renewed threat’
By Meghashyam Mali - 07/07/12 06:35 PM ET
In an address to the National Council of La Raza convention in Las Vegas on Saturday, Attorney General Eric Holder told the Hispanic advocacy group that the gains of the Civil Rights era were coming “under renewed threat,” and touted the administration’s efforts in protecting the rights of minority groups and immigrants.
“Many of you know this firsthand – and have felt the impact of division, and even discrimination, in your own lives,” said Holder in his address, according to prepared remarks released by the Justice Department.”
The attorney general pledged that the civil rights advocacy group would “never have a more committed partner than the United States Department of Justice” and touted the administration’s record on those issues.
In particular, Holder highlighted the Supreme Court’s ruling last week striking down much of Arizona’s law targeting illegal immigration.
In a 5-3 ruling, the court rejected most provisions of the law, but let stand a key measure allowing police to check the legal status of those stopped on suspicion of committing unrelated offenses.
Holder said with the decision, the justices were “confirming the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate with regard to immigration issues.”
But Holder, expressed concerns over the provision left standing. “We’ll work to ensure – as the Court affirmed – that such laws cannot be seen as a license to engage in racial profiling. And we’ll continue to enforce federal prohibitions against racial and ethnic discrimination, in order – as President Obama has promised – to “uphold our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants,” he said.
The attorney general also touted the administration’s decision to halt the deportation of some young illegal immigrants, a move popular within the Hispanic community, calling it “a significant – and long-overdue – improvement to our nation’s immigration policy.”
Holder said the next step was for lawmakers to push through more comprehensive immigration reform and he said the administration would “keep working with Congressional leaders – from both parties – to advance the passage of critical legislation like the DREAM Act.”
Holder's address to the prominent Hispanic organization comes as both President Obama and presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s campaigns boost their efforts to win over voters from the key demographic. Hispanics hold sway in many pivotal battleground states, adding to their importance this election cycle.
Polls, however, show Hispanics overwhelmingly backing Obama, bolstered in part by the decision to change deportation rules.
Holder told the civil rights group that the DOJ would remain vigilant to protect the rights of all Americans.
“Over the past three years, our Civil Rights Division has filed more criminal civil rights cases than during any other period in its history – including record numbers of human trafficking, hate crimes, and police misconduct cases,” said Holder, pledging that such efforts would remain a "top priority" for the department.
The Obama administration is also sending Vice President Biden to the convention. He is scheduled to speak on Tuesday.
Romney, however, will not be attending, and chose instead to send a surrogate, former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. Gutierrez was not given a speaking role and instead met with attendees at the conference.
Really? Let's see...
"the administration's decision to halt the deportation of some young illegal immigrants"
So much for that "nation of laws" bit, huh Eric?
But then again, you have never been much of anything past the backup to Jamie Gorelick and errand boy for Reno.
But that go-between for Marc Rich to get the pardon petition in the door of the White House without informing prosecutors of the pending pardon really opened things up for ya, huh?
Never mind Marc's sellout of the Iran hostages, right?
Or how about that time you helped negotiate the agreement with the Justice Department for Chiquita Brands International in that case of Chiquita's payment of "protection money" to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a group on the U.S. government's list of terrorist organizations?
It was your firm that represented Guantanamo inmates but Holder "never participated directly in the firm's Guantanamo work", and did not recuse himself from matters pertaining to it.
Dang, that sounds just like the crap he spouted about not knowing anything of Fast & Furious!
Yeah, it sounds just like it.
Probably just a coincidence, right?
.
Holder is right. He threatens a number of the first ten amendments and our rights under them.
They shouldn’t be taken seriously
______________________________________________________________Are you for real or did you just forget to include the sarcasm symbol?
Holder is running for refuge amongst terrorists.
LLS
Romney should blow off La Raza and do so publicly. It is a racist, Anti-American criminal enterprise organized to overthrow the American government in about a quarter of the country.
What threat? It’s the other way around with them threatening us.
Ya don't suppose those 300+ dead Mexican citizens had any relatives do ya?
YES>..what YOU said. LaRaza doesn’t deserve the time from any freedom loving group....it would be like going to the CPUSA to give a speech.
‘......NATION OF LAWS....” Holder is sworn to uphold the nation’s immigration laws. He violates them every day. Holder is sworn to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act. He joins his lawless president in saying he won’t, in saying in effect, he will only enforce/obey laws he likes. What vile scum rule us now! How did this happen?
It is a good thing most whites ‘don’t care about race’ as it is crammed down their throat.
Viva LaRaza!
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