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<p>One of the most vital resources for law-enforcement professionals is the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, which is accessed daily by 80,000 law-enforcement agencies across the United States. Unfortunately, when it comes to the enforcement of U.S. immigration law, the NCIC until now has been essentially worthless. The Bush administration has begun the process of changing this. As a result, Attorney General John Ashcroft is now facing a lawsuit from immigration advocacy groups.</p>

To the casual observer, it would seem that the federal government has made real progress in immigration since 9/11. And, in fact, some of the measures we’ve seen over the past two years are encouraging signs that immigration is again being taken seriously after decades of malign neglect, such as the shift of the immigration function to the new Homeland Security Department, progress toward developing a tracking system for foreign visitors, and registration of aliens from certain Middle Eastern countries. But these are scattered moves lacking an overall strategy; the discussion of immigration policy in the political realm remains mired...

<p>BENTLEYVILLE-A case of deja vu for a Bentleyville police officer Sunday turned out to be a frustrating experience.</p> <p>Lt. Mark Kavakich said that when he responded 4:30 p.m. to an accident involving a tractor trailer at the Pilot truck stop near Interstate 70, he discovered a van full of possible illegal immigrants.</p>

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Trooper Gary Hetzel patrols the highways of this Deep South state like a hunter, scouting the traffic lanes for speeders and reckless drivers, drunks and outlaws on the run. Now he can chase another kind of quarry: illegal immigrants. Last month, the Alabama Department of Public Safety became the second police agency in the country authorized to enforce federal immigration laws in an experiment that is heartening to some and disturbing to others. With more than 8 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, according to government figures, and 5,500 federal agents available for enforcement in...

Yuma cops uneasy with arresting illegal aliens BY JAMES GILBERT Nov 7, 2003 Yuma County Sheriff Ralph Ogden thinks legislation that would require local and state law enforcement agencies nationwide to arrest illegal immigrants will do more harm than good. The measure, which is being pushed by Republicans in Congress, would also force officers to demand a license, registration and proof of citizenship on all routine traffic stops. This Compartment which housed eight illegal immigrants, was discovered in a tractor-trailor at 4a.m. Thursday "We live in an area that is mostly Hispanic," Ogden said. "I'm not saying illegal immigration is...

The next time you get pulled over by a police officer you may be asked for your license, your registration and possibly your green card. Republicans in Congress are pushing a controversial proposal that would pressure local and state police departments to arrest undocumented immigrants. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., introduced the so-called CLEAR Act -- for Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act -- in July. The measure has 102 co-sponsors. It's no surprise that immigration advocates abhor the legislation, but so do many police chiefs who question whether the measure would do more harm than good. Tony Estrada,...

<p>MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - California's next governor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered one of his most famous acting lines in Spanish but many in Mexico fear he will now make life tough for Hispanic illegal immigrants.</p> <p>More Wire Service Stories Breaking News Business Entertainment Politics Science Sports Technology World Schwarzenegger, set to name a transition team on Wednesday after winning a chaotic recall election, has previously called for tighter controls on the U.S.-Mexican border which thousands of Mexicans cross illegally every week.</p>

StatementofJames R. Edwards, Jr.Adjunct Fellow, Hudson InstituteAuthor, Center for Immigration Studies Backgrounder, Officers Need Backup: The Role of State and Local Police in Immigration Law Enforcement, April 2003at the hearing of theHouse Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and ClaimsonH.R. 2671, the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal ActOctober 1, 2003Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the honor of testifying before this subcommittee. I commend you for holding this important hearing on this outstanding legislation. I approach today’s topic from the perspective of someone who, as legislative director for a former United States Attorney, Rep....