Immigrants’ Rights

Escobedo v. Rogers

Nov 4, 2008 | ,

As part of MALDEF’s national voter protection campaign during the 2008 general elections, MALDEF filed a federal lawsuit in Albuquerque, New Mexico to block threats and voter intimidation directed at eligible Latino voters. MALDEF represents two Latina voters who are properly registered and qualified to vote but were the target of an intimidation campaign that included public accusations of voter fraud and harassment by a private investigator sent to their homes.

Civil Rights Organizations Demand Repeal Of Unconstitutional Ordinance

Oct 31, 2008 | ,

ESCONDIDO, CA – A coalition of civil rights organizations and law firms has filed an official letter with the City of Escondido demanding that they repeal an unconstitutional anti-immigrant ordinance. The coalition, composed of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Fair Housing Council of San Diego, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), and People For the American Way (PFAW), is taking action against an ordinance passed by the Escondido City Council on October 18 which would ban renting an apartment to, or otherwise “harboring” any person “not lawfully present” in the United States. The coalition also includes the private law firms of Rosner & Mansfield LLP and Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.

Farmers Branch, Texas Anti-Immigrant Ordinance Is Blocked While Challenge Continues

Sep 23, 2008 | ,

DALLAS, TX – City officials in Farmers Branch, Texas today agreed not to fight a request from residents to block the city’s latest anti-immigrant ordinance from taking effect while a legal challenge continues. The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) filed a request in federal court on the residents’ behalf for a preliminary injunction blocking the ordinance. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas is expected to enter the injunction today.

Sheriff Arpaio Sued Over Racial Profiling of Latinos In Maricopa County

Jul 17, 2008 | , ,

PHOENIX, AZ – Today, five individuals and Somos America, a Latino community-based coalition, sued Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) and Maricopa County, charging that they or their members were unlawfully stopped and mistreated by law enforcement because they are Latino. The class action lawsuit – which builds upon a complaint filed last December – is before the U.S. District Court in Arizona.

Lopez-Valenzuela v. Maricopa County, Arizona

Jul 13, 2008 |

In November 2006, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure titled “Proposition 100,” which amended the bail provision of the Arizona Constitution to create a blanket no-bail scheme for undocumented persons charged with certain felonies in Arizona. The original bail provision of the Arizona Constitution stated that all persons charged with criminal offenses shall be eligible for bail, with specific enumerated exceptions. Proposition 100 changed the state constitution to deny bail for felony offenses if the person being charged “entered or remained in the United States illegally,” and the proof is evident or the presumption is great that the individual has committed the crime they are accused of.

National, Local Civil Rights Groups Join MALDEF in Court Filing Against Hazleton Ordinance

Apr 18, 2008 | ,

CHICAGO, IL – Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the nation’s leading Latino civil rights organization, filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in an appeal of last year’s federal court decision that struck down Hazleton, Pennsylvania’s anti-immigrant ordinances. MALDEF was joined in their effort by 25 national civil rights and Pennsylvania-based Latino and immigrant advocacy organizations.