Court Cases Immigrants’ Rights

Civil rights groups say sheriffs ‘broke trust’ with community

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the nation’s leading Latino legal organization, and a coalition of community organizations led by El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos announced that the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and the city of Albuquerque have agreed to implement new police procedures related to the city’s policy against local enforcement of federal immigration laws. The new procedures clearly state that Albuquerque police are not to engage in investigating a person’s immigration status nor are they to enforce federal civil immigration laws.

MALDEF touts legal victory for all Americans

Provisions targeting undocumented immigrants would lead to local immigration enforcement

Preliminary injunction blocks ordinance from going into effect until a decision is reached in lawsuit

TRO blocks ordinance from going into effect May 22, 2007

Legal Challenge Renewed as Ordinance Goes into Effect

Federal Court case against City of Los Angeles seeks damages for injuries suffered by peaceful participants and prevention of future civil rights violations

ST. LOUIS, MO – The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) strongly supports a state judge’s decision to permanently block two anti-immigration ordinances in Valley Park, Missouri. Last year, a coalition of private lawyers, law schools and civil rights organizations, including MALDEF, filed suit against the City on behalf of a group of residents, business owners, and a fair housing agency claiming that the ordinances violated federal law and fair housing protections.

Local government already rebuffed by state court