NumbersUSA - Deep-Blue Maryland turns down 'sanctuary state' status -- Our activists also win in Tenn. on in-state tuition

Photo from Breitbart.com

Congratulations to our NumbersUSA activists in Maryland and Tennessee. They were on the winning side this week in tough fights against nationwide forces seeking to reward illegal immigration through state laws. (See our website story here.)

Our activists in those two states have been getting a lot of special Action Alerts to help them influence their state legislators and governors. Running this part of our NumbersUSA operation -- as in all our NumbersUSA state-centered campaigns -- were Van Esser and Ashley Craig.

Van and Ashley swing into action each time a pro-enforcement state legislator, local official or activist contacts them about an opportunity or threat that needs the support of NumbersUSA activists. Van has a special feel for these state and local actions; before joining NumbersUSA's staff, he worked in the Illinois legislature and here in Washington with state legislators from all over the country. Most of you are in states that likely will be seeing state alerts from Van and Ashley's team over the next year.

DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR BLOCKS MARYLAND FROM BECOMING 'SANCTUARY STATE'

Maryland has been one of the most Democratic and pro-illegal immigration states in the country. It was logical that it would be one of the first to respond to a nationwide effort to have states declare themselves in opposition to Pres. Trump's announced efforts to greatly increase the removal of criminal aliens from the country.

The Maryland House of Delegates approved a bill that would have had the practical effect of releasing many criminal aliens onto the streets instead of being held until federal immigration agents arrived to put them into proceedings to remove them from the country.

The bill was widely regarded as one declaring Maryland to be a "sanctuary state."

After a vigorous public outcry against the bill, Democrat Thomas V. Mike Miller (the president of the state Senate) announced this week that he would not bring the bill to a vote, killing it for the year.

Commentators suggested that the expressions of opposition from voters divided the normally solid anti-enforcement state Democratic Party between those who see illegal aliens as a minority group needing protection and those who see illegal immigration as posing threats that need to be curbed.

BEATING BACK THE TENNESSEE REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT ON IN-STATE TUITION

A narrow vote in the Tennessee House killed an in-state tuition bill that had already passed
the state Senate. The bill would have given taxpayer-subsidized in-state tuition to illegal border crossers and visa overstays.

Our Tennessee colleagues have had to fight this bill three straight years. Each time, the bill was introduced by Republicans. The Republican governor supported this bill.

Tennessee has a government controlled by a Republican Party that often bows to the cheap-worker business interests on immigration issues and on incentives for illegal aliens. Both of Tennessee's Republican U.S. Senators were full-throated supporters of the giant Gang of Eight Amnesty in 2013.

The Republican supporters of illegal immigration can count on nearly all Democrats in the legislature, so our activists had their work cut out for them to win this fight. Congratulations.

IMMIGRATION IN THE HOT GEORGIA CONGRESSIONAL RACE

All political eyes are on the Primary elections next week in Georgia's 6th District to fill an open seat.

If you want to know where the 18 candidates stand on immigration, we have a Candidate Comparison page like no other you'll see anywhere: https://www.numbersusa.com/candidate-comparison/election/2017/congressional/house-special/ga-06

And for other races to fill other open congressional seats this spring, bookmark this page: https://www.numbersusa.com/candidate-comparison/election/2017

roy beck

Texas AG Leads 15-State Coalition to Support Pres. Trump's Revised Immigration Order Tue, Apr 11th Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with 13 other state attorneys general and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, have filed a friend-of-the-court amicus brief to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supporting Pres. Trump's revised executive order. The executive order was blocked by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit before its March 16 start date. Sessions: 'Catch and Release' Immigration Policy is Over Tue, Apr 11th During his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border Attorney General Jeff Sessions made remarks on the new Justice Dept. memo that sets new immigration enforcement priorities that will end the "catch and release" practices that were used under the Obama administration. The memo orders federal prosecutors to prioritize criminal charges against illegal aliens who have a record of prior deportations or other criminal convictions and those who have helped to smuggle other illegal aliens across the border. Trump Sanctuary City Order Under Court Review Today Fri, Apr 14th U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick will hold a hearing today on requests by San Francisco and Santa Clara County for an injunction preventing the Administration from sanctioning sanctuary cities. The local governments are seeking standing to sue even though the Administration has not suspended federal funds for their or other jurisdictions. Pres. Trump's New Economic Advisor Supports More Foreign Workers Thu, Apr 13th Pres. Trump picked Kevin Hassett to become the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Breitbart News reports. Hassett has been an outspoken supporter of higher immigration levels and outsourcing American jobs. Pro-Illegal Alien Measures Fail in Maryland, Tennessee Legislatures Thu, Apr 13th Legislation that would have made Maryland a "sanctuary state" and a bill that would have lowered tuition rates for Tennessee illegal aliens failed in their respective state legislatures. The bills were seen as challenges to President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.