In 2006, the last best chance to pass a reasonable immigration reform bill failed in the Senate because of mostly Republican opposition. It was a moderate proposal compared to the draconian bill passed in the House that year.

There is one hot-button issue that will likely overshadow all others in the upcoming District 18 races: immigration.

PARIS - The French premier on Tuesday announced tightened controls on immigration, part of his government's response to the country's worst civil unrest in four decades.

On Sunday, we explained that four propositions related to illegal immigration on the Nov. 7 ballot are not a substantial move toward tackling the problem as many voters are expecting. We also discussed our opposition to Proposition 100, which deals with the right to bail in criminal cases. Today, we review the other three ballot measures on this issue.

It is a very complicated issue with matters of law, economics, human dignity, civil rights and just plain civility all playing a part. It is pompous to believe the answers are simple and dangerous when a politician or organization wants to paint any group of people – by religion, race or otherwise – as villains.

PHOENIX - A union representing police officers plans to announce its opposition to a Phoenix Police Department policy that it says restricts officers in some situations where they encounter illegal immigrants.

WASHINGTON - Senate leaders reached a deal Thursday on reviving a broad immigration bill that could provide millions of illegal immigrants a chance to become American citizens and said they'll try to pass it before Memorial Day.

A bill approved by the state Legislature would require city and county police agencies to have their officers tackle federal immigration violations.

August 17, 2004

The Protect Arizona Now initiative has become a national lightning rod for the issue of illegal immigration as backers work toward a nationwide movement to stop the flow of undocumented workers and opponents try to stem a political tide building against them.

President Barack Obama is enlisting activists and labor leaders in a push for comprehensive immigration legislation that will showcase Republican opposition and include a speech by the president.

Immigrant workers left their jobs Wednesday and lined Valley streets holding signs with slogans such as “I am your cook,” and “Sorry your house isn’t clean.”

The cardinal of Los Angeles has no right to criticize efforts to enact tough new anti-immigrant laws in Arizona, the architect of the plan said Wednesday. "He's not a guy to be calling names,'' said Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa. Pearce said Roger Mahony has plenty to answer for in his own back yard, including the cardinal's role in protecting child molesters.

Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman’s push to have his city’s police routinely enforce federal immigration laws is only a preview of what is likely to be a dramatic, if disappointing, shift in priorities imposed on police officers and sheriff’s deputies across Arizona in the coming year.

Jose de la Isla

The so-called "immigration" issue is really a metaphor, a proxy for power plays by various factions where problem solving is the least of the concerns.

Increasingly, two of the Valley’s law-enforcement heavyweights have been facing off over the hotly political issue of illegal immigration.

WASHINGTON - President Bush blamed Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Saturday for the potentially fatal blow dealt to compromise immigration legislation.

The massive and unified display of pro-immigration marchers that descended on the state Capitol on Monday grabbed national headlines and commanded the attention of nearly every politician in Arizona.

WASHINGTON - The two top Republicans in Congress, confronted with internal party divisions as well as large public demonstrations, said Tuesday they intend to pass immigration legislation that does not subject illegal immigrants to prosecution as felons.

The massive and unified display of pro-immigration marchers that descended on the state Capitol on Monday grabbed national headlines and commanded the attention of nearly every politician in Arizona.

PHOENIX - Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in at least three locations across the Phoenix area on Monday as part of a nationwide effort intended to show how vital immigrants are to the U.S. economy. Dozens linked arms in a human chain in one of the protests outside a Home Depot store. Others waved U.S. flags and chanted "Si se puede! (It can be done)."

The massive and unified display of pro-immigration marchers that descended on the state Capitol on Monday grabbed national headlines and commanded the attention of nearly every politician in Arizona.

DENVER — The federal government is rapidly expanding a program to identify illegal immigrants using fingerprints from arrests, drawing opposition from local authorities and advocates who argue the initiative amounts to an excessive dragnet.