USA, Arizona: Court upholds judge's ban on Arizona immigration law. Суд оставил Аризонский закон о нелегалах частично заблокированным.

04.12.2011, 13:08:30
Апелляционная комиссия из трех судей оставила в силе решение судьи штата Аризона, заблокировавшего некоторые статьи местного закона об иммиграции, сообщает Los Angeles Times. Комиссия подтвердила, что вопросы, касающиеся нелегальных мигрантов, должны решаться федеральным правительством.

Как стало известно, решение коллегии не было единогласным. Один из судей посчитал, что разрешение полиции требовать документы у "подозрительных лиц" не противоречит конституции США. Тем не менее, остальные судьи придерживались другого мнения.

Губернатор Аризоны Джен Брюэр (Jan Brewer) уже выпустила официальное сообщение, в котором подвергла решение суда критике.

Закон об иммиграции, вызвавший неоднозначную реакцию в американском обществе, был принят аризонскими властями в апреле 2010 года. В соответствии с этим законом, в частности, полицейские штата получили право проверять документы у всех лиц, которых они подозревают в нелегальном нахождении на территории Аризоны. В случае если подозреваемый не может подтвердить законность своего пребывания в США, полиция имеет право задержать и впоследствии депортировать нарушителя.

Иммиграционная реформа вызвала волну протестов по всей стране. Некоторые города, например, Сан-Франциско и Лос-Анджелес, объявили Аризоне бойкот. Президент США Барак Обама также не одобрил решение властей штата, в то время как первые лица Мексики назвали закон "расистским".

В июле правительство США обратилось в суд, посчитав новый закон неконституционным. По мнению Вашингтона, иммиграционные вопросы государства находятся исключительно в компетенции федеральных властей. Суд первой инстанции признал незаконными и заблокировал ряд положений закона, после чего власти Аризоны подали апелляцию. Теперь, после отклонения этой апелляции, разбирательство может быть продолжено в Верховном Суде.

A federal appellate panel agrees that parts of SB 1070 intrude on immigration and foreign policy, which should be left to the federal government. A showdown before the U.S. Supreme Court may be next.

By Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times

April 12, 2011
Reporting from Denver—
A federal appellate court Monday upheld a judge's ban on the most controversial parts of a tough new Arizona immigration law, setting the stage for a showdown before the Supreme Court on how far a state can go in trying to expel illegal immigrants.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a federal judge in Arizona who found that provisions of the law, known as SB 1070, were an unconstitutional intrusion into immigration and foreign policy, which is the prerogative of the federal government. The law was signed last year by Gov. Jan Brewer, who argued that her state was overrun by dangerous illegal immigrants. Critics contended it would lead to racial profiling.

In a partial dissent, one judge argued that a key provision, which requires police to determine the status of people involved in traffic stops whom they suspect are in the country illegally, was constitutional. But that stance did not sway the majority, making the ruling a victory for the Obama administration, which challenged Arizona's law in court last year.

The administration "couldn't have asked for more in the results of the ruling or the reasoning of the ruling," said Peter Spiro, a law professor at Temple University who has closely followed the case.

Brewer and Arizona Atty. Gen. Tom Horne issued a statement criticizing the ruling. They did not say, however, whether they would appeal it to a full panel of the 9th Circuit or straight to the Supreme Court. The top court is already considering a challenge to another Arizona law that dissolves businesses that repeatedly hire illegal immigrants.

"I remain steadfast in my belief that Arizona and other states have a sovereign right and obligation to protect their citizens and enforce immigration law in accordance with federal statute," Brewer said.

Civil rights groups and immigration advocates were jubilant.

"We're really glad to see the side of civil rights and the Constitution have prevailed," said Phoenix activist Lydia Guzman, who helped organize protests against the law before it was largely suspended in July.

All the judges — two appointed by Republican presidents and one by a Democrat — agreed that the state went too far in making it a crime to lack immigration papers in Arizona or to work there while being in the country illegally. They agreed that Congress and the courts have historically reserved the ability to penalize illegal immigrants for the federal government.

Judge Richard Paez, who was appointed by President Clinton and wrote the majority opinion, argued that requiring police to perform immigration enforcement makes it impossible for the federal government to regulate immigration.

"By imposing mandatory obligations on state and local officers, Arizona interferes with the federal government's authority to implement its priorities and strategies in law enforcement, turning Arizona officers into state-directed [immigration] agents," Paez wrote.

Judge John T. Noonan, an appointee of President Reagan, wrote a separate concurring opinion emphasizing that Arizona had clearly tried to create its own immigration — and, therefore, foreign — policy. He noted that a number of countries protested the law, which begins by stating that "attrition through enforcement" is now the state's policy.

"It would be difficult to set out more explicitly the policy of a state in regard to aliens unlawfully present," Noonan wrote. "Without qualification, Arizona establishes its policy on immigration."

But Judge Carlos T. Bea, an appointee of President George W. Bush, contended in his partial dissent that Arizona had a right to tell its police to check immigration status because Congress had clearly authorized local police to aid in immigration enforcement. Bea, a native of Spain who was nearly deported from the United States before winning his citizenship, also warned against giving foreign governments a "heckler's veto" by citing their objections.

Gabriel "Jack" Chin, a law professor at the University of Arizona, said the dispute between Bea and the other two judges on what a state can tell its police to do set the stage for a Supreme Court challenge. He said the finding that police need permission from the federal government to enforce immigration laws conflicts with rulings from some other appellate courts.

"This is a diffuse law with lots of bits and pieces that were thrown against the wall to see what sticks," Chin said. "Maybe they found a way to get that issue, which is near and dear to their hearts, to the Supreme Court."

Силовые структуры в США разгромили уличную банду выходцев из СССР «Armenian Power» в Калифорнии. А что в Аризоне?

Yefim Toybin
Phoenix, Arizona
February 16, 2011 @ 23:00

B среду, 02/16/11, мировые средства массовой информации пестрят сообщениями об успешно проведенной, грандиозной по своим масштабам и количеству участников , спец. операции по разгрому этнической преступной группировки из бывшего СССР. Привожу только ряд из аншлагов: «Силовые структуры и Спецслужбы в Калифорнии разгромили уличную банду выходцев из СССР», «Armenian Power», «Десятки задержанных», Arrests of Armenian Group in Calif., Armenian gang fraud cost victims at least $20 million, authorities say», «Nearly 100 charged, dozens arrested in operation targeting Armenian organized crime»и т.д.
В последнее время все чаще появляются подобные сообщения и постоянно под этими громкими делами подразумевают «Русскую мафию». Даже если об этом, из-за полит. корректности прямо не упоминают, все понимают о чем идет речь.
Я уже раньше высказывал свое личное отношение к своим бывшим соотечественникам, которые занимаясь грязной, противоправной и преступной деятельностью наносят колоссальный и непоправимый ущерб святому понятию – иммиграция.
Я собрал большое количество материалов о всех волнах иммиграции из Российской империи, СССР, Российской федерации и других стран СНГ. В первые волны иммиграции, даже исключительно воспитанные и с высоким уровнем образования люди, выполняли трудоемкие, тяжелые и малооплачиваемые работы, НО НЕ СОВЕРШАЛИ аморальных проступков и, тем более, преступлений. А, со временем занимали те посты и положение, которым они полностью соответствовали своим образованием, воспитаниеми навыками.
А нынешняя волна хочет жить только здорово, богато, купаясь в ваннах из шампанского, и беззаботно. Зачем много и долго тяжело работать, когда есть другие средства устройства жизни. Подумаешь, состряпала фальшивое уголовное дело на мужа- он в тюрьму,а все его имущество ко мне. А что за проблема дать липовую информацию на заявление в органы Соц. Опеки - главное результат: талоны на питание, бесплатныая страховка и другие финансовая помощь. Состряпано дело о физическом насилии или "жестком сексе" с законным мужем без "письменного разрешения" - раз и грин карта в кармане, да еще возможно с приданным. А что за проблема группой пойти в суд и дать лживые и клеветнические показания на честного человека, WHO CARES? А использовать связи с коррумпированными гос. служащими для запугивания и наказания непослушных? Пусть знают наших, а чужие будут бояться, а значит «уважать». Логика иезуитов понятна и проста: Цель оправдывает средства. Стыд и позор тем, кто использует иммиграцию для достижения своих гряхных, одиозных и коррупционных целей.
В свете происходящих событий, можно предположить, что зачистка-этнических преступных групп не ограничется Калифорнией или Нью-Йорком.
А все ли у нас хорошо и гладко на этом фронте в Аризоне?
Я лично, на протяжение многих лет, втянут в настоящую войну с группировкой, которую однозначно могу охарактеризовать как ОПГ. Я сражаюсь за хороший и добрый имидж Русской Америки, за поруганную честь и оскорбленное человеческое достоинство как Русских, так и Американцев. Эта разветвленная структура пустила очень глубокие и сильные корни в штате, а может быть и за его пределами, например в Сан Диего или других городах. Они совершали и продолжает совершать многочисленные преступления в различных областях , начиная с подготовки лже-свидетелей для организованного выступления в судах и до подачи заведомо лживых заявлений в полицию с целью расправы с неугодными им людьми. Прямо как в 37! Заявление в полицию и глядишь посадят, а не посадят, так испортят репутацию и запугают. Что мало не покажется.
Вес сложность и драмма этой итуации заключается в том, что они ничего не-боятся и чувствуют себя очень комфортабельно, потому, что некоторые службы и ведомства штата, правоохранительные структуры и отдельные, наделенные властью, личности прямо или косвенно им помогают, а главное защищают и прикрывают. Я твердо верю, что этому беспределу придет законный-конец. Проблема в том, как долго это форменное безобразие будет продолжаться, сколько еще пострадают невинных людей, сколько денег потеряют казна и налогоплательщики, и сколько людей будут коррумпированы этой группой.
Люди! Как говорил Юлиус Фучек, Будьте бдительны, не помогайте и не поддерживайте всякого рода мошенников и махинаторов, которые, да, могут вам помочь, но в нарушение закона и морали. Преступность не имеет национальности, но всегда имеет питательную почву на которой преступность и растет.
Один украл машину, чтобы помочь своему другу и был уверен, что совершил геройский поступок. А одинокая женщина и мать не смогла ездить на работу, не имела средств на новую машину, и потеряла работу. А в суде, подозреваемому, судья объяснил, что он совершил преступление и получит за это срок.
Ниже привожу статьи о проведении беспрецедентной анти-криминальной операции в Калифорнии.
*********************************************************************

Спецслужбы в США в среду в результате операции, в которой принимали участие около тысячи агентов, арестовали десятки членов «могущественной» уличной банды «Armenian Power», сообщает Los Angeles Times.
Группировка выходцев из СССР действовала в районе западного Голливуда, однако задержания проходили по всей территории США.
Около сотни человек, по данным издания, были обвинены в вымогательстве, похищениях, отмывании денег и торговле наркотиками.
В группу из около 1000 агентов!!! входили сотрудники ФБР, налоговой службы, агентства национальной безопасности и местные полицейские.
«Armenian Power» берет свои корни в среде армянских иммигрантов, прибывших в Лос Анджелес в конце 1980-х годов.
*********************************************************************

February 16, 2011 | 1:01 pm
At least 74 reputed members of the Armenian Power organized crime gang were charged Wednesday in a fraud scheme that cost Southern California victims at least $20 million, law enforcement officials said.
Authorities said members of Armenian Power, or AP, face criminal charges with potential sentences ranging from a few years to life in prison.
A total of 99 members have been charged in two federal indictments and by the Los Angeles County district attorney with crimes including racketeering, extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking and identity theft.
Some of the defendants are accused of secretly installing sophisticated skimming devices that allowed them to steal customer account information at a dozen 99-Cent Only stores across the region, according to a 212-page federal indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court.
Armenian Power members allegedly caused more than $2 million in losses when they used the skimmed information to create counterfeit debit and credit cards, the indictment alleges.
In addition, authorities allege Armenian Power worked in conjunction with African American street gangs to gather information that allowed them to take over bank accounts, often of older victims, that led to financial losses of $10 million.
Andre Birotte Jr., U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said members of the gang used violence to maintain their fraudulent activities.
[Updated at 1:53 p.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified Birotte as an assistant U.S. attorney]
“The common denominator among these defendants and their criminal enterprises is their willingness to commit any crime for profit and to use any means of violence and intimidation to further their goals,” Birotte said.
Birotte cited the kidnapping of a Glendale businessman who was held for $500,000 ransom and threatened with death as an example of the lengths the gang would go to to strike fear in the community.
The culmination of a two-year investigation, Operation Power Outage involved nearly 1,000 officers focused primarily on suspects who live in heavily Armenian neighborhoods in Burbank, Glendale and East Hollywood, but authorities said arrests and indictments also were made in other parts of the country, including Denver and Miami.
The syndicate had global reach, according to law enforcement officials. The indictment described a transnational network that tied Armenian Power to the Mexican Mafia and organized crime gangs in the former Soviet-bloc regions, including Armenia, Georgia and Russia.
Participating law enforcement agencies included the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Secret Service, Immigration Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' office of the inspector general. Also participating was the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Burbank, Glendale and Los Angeles police departments.
The bulk of the arrests and search warrants were served without any major incidents. But officials stressed they continued to search for about 24 suspects.
Armenian Power is a small but virulent gang that took root among Armenian immigrants who arrived in Los Angeles in the 1980s and early 1990s, authorities said. The gang has about 200 members.
Law enforcement officials described Armenian Power as having an "extensive portfolio" that combined ruthlessness with opportunism, focusing on white-collar crime that included identity theft crimes such as credit-card skimming.
-- Kate Linthicum and Andrew Blankstein
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In all, 102 defendants faced charges in federal and state courts, capping a nationwide, two-year probe into the Armenian Power gang that was formed in East Hollywood in the 1980s as young men sought to protect themselves from Hispanic street gangs.
Authorities say the gang is violent but has coupled its aggression with a willingness to work with other crime groups and become more tech-savvy.
"Armenian Power members are considered to be exceedingly resourceful and have seized opportunities to collaborate," said Steven Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles.
The gang has grown to include more than 200 members and is now based in Glendale and nearby areas of the San Fernando Valley. Officials said the number of arrests Wednesday suggests the gang, for now, will have difficulty operating.



Sources: Internet

Russian president fetes Schwarzenegger in Moscow

California Governor rode the Moscow metro today.

By Sergei L. Loiko, Los Angeles Times
October 12, 2010
Reporting from Skolkovo, Russia —
Calling his host "a great visionary," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger heaped praise Monday on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and urged new economic partnerships with Soviet, er, Russian, businessmen during a visit to a western suburb of Moscow that is slated to become a Silicon Valley-style innovation hub.

With 23 potential American investors in tow, Schwarzenegger is visiting Moscow at the invitation of Medvedev, who toured the United States in June. Medvedev, in a black leather jacket, drove the gray-suited Schwarzenegger to the largely barren site in a rare Soviet-era ivory-colored Chaika sedan.

Medvedev "has very clear visions where Russia should go and how to diversify its economy," Schwarzenegger said in remarks at a round-table meeting with Russian venture businessmen, held in the only building on the planned industrial complex.
The governor then drew chuckles as he looked away from his notes and proceeded to say that he hopes "that our business leaders are going to find great partnerships with the Soviet counterparts."

After the laughter subsided, Schwarzenegger explained that he had been to Russia many times but that those trips were back in the days when Moscow was still the capital of the Soviet Union.

Skolkovo Innovation Center is a pet project of Medvedev, whose government intends to spend $5.6 billion over the next few years to help stimulate technological breakthroughs in space, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and other fields.

"We count very much that our cooperation will yield good fruits," the president said at the round-table.

But not all here are as optimistic about the future, or about a Western role in stimulating high-tech commerce, despite the presence of executives from such giants as Google and Intel. Indeed, some observers predicted that nothing would come of the visit, which they consider a public relations gimmick to promote the project in Russia.

"I can understand that the Kremlin needs Schwarzenegger to attach weight and beauty to this project," said Irina Yasina, a senior researcher at the Institute of Transition Period Economy, in an interview with The Times. "I don't understand why Schwarzenegger wants to take part in it unless he regards it just as an exotic excursion he might as well enjoy."

The issue of technological innovation is of crucial importance to Medvedev and his hold on power and one in which he stands out from his mentor-turned-rival, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev's modernization effort is seen by many analysts as his likely ticket to another term in office.

His plan would turn Russia from a raw-materials supplier of the West into a technological superpower that could export far more sophisticated products than gas and oil. And a former Hollywood action hero might come in handy to promote his ideas.

The charismatic Putin, on the other hand, has a simpler plan that can be boiled down to one short slogan: Make me president and you won't be sorry. In essence, Putin himself is the action hero.

Putin was president for eight years and, barred from serving a third consecutive term, picked Medvedev as his successor. Some think he may again seek the office in 2012.

Many here love Putin for such blunt promises as the one in 1999 "to flush terrorists down the toilet," as well as for throwing the biggest of the Russian oligarchs, Mikhail Khodorkovsky in prison, slashing income taxes, and publicly embracing victims of this summer's wildfires. He flies planes, drives Russian cars to promote the auto industry, rides with bikers to be closer to the people. He doesn't need a plan. His plan is himself.

In the sessions Monday, Schwarzenegger appeared to have an affinity for the Medvedev model.

"One thing I know for sure," he told reporters after the round-table. "To create a Silicon Valley here in Moscow is much, much, much better than not creating one."

Medvedev returned the love.

His regret, he said with a smile, is that he cannot name Schwarzenegger to the vacant position of mayor of Moscow, because the governor does not have Russian citizenship.