Albuquerque City Council votes in favor of immigrant-friendly proposal News
Albuquerque City Council votes in favor of immigrant-friendly proposal

The Albuquerque City Council [official website] in New Mexico passed an immigrant-friendly proposal [text] Monday, upholding and reinforcing the city’s commitment to “treat all persons with respect and dignity, regardless of their immigration status.”

The resolution prohibits city officials from inquiring about individuals’ “citizenship, immigration status, place of birth, religion, or national origin.” It also sets forth limited circumstances in which the city may inquire about an individuals’ social security number, including eligibility for state benefit programs and city employment.

The council passed the resolution with a 6-3 vote and will now go before the mayor. The Resolution would then go into effect within 30 days.

Immigration policy continues to be at the forefront of government action. In March Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced [text, PDF] that the 2020 census will include a citizenship question [JURIST report] to better aid enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. Hours after the announcement, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a lawsuit [complaint, PDF] challenging the decision, saying the question would discourage non-citizens from participating in the census, which would disproportionately affect California over other states. Since California’s lawsuit, more than 17 states and at least seven cities have filed lawsuits [JURIST report] challenging the decision.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.