Rights groups challenge Arizona illegal immigrant bail law News
Rights groups challenge Arizona illegal immigrant bail law

[JURIST] Two rights groups have filed a lawsuit [complaint, PDF] in the US District Court for the District of Arizona challenging the constitutionality of Arizona's Proposition 100 [PDF text], which denies bail to illegal immigrants accused of committing serious felonies. In court papers filed Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund [advocacy websites] alleged that the law denies immigrants their due process right to individual hearings on whether they are flight risks or dangers to the community. The groups also contend that Proposition 100 allows the local Sheriff's Office to improperly use federal authority to check on the immigration status of detainees. AP has more. The Arizona Republic has local coverage.

The Arizona government approved [JURIST report] Proposition 100 in November 2006, along with three other measures directed at illegal immigration. In October 2007, the Arizona Court of Appeals rejected a challenge to the law [opinion, PDF; Capitol Media Services report], ruling that it did not violate illegal immigrants' due process rights.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.