No 'sanctuary' for Giuliani from Romney attacks

The term "sanctuary city" has taken center stage after Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney aggressively questioned Rudy Giuliani's stance on immigration enforcement at the city and state levels.

A sanctuary city is one that prohibits its law enforcement officers from arresting and questioning people about their immigration status solely for the purpose of immigration enforcement. Romney says cities that support the policy become "magnets" for illegal immigrants and says he would cut funding for cities that adopt the policy. Proponents of the policy say it increases trust and cooperation with authorities in immigrant neighborhoods.

San Diego has not been named a sanctuary city. Many cities in the county try to combat illegal immigration by requiring documentation from employers hiring day laborers or limiting who landlords can rent to. National City mayor Nick Inzunza faced much criticism last year after proposing that National City become a sanctuary city.

Commentary: Save me from Romney ads
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GAO says no to those from controversial nations

After releasing a report that shows nearly 10,000 immigrants from countries supporting terrorism were granted permanent residency since 2000, the Government Accountability Office has asked to alter the Diversity Visa Program that brought them here.

The GAO recommended the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs bar foreigners from these countries from participating in the visa lottery aimed at increasing immigration from areas with low rates of travel to the United States. This would include all countries on the government's list of states that sponsor terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria and North Korea.

The Bureau told the Associated Press that it agrees with the recommendation in principle, but is concerned for those fleeing from oppressive regimes. Limiting the countries that can participate in the lottery also diminishes the program's goal of diversity.

Ted Kennedy defended the program from a previous attempt to amend it saying, "The purpose is...to preserve our very heritage as a nation of immigrants and a true melting pot. Unlike other visa categories, the diversity visa is not about who you know, or to whom you are related. It is a totally unique program because anyone with a high school degree or two years of meaningful work experience can apply." Read more of Kennedy's defense here.

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Filner faces House Ethics Committee

The House Ethics Committee announced today that it would conduct an inquiry into Congressman Bob Filner's alleged assault on a United Airlines employee last month. Filner is due to appear in court on October 2.

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Border Authority Act

Hope remains for Congressman Bob Filner and other representatives in the border region after HR 3246 failed to pass in the House on Monday. That's because HR 2068, the Southwest Border Authority Act, remains in the House and at the top of the border representatives' agendas.

Both bills address the need for economic development in regions that suffer from chronic unemployment and poverty far above the national level. If passed, HR 2068 would establish the Southwest Border Authority, which would create programs and allocate federal funds allocated by the act.

The bill was introduced in April, and Filner's district office says it will be a top priority in the coming months.

HR 3246, the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act would have focused on multiple regions throughout the United States. It didn't receive a two-thirds vote to pass. Congressman Brian Bilbray (CA-R) voted against the bill. Duncan Hunter (CA-R) was absent for the vote.

Overview and Introduction

Bob Filner's office in Chula Vista acts as the "eyes and ears in the community," said District Chief of Staff Humberto Peraza. The purpose of the office is help the 51st District House Representative and self-proclaimed "Border Congressman" serve his constituents by representing constituents who bring cases to his staff concerning citizenship or other needs dealing with federal agencies. The staff also hits the pavement to seek out those issues concerning residents most, so they can inform the Congressman, who might present such concerns before Congress and propose a legislative solution. Staff members are each assigned to one or more of the following issues or geographic locations: health care, labor, Sentri passes at the U.S.-Mexican border, immigration, veterans' affairs, military, African American, Latino, Jewish, Asian-American, Muslim and gay communities and the cities of Chula Vista and National City.

Veterans' affairs and immigration remain at the top of the staffs agenda, because of Filner's position as the Chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and his district's location next to the border.

This is an important office in San Diego County, because it helps represent and speak on behalf of a large portion of our county. Furthermore, our location makes immigration a hot-button topic. Immigration debates have always been present but continue to escalate as elections near. The 51st District office communicates the needs of the area closest to the border to Congress, where legislation can be introduced that might drastically change the border region and immigration policy.

Filner's Web site