TNR Brief: 2020 Census, Denver Resident Released from ICE

The Pentagon,Washington, DC.  (Photo:  The Nation Report)

US Attorneys General Suing Trump Administration

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday that he and other state Attorneys General are initiating legal action to block President Trump’s move to add a question about citizenship status to the 2020 Census.  At least 12 states are suing to block the question from appearing on the Census.

While the group supports the census count and deem it necessary for determining political representation federally, statutorily, locally, and even in school board races, they condemn the move of the Trump administration, “We know it would result in under counts.  It would result in injustice.  It’s unconstitutional.  It’s unlawful,” announced Schneiderman in front of Federal Hall in Manhattan.

The last five censuses have not asked about immigration status.

Schneiderman added that both Republicans and Democrats have in the past exercised effort to operate fairly when conducting the Census, “The Trump administration is breaking from that tradition.  It would hurt places like New York that have large immigrant populations.  So I’ll be in court with a coalition of my colleagues from around the country to stop this.”

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Rene Lima-Marin Released from ICE Custody

In a case that has taken several unexpected turns, Denver resident Rene Lima-Marin was released from the GEO Detention Center in Aurora on Monday.

Lima-Marin came to the US as part of the 1980 Mariel Boatlift from Cuba and then gained lawful permanent residency in 1986.

He was convicted in 1998 of aggravated robbery of two video stores and sentenced to multiple sentences to be served consecutively that added up to 98 years.  Sentencing laws have since been changed.

A clerical error brought Lima-Marin an early release from prison in 2008, during which time he demonstrated signs of being rehabilitated and a contributor to society.  Several members of the clergy have stood by him, including outside of the Colorado Governor’s mansion to ask for a pardon for Lima-Marin which was denied by Governor Hickenlooper.

He was rearrested in 2014 after the clerical error surfaced.

In May 2017, the 18th Judicial District Court granted Rene’s petition for habeas corpus and ordered his release. but was immediately detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Together Colorado, an organization that worked for the release of Lima-Marin responded to the release, “Today, we are overjoyed that the Lima-Marin family is finally reunited.  As people of faith, we have a moral obligation to transform the systems of immigration and criminal justice to be reflective of our values of mercy and restoration so all people can maintain their human dignity and all families can stay together.”

 

 

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