Obama Admin Wins Freeze on Ruling Against Indefinite Detention
The Obama administration has won an emergency freeze of a federal judge’s recent decision to block a controversial statute that gave the government the power to carry out indefinite detention. An appeals court agreed to stay Judge Katherine Forrest’s ruling against a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, authorizing the imprisonment of anyone deemed a terrorism suspect anywhere in the world without charge or trial. The stay will remain in effect until an appeals panel considers the case.
Court Overturns Rule for Disclosure of TV Ad Funders
A federal appeals court has overturned a rule requiring third-party groups to disclose the funders of election-related television ads. The ruling overrides a lower court decision that said the 2002 McCain-Feingold Act on campaign finance reform likely intended to require such disclosures. It marks a major victory for Republican-linked groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity and Crossroads GPS, which had altered their ads after being compelled to disclose who funded them. In a statement, Democratic Rep. Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland, who brought the initial case that won the disclosure rule, said: “The Court of Appeals’ decision today will keep the American people, for the time being, in the dark about who is attempting to influence their vote with secret money.”
Judge: Arizona Can Begin Enforcing “Show Me Your Papers” Provision
A federal judge has lifted an injunction against a key component of Arizona’s controversial anti-immigrant law. The “show me your papers” measure requires police to check the immigration status of people they stop before releasing them. Critics say it enables racial profiling. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled Arizona police can begin enforcing the law immediately.
AND ONE TEMPORARY SETBACK —
DOJ: North Carolina Sheriff Illegally Targeted Latinos
A Justice Department probe has found a North Carolina sheriff and his deputies routinely discriminated against Latinos by illegally stopping, detaining and arresting them without probable cause with the goal of helping to deport as many as possible. The investigation found Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson called Latinos “taco eaters” and ordered roadblocks in Latino neighborhoods where only people of color were stopped. Johnson also reportedly ordered his deputies to arrest drivers who appeared Latino for minor traffic violations, while merely giving warnings to white drivers. The Justice Department also says Sheriff Johnson tried to obstruct its two-year investigation by falsifying records and withholding documents.
[All items courtesy DemocracyNOW of 9.19.12]