Miss Oklahoma stands by comments in support of Arizona Immigration

Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard says she has “no regrets” about her response that some say led to her losing out on the crown.

Woolard finished first runner-up behind winner Miss Michigan Rima Fakih in the Miss USA pageant after voicing her support of Arizona’s controversial immigration law that defines illegal immigration as trespassing and allows local law enforcement agencies to question people they suspect of being in the country illegally.

Recent polls show that a majority of Americans likely agree with Woolard on the issue, but still some people feel the controversial question may have cost her the crown.

According to the scores shown during the live telecast, the Oklahoma representative was far ahead of eventual winner Fakih in both the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the competition, reported Fox News.

Woolard said she was not surprised by the question.

“I was absolutely ready for the question and truthfully for me, it wasn't tough. I believe if you know who you are and what you believe and why you believe it, then no question can stump you,” Woolard said. “I was confident in my answer, there was no hesitation, and I just spoke from my heart and I believe what I said was well said and I feel strongly about that and I'm proud of my answer.”

Miss Oklahoma foiled by immigration question?

Critics say Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard finished second in the Miss USA contest because of backlash over her answer supporting Arizona’s new immigration law.

"I'm a huge believer in states' rights. I think that's what's so wonderful about America," Woolard said. "So I think it's perfectly fine for Arizona to create that law."

Woolard said she opposes racial profiling.

Fans booed last night when Miss USA judge Oscar Nunez asked Woolard where she stood on the controversial new law that defines illegal immigration as trespassing and allows local law enforcement agencies to question people they suspect of being in the country illegally.

It was a flashback of last year’s controversy when Miss California, Carrie Prejean, finished second after answering a question about same-sex marriage, which she opposed.

As of 12:30 p.m. this afternoon, more than 90 percent of voters of an online Fox News poll felt Nunez, a star on “The Office,” sunk Woolard’s chances.

Woolard finished second to winner Rima Fakih of Michigan.

Most Americans support controversial Arizona law

Sixty-one percent of Americans said they favored the law in a new survey. And 69 percent of Americans said they wouldn't mind if police officers stopped them to ask for proof of their citizenship or legal rights to be in the country.

More than 8 in 10 Republicans and 54 percent of independents favor the law.

Many Democrats also supported the bill. Forty-six percent of Democrats said they favored the law for Arizona and 49 percent said they'd favor the law's passage in their own states. (Democrats are typically seen as more sympathetic to illegal immigrants.)

The McClatchy-Ipsos poll reflected similar findings to a recent Pew survey that found 73 percent of Americans approve of requiring people to verify their legal status and two-thirds support police detaining people who can't. Pew's survey of 994 adults also was conducted May 6-9.

Here is the report from my colleagues at McClatchy Newspaper on the polls.

NBA team dons 'Los Suns' jerseys to protest Arizona law

The Phoenix Suns will wear the jerseys in tonight's playoff game on the Cinco de Mayo holiday to "to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona, and our nation," says the owner.

Owner Robert Sarver told the Associated Press that frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the illegal immigration issue led to the passage of what he called "a flawed state law."

"However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question," he said, "and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."

The law passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed by Gov. Jan Brewer defines illegal immigration as trespassing and allows local law enforcement agencies to question people they suspect of being undocumented.

Opponents of the law say it will encourage racial profiling, break up families, and harm communities by making illegal immigrants fearful of co-operating with police investigating crimes.

Supporters of the law in Arizona say it's not about race, but rules. And that the state was essentially forced to confront the issue because of the federal government's failure to act.

Sarver came up with the idea for the jerseys, but left it up to the players for a final decision. Suns guard Steve Nash said it was a unanimous decision.

"I think it's fantastic," Nash said after Tuesday's practice. "I think the law is very misguided. I think it's, unfortunately, to the detriment of our society and our civil liberties. I think it's very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. As a team and as an organization, we have a lot of love and support for all of our fans. The league is very multicultural. We have players from all over the world, and our Latino community here is very strong and important to us."

Check out ESPN's interview with Nash for more on the controversy.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told the Associated Press said his team was interested in taking part but couldn't get new "Los Spurs" road jerseys in time for the game.

"It's a wonderful idea," Popovich said. "because it kind of shows what we all should be about. Sure there needs to be a lot of work done, obviously. A lot of administrations have done nothing about the immigration deal and now everybody's paying the price, especially a lot of people in Arizona. That's a bad thing, but the reaction is important, too, and this reaction [the Arizona law], I believe with Mr. Sarver, is inappropriate."

Photo: Getty Images

Charlotte activists protest Arizona law and 287(g)

Local immigration activists and supporters will march from Charlotte's Marshall Park to the Mecklenburg County jail tomorrow to protest the Mecklenburg County sheriff's 287(g) program and a new Arizona state law that criminalizes illegal immigration.

The rally will begin at 11 a.m. It's one of many such protests around the country that have stolen the spotlight from many other issues this week.

The Arizona law defines illegal immigration as trespassing and allows local law enforcement agencies to question people they suspect of being undocumented.

On Thursday, protesters rallied outside Wrigley Field in Chicago, where the Arizona Diamondbacks were playing the Cubs. One congressman called for Major League Baseball to pull next year's All-Star game out of Arizona.

Opponents of the law say it will encourage racial profiling, break up families, and harm communities by making illegal immigrants fearful of co-operating with police investigating crimes.

Ruben Campillo, N.C. director for Reform Immigration for America, sees the Arizona law as
an extension of 287(g), which allows local law enforcement to place arrested illegal immigrants into deportation proceedings. He said its another example of local governments overstepping their roles to confront an issue that is really the responsibility of the federal government.

Supporters of the law in Arizona say it's not about race, but rules. And that the state was essentially forced to confront the issue because of the federal government's failure to act.

A recent Rasmussen poll indicated 70 percent of likely voters in Arizona support the intent of a law authorizing police to check people they suspect of being illegal immigrants.

According to the Arizona Republic, in the past week, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's office said it received 5,186 calls in favor of the bill, 2,006 against.

Eight N.C. counties join federal deportation program

The Union County sheriff's office, along with seven other N.C. county law enforcement agencies, have joined the newest federal program that identifies illegal immigrants in the jails.

Secure Communities is a fingerprint-based immigration screening program that gives local law enforcement access to FBI and immigration databases simultaneously. If an inmate is found to be in the country illegally, immigration officials are automatically alerted.

“Fingerprints don’t lie,” said Barbara Gonzalez, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “If their fingerprints are in the system showing they’re illegally in the country, and they say they’re legal, we know they’re lying. We’ve caught people saying that.”

The program is already operating in 21 N.C. counties, including Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus and Catawba. More than 104 illegal immigrants have been deported from Mecklenburg County using Secure Communities since the county implemented the program in October 2009, according to ICE.

Secure Communities has been introduced in the midst of controversy over civil liberties issue surroundings its predecessor, 287(g), which gives local law enforcement officers the ability to place illegal immigrants into deportation proceedings.

In Mecklenburg County, more than 8,000 illegal immigrants have been placed into deportation proceedings using the 287(g) program.

Supporters say the program is a valuable tool to protect the community and helps identify the criminal histories of people here illegally.

Critics however say 287(g) targets minor offenders. A UNC Chapel Hill report released last month, found that nearly a third of immigrants flagged for deportation from N.C. jails were arrested on traffic violations.

Latino advocates have described Secure Communities as 287(g)’s little brother. They say the federal government’s continued reliance on local agencies for immigration enforcement shows the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Gonzalez said Secure Communities prioritizes those arrested on serious offenses, such as murder, rape, and kidnapping. She did not say minor offenders would be released.

In addition to Union County, Secure Communities was recently launched in Brunswick, Columbus, Dare, Halifax, Jackson, Lee and Transylvania counties.

Photo: Catawba County deputy Brian Helms operates fingerprint-based immigration screening program designed to nab illegal immigrants. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

The Census Boycott is on…

Some clergy call on illegal immigrants to boycott the Census. “This is a matter of moral principle,” Miguel Rivera, leader of the boycott, says.

The National Coalition Of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders called for the boycott last year in an effort to push leaders to pass immigration reform.

Now Rivera, president of the coalition, says it's in the best interest of millions of illegal immigrants to “exercise their right to free expression maintaining themselves silent and not exposing themselves further.”

The group estimates more than 3 million illegal immigrants won’t cooperate with the Census.

The U.S. Constitution calls for a nationwide count every 10 years. The data is used to distribute some $300 billion to state and local governments and adjust congressional representation.

Census officials say its critical that every resident be counted, and that immigration status is not part of the query.

An undercount could affect millions of dollars coming to the Carolinas for roads, schools and hospitals. It could also determine whether either state gains a congressional seat.

The pastors however say political representation and federal money don't matter to illegal immigrants, who can't vote and don't get to enjoy many of the benefits of living here.

Here are excerpts from a letter Rivera sent out this morning:

"The Census boycott is on. This is a matter of moral principle and pastoral care.

Congress will not move forward with legalization, there is no moratorium on executing raids and deportations.

It is in the best interests and the welfare of millions of undocumented immigrants, to exercise their right to free expression maintaining themselves silent and not exposing themselves further…

… We recognize that the Census is important, but its own importance and accuracy, converts itself into a weapon of families destruction."

…Only a Cease and Desist on Raids and Deportations would move us to call the boycott effort to stop.

File photo: Radio host Jorge Medina asked listeners last year if they'll participate in Census. Many said they'll boycott.