DHS to launch pilot program to prioritize deportations this week: An editorial in the Los Angeles Times explores how the the Department of Homeland Security is creating a program to prioritize the deportation of criminal immigrants and weed out the deportation of low profile ones: “Under the pilot program, teams of prosecutors in Baltimore and Denver will review all pending immigration cases in those cities and then decide whether to issue temporary reprieves to the elderly, students, children, victims of domestic crimes and those with a close relative who is a U.S. citizen. Reprieves would be limited to those without criminal convictions. If all goes well, the program would be expanded nationwide in January.”

Gingrich’s rational views on immigration draw GOP ire:  In the last GOP debate presidential candidate Newt Gingrich outlined his plan to reform our immigration system, immediately drawing condemnation from the leading candidate for the nomination. Meanwhile immigratoin activists urge other GOP candidates to follow Newt’s lead and cool their heated immigration rhetoric. This has fallen on deaf ears.

Sheriff Joe to endorse Rick Perry: In hopes of re-igniting his sagging poll numbers in the Republican presidential primary Texas Governor Rick Perry will announce this week that virulent anti immigrant Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be endorsing him:

“Arpaio espouses a hard-line stance on illegal immigration, leading raids to round up and jail illegal immigrants, and was a major proponent of the controversial Arizona immigration law. Perry has spoken with Arpaio several times over the phone since entering the presidential race.

Arpaio, a much sought after endorsement in the GOP field, plans to campaign with Perry in New Hampshire next week, the source said. The Texas governor will be in the Granite State Tuesday and Wednesday, holding three town halls and a breakfast at the Nashua Chamber of Commerce along with speaking at the New Hampshire State House.”