Former Arizona State Senate President Russell Pearce is attempting to make a comeback in the state legislature, revealing deep rifts within the Arizona Republican party. The director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has unveiled his priorities for 2012, some of them may surprise you.  In an attempt to stop undocumented immigrants from entering the United States the border patrol is utilizing a communications campaign designed to inform Mexican migrants of the perils of crossing the desert.

Arizona immigration law divides party Former Arizona State Senate President Russell Pearce is attempting to make a comeback in the state legislature, revealing deep rifts within the Arizona Republican party. “As he makes his way to his table at the Cracker Barrel family restaurant, Russell Pearce is greeted by admiring waitresses and diners. One woman wells up as she grabs the former state senator’s hand to praise the anti-illegal immigrant legislation he authored. “It took some real cojonesto do what he did,” says Dave Woods, a retired construction manager. “As citizens, we have to step up and say what we think is morally right.” Two years after the Arizona legislature passed a bill giving police unprecedented powers to stop and search anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant, Mr Pearce and his law remain a lightning rod in the state, and nationally, for the heated immigration debate.”

Immigration chief outlines his priorities The director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has unveiled his priorities for 2012, some of them may surprise you. “Alejandro Mayorkas, a veteran federal prosecutor, is the director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Among other things, Mayorkas’ agency grants immigration and citizenship benefits, manages the process that allows people from other countries to work in the United States and helps administer the E-Verify system, which helps employers verify whether their newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. Mayorkas oversees an agency with a $3 billion annual budget and 18,000 employees and contractors working at more than 200 offices worldwide. He previously served as the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. President Barack Obama nominated him to his current position in April 2009, and the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him in August of that year.

Feds try to make U.S.-Mexico border less enticing to cross In an attempt to stop undocumented immigrants from entering the United States the Border Patrol is utilizing a communications campaign designed to inform Mexican migrants of the perils of crossing the desert. “The federal government is using a more proactive tactic than in previous times to stop the flow of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. Since last year, agents in Arizona have called Mexican and Central American television and radio stations and newspapers, asking for the opportunity to tell of the dangers of crossing illegally, particularly through the Sonoran Desert. The outreach was initially greeted with skepticism but is now being embraced.”