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Zaira Livier, during an event launching the petition drive in January.

Local Republicans won't seek review of a judge's ruling last week that tossed out their legal challenge to an initiative that would declare Tucson a "sanctuary city" and restrict local immigration enforcement if voters approve in November. Read more»

Zaira Livier, during an event launching the petition drive in January.

A judge ruled Friday against a challenge brought by Republicans, allowing an initiative to make Tucson a "sanctuary city" to go to voters in November. Supporters celebrated, while opponents are discussing an appeal of the decision. Read more»

There was a court hearing Monday afternoon on the Republican move to block Tucson's "sanctuary city" initiative from going on the November ballot. The judge indicated he'll make a ruling this week, but likely not until Friday. In the meantime, here's a listing of the various motions filed in the case: Read more»

A petition to declare Tucson a sanctuary city is being circulated for signatures, and if it becomes city code, it could conflict with the last vestige of Arizona’s infamous SB 1070 – the so-called “show me your papers” law. Read more»

Robin Hoover marks the 15th anniversary of the deployment of one of two blue barrels containing water, as part of an effort by Humane Borders to halt the number of deaths in southwestern Pima County, in 2016. The beat-up blue plastic water barrel became part of an exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt design museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution.

"Civil society must begin a national discourse on immigration reform and carry through with it. Leaving the conversations to politicians and law enforcement is not getting the job done." — Rev. Robin Hoover Read more»

Tucson activists are pushing for a ballot proposition emphasizing sanctuary and are told they are 'creating havoc.'

Activists are collecting signatures for Tucson "sanctuary city" initiative that may be counterproductive, ill-conceived, total folly, legally doomed — and yet remains exactly the right thing to do. Read more»

Protesters call for Tucson to become a sanctuary city during a 2017 demonstration in support of DACA.

As organizers circulate petitions to make Tucson a “sanctuary city," City Attorney Mike Rankin wrote that parts of the initiative are in “direct conflict “with Arizona’s controversial SB 1070, and would limit coordination with all federal law enforcement. Read more» 1

Immigrants and activists participate in press conference and rally on Nov. 19, 2015, before a 37-mile march to show support for immigration reform. The marchers planned to walk for three days, from the federal immigration detention facility in Taylor to the Texas Governor's Mansion in downtown Austin.

It’s not yet clear whether, or how, the Trump administration could make good on a promise to end "sanctuary cities." But the simple fact that he says he’ll try is enough to terrify many undocumented immigrants in Texas. Read more» 1

El Paso and its sister city, Ciudad Juárez.

In El Paso, local leaders hope to create a municipal ID card for the region's homeless, indigent and undocumented. But Gov. Greg Abbott has hinted that could make El Paso a so-called "sanctuary city." Read more»

An El Paso-based immigrant rights group could see its hopes for a municipal ID card dashed after leaders there determined that issuing the card might prompt immigration hardliners to label the town a "sanctuary city." Read more»

An ad from a pro-Ted Cruz super PAC claims that Sen. Marco Rubio’s plan for so-called sanctuary cities is to “ignore” them. Read more»

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters at the Security Operations Center at the Department of Public Safety on May 12, 2015.

While Texas activists push Democrats to go softer on immigrants in local jails, conservatives are pressing Gov. Greg Abbott to act now on reforms targeting "sanctuary" policies in cities and counties. Read more»

Trump speaking at a campaign rally in Phoenix on July 11.

Donald Trump says that “the state of Florida had sanctuary cities while Jeb Bush was governor,” and “nobody said anything.” But we could find no evidence that any Florida city or county fit the bill of a sanctuary city at that time, at least not officially. Read more»

Daniel Neyoy Ruiz

Immigration officials have extended the stay of a Mexican illegal immigrant, Daniel Neyoy Ruiz, who went into sanctuary last week at a Midtown Tucson church to protect himself from deportation. Read more»

A temporary immigrant shelter set up last summer has seen Christmas arrive, and the people are still coming.

The news crews have drifted away, and the national spotlight has turned elsewhere. But Central American immigrants continue to cross illegally into Texas, and their numbers seem to be growing again. Border officials and charities expect their humanitarian efforts to continue into the foreseeable future. Read more» 50

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