State proposes court rules for illegal immigrants
LANSING (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court is considering new statewide courtroom instructions for illegal immigrants who plead guilty to crimes.
They could be advised that pleading guilty or no contest to state crimes can lead to deportation.
The Supreme Court is proposing two ways for judges to handle it and will take public comment until October 1.
The court is reacting to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that says illegal immigrants must be told of the consequences of a guilty plea on their immigration status.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Stephen Markman predicts it will cause problems for the justice system.
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Kids lack nutrition safety net over summer
DETROIT (AP) — Officials say Michigan needs to do a better job of getting children from low-income families to schools and other sites where they can get free meals during the summer.
A report from the Washington, D.C.-based Food Research and Action Center found that fewer than one in six of Michigan children eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the school year got those meals in July 2009.
Last July, the Summer Food Service Program provided low-income children more than 45,000 meals at Michigan schools, libraries, churches, community centers and parks.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reimburses providers the cost of the meals, usually at about $3.25 a meal.
The Detroit Free Press reports that summer is without a nutritional safety net for many children.
“In a state like Michigan that is just reeling under the current economic conditions, the summer nutrition programs are crucial,” said Crystal FitzSimons, an author of the report from the Food Research and Action Center.
Some neighborhoods need more community organizations and sponsors to participate in the Summer Food Service Program, said Elizabeth Clive, a food and nutrition program specialist with the Center for Civil Justice in Saginaw.
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New program targets violent criminals in city
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit police are collaborating with local, state and federal law enforcement in an effort aimed at reducing violent criminal activity in some of the city’s most crime-ridden areas.
The three-month Comprehensive Violence Reduction Partnership is focusing on concealed weapons arrests and gun trafficking, officials say. The agencies are working to link related crimes and saturate areas where numerous robberies and shootings take place.
“As we reduce violent crime in the city of Detroit we reduce all of the other kinds of crimes that affect the quality of life for people in the city of Detroit,” Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans said.
The program is increasing patrols in northwest Detroit, where police say 30 percent of the city’s violent crime takes place, but a mobile force also is increasing patrols in other areas as needed.
Lawrence Meyer, assistant chief of police., said officers are using traffic stops and unannounced parolee visits to root out criminal activity.
The program also encourages federal prosecution, which Meyer said can result in longer sentences.
Arrests have increased throughout northwest Detroit, Meyer said. Auto thefts and burglaries also are down in the area.
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