ACLU of Kentucky

The Herald-Leader reports on a problematic deportation program in Lexington:

Since Lexington joined a federal program in October aimed at deporting illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes, 75.6 percent of the 41 people deported have been convicted of a minor crime or no crime at all.

Lexington's percentage of such deportations is well above the national average of 60 percent, according to a Herald-Leader analysis of a report on the program released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 4.

...Kate Miller, a program associate with the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, said "the removals are contrary to ICE's goal of prioritizing dangerous criminals."

Secure Communities, Miller said, "operates with minimal transparency and accountability; it facilitates racial profiling and unconstitutional arrests; it creates a risk of unlawful and prolonged detention and unfairly impacts individuals."  

For the full story, click here.

After arguing a court case for the better part of two days, Joshua Puckett and Mashayla Hays, both 18, were still eager to continue and passionate about the issue — a female student who was suspended after wearing a tuxedo to school in protest.

The Central High School students did such a good job presenting their arguments at the Marshall-Brennan National Moot Court Competition that Joshua won first place and Mashayla was named runner-up.

It was the first time in the tournament's history that two students from the same school finished in the top four, said Joe Gutmann, a law and government teacher at Central.

During the Moot Court Competition, held April 2-3 in Philadelphia, students argued an actual case involving students' rights under the First Amendment before a three-judge panel, much like lawyers do in an appeals court or the Supreme Court.

Students from various Marshall-Brennan programs sponsored by law schools around the country compete. Gutmann's students participate in the ACLU Marshall-Brennan Program through a partnership with the University of Louisville.

Read the full Courier-Journal story here .