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Illegal Immigration and the Politics of Punishment

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The Bush Administration is cracking down on illegal immigrant workers, at the same time warning of "unhappy consequences for the economy." We debate what those "consequences" are likely to be. Will they create new impetus for "comprehensive" reform? How are some local communities coping? Also, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty of two felony charges today and, on Reporter's Notebook, Iran's Revolutionary Guard may be declared a "terrorist organization" by the United States.

President George W. Bush, flanked by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff (L) and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez
Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Making News

Former Referee Pleads Guilty in NBA Betting Case ()

In the betting scandal that rocked the NBA, former referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty of two felony charges today. Shira Springer covers basketball for the Boston Globe.

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Main Topic

Administration Tightens Screws on Undocumented, Employers ()

"Comprehensive Immigration Reform" was a big loser this year for President Bush and many Democrats, mostly because it included a pathway to legalization for 12 million undocumented workers, which was denounced as "amnesty." Now the Administration has announced a multi-agency crackdown to begin in the next 30 days, with measures that include new pressure on employers to fire illegal immigrant workers. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warns that tough enforcement will cause economic pain, but that employers should have seen it coming. Opponents say it'll make things worse. Supporters say it's about time. We debate the impact on the construction industry and grocery prices. Can local communities take matters into their own hands?

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Reporter's Notebook

White House to Designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as Terrorists ()

Iran's Revolutionary Guard goes back to the Islamic revolution of 1979. A base of support for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, it's involved in commercial operations as well as various military institutions. The Bush Administration has leaked word that it's preparing to declare the Revolutionary Guard a "terrorist organization." Some 42 organizations are on the State Department's list of "terrorist organizations," including al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Never before have the armed forces of any sovereign government been put on the list, but that will change if the IRG is included. Paul Wilkinson is director of the Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at St. Andrews University in Scotland.

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  • Paul Wilkinson: Dhair of the Center for the Study of Terrorism at the University of St. Andrews

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