Posted on 10/11/2005 12:20:25 PM PDT by Iron Matron
Judge denies media request for felons' names Elliot Jaspin - Staff Thursday, September 29, 2005
Washington --- The "privacy interests" of illegal immigrants who have been convicted of felonies in the United States would be compromised if the government released their names and other identifying information, a federal judge has ruled.
Citing court rulings and federal laws aimed at protecting individuals from unwarranted embarrassment or injury, Judge Richard Leon on Tuesday rejected a request from the Washington bureau of Cox Newspapers to release the names of illegal immigrants who are being held, or have been, in U.S. jails. These names are collected by the U.S. Justice Department as part of a program to pay state and local governments for some of the costs of incarcerating criminal immigrants.
Cox Newspapers filed suit against the Justice Department in 2003, seeking the list under the federal Freedom of Information Act after discovering that the federal government frequently neglects to deport illegal immigrants convicted of felonies after they have served their sentences.
In one case, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who had molested a 3-year-old girl in Georgia walked out of prison in 2001 after serving his sentence and disappeared because no one from the federal government was there to deport him.
In its court filings, Cox Newspapers argued that the public's right to know about convicted rapists, thieves and murderers who are in the country illegally outweighed any right to privacy they might have
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Beyond asserting that criminal immigrants have a right to privacy, Leon did not explain why their privacy outweighed the public interest. "The privacy intrusion associated with disclosing this information," he wrote in his 11-page opinion, "clearly outweighs the public disclosure of the information."
Mark Tapscott, a FOIA expert with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank, called the decision "idiotic" and said he is confident it would be overturned on appeal. "This is a serious blow to the public's right to know," he said.
Jon Hart, the Washington attorney representing Cox Newspapers in the case, said the company has not yet decided whether it will
time to get out the tar & feathers and then send this asshole judge to mexico on a rail
Bookmarked.
Judge Richard Leon?
Wonderful!
Some say Bush appointed, but didn't Meirs have a part in it?
And that had ?? what to do with the post I made?
I dont have an exact quote, but O'Reilly asked Judge Napalotano about why the admin wanted to hide the identity of illegals (criminals). The judge said something along the lines of - it could be that the gov. believes some terrorists may be among them..that they could be used for information...
I translated that comment as "lets let them loose, then follow them so we can learn about where they go..etc. If that is even close to the reason..it is dangerous and STUPID!
If that is even close to the reason..it is dangerous and STUPID!
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We have a REAL BIG PROBLEM in Washington.
I dont know. This is out of control. Voting conservatives in does not seem to help.
I think all concerned citizens need to brush up on their constitutional rights..and walk on Washington. Seriously. Why should we let our country be ruined by judges and out of control Presidents? Our Constitution was written to PREVENT that...
For those who do not fear..there must be options.
From post #5:
Judge Leon was appointed to the United States District Court in February 2002.
Well, you know the President's feelings about illegals... which is a prime reason I cannot take his word alone as reason to support Miers.
NOPe. Its turning in to Russia..or Germany..
ping
George W. Bush Appointed Him To The Bench.
Bush's silence on this legal matter will speak volumes about where he, and his legal advisers, stand.
One thing that should be apparent is that Bush avoids all conservative media so that he will never need to be asked questions such as where he stands on this issue. He would rather answer stupid Matt Lauer questions all day long than have to answer one question from the list of questions I have for him.
Good Question for all activists judges who do not uphold the USA Constitution..Good question to ask the President, who is now appointing Supreme Court Justices. Supreme court justices who will more than likely uphold an illegals RIGHT to be here and our OBLIGATION to support them..
Anybody know the basis for the ruling?
According to O'Reilly, no precedents were cited.
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