Arizona Immigration Law Raises Important Civil Rights Issues

May 14, 2010 By

Republican Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into Arizona law a statute which gives the local police to the right to verify immigration status if there is a “reasonable suspicion” that a person is in the country illegally. Brewer stated Arizona was forced to pass the law because the federal government has failed to act on it the state’s high influx of illegal immigrants.  Civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, say the law will equate to racial profiling which unfairly targets Hispanics who are in the country legally or were born in Arizona.  President Obama has ordered a review by the Justice Department to determine whether the Arizona law is Constitutional before the law goes into effect in July.  The Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund is a civil rights group which claims that the law infringes on federal responsibility and violates the 14th Amendment’s equal-protection clause.  Other states such as Arizona, Ohio, Utah, Delaware, Missouri, and Texas are planning to sign similar laws.

See: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-02-immigration_N.htm

According to the United States Department of Labor, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, and other aspects of employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  In addition, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.

See: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/discrimination/ethnicdisc.htm

As well established equal opportunity and anti-discrimination firms in New York, Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. works to achieve successful judgments that are in the best interests of their clients.  If you or someone you know has been affected by employment discrimination or seeking a class action please feel free to contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation or view their web page at www.lmblaw.com.

Filed Under: Civil Rights, Discrimination, Human Interest Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Highlighting the Importance of a Last Will & Testament as 11 workers remain missing after New Orleans oil rig explosion

May 14, 2010 By

Eleven workers are still missing after an oil rig, named the Deepwater Horizon, exploded, caught fire, and sank 36 hours later off the coast of Louisiana.  Coast Guard crews searched for the workers over a 1,940-square-mile search area by air twelve times and by boat five times.  Seventeen workers have been brought to shore, suffering from burns, broken legs and smoke inhalation, while four of them were critically injured.  About 100 others who were not hurt had made it to a supply boat after the explosion. The 400-by-250-foot rig (about twice the size of a football field) is owned by Transocean Ltd. and was under contract to BP.  A lawsuit was filed shortly after the blast, claiming the companies were negligent. Since 2001, there have been 69 offshore deaths, 1,349 injuries and 858 fires and explosions in the Gulf, according to the federal Minerals Management Service. On average, offshore oil workers earn between $40,000 to $60,000 a year.  Joe Hurt, regional vice president for the International Association of Drilling Contractors has stated that, “Working on offshore oil rigs is a dangerous job, but has become safer in recent years thanks to improved training, safety systems and maintenance”. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36683314

Tragedies such as the one occurring off the coast of Louisiana are unexpected but the security of your loved ones and the property you own can be protected by a Last Will and Testament.  According to New York Surrogate’s Courts, a valid will can transfer an interest in both personal property (e.g. bank accounts, furniture, stocks, and clothing) and real property (such as real estate).  A will also allows a person to name an individual to serve as an executor of the estate and guardian over the children.  Moreover, a will can provide protection for family members (for example, trusts for adult incompetent children).
See: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/surrogates/faqs.shtml#q3

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC lawyers have extensive experience handling probate and estate matters.  Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC guardianship, surrogate, testate and intestate representation extends to clients throughout Long Island, the New York Metropolitan area. For more information or a free consultation, contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658.

Filed Under: Estate & Probate Administration, Human Interest Tagged With: , , , , ,