Cases highlight competing interests in immigration policy

A local federal judge calls it the most “bizarre, Alice-in-Wonderland” scenario he ever has encountered in the world of government prosecutions.

“Given the facts of the case, I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to have respect for this country’s immigration laws,” Judge Mattice said in choosing not to jail Juana Montano-Perez, the first of nine illegal immigrants who have admitted to Social Security fraud.

During a court hearing Monday, Judge Mattice said he remained “confused and frustrated” by the issue. He refused to sentence any more defendants, ordering that the cases be consolidated and that an investigation be conducted into whether their due process rights may have been violated. Read more at www.timesfreepress.com