An illegal immigrant who took refuge in a Chicago church for a year to avoid being separated from her U.S.-born son has been deported to Mexico, the church’s pastor said.

Elvira Arellano became an activist and a national symbol for illegal immigrant parents as she defied her deportation order and spoke out from her religious sanctuary. She held a news conference last week to announce that she would finally leave the church to try to lobby U.S. lawmakers for change.

Breitbart

It’s about time they nabbed this woman.  I am so sick of the bed wetting left slobber all over her and make her out to be some kind of saint just because she has an eight year old son.  I don’t give a damn how many kids she has and how old they are.  This woman is a criminal.

This is not the first time she has been caught illegal in the U.S.  She was caught here illegally in Washington state ten years ago and deported.  Then she returned three years later and began working at O’Hare Airport in Chicago with a STOLEN Social Security number.  And as if all of this was not enough, she trots herself out on to the airwaves practically daring the U.S. Government to try and take her away.

Adios, señorita!

Federal law allows potential candidates to raise money to travel, conduct polls and pay for other expenses related to “testing the waters” for a political campaign. During that exploratory period, a potential candidate does not have to file financial reports with the FEC.

The law prohibits anyone who is “testing the waters” from hoarding the money for use during his actual campaign. Potential candidates also cannot refer to themselves as candidates, can’t run ads that publicize their intention to campaign or take steps to qualify for the ballot in a primary or caucus state.

According to a financial report filed late last month, Thompson had raised nearly $3.5 million and had had spent $625,000. Thompson must raise money within federal contribution limits and must report it to the FEC once he becomes an official candidate.

“We’re following the law,” Thompson spokesman Jim Mills said.

Under federal guidelines, Thompson has 15 days to respond to the complaint.

Charlotte Observer

I don’t see anything damaging here.  What I do believe is that if this “liberal” blogger took the time to file a  complaint against Thompson on something circumstantial, he must be worried about Thompson’s chances in 2008.

State Rep. Mike Kelly has written a letter to the editor of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner calling for the retirement of two-thirds of Alaska’s Congressional delegation.  This is no small matter in a state that has relied heavily upon porkbarrel projects brought home by members who have been in Washington since Cal Ripken Junior was in elementary school.  Whenever they, the voters of Alaska, or the good Lord decide that it is time for their time in Washington to end, those funds will dry up in a hurry.

Stevens and Young are the old guard.  They are willing to make any deal to bring the most money back to Alaska.  Not only are they deal-makers, but they do not begin from the conservative principles that are at the core of the Republican Party.  To maintain their  clout, the pair, while compiling an overall liberal voting record, cast every vote necessary to maintain their clout, including voting to confirm conservative judicial nominees.  This kept the money flowing to Alaska and kept Stevens and Young in Washington.

Now, though, that money has gotten them into trouble.  Senator Stevens is currently being investigated by the FBI, an investigation that will likely continue well into 2008 at the very least.  Whether the allegations of corruption with regard to personal favors are true is irrelevant at this point.  Having his home raided by the FBI is a public relations nightmare.  Even Stevens himself has said that the investigation could cause him problems heading into the election.  The two primary benefits that Senator Stevens has offered for so many years are that he has been safe and that he has voted with us on issues that could ultimately threaten his influence.  Now, the former is gone.  Although Rep. Young’s current standing is not quite as bad, it is not much better.

Senator Stevens in particular no longer enjoys the confidence of his own Party within the state.  He reinforces negative perceptions that Republicans are corrupt, and his candidacy in 2008 could not only cause his own seat to be in jeopardy, but also reinforce perceptions nationwide that Republicans are the Party of corruption.  If Stevens no longer enjoys the support of Republicans, it is logical to conclude that he may well not have the support of the majority of Alaskan voters on Election Day.  I hate to zero in on a Republican when we should be fighting Democrats, but the seat may well depend on Republican voters replacing the long-time incumbent in the primary.