Today I studied national security issues in preparation for my position statement, scheduled for posting later this week. The big story on the national security front today was the announcement by the Iraqi government that it favors withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by 2010 — a development with major national security implications.

On the local front, the St. Cloud Times, in an article titled “Immigrants’ rights are topic of forum,” reported a Spanish-language community forum will be held August 9 in Cold Spring “to help residents understand their rights and discuss legal and civil rights issues.” According to the report, topics will include “protections against discrimination, employment abuses and other concerns.” A workshop “on immigration and detained immigrants rights will follow the forum.”

The article prompted heated debate in the Times’ online “In Your Voice” reader commentary feature, with some readers suggesting the forum involves a misappropriation of taxpayer dollars to benefit illegal aliens. (According to the news report, “The event was organized by the Know Your Rights! Collaborative, a partnership of several state labor and employment departments including the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, several advocacy groups and federal employment and labor agencies.”)

Clearly, an event of this nature — if intended for legal immigrants — is a legitimate use of public funds. I will attempt to establish whether that is the case and post the facts on this website.

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7/25/08 Update

I wrote Mr. Mario A. Hernández of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to inquire whether the event is intended specifically for legal immigrants and whether public funds will be used to benefit undocumented aliens.

See link below for his response.

On the Campaign Trail: Day 11 (July 25, 2008)