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The Significance Of The Local In Immigration Regulation, Cristina M. Rodríguez Feb 2008

The Significance Of The Local In Immigration Regulation, Cristina M. Rodríguez

Michigan Law Review

The proliferation of state and local regulation designed to control immigrant movement generated considerable media attention and high-profile lawsuits in 2006 and 2007. Proponents and opponents of these measures share one basic assumption, with deep roots in constitutional doctrine and political rhetoric: immigration control is the exclusive responsibility of the federal government. Because of the persistence of this assumption, assessments of this important trend have failed to explain why state and local measures are arising in large numbers, and why the regulatory uniformity both sides claim to seek is neither achievable nor desirable. I argue that the time has come …


Constitutional Law-Equal Protection-Racial Restrictive Covenant In Deed Of Cemetery Lot As Defense To Damage Action, Lawrence N. Ravick Apr 1956

Constitutional Law-Equal Protection-Racial Restrictive Covenant In Deed Of Cemetery Lot As Defense To Damage Action, Lawrence N. Ravick

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff brought a damage action against a private cemetery for its refusal to permit the interment of her Indian husband in a burial lot which she had purchased from the defendant cemetery under a contract restricting burial privileges to members of the Caucasian race. Held, reliance upon a restrictive covenant to deny recovery does not constitute state action in violation of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Federal Constitution. Rice v. Sioux City Memorial Park Cemetery, (Iowa 1953) 60 N.W. (2d) 110.


Civil Procedure-Statute Of Limitations-Possibility Of Service Under Nonresident Motorist Service Act As Preventing Tolling Of Statute, James H. Loprete S.Ed. Mar 1953

Civil Procedure-Statute Of Limitations-Possibility Of Service Under Nonresident Motorist Service Act As Preventing Tolling Of Statute, James H. Loprete S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiffs, while riding as passengers in defendant's automobile, were injured in an accident in Iowa. Two of the four plaintiffs brought suit in Kansas against defendant, a citizen of Kansas, but their suits were dismissed upon the sustaining of demurrers. The four then sued defendant in Iowa, obtaining service upon him under the nonresident motorist service act Defendant pleaded the statute of limitations, and plaintiffs countered with the tolling statute. Issue was raised over the interpretation to be given the word "nonresident" in the tolling statute. Plaintiff contended it was to be given a literal interpretation, that is, that the …


Civil Procedure-Parties-Intervention Denied Where Applicant Asserts An Independent Cause Of Action In Damage Suit, Richard P. Matsch S.Ed. Dec 1952

Civil Procedure-Parties-Intervention Denied Where Applicant Asserts An Independent Cause Of Action In Damage Suit, Richard P. Matsch S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

ln plaintiff's action for property damages sustained in a collision with defendant's automobile, defendant's wife filed a petition of intervention for her claim against plaintiff for personal injuries received in the accident. Plaintiff's motion to strike the petition of intervention was overruled by the trial court. On appeal, held, reversed. Petitioner's cause of action was independent of the controversy between plaintiff and defendant and did not fall within the provisions of the court rule allowing intervention. Edgington v. Nichols, (Iowa 1951) 49 N.W. (2d) 555.


Negligence-Imputed Negligence-Action Between Joint Enterprisers, Nancy J. Ringland May 1950

Negligence-Imputed Negligence-Action Between Joint Enterprisers, Nancy J. Ringland

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff and his wife were driving from Michigan to Iowa to visit a certain church to which plaintiff, a minister, was considering a call. Defendant desired to visit a college in Illinois, with the intention of enrolling as a student. It was agreed that defendant should ride in plaintiff's automobile to Illinois, where plaintiff was to help defendant gain admission to the college; later defendant was to return with the plaintiff to Michigan. The parties alternated in driving the automobile on the trip. At a certain stage in the journey, defendant negligently operated the automobile and caused it to become …


Conflict Of Laws-Model Execution Of Wills Statute-Law Governing Revocation Of Will, Edward W. Rothe S.Ed. Mar 1950

Conflict Of Laws-Model Execution Of Wills Statute-Law Governing Revocation Of Will, Edward W. Rothe S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Decedent's will, devising Iowa realty, was denied probate in Illinois, the state of domicile, on grounds that the will had been revoked by cancellation. The devisees offered the will for probate in Iowa, under whose law no revocation was effected. The heirs contested probate on grounds that the Illinois denial of probate was conclusive and binding on Iowa courts in view of §633.49, Iowa code, 1946: "A last will and testament executed without this state, in the mode prescribed by the law, either of the place where executed or the testator's domicile, shall be deemed to be legally executed, and …


Wills--Construction-Testamentary Intent, J. R. Swenson Jun 1947

Wills--Construction-Testamentary Intent, J. R. Swenson

Michigan Law Review

In a will drawn for her by a layman, testatrix inserted in her own words a clause reading, "It is my belief that 120 acres . . . owned by my deceased husband, John Cagley, subject to a life estate willed to me, be distributed to his four nieces and nephews . . . . " In fact, her husband's will had not specifically disposed of the remainder, and testatrix had in addition to the life estate, taken the remainder as residuary devisee. Held, The clause was a valid devise of the property to the four named beneficiaries. Layton …


Deeds--Co-Tenancy--Conveyance By Grantor To Himself And Wife, John F. O'Connor S.Ed. Mar 1947

Deeds--Co-Tenancy--Conveyance By Grantor To Himself And Wife, John F. O'Connor S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Decedent executed a deed conveying to himself and wife "as joint tenants and not as tenants in common with the right of survivorship." After decedent's death, the surviving spouse, plaintiff in this action for specific performance, entered into a contract to sell the land described in the conveyance to defendants who declined to accept a deed from the plaintiff. Defense, that the conveyance executed by decedent did not create a joint tenancy, therefore plaintiff did not have full title to convey. Held, the deed created a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship in the wife, the surviving wife …


Declaratory Judgment Where Criminal Action Is Pending, Robert E. Walsh S.Ed. Jan 1947

Declaratory Judgment Where Criminal Action Is Pending, Robert E. Walsh S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Subsequent to the filing of an information against him before a Justice of the Peace by the Secretary of Agriculture of the State of Iowa for violation of the Iowa Cream Grading Act, plaintiff applied to the District Court for an injunction against the proceeding before the Justice, and requested a declaration that he was not subject to the act. The District Court denied the injunction, but issued a decree declaring that plaintiff was not subject to the Cream Grading Act. On appeal, held, affirmed. Where complicated legal issues cannot be determined with equal facility by a Justice of …


Torts-Damages From Shock-Liability For Mental Injury Caused By Defendant's Suicide In Plaintiff's Home, Samuel D. Estep S.Ed. Dec 1945

Torts-Damages From Shock-Liability For Mental Injury Caused By Defendant's Suicide In Plaintiff's Home, Samuel D. Estep S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Decedent was the close neighbor of the plaintiff and her husband. While they were absent from home, decedent, at that time a guest in the home, committed suicide in plaintiff's kitchen. When plaintiff opened the door she saw the body, and started to fall but was caught by her husband. A physician to whom she was taken pronounced her condition as one of shock. Subsequently she was restless, nervous and found difficulty in sleeping. She now sues the estate of decedent for damages resulting from what she alleges was the willful act of decedent. The trial court gave a directed …


Insurance-Gratuitous Assignment Of Life Policy Where Right To Change Beneficiary Is Reserved, Craig E. Davids S.Ed. Feb 1945

Insurance-Gratuitous Assignment Of Life Policy Where Right To Change Beneficiary Is Reserved, Craig E. Davids S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Defendant issued a life insurance policy to deceased, naming plaintiff, then insured's wife, as beneficiary. The policy reserved to the insured the right at any time to change the beneficiary without the knowledge or consent of the latter, and it further provided that no assignment should affect the rights of insurer until due notice was given to defendant. Sometime later, plaintiff divorced insured, who had indicated by personal conversation and correspondence with his sister the intervener, that he intended that the sister should receive the proceeds of the insurance. In one letter the insured referred to the policy and said, …


Contracts - Right Of Promisee Of A Creditor-Beneficiary Contract To Sue In Equity For Exoneration, Mary Jane Morris Apr 1943

Contracts - Right Of Promisee Of A Creditor-Beneficiary Contract To Sue In Equity For Exoneration, Mary Jane Morris

Michigan Law Review

The defendant purchased a barber shop and beauty parlor business from the plaintiff; and as part of the contract, the defendant assumed an indebtedness owing to a third person by the plaintiff. In an action brought by the creditor against the present plaintiff and defendant, judgment was rendered against the plaintiff herein and the action was dismissed as to the defendant. In that action, the present plaintiff filed a cross-petition against the defendant in this case, to require her to perform her alleged oral agreement to assume outstanding obligations, and moved to transfer the cross-petition to equity. Trial on the …


Evidence - Admissibility Of Defendants Refusal To Submit To A Blood Test For Intoxication, David Davidoff Apr 1942

Evidence - Admissibility Of Defendants Refusal To Submit To A Blood Test For Intoxication, David Davidoff

Michigan Law Review

Defendant was convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. This appeal was based on the contention that the testimony by a deputy sheriff of defendant's refusal to submit to a blood test to determine whether or not he was intoxicated violated his privilege against self-incrimination and was inadmissible. Held, the evidence was properly admitted. State v. Benson, (Iowa, 1941) 300 N. W. 275.


Joint Obligations- Effect Of Release Or Covenant Not To Sue, Michigan Law Review Jan 1942

Joint Obligations- Effect Of Release Or Covenant Not To Sue, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Defendants mortgaged their farm to plaintiff and later conveyed to one Ahart, who assumed the mortgage indebtedness. In a written extension agreement between all three parties it was provided that the defendants and Ahart should be jointly and severally liable for the debt. After foreclosure proceedings were started, Ahart and the plaintiff entered into a written contract by which the plaintiff agreed to release Ahart from all personal liability on the mortgage indebtedness in consideration of a deed to the farm. Thereafter the plaintiff sought a deficiency judgment against the defendants. Held, the defendants were not discharged from their …


Constitutional Law - Trial By Jury - Right To Waive Presence Of Trial Judge, Robert P. Kneeland Nov 1941

Constitutional Law - Trial By Jury - Right To Waive Presence Of Trial Judge, Robert P. Kneeland

Michigan Law Review

Defendant was tried for the crime of driving a car while intoxicated. After the jury was instructed and had retired, the judge who had supervised the trial up to that point announced that he was going to another town to sit for a judge who was in poor health, but that a second judge would be available to receive the jury's verdict. Defendant's counsel failed to object to these arrangements. After the judge who heard the cause had left, the jury desired further instructions. As defendant objected to this request, however, it was denied. The second judge received the unqualified …


Infants - Minority As A Defense To Rescission For Fraud, Raymond H. Rapaport Jun 1941

Infants - Minority As A Defense To Rescission For Fraud, Raymond H. Rapaport

Michigan Law Review

Two defendants, one of whom was a minor, sold a business to the plaintiff. The plaintiff, in seeking to rescind the contract on the ground that it was induced by fraud, obtained a decree declaring the contract cancelled, and judgment was entered against the defendants for the sums they had received from the plaintiff. The minor defendant filed a petition to vacate the judgment as to him because during the trial no guardian ad litem had been appointed to represent him. Held, defendant is entitled to a new trial only if he could have made a good defense, and …


Labor Law - Unincorporated Unions As Entities For The Purpose Of Being Made Parties Defendant, Rex B. Martin May 1941

Labor Law - Unincorporated Unions As Entities For The Purpose Of Being Made Parties Defendant, Rex B. Martin

Michigan Law Review

Union officials wrongfully discharged plaintiffs from the union. Plaintiffs, being unable to procure employment in a "closed-shop" trade, asked for a writ of mandamus to direct defendants, as representatives of the association, to reinstate plaintiffs and recompense them for damages suffered. Held, that a reinstatement order and a damage judgment against the union should be granted. Nissen v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, etc., (Iowa, 1941) 295 N. W. 858.


Constitutional Law - Validity Of State Use Tax On Mail Order Sales Of Foreign Corporation, Michigan Law Review Apr 1941

Constitutional Law - Validity Of State Use Tax On Mail Order Sales Of Foreign Corporation, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The respondent, a New York corporation licensed to do retail business in Iowa, did a large mail order business there also. Iowa customers sent orders by mail to the company's warehouses located outside that state, and the merchandise was shipped directly to the purchaser. On these mail order sales the company neither collected from its customers, nor paid to the state, the Iowa use tax. The petitioner, chairman of the state tax commission, threatened to cancel the respondent's license as a retailer and its permit to do business in Iowa unless such use tax were paid. Respondent obtained an injunction …


Descent And Distribution - Inheritance Through Illegitimate Child - Iowa Statute, James W. Deer Nov 1940

Descent And Distribution - Inheritance Through Illegitimate Child - Iowa Statute, James W. Deer

Michigan Law Review

This action involved a determination of the heirs of A, a widow, whose deceased husband, B, was an illegitimate child. Three sets of claimants asked for her estate: the legitimate descendants of B's mother, the legitimate descendants of B's father, and the state of Iowa, the domicile of the deceased. The district court awarded the property to the state, as uninherited property, on the ground that the other claimants could not take through an illegitimate. On appeal, reversed. An Iowa statute provided that an illegitimate child could inherit from his mother, and from his father, when …


Trade Restraints - Due Process - Interference With Liberty To Fix Sale Price Of Gasoline, Michigan Law Review Jun 1940

Trade Restraints - Due Process - Interference With Liberty To Fix Sale Price Of Gasoline, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

In 1925 the state of Iowa enacted a statute requiring all distributors of gasoline in the state, wholesale or retail, to post in plain sight the price at which they intended to sell their gasoline, setting out all taxes thereon. They were then bound to sell at this price to all buyers. Defendant was such a dealer, and although he posted the price, he failed to abide by it as to all sales and was charged with violating the statute. The lower court sustained defendant's demurrers, holding the statute unconstitutional as a denial of due process and equal protection of …


Statutes - Interpretation - Application Of Venue Statute To Owners Of Forms Of Transportation Unknown At The Time Of Its Enactment, Michigan Law Review Apr 1940

Statutes - Interpretation - Application Of Venue Statute To Owners Of Forms Of Transportation Unknown At The Time Of Its Enactment, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

An Iowa venue statute passed in 1872 provided that "an action may be brought against any railway corporation, the owner of stages, or other line of coaches or cars . . . in any county through which such road or line passes or is operated." A damage action was brought against petitioner in a county through which its truck line regularly operated. Petitioner moved for a change of venue to the county where its principal office was located. The motion was overruled and petitioner tested the validity of the ruling in an action in certiorari. Held, a common carrier …


Automobiles -Violation Of Parking Statute, Michigan Law Review Jan 1940

Automobiles -Violation Of Parking Statute, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Defendant, in violation of a statute and ordinance prohibiting parking "within ten feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway," parked his truck within the prohibited area, thus blocking the sign from the view of the traffic it was intended to warn. A third party, approaching the stop street, being unable to see the sign, proceeded into the intersection without stopping, and struck the car in which plaintiff was a passenger, injuring him. Defendant demurred to the petition on the ground of lack of causal connection. Held …


Negligence - Contributory Negligence - Standard Of Care - Objective Or Subjective?, John H. Pickering Dec 1939

Negligence - Contributory Negligence - Standard Of Care - Objective Or Subjective?, John H. Pickering

Michigan Law Review

While anchoring a guy wire for a hay carrier on his farm, plaintiff suffered injuries caused by contact between the guy wire and a high tension line owned by defendant. After an answer denying negligence and setting up the defense of contributory negligence on the part of plaintiff, defendant had a directed verdict. Held, that the alleged contributory negligence of plaintiff was a question of fact for the jury which was to be guided by the standard of care of the ordinary, careful, prudent man in the situation of the injured party in all respects, the court saying, "We …


Criminal Law And Procedure - Interpretation Of Statute, Michigan Law Review Dec 1939

Criminal Law And Procedure - Interpretation Of Statute, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Convicted of the statutory crime of falsely uttering a bank check, defendant appealed on the ground that the instrument in question was a promissory note. It was in appearance and form a check except for the substitution of "will pay" for "pay" and the addition of the words "payable at" before the name of the bank. Held, affirmed, the court construing the instrument as a check. State v. Doudna, (Iowa, 1939) 284 N. W. 113.


Deeds - Construction Where Grantees Take "Jointly'', Michigan Law Review Jun 1939

Deeds - Construction Where Grantees Take "Jointly'', Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Land was conveyed to plaintiffs' ancestor and defendant by deed. The granting clause read: "hereby convey to Isaac . . . and Alice . . . "; the habendum clause: "Said real estate being taken by said grantees jointly . . . to have and to hold . . . to the said grantees, their assigns, heirs, and devisees forever." The heirs of Isaac, who died intestate, filed a partition petition; Alice, claiming as surviving joint tenant, answered and also started an action to quiet title. A statute provided that "Conveyances to two or more in their own right create …


Federal Courts - Substance And Procedure - Effect Of Erie Railroad V. Tompkins And Rule 8 (C) Of The Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure Upon Burden Of Proof Of Contributory Negligence, John H. Uhl Jun 1939

Federal Courts - Substance And Procedure - Effect Of Erie Railroad V. Tompkins And Rule 8 (C) Of The Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure Upon Burden Of Proof Of Contributory Negligence, John H. Uhl

Michigan Law Review

The case of Erie Railroad v. Tompkins has wrought a great change in the relationship between the state and federal courts. Prior to its decision, the federal courts under the rule of Swift v. Tyson did not have to apply the state non-statutory law. They could apply their own notions as to what the law was in matters of general law relating to substance. The Conformity Act compelled the federal courts to follow the practice, pleading, and forms and modes of proceeding in like causes in the courts of the state within which the federal district courts were held. In …


Constitutional Law - Mortgages - Moratoria On The Way Out?, Elbridge D. Phelps Jun 1939

Constitutional Law - Mortgages - Moratoria On The Way Out?, Elbridge D. Phelps

Michigan Law Review

As a general proposition, one might perhaps feel prone to quarrel with the statement that "history repeats itself," but there can be little doubt that it applies full well to legislation aimed at relieving hard-pressed debtors in times of financial crises. From our earliest American history, every economic "winter" has provoked a landslide of pro-debtor legislation. Nor have mortgage debtors been overlooked in this regard. The remedies suggested have been as varied and ingenious as human minds could concoct. A brief review of the past decisions indicates that when they could be said to impair the obligation of contract, such …


United States - Government Corporations - Immunity From Suit, John H. Uhl May 1939

United States - Government Corporations - Immunity From Suit, John H. Uhl

Michigan Law Review

The Emergency Relief and Construction Act, passed by Congress in 1932, authorized the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to create regional agricultural corporations, but did not expressly provide that such corporations might sue and be sued. However, Congress had made express provision to this effect with respect to the R. F. C. itself. The Regional Agricultural Credit Corporation of Sioux City, Iowa, was chartered by the R. F. C. in accordance with the statute. The plaintiff brought this action to recover damages for injuries to livestock alleged to have resulted from the negligence of the Regional Corporation in not providing proper care …


Wills - Right Of Creditors Of Testamentary Donee To Set Aside His Renunciation - Right Of Surviving Spouse To Share In Intestate Property After Electing To Take Under Will In Lieu Of Her Distributive Share, D. M. Swope May 1939

Wills - Right Of Creditors Of Testamentary Donee To Set Aside His Renunciation - Right Of Surviving Spouse To Share In Intestate Property After Electing To Take Under Will In Lieu Of Her Distributive Share, D. M. Swope

Michigan Law Review

Testator left all his real and personal property to his wife for life, and the remainder to his son and daughter in equal shares. The widow elected to take under the will in lieu of dower and other legal rights in the estate. The daughter renounced any right under the will, and seven months later filed a petition for voluntary bankruptcy. Her trustee in bankruptcy instituted this suit in equity to annul the renunciation. Held, the daughter had the right to file an unconditional disclaimer of all benefits granted her under the will and her creditors cannot complain thereof; …


Workmen's Compensation - Lead Poisoning Contracted By An Automobile Mechanic Not An Occupational Disease - Cancer Contracted By Battery Plant Employee An Occupational Disease, Donald M. Swope Mar 1939

Workmen's Compensation - Lead Poisoning Contracted By An Automobile Mechanic Not An Occupational Disease - Cancer Contracted By Battery Plant Employee An Occupational Disease, Donald M. Swope

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff contracted lead poisoning through the gradual daily inhalation of poisonous fumes from a gasoline torch used in his occupation as an automobile mechanic. If the employer had provided another type of gasoline, it appeared that plaintiff's disability would have been avoided. Held, that under these circumstances lead poisoning was not an occupational disease, and plaintiff should be compensated under the Iowa Workmen's Compensation Law. Black v. Creston Auto Co., (Iowa, 1938) 281 N. W. 189.