The world at a glance . . . United States

Los Angeles

Immigrant arrests: In what federal officials called the largest such enforcement action in U.S. history, authorities in California last week arrested and began to deport 286 foreign nationals with criminal records. The three-day operation, which involved hundreds of local and federal officers, netted suspects who had been convicted of such violent crimes as armed robbery, rape, and assault. Most had served their sentences but remained in the country in violation of federal laws that require foreign nationals convicted of a serious crime to leave. “The American dream exists for many immigrants,” said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary John Morton. “However, that dream involves playing by the rules.”

Houston

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Lesbian mayor: Houston elected its first openly gay mayor last week—the largest U.S. city ever to do so—when City Controller Annise Parker beat former City Attorney Gene Locke by about 5 percentage points. Parker’s sexual orientation did not become a campaign issue until November, after a runoff narrowed the field to Parker and Locke, a fellow Democrat, who was hoping to become Houston’s second black mayor. Conservative activists mailed out fliers condemning Parker’s “homosexual behavior,” a tactic that Locke denounced. “The voters of Houston have opened the doors to history,” said Parker, 53, who was joined at the victory podium by her longtime partner. Houston is the fourth most populous U.S. city. Previously, the largest city with a gay mayor was Portland, Ore., which ranks 29th.

Phoenix

Combative sheriff: Arizona’s Court of Appeals last week barred Joe Arpaio from searching a judge’s home or chambers, marking the latest clash between the controversial Maricopa County sheriff and his critics. Arpaio had filed federal racketeering charges against more than a dozen county officials, accusing them of hindering investigations into conflicts of interest related to the construction of a $347 million court building. The defendants include Superior Court Judge Barbara Mundell, who had earlier ruled against Arpaio’s treatment of illegal immigrants and other inmates. Arpaio denied that he was using his office to target opponents. “We do what we have to do,” he said. Arpaio, sometimes called “America’s toughest sheriff,” was recently stripped of his federal authority to conduct sweeps of suspected illegal immigrants.

Arlington, Va.

Taliban debate: A school debate that would have involved some eighth-graders taking the side of the Taliban has been called off following parents’ protests. The debate was one of several concerning world conflicts that had been scheduled for the annual mock U.N. forum at Swanson Middle School. But after hearing from irate parents, Principal Chrystal Forrester said she was scrapping the debate due to “the sensitive nature of the conflict in Afghanistan.” Chris Wilson, whose daughter was asked to argue for the Taliban, welcomed the decision, calling the assignment “an abuse of the academic freedom that we cherish.” But another parent, Julie Stradling, said the aim was not to defend the Taliban but to “understand their motivations.”

Washington, D.C.

Gay marriage approved: The nation’s capital this week became the sixth jurisdiction in the U.S. to allow gay marriage, after the city council approved the measure by an 11–2 vote. Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the bill into law, though opponents say they will try to overturn it, either through a voter referendum or in Congress. Because of its unique status, laws in the District of Columbia can be overturned by Congress. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, ranking Republican on the subcommittee that oversees the district, said he believes “traditional marriage would win” if it were put to a congressional vote. But the Democratic majority, he said, has “an iron grip on their ability to block it from coming up.” Gay marriage is legal in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Iowa.

Columbia. S.C.

Sanford escapes impeachment: State lawmakers have decided not to impeach Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, and instead formally rebuked him for bringing “ridicule, dishonor, disgrace, and shame” on South Carolina. Sanford has been under fire since June, when he disappeared for five days to visit his lover in Argentina. He was the focus of 37 ethics charges involving misuse of state aircraft and campaign funds. But a legislative panel ruled that his actions were not impeachable. “We can’t impeach for hypocrisy,” said committee chairman Jim Harrison, a Republican. “We can’t impeach for arrogance.” Sanford’s troubles aren’t over: Last week, his wife of 20 years, Jenny, filed for divorce after what she called “many unsuccessful efforts at reconciliation.”