(Image source from: AP News)

A longtime proponent for immigrants wants a judge in order to move his approaching trial on federal tax charges out of Arizona because of publicity over the case and his past efforts in speaking up for people who were in the country illegally.

A hearing is scheduled on Thursday to consider the request by Elias Bermudez, who more than a decade ago led protests against immigration laws and then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio's crackdowns on immigrants.

At a 2006 protests, Bermudez knelt down in front of Arpaio to ask the lawman to end arresting immigrants, a request which sheriff denied.

He owned a business that assisted immigrants prepare immigration and tax documents.

Bermudez was earlier accused of setting up income tax documents Since 2010 through 2012, that incorrectly added dependents to his client's returns to maximize refundable credits.

Federal authorities say his clients, at the direction of Bermudez, listed people who lived in Mexico as dependents. They say they recorded Bermudez while meeting with a confidential informant and two undercover agents, telling agents they should include false dependents on their returns to reduce their tax liability and improperly claim a refund.

Bermudez has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled for trial on September 5.

Earlier this month Kristina Matthews, Bermudez's attorney filed a petition to move the location of the trial, saying Bermudez can't acquire a fair trial since he is a controversial figure whose advocacy efforts and criminal case have been thoroughly covered by reporters.

Prosecutor Andrew C. Stone said in court papers that the request should be denied because Bermudez can't show that Phoenix has been saturated with inflammatory publicity about the current case.

Earlier, for a Spanish-language radio show in Phoenix Bermudez worked as a talk show host and served as a leader of the group Immigrants Without Borders and as vice mayor of San Luis, Arizona.

He was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison in 1996 for a money laundering conviction.

A county judge in Arizona, in addition, ordered him to halt offering immigration services after clients alleged they paid for services they never received.

Bermudez in the year 2012 moved to New Mexico but his business was closed by the attorney general since he was unauthorized to render immigration consulting services.

By Sowmya Sangam