"Only in America" part one...
Did the DREAM Act not go your way? Are you looking to skirt the law? Then head to the DREAM Act Portal. DAP is an immigration advocacy website that not only encourages political activism, but the forum actually details how to get a fraudulent Social Security card.
But that’s not all they also dole out advice regarding employers who won’t look at the actual Social Security card and where to buy a fake one in Los Angeles.
Now that the DREAM Act is dead, those in the country illegally are busy assisting others with the do’s and don’ts of job hunting without a real Social Security card.
Here are samplings of the posts found at DAP;
“Originally posted by bonescones if you came through a visa it is likely that you will have a valid social security number, only problem is that it is stamped "not valid for employment." so if your employer wants to see the actual card, this could be a problem .If they only ask for the number, you may be able to get by. If they use e-verify, I’m not sure what would happen.
Originally posted by ciscox3
Yeah, it's too bad you are not Hispanic or even better Mexican... we pretty much got this whole underground thing covered, with whole communities dedicated to the struggle and everything.
I'm considering getting a fake SSC but using my real number. My actual card has "not valid for employment" printed on it so it is useless. Does anyone know if this will pass e-verify?
Originally Posted by Dreamer X
Go to LA around MacArthur Park they can make you one for like...$100
If you have a SSN, even if it says "not valid for work", just simply transfer that number to clean card. You just need to know the right people to get a clean card. Besides that, you can just simply show your high school ID or passport, as a second ID. But, make your passport as the very last option.
Second: stay away from large chain-stores. Usually those stores follow a stricter hiring procedure in hiring people, they literally do background checks on you before hiring you. Try to find a place that is privately owned, like restaurants, family- run businesses; they are usually lenient in hiring people.
Also, try to stay away from places that have lots of immigrant (illegal) workers. Usually there's snitches around that hate on immigrants and just call ICE to raid the place.
Last edited by XoZuBo : 12-23-2010 at 05:20 AM.
Originally Posted by XoZuBo
I actually did that. I got a fake SS card, put the real number on it without that "not valid for employment" and since then, I've been showing that around. Most places just hired me instantly without any questions.
To view the blog for yourself click here; http://dreamact.info/forum/showthread.php?t=19350
“Only in America” is a new series of stories that will focus on the crazy happenings in America, if you have a suggestion or tip email; Kimberly.dvorak@cox.net all stories will be verified before publication and attribution to tipster posted unless otherwise requested.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rig
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Man arrested for brutal samurai sword attack in San Diego
A San Diego man was arrested and booked on suspicion of attacking his father in his home with a samurai sword over the holiday weekend, critically wounding his father.
The suspect is John Cahan. He is accused of walking into his 69-year-old father's bedroom in San Diego at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday morning. Reports suggest the son awoke his father and heatedly demanded the father to hold out one of his hands so he could chop it off, according to San Diego Sheriff Mark Varnau.
“Cahan swung the sword several times over his father and then brought it down, striking his lower leg,” Varnau explained. “The blade cut the victim's leg causing a potentially life-threatening wound. Cahan left the room with the weapon but returned later to try to stop the bleeding.”
The attacker waited nearly 90 minutes before he phoned emergency services to help his wounded father. According to Varnau, Cahan called medics to the home and claimed his dad accidentally injured himself while he was sleepwalking.
The victim was taken to the Hospital in critical condition. The Sheriff’s Department says there is no motive for the attack and the accused man would be drug tested.
After Deputies questioned Cahan, they arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon as well as elder abuse.
Varnau said the father did identified his son as the person who attacked him with a samurai sword.
The suspect is scheduled to be arraigned today.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The suspect is John Cahan. He is accused of walking into his 69-year-old father's bedroom in San Diego at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday morning. Reports suggest the son awoke his father and heatedly demanded the father to hold out one of his hands so he could chop it off, according to San Diego Sheriff Mark Varnau.
“Cahan swung the sword several times over his father and then brought it down, striking his lower leg,” Varnau explained. “The blade cut the victim's leg causing a potentially life-threatening wound. Cahan left the room with the weapon but returned later to try to stop the bleeding.”
The attacker waited nearly 90 minutes before he phoned emergency services to help his wounded father. According to Varnau, Cahan called medics to the home and claimed his dad accidentally injured himself while he was sleepwalking.
The victim was taken to the Hospital in critical condition. The Sheriff’s Department says there is no motive for the attack and the accused man would be drug tested.
After Deputies questioned Cahan, they arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon as well as elder abuse.
Varnau said the father did identified his son as the person who attacked him with a samurai sword.
The suspect is scheduled to be arraigned today.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Judge rules illegal aliens can collect workers compensation
Straight out of kangaroo court, a D.C. Court of Appeals judge ruled that illegal alien, Palemon Gonzales, is eligible to receive about $11,000 in worker's compensation benefits.
The employer at the time, David Karim claims he knew nothing about the employee's legal status as he used his cousin, Armando Casarrubias' green card to obtain a busboy job.
The illegal alien's identity came to light after he was injured on the job by a flying beer bottle that sent him to the hospital.
The aptly named bar, Asylum, found out their employee was using falsified documents to work once the hospital began sending medical bills in his real name.
The bar owner, Karim, testified at the workers' compensation hearing saying Gonzales snookered him and presented false documents to acquire employment at his bar.
Once management found out the illegal alien provided false documents they promptly fired him, but this action led to the courtroom where the workers' compensation board gave Gonzales his benefits.
The D.C. Appeals Court said it is legal under the District's workers compensation laws to provide benefits to any employee regardless to legal status. The court claimed it is "consistent with the principle that the (workers' compensation act) is to be construed liberally to achieve its humanitarian purpose."
The court suggested the opposite decision could lead to employers reneging on their responsibility to protect workers. By paying workers compensation for illegal immigrants the court stated it would avoid a "powerful incentive for employers not to hire such individuals."
However, anti-illegal immigration advocates see things differently.
"The court noted that it was trying to send a message to those who would employ illegal aliens- putting them on notice that they must not treat employees unfairly," said Michael Cutler former INS agent and immigration expert who has testified before Congress numerous times. "I certainly agree that we must do all that we can to discourage the employment of illegal aliens by employers- however, what about the message that this decision sends to illegal aliens and foreign nationals who may, at this moment, be contemplating running our nation's borders and seeking illegal employment?"
Cutler contends this case is reminiscent of the President and members of Congress who said they wanted to put illegal aliens on a pathway to United States citizenship. "The idea is that if your violate our borders, violate our immigration laws and likely other laws along the way, we will not only let you get away with these violations- we want to reward you for those violations."
In essence, comprehensive immigration reform and other forms of amnesty send precisely the wrong message to the illegal aliens as does this Appeals Court decision, according to Cutler.
"There is nothing in the decision that deters or dissuades aliens from running our borders and working illegally- quite to the contrary, the court decision will likely be seen as an additional inducement for aliens to ignore our borders and our immigration laws while the Court claims the point was to discourage employers from intentionally hiring illegal aliens," he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The employer at the time, David Karim claims he knew nothing about the employee's legal status as he used his cousin, Armando Casarrubias' green card to obtain a busboy job.
The illegal alien's identity came to light after he was injured on the job by a flying beer bottle that sent him to the hospital.
The aptly named bar, Asylum, found out their employee was using falsified documents to work once the hospital began sending medical bills in his real name.
The bar owner, Karim, testified at the workers' compensation hearing saying Gonzales snookered him and presented false documents to acquire employment at his bar.
Once management found out the illegal alien provided false documents they promptly fired him, but this action led to the courtroom where the workers' compensation board gave Gonzales his benefits.
The D.C. Appeals Court said it is legal under the District's workers compensation laws to provide benefits to any employee regardless to legal status. The court claimed it is "consistent with the principle that the (workers' compensation act) is to be construed liberally to achieve its humanitarian purpose."
The court suggested the opposite decision could lead to employers reneging on their responsibility to protect workers. By paying workers compensation for illegal immigrants the court stated it would avoid a "powerful incentive for employers not to hire such individuals."
However, anti-illegal immigration advocates see things differently.
"The court noted that it was trying to send a message to those who would employ illegal aliens- putting them on notice that they must not treat employees unfairly," said Michael Cutler former INS agent and immigration expert who has testified before Congress numerous times. "I certainly agree that we must do all that we can to discourage the employment of illegal aliens by employers- however, what about the message that this decision sends to illegal aliens and foreign nationals who may, at this moment, be contemplating running our nation's borders and seeking illegal employment?"
Cutler contends this case is reminiscent of the President and members of Congress who said they wanted to put illegal aliens on a pathway to United States citizenship. "The idea is that if your violate our borders, violate our immigration laws and likely other laws along the way, we will not only let you get away with these violations- we want to reward you for those violations."
In essence, comprehensive immigration reform and other forms of amnesty send precisely the wrong message to the illegal aliens as does this Appeals Court decision, according to Cutler.
"There is nothing in the decision that deters or dissuades aliens from running our borders and working illegally- quite to the contrary, the court decision will likely be seen as an additional inducement for aliens to ignore our borders and our immigration laws while the Court claims the point was to discourage employers from intentionally hiring illegal aliens," he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
DHS cover-up begins for Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry’s murder
Life in the field for Border Patrol Agents is often lonely work, as police officers most agents patrol alone in their vehicles as they travel remote territory off the beaten path. Agent Brian Terry was different; he served as a Marine in the Middle East during wartime, loved law enforcement and was selected for the elite BORTAC (the SWAT of the) U.S. Border Patrol.
Arguably, Terry had a lot of experience under his three-year Border Patrol belt. He knew combat. He knew how to stay alive. Yet it would be a fateful night in the December desert that took his life – not a terrorist in a warzone, but a cartel smuggler/bandit in Arizona.
The 40-year old agent was planning his new life out, marriage, and perhaps one day a family of his own, but in the blink of an eye it was snatched from Terry. A week has passed since the assassination and few details are being released. No trigger man, no justice.
What there has been is plenty of Border Patrol management scrambling to cover the fact Agent Terry was armed with a weapon that shot bean bag rounds- something that was a contributing factor to his untimely murder.
Department of Homeland Security is busy covering their tracks, while Janet Napolitano, DHS secretary, levels inaccurate statements like; “the border has never been more secure and there is not an increase of drug trafficking across the border,” – and agents continue to patrol undermanned and under-armed.
Perhaps, Terry got Napolitano’s memo and decided the less lethal way to arm oneself was the best way since the coast was clear. That statement is not made in jest, someone handed out those memos and if anyone (Border Patrol Agents) on the job talks to media they will be fired.
Looking into the rearview mirror there are still no answers, waning press coverage and a funeral. And since the press isn’t getting any information from Washington D.C. or Tucson/Nogales sector stations, information must be leaked by those who are flat out angry and tired of the company line.
The following is testimony from those who are speaking out in frustration, all have Border Patrol experience and out of respect for their privacy- all will remain anonymous.
Up Front and seeing red…
“As a combat-trained Marine, Brian would very doubtfully have even considered non-lethal. He knew what the (BORTAC) team likely might be facing, as that was exactly the reason BORTAC was being used in the area. As we all know, the patrol has its own covert network for communications, as any law enforcement agency does. Word I am getting from agents is they were told what the bosses are saying, but to me, it seems few really believe it. They are fearful to say much as they know if they do and it is found out, they'll be harassed right off the job by DHS management. That’s my two cents.”
A need to understand
Another retired agent wanted to interject some perspective on Terry’s murder and he hope the clarification would give outsiders a better idea of what may have happened.
"We are all saddened and angry concerning what we know or have heard concerning Agent Terry's death. We can only imagine the level of cover-your-ass jockeying that is going on in CBP/DHS at all levels.
Consider the possibility that we will never know what really happened by the time all the pressure and structured debriefs take place. Perhaps, what we have heard to date is more accurate than what the official line may one day prove to be.
From what I am hearing, this is a massive screw up of epic and unprecedented proportions. So, please consider the following facts.
We in federal law enforcement work know from experience that Commissioner Alan Bersin's office is a fertile source of denial, mis-and-disinformation, especially concerning the effects of wilderness along the border on B.P. operations.
Agent Terry's death is related to wilderness on the border and we have been harping on the dangers to B.P. Agents operating in these proposed areas for years. Does anyone believe Secretary Napolitano's assertion that the border is safer now than it has ever been?
Go to Google Earth and type in (Peck Well Santa Cruz County Arizona) this is the reported location of Terry’s shooting on December 14. It is in the center of the proposed Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Area planned by Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) in HR-3287. This area is accessed through the Pajarita Wilderness from Mexico and is contiguous wilderness or proposed wilderness for 24 miles north of the border.
While in Google Earth look up Toruno Tank Santa Cruz County Arizona; on some quads it is listed as Paja Verde Tank, this is the reported location of another B.P. Agent shooting on December 29, 2009. That agent has recovered and returned to duty.
Look between Peck Well and the end of the Coronado National Forest on the East Side in Peck Canyon and you will see terrain where at least one dead body, two wounded and several other non- injury shootings took place since April 2010. All this is reported only 8-12 miles north of the Mexican border.
Immediately West of Peck Well is the Bear Grass Tank area where game and fish officials were shot at and two archers were held up and stripped at gun point, the list goes on and on.
Now, ask yourself this question, “Who in their right mind would voluntarily take bean bag rounds into that environment unless pressured or directed to do so?”
And from another…
"I am a retired Border Patrol Agent. I was interviewed by TV news earlier this year about the Arizona border situation.
I wanted to send a message and tell you how upset I am about the news coverage regarding the shooting death of Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry. The 15 seconds of TV news coverage you are airing is concerning.
Agent Terry's death is very typical of the liberal stance your station always takes. There was no helicopter coverage or on site reporters asking about what happened.
If this had been a Border Patrol Agent shooting a Mexican national, your station would have sent every resource available to cover the story of a poor migrant trying to get a better his life. Your station would have camped on the door step of the Border Patrol station in Nogales demanding to get answers as to what happened. Your station would have contacted the Mexican Consulate and would have provided assistance to them to find the truth.
I am so sick and tired of liberal stations running story after story about the "DREAM Act" and the negative impact of "SB 1070" on the poor criminal illegal aliens in Arizona.
I use the words criminal illegal aliens because listed below are just some of the crimes they commit every minute in this country.
They cross the border illegally violating Federal Law. We do nothing to them.
They enter into a conspiracy to pay a smuggler $1,500 to $2,000 to smuggle them across the border illegally, which is a felony. We do nothing to them; upon arrival at their destination, they buy counterfeit documents to get a job (social security card, legal resident alien card), thus committing identity theft. We do nothing to them; they use the counterfeit documents to receive welfare. We do nothing to them; they use the counterfeit documents at hospitals to give birth to their children for free. We do nothing to them; they use the counterfeit documents to get a driver’s license. We do nothing to them; they then enter into another felony to smuggle their spouse and 3.5 children into the United States. We do nothing to them.
If you remember, more than 60 percent of the people in Arizona supported SB1070 and want an end to the illegal alien crisis that has hit this State. Access to WIC, Medicare, free medical care, etc. etc. to criminal illegal aliens is ruining the State of Arizona. Why not do some research and find out how much money the State of Arizona provides to criminal illegal aliens every year?
Concerning the ‘DREAM Act; These people violated federal law when they crossed the border illegally when their parents brought them here. That was their parent's choice, not mine. I owe these people nothing and I mean nothing."
Back to the real world
Department of Homeland Security’s latest statement reads, “To secure and manage our borders, DHS has continued to deploy historic levels of personnel, technology, and resources to the Southwest border, including Predator Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) coverage along the entire Southwest border for the first time—from the El Centro Sector in California to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas—and new agreements with international partners to increase information sharing and bolster cooperative efforts to crack down on transnational threats while facilitating travel and trade.”
Does Border Patrol Agent Terry’s family feel safer?
The violence along the U.S./Mexico border does not end in Santa Cruz County. The other Arizona counties deal with the violence on a daily basis, yet are met with DHS’s party line of “there’s no problem here, we have made things more secure than ever.”
Pinal County Sheriff and Border Sheriffs Honorary Co-Chair Paul Babeu said in a statement on Terry’s murder, “This tragic death underscores the dangers we all face in protecting the public and securing the border. Our prayers are with his family and our prayers are with his extended family at the Border Patrol.”
Cochise County Sheriff and Border Sheriffs Honorary Co-Chair Larry Dever said, “Agent Terry’s murder is a grim reminder of the risks involved in patrolling the southern border. Those of us who keep the peace in this part of the state have learned to live with this risk. Tragically, that risk has claimed the life of Agent Terry.”
The BorderSheriffs.com was formed to give law enforcement a voice on the issue of border security. The tragic death of Agent Terry reminds us of the human cost involved in protecting those who live near the southern border, something Arizona rancher, Robert Krentz found out when he was murdered by an illegal alien on his own property.
Looking to the future on immigration reform, border security must be the number one priority. The agents who bravely put on the green uniform and patrol alone deserve to have all the tools in the tool box when it comes to detection and protection. The nonlethal weapons may come in handy at Disneyland, but for those protecting our borders they deserve a chance to win and go home after work.
There is no doubt that an investigation is being conducted internally, but what really needs to happen are Congressional hearings, where management has to testify under oath and for the record.
May Agent Brian Terry rest in peace and may God protect all those who serve the country.
For NAFBPO's Comprehensive Proposal for Immigration Enforcement & Reform Found at: http://www.nafbpo.org/editorial-cier.pdf
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Arguably, Terry had a lot of experience under his three-year Border Patrol belt. He knew combat. He knew how to stay alive. Yet it would be a fateful night in the December desert that took his life – not a terrorist in a warzone, but a cartel smuggler/bandit in Arizona.
The 40-year old agent was planning his new life out, marriage, and perhaps one day a family of his own, but in the blink of an eye it was snatched from Terry. A week has passed since the assassination and few details are being released. No trigger man, no justice.
What there has been is plenty of Border Patrol management scrambling to cover the fact Agent Terry was armed with a weapon that shot bean bag rounds- something that was a contributing factor to his untimely murder.
Department of Homeland Security is busy covering their tracks, while Janet Napolitano, DHS secretary, levels inaccurate statements like; “the border has never been more secure and there is not an increase of drug trafficking across the border,” – and agents continue to patrol undermanned and under-armed.
Perhaps, Terry got Napolitano’s memo and decided the less lethal way to arm oneself was the best way since the coast was clear. That statement is not made in jest, someone handed out those memos and if anyone (Border Patrol Agents) on the job talks to media they will be fired.
Looking into the rearview mirror there are still no answers, waning press coverage and a funeral. And since the press isn’t getting any information from Washington D.C. or Tucson/Nogales sector stations, information must be leaked by those who are flat out angry and tired of the company line.
The following is testimony from those who are speaking out in frustration, all have Border Patrol experience and out of respect for their privacy- all will remain anonymous.
Up Front and seeing red…
“As a combat-trained Marine, Brian would very doubtfully have even considered non-lethal. He knew what the (BORTAC) team likely might be facing, as that was exactly the reason BORTAC was being used in the area. As we all know, the patrol has its own covert network for communications, as any law enforcement agency does. Word I am getting from agents is they were told what the bosses are saying, but to me, it seems few really believe it. They are fearful to say much as they know if they do and it is found out, they'll be harassed right off the job by DHS management. That’s my two cents.”
A need to understand
Another retired agent wanted to interject some perspective on Terry’s murder and he hope the clarification would give outsiders a better idea of what may have happened.
"We are all saddened and angry concerning what we know or have heard concerning Agent Terry's death. We can only imagine the level of cover-your-ass jockeying that is going on in CBP/DHS at all levels.
Consider the possibility that we will never know what really happened by the time all the pressure and structured debriefs take place. Perhaps, what we have heard to date is more accurate than what the official line may one day prove to be.
From what I am hearing, this is a massive screw up of epic and unprecedented proportions. So, please consider the following facts.
We in federal law enforcement work know from experience that Commissioner Alan Bersin's office is a fertile source of denial, mis-and-disinformation, especially concerning the effects of wilderness along the border on B.P. operations.
Agent Terry's death is related to wilderness on the border and we have been harping on the dangers to B.P. Agents operating in these proposed areas for years. Does anyone believe Secretary Napolitano's assertion that the border is safer now than it has ever been?
Go to Google Earth and type in (Peck Well Santa Cruz County Arizona) this is the reported location of Terry’s shooting on December 14. It is in the center of the proposed Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Area planned by Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) in HR-3287. This area is accessed through the Pajarita Wilderness from Mexico and is contiguous wilderness or proposed wilderness for 24 miles north of the border.
While in Google Earth look up Toruno Tank Santa Cruz County Arizona; on some quads it is listed as Paja Verde Tank, this is the reported location of another B.P. Agent shooting on December 29, 2009. That agent has recovered and returned to duty.
Look between Peck Well and the end of the Coronado National Forest on the East Side in Peck Canyon and you will see terrain where at least one dead body, two wounded and several other non- injury shootings took place since April 2010. All this is reported only 8-12 miles north of the Mexican border.
Immediately West of Peck Well is the Bear Grass Tank area where game and fish officials were shot at and two archers were held up and stripped at gun point, the list goes on and on.
Now, ask yourself this question, “Who in their right mind would voluntarily take bean bag rounds into that environment unless pressured or directed to do so?”
And from another…
"I am a retired Border Patrol Agent. I was interviewed by TV news earlier this year about the Arizona border situation.
I wanted to send a message and tell you how upset I am about the news coverage regarding the shooting death of Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry. The 15 seconds of TV news coverage you are airing is concerning.
Agent Terry's death is very typical of the liberal stance your station always takes. There was no helicopter coverage or on site reporters asking about what happened.
If this had been a Border Patrol Agent shooting a Mexican national, your station would have sent every resource available to cover the story of a poor migrant trying to get a better his life. Your station would have camped on the door step of the Border Patrol station in Nogales demanding to get answers as to what happened. Your station would have contacted the Mexican Consulate and would have provided assistance to them to find the truth.
I am so sick and tired of liberal stations running story after story about the "DREAM Act" and the negative impact of "SB 1070" on the poor criminal illegal aliens in Arizona.
I use the words criminal illegal aliens because listed below are just some of the crimes they commit every minute in this country.
They cross the border illegally violating Federal Law. We do nothing to them.
They enter into a conspiracy to pay a smuggler $1,500 to $2,000 to smuggle them across the border illegally, which is a felony. We do nothing to them; upon arrival at their destination, they buy counterfeit documents to get a job (social security card, legal resident alien card), thus committing identity theft. We do nothing to them; they use the counterfeit documents to receive welfare. We do nothing to them; they use the counterfeit documents at hospitals to give birth to their children for free. We do nothing to them; they use the counterfeit documents to get a driver’s license. We do nothing to them; they then enter into another felony to smuggle their spouse and 3.5 children into the United States. We do nothing to them.
If you remember, more than 60 percent of the people in Arizona supported SB1070 and want an end to the illegal alien crisis that has hit this State. Access to WIC, Medicare, free medical care, etc. etc. to criminal illegal aliens is ruining the State of Arizona. Why not do some research and find out how much money the State of Arizona provides to criminal illegal aliens every year?
Concerning the ‘DREAM Act; These people violated federal law when they crossed the border illegally when their parents brought them here. That was their parent's choice, not mine. I owe these people nothing and I mean nothing."
Back to the real world
Department of Homeland Security’s latest statement reads, “To secure and manage our borders, DHS has continued to deploy historic levels of personnel, technology, and resources to the Southwest border, including Predator Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) coverage along the entire Southwest border for the first time—from the El Centro Sector in California to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas—and new agreements with international partners to increase information sharing and bolster cooperative efforts to crack down on transnational threats while facilitating travel and trade.”
Does Border Patrol Agent Terry’s family feel safer?
The violence along the U.S./Mexico border does not end in Santa Cruz County. The other Arizona counties deal with the violence on a daily basis, yet are met with DHS’s party line of “there’s no problem here, we have made things more secure than ever.”
Pinal County Sheriff and Border Sheriffs Honorary Co-Chair Paul Babeu said in a statement on Terry’s murder, “This tragic death underscores the dangers we all face in protecting the public and securing the border. Our prayers are with his family and our prayers are with his extended family at the Border Patrol.”
Cochise County Sheriff and Border Sheriffs Honorary Co-Chair Larry Dever said, “Agent Terry’s murder is a grim reminder of the risks involved in patrolling the southern border. Those of us who keep the peace in this part of the state have learned to live with this risk. Tragically, that risk has claimed the life of Agent Terry.”
The BorderSheriffs.com was formed to give law enforcement a voice on the issue of border security. The tragic death of Agent Terry reminds us of the human cost involved in protecting those who live near the southern border, something Arizona rancher, Robert Krentz found out when he was murdered by an illegal alien on his own property.
Looking to the future on immigration reform, border security must be the number one priority. The agents who bravely put on the green uniform and patrol alone deserve to have all the tools in the tool box when it comes to detection and protection. The nonlethal weapons may come in handy at Disneyland, but for those protecting our borders they deserve a chance to win and go home after work.
There is no doubt that an investigation is being conducted internally, but what really needs to happen are Congressional hearings, where management has to testify under oath and for the record.
May Agent Brian Terry rest in peace and may God protect all those who serve the country.
For NAFBPO's Comprehensive Proposal for Immigration Enforcement & Reform Found at: http://www.nafbpo.org/editorial-cier.pdf
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
San Diego businesses turn to ICE IMAGE program to ensure legal employees
A little known employment verification program run by ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) is spreading throughout San Diego County and the country. IMAGE (ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers) is a relatively new tool for employers in the fight against illegal immigration.
While the E-Verify program is widely known and now used by hundreds of thousands of businesses nationwide to check their employee's legal eligibility, the IMAGE program goes far beyond fast and easy computer background checks. The IMAGE program ensures that businesses use Homeland Security's 'best hiring practices' to help detect fraudulent documents through education and training.
The IMAGE certification process gives business owners the peace of mind their current employees are legal and customers can see an IMAGE certification sticker in the window (similar to the Better Business Bureau-BBB) to show that the business is complying with all Federal laws.
“IMAGE is a win-win partnership between ICE and the business community,” said Miguel Unzueta, special agent in charge for ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Diego. “The training and education employers enrolled in the IMAGE program receive gives them the tools they need to develop a more secure and stable workforce. And beyond that, each time a new company voluntarily signs up as an IMAGE participant, we are better able to protect lawful workers in this challenging economy.”
The IMAGE program is a free service operated by ICE and takes 4-6 weeks to complete. During the process, the ICE agent makes several visits to the business to conduct on-site training and inspection of the I-9 hiring documents.
Earlier this month, UNICEL Corporation in Escondido, CA became the first business in that city, known nationwide for its strong stance against illegal immigration, to be IMAGE certified.
UNICEL owner Mike Henderson says he was glad to take an active role in combating the number one draw of illegal aliens to the country.
“We are pleased to be IMAGE certified. We learned a lot about what legal documents look like and now feel confident as a business,” Henderson said. “The process was painless, enjoyable and now we will avoid any fines because we have the correct paperwork.”
At the ceremony last week was newly elected Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, who is also a legal immigrant. “I am proud that UNICEL went through the program and it reassures city residents that Escondido businesses are doing everything in their power to have a legal workforce.”
ICE Special Agent John Murakami, who conducts IMAGE audits and certifications for San Diego County, attended the ceremony and presented UNICEL with their IMAGE certificate. Agent Murakami said he enjoys this aspect of the job.
Also attending the ceremony was Jim Betz, owner of Betz Concrete which is also located in Escondido. His cement business is nearing completion of their ICE audit and they hope to have their IMAGE certification by the first of the year.
“I sleep well at night knowing I am hiring American workers in this tough economy,” Betz said about the IMAGE program. “It’s definitely worth it to get the paperwork in order. Before IMAGE I didn’t know what to look for when employees provided me with I-9s.”
Currently San Diego County has six businesses that are fully IMAGE certified and according to ICE several more are in the pipeline.
Local secure borders activist Jeff Schwilk hopes more businesses will see the many benefits of being IMAGE certified and sign up with ICE. “IMAGE is a powerful tool for businesses who want to follow the law and hire only American and legal workers,” he said. “IMAGE certification tells the public this business has gone above and beyond in their hiring practices and can be fully trusted. It also gives them a leg up on their competition which is so important in this recession and period of high unemployment.
For more information on the IMAGE program visit; www.ice.gov/image
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
While the E-Verify program is widely known and now used by hundreds of thousands of businesses nationwide to check their employee's legal eligibility, the IMAGE program goes far beyond fast and easy computer background checks. The IMAGE program ensures that businesses use Homeland Security's 'best hiring practices' to help detect fraudulent documents through education and training.
The IMAGE certification process gives business owners the peace of mind their current employees are legal and customers can see an IMAGE certification sticker in the window (similar to the Better Business Bureau-BBB) to show that the business is complying with all Federal laws.
“IMAGE is a win-win partnership between ICE and the business community,” said Miguel Unzueta, special agent in charge for ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Diego. “The training and education employers enrolled in the IMAGE program receive gives them the tools they need to develop a more secure and stable workforce. And beyond that, each time a new company voluntarily signs up as an IMAGE participant, we are better able to protect lawful workers in this challenging economy.”
The IMAGE program is a free service operated by ICE and takes 4-6 weeks to complete. During the process, the ICE agent makes several visits to the business to conduct on-site training and inspection of the I-9 hiring documents.
Earlier this month, UNICEL Corporation in Escondido, CA became the first business in that city, known nationwide for its strong stance against illegal immigration, to be IMAGE certified.
UNICEL owner Mike Henderson says he was glad to take an active role in combating the number one draw of illegal aliens to the country.
“We are pleased to be IMAGE certified. We learned a lot about what legal documents look like and now feel confident as a business,” Henderson said. “The process was painless, enjoyable and now we will avoid any fines because we have the correct paperwork.”
At the ceremony last week was newly elected Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, who is also a legal immigrant. “I am proud that UNICEL went through the program and it reassures city residents that Escondido businesses are doing everything in their power to have a legal workforce.”
ICE Special Agent John Murakami, who conducts IMAGE audits and certifications for San Diego County, attended the ceremony and presented UNICEL with their IMAGE certificate. Agent Murakami said he enjoys this aspect of the job.
Also attending the ceremony was Jim Betz, owner of Betz Concrete which is also located in Escondido. His cement business is nearing completion of their ICE audit and they hope to have their IMAGE certification by the first of the year.
“I sleep well at night knowing I am hiring American workers in this tough economy,” Betz said about the IMAGE program. “It’s definitely worth it to get the paperwork in order. Before IMAGE I didn’t know what to look for when employees provided me with I-9s.”
Currently San Diego County has six businesses that are fully IMAGE certified and according to ICE several more are in the pipeline.
Local secure borders activist Jeff Schwilk hopes more businesses will see the many benefits of being IMAGE certified and sign up with ICE. “IMAGE is a powerful tool for businesses who want to follow the law and hire only American and legal workers,” he said. “IMAGE certification tells the public this business has gone above and beyond in their hiring practices and can be fully trusted. It also gives them a leg up on their competition which is so important in this recession and period of high unemployment.
For more information on the IMAGE program visit; www.ice.gov/image
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
L.A. pedophile gets 104 months in prison for sex with 14-year-old Cambodian girl
A Los Angeles man was arrested and charged with “renting” a 14-year-old girl in Cambodia was convicted and sentenced to 104 months in federal prison.
Michael Dodd was ordered to by the court to pay restitution of $9,500 and will be saddled with 10 years of supervised release.
A clearly angry U.S. District Judge John Walter said this was “one of the most disgusting cases that have come before this court.”
The pedophile, Dodd is a 61-year-old English teacher who traveled to Cambodia to have sex with a teenage girl that he “rented” from her poor family for approximately $100 a month. Dodd plead guilty in September to having sex with a minor.
The young Cambodian agreed to a plea agreement to save the family from traveling to Los Angeles to testify. The judge wanted a jury trial and said he would have given the pedophile life in prison.
After learning the details of this case Judge Walter says he was “extremely hesitant” to agree to the prearranged sentence, but understood the victim’s unwillingness to travel and appear in a U.S. court.
In previous court appearances, Dodd denied abusing the teenage girl, and he said he loved her and was going marry her.
Judge Walter called those statements “absolutely preposterous” and coined Dodd “a predator who has deluded himself into thinking he is not.''
The defendant addressed the court in a soft-spoken manner and tried to strike up a conversation with the judge. “I have no desire to sit here and engage in idle chit-chat and banter with you,'' the judge said.
Dodd’s pedophile career dated back to 2001 where he was arrested for fondling 13 underage elementary school students in Guam, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
After serving jail time in Guam, Dodd moved to Cambodia, and reportedly taught English to students between the ages of 13 and 45, said Steven M. Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles.
Dodd was finally arrested by the Cambodian National Police in 2008, for inappropriate sex with the teenage girl.
Dodd admitted to attorneys that he had sexual relations about 25 times with the minor and paid the victim’s family $100 per month.
However, Dodd didn’t just have sex with the one girl he said he planned to marry; he admitted having sex with additional children for money in Cambodia, according to prosecutors.
After his arrest in Cambodia, Dodd was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but only served 16 months, prosecutors said. He was brought back in America in February by the FBI's Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Team, a multi-agency task-force dedicated to crimes against children.
“There's no doubt in my mind that when he gets out at 68 years old, he's going to do this again,” Judge Walter said about the sentence he was forced to give Dodd.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Michael Dodd was ordered to by the court to pay restitution of $9,500 and will be saddled with 10 years of supervised release.
A clearly angry U.S. District Judge John Walter said this was “one of the most disgusting cases that have come before this court.”
The pedophile, Dodd is a 61-year-old English teacher who traveled to Cambodia to have sex with a teenage girl that he “rented” from her poor family for approximately $100 a month. Dodd plead guilty in September to having sex with a minor.
The young Cambodian agreed to a plea agreement to save the family from traveling to Los Angeles to testify. The judge wanted a jury trial and said he would have given the pedophile life in prison.
After learning the details of this case Judge Walter says he was “extremely hesitant” to agree to the prearranged sentence, but understood the victim’s unwillingness to travel and appear in a U.S. court.
In previous court appearances, Dodd denied abusing the teenage girl, and he said he loved her and was going marry her.
Judge Walter called those statements “absolutely preposterous” and coined Dodd “a predator who has deluded himself into thinking he is not.''
The defendant addressed the court in a soft-spoken manner and tried to strike up a conversation with the judge. “I have no desire to sit here and engage in idle chit-chat and banter with you,'' the judge said.
Dodd’s pedophile career dated back to 2001 where he was arrested for fondling 13 underage elementary school students in Guam, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
After serving jail time in Guam, Dodd moved to Cambodia, and reportedly taught English to students between the ages of 13 and 45, said Steven M. Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles.
Dodd was finally arrested by the Cambodian National Police in 2008, for inappropriate sex with the teenage girl.
Dodd admitted to attorneys that he had sexual relations about 25 times with the minor and paid the victim’s family $100 per month.
However, Dodd didn’t just have sex with the one girl he said he planned to marry; he admitted having sex with additional children for money in Cambodia, according to prosecutors.
After his arrest in Cambodia, Dodd was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but only served 16 months, prosecutors said. He was brought back in America in February by the FBI's Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Team, a multi-agency task-force dedicated to crimes against children.
“There's no doubt in my mind that when he gets out at 68 years old, he's going to do this again,” Judge Walter said about the sentence he was forced to give Dodd.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Judge allows illegal aliens to sue ICE agents
A Connecticut federal judge ruled against the government and will allow illegal immigrants to sue ICE agents for civil rights violations.
U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill ruled Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are not immune from lawsuits if they are anchored on Constitutional grounds.
The civil rights lawsuit, brought by 11 alleged illegal immigrants claim they were unlawfully apprehended by ICE agents in New Haven, Conn, June 2007.
The plaintiff’s attorneys told The New Haven Register “the decision has wide-ranging implications.”
Judge Underhill refused the government’s plea to dismiss the charges against ICE agents and their supervisors, including Julie Myers ICE’s former agency head.
A group of law school interns and their bosses at Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at the Yale Law School brought the lawsuit on behalf of the illegal aliens. The interns argued that the 11 suspected illegal aliens were unfairly treated based on race.
Recently retired ICE agent, John Sakelarides had plenty to say about another lawsuit benefitting illegal aliens.
"This suit is nothing more than a transparent and feeble attempt to scare ICE agents into refusing to enforce the immigration laws of this country. Can you spell intimidation? When it goes to trial, my guess is the agents will be exonerated and what should happen is that the government should seek fees for wasting taxpayer money in defending a baseless lawsuit,” Sakelarides said. “Extortion is still illegal in this country. The far reaching implications claim is a clear indication of what the intent of this lawsuit is, namely intimidation."
Sakelarides didn’t know if this lawsuit was being brought under the Federal Torts Claim Act (FTCA) or under a Bivens Action.
“I do know, from the past and unfortunately present, experience that suits are often filed under both but the law is clear that they cannot co-exist, there can only be either an FTCA claim or a Bivens Action. It centers on whether or not the federal employee was or was not acting within the scope of their authority,” he explained.
“This is borderline criminal. If the agents did something wrong, so be it. But if they didn't and this suit is being brought simply to induce a chilling effect on the enforcement of the immigration law, then these idealistic and naive law students and Yale Law School ought to be held accountable,” Sakelarides finished.
ICE officials declined to comment on the lawsuit.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill ruled Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are not immune from lawsuits if they are anchored on Constitutional grounds.
The civil rights lawsuit, brought by 11 alleged illegal immigrants claim they were unlawfully apprehended by ICE agents in New Haven, Conn, June 2007.
The plaintiff’s attorneys told The New Haven Register “the decision has wide-ranging implications.”
Judge Underhill refused the government’s plea to dismiss the charges against ICE agents and their supervisors, including Julie Myers ICE’s former agency head.
A group of law school interns and their bosses at Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at the Yale Law School brought the lawsuit on behalf of the illegal aliens. The interns argued that the 11 suspected illegal aliens were unfairly treated based on race.
Recently retired ICE agent, John Sakelarides had plenty to say about another lawsuit benefitting illegal aliens.
"This suit is nothing more than a transparent and feeble attempt to scare ICE agents into refusing to enforce the immigration laws of this country. Can you spell intimidation? When it goes to trial, my guess is the agents will be exonerated and what should happen is that the government should seek fees for wasting taxpayer money in defending a baseless lawsuit,” Sakelarides said. “Extortion is still illegal in this country. The far reaching implications claim is a clear indication of what the intent of this lawsuit is, namely intimidation."
Sakelarides didn’t know if this lawsuit was being brought under the Federal Torts Claim Act (FTCA) or under a Bivens Action.
“I do know, from the past and unfortunately present, experience that suits are often filed under both but the law is clear that they cannot co-exist, there can only be either an FTCA claim or a Bivens Action. It centers on whether or not the federal employee was or was not acting within the scope of their authority,” he explained.
“This is borderline criminal. If the agents did something wrong, so be it. But if they didn't and this suit is being brought simply to induce a chilling effect on the enforcement of the immigration law, then these idealistic and naive law students and Yale Law School ought to be held accountable,” Sakelarides finished.
ICE officials declined to comment on the lawsuit.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
DREAM Act dies a quiet death in the lame duck
On a rare Saturday lame duck session the Senate voted to kill the DREAM Act- ending Democrats bid to give tuition breaks and amnesty to children of undocumented immigrants.
The vote this morning fell short of the 60 votes required (55-41) and witnessed Democrat defections.
The passionate floor debate by Democrats failed to resonate with emboldened Republicans .
Now immigration advocates will most likely have to wait another year before they get a chance to reform a broken program.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
The vote this morning fell short of the 60 votes required (55-41) and witnessed Democrat defections.
The passionate floor debate by Democrats failed to resonate with emboldened Republicans .
Now immigration advocates will most likely have to wait another year before they get a chance to reform a broken program.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
Friday, December 17, 2010
DREAM Act has a date with destiny- Saturday
After pulling the trillion-dollar Omnibus package from the Senate floor last night, Harry Reid (D-NV) announced the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors) will be voted on during a Saturday Senate session.
Lawmakers on both sides are gearing up for an-all out battle.
“The Senate’s consideration of the DREAM Act is absolutely ridiculous and illustrates exactly why Americans are frustrated with their government. This is too important a policy to address during a lame duck session of Congress, not to mention the bill itself is an insult to every person going through the immigration process legally. When President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi get serious about immigration reform, Congressman Bilbray and the bipartisan Immigration Reform Caucus are prepared to meet with them,” said Travis Considine, director of communications for Congressman. Bilbray (R-CA).
However, the other side believes their arguments are more compelling than conventional wisdom.
“Allowing immigrant students to continue their education and achieve their potential will boost the economy and result in higher tax revenues. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that the DREAM Act ‘would reduce deficits by about $2.2 billion over the 2011-2020 period.’ Over the course of their working lives, these young people will generate between $1.4 and $3.6 trillion for the economy. Deporting them will increase the deficit by many billions of dollars,” National Immigration Forum said.
However, the organization fails to note the DREAM Act will cost taxpayers $6.2 billion per year in tuition subsidies, according to Center for Immigration Studies.
After the historic November elections politicians were introduced to the Tea Party movement and will, at least, consider their positions on a broad spectrum of policy issues, including amnesty.
The SoCal Patriot Coalition (SCPC), which umbrellas 30 different Tea Party groups had a lot to say about the DREAM Act legislation.
“The DREAM Act would grant legalization and protected status to millions of illegal aliens at a time of record economic turmoil and unemployment in the U.S. We also have a deadly drug war raging on our southern border highlighted again this week with the brutal murder of Border Patrol agent in Arizona by heavily armed Mexican smugglers, at least one of whom was a twice deported Mexican drug cartel member,” the group said.
“An estimated one million illegal aliens have returned to their home countries over the past few years. Some of them will now apply and wait to enter the U.S. legally. We applaud these foreigners for complying with U.S. laws and returning to their countries of residence. We encourage all remaining illegal aliens to also return to their home countries to avoid the consequences and hardship should they be encountered by U.S. law enforcement or federal immigration agents,” SoCal Patriots finished.
Nevertheless, National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino rights group is calling for the Senate to pass the legislation or risk losing a powerful new voting block.
“The benefits of this modest proposal are clear and the issues that held it up have been addressed. Now the Senate must desist from blocking this debate,” said Janet MurguÃa president and CEO of NCLR. “There is nowhere left to hide. It is time for senators of both parties to take a stand and do what is in the best interest of our community, our economy, and our country.”
According to Alabama's Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the DREAM Act would do more than help a million illegal immigrant children.
“Aliens granted amnesty by the DREAM Act will have the legal right to petition for entry of their family members, including their adult brothers and sisters and the parents who illegally brought or sent them to the United States, once they become naturalized U.S. citizens. In less than a decade, this reality could easily double or triple the 2.1 million green cards that will be immediately distributed as a result of the DREAM Act,” he explained.
Senate Majority Leader Reid is happy the DREAM Act will finally receive a vote as a stand alone piece of legislation during the lame-duck session.
“I filed cloture on two important bills tonight,” Reid said. “We will soon vote on a bill that provides young people brought here by their parents with a path to citizenship through academic achievement or military service.”
The DREAM Act, passed in Congress with a vote of 216-198 on Dec. 8, and is expected to have a tough time passing in the Senate, especially with an emboldened GOP.
Former GOP political figurehead, Patrick J. Buchanan, thinks the Republicans should be pushing for a moratorium on all immigration, until the unemployment rate falls to five-or-six percent. “Charity begins at home,” he said. “Ought we not take care of our own jobless first before we invite in strangers to take their jobs?”
Buchanan points to unemployment figures as an indicator why America may want to slow its immigration program in his column this week. “In the April-May-June quarter, foreign-born workers in the U.S. gained 656,000 jobs. And native-born Americans lost 1.2 million. From July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, foreign-born Hispanics gained 98,000 construction jobs, native-born Hispanics lost 133,000 and black and white U.S. construction workers lost 511,000 jobs.”
The DREAM Act is a contentious piece of legislation and advocates for both sides pounded the Senate halls, during a snowstorm today, each looking to change the mind of lawmakers before they vote tomorrow.
“I saw at least eight different groups carrying American flags and cheat sheets trying to emotionally appeal to Senators and vote in favor of the DREAM Act,” says Gene Nelson Ph.D. and DREAM Act proponent.
“What Americans and lawmakers need to understand is the DREAM Act offers no numerical caps and no sunset, and that’s why I took to the Senate halls today,” Nelson said after visiting 25 offices. “It’s a zero-sum game when it comes to jobs- American's lose and illegal’s win.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Lawmakers on both sides are gearing up for an-all out battle.
“The Senate’s consideration of the DREAM Act is absolutely ridiculous and illustrates exactly why Americans are frustrated with their government. This is too important a policy to address during a lame duck session of Congress, not to mention the bill itself is an insult to every person going through the immigration process legally. When President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi get serious about immigration reform, Congressman Bilbray and the bipartisan Immigration Reform Caucus are prepared to meet with them,” said Travis Considine, director of communications for Congressman. Bilbray (R-CA).
However, the other side believes their arguments are more compelling than conventional wisdom.
“Allowing immigrant students to continue their education and achieve their potential will boost the economy and result in higher tax revenues. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that the DREAM Act ‘would reduce deficits by about $2.2 billion over the 2011-2020 period.’ Over the course of their working lives, these young people will generate between $1.4 and $3.6 trillion for the economy. Deporting them will increase the deficit by many billions of dollars,” National Immigration Forum said.
However, the organization fails to note the DREAM Act will cost taxpayers $6.2 billion per year in tuition subsidies, according to Center for Immigration Studies.
After the historic November elections politicians were introduced to the Tea Party movement and will, at least, consider their positions on a broad spectrum of policy issues, including amnesty.
The SoCal Patriot Coalition (SCPC), which umbrellas 30 different Tea Party groups had a lot to say about the DREAM Act legislation.
“The DREAM Act would grant legalization and protected status to millions of illegal aliens at a time of record economic turmoil and unemployment in the U.S. We also have a deadly drug war raging on our southern border highlighted again this week with the brutal murder of Border Patrol agent in Arizona by heavily armed Mexican smugglers, at least one of whom was a twice deported Mexican drug cartel member,” the group said.
“An estimated one million illegal aliens have returned to their home countries over the past few years. Some of them will now apply and wait to enter the U.S. legally. We applaud these foreigners for complying with U.S. laws and returning to their countries of residence. We encourage all remaining illegal aliens to also return to their home countries to avoid the consequences and hardship should they be encountered by U.S. law enforcement or federal immigration agents,” SoCal Patriots finished.
Nevertheless, National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino rights group is calling for the Senate to pass the legislation or risk losing a powerful new voting block.
“The benefits of this modest proposal are clear and the issues that held it up have been addressed. Now the Senate must desist from blocking this debate,” said Janet MurguÃa president and CEO of NCLR. “There is nowhere left to hide. It is time for senators of both parties to take a stand and do what is in the best interest of our community, our economy, and our country.”
According to Alabama's Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the DREAM Act would do more than help a million illegal immigrant children.
“Aliens granted amnesty by the DREAM Act will have the legal right to petition for entry of their family members, including their adult brothers and sisters and the parents who illegally brought or sent them to the United States, once they become naturalized U.S. citizens. In less than a decade, this reality could easily double or triple the 2.1 million green cards that will be immediately distributed as a result of the DREAM Act,” he explained.
Senate Majority Leader Reid is happy the DREAM Act will finally receive a vote as a stand alone piece of legislation during the lame-duck session.
“I filed cloture on two important bills tonight,” Reid said. “We will soon vote on a bill that provides young people brought here by their parents with a path to citizenship through academic achievement or military service.”
The DREAM Act, passed in Congress with a vote of 216-198 on Dec. 8, and is expected to have a tough time passing in the Senate, especially with an emboldened GOP.
Former GOP political figurehead, Patrick J. Buchanan, thinks the Republicans should be pushing for a moratorium on all immigration, until the unemployment rate falls to five-or-six percent. “Charity begins at home,” he said. “Ought we not take care of our own jobless first before we invite in strangers to take their jobs?”
Buchanan points to unemployment figures as an indicator why America may want to slow its immigration program in his column this week. “In the April-May-June quarter, foreign-born workers in the U.S. gained 656,000 jobs. And native-born Americans lost 1.2 million. From July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, foreign-born Hispanics gained 98,000 construction jobs, native-born Hispanics lost 133,000 and black and white U.S. construction workers lost 511,000 jobs.”
The DREAM Act is a contentious piece of legislation and advocates for both sides pounded the Senate halls, during a snowstorm today, each looking to change the mind of lawmakers before they vote tomorrow.
“I saw at least eight different groups carrying American flags and cheat sheets trying to emotionally appeal to Senators and vote in favor of the DREAM Act,” says Gene Nelson Ph.D. and DREAM Act proponent.
“What Americans and lawmakers need to understand is the DREAM Act offers no numerical caps and no sunset, and that’s why I took to the Senate halls today,” Nelson said after visiting 25 offices. “It’s a zero-sum game when it comes to jobs- American's lose and illegal’s win.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
50 white supremacists arrested in Southern California crime sweep
There were 50 white-supremacist's arrested in what Orange County prosecutors called the largest crackdown on supremacist gangs in Southern California.
The sweep called “Operation Stormfront,” named after their white-supremacist website, included a collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Orange County District Attorney's Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Orange County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Secret Service.
Sheriff Deputies and ATF investigators went undercover, infiltrating the white gangs looking for various drug and gun crimes, according to officials.
There were 14 people arrested and charged with three indictments including –extortion, conspiracy and solicitation of aggravated assault and murder, county prosecutors announced.
“Operation Stormfront has taken 34 dangerous gang members off our streets (another 16 were charged while in prison) through new indictments and probation and parole violations,” said Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “This is the largest-ever take-down of white supremacist prison and street gang criminal enterprises in Orange County.”
Rackauckas said, the arrests included a married couple, Wayne and Ruthie Marshall who were “shot-callers,” Wayne, was running the gang from an Orange County jail while he was awaiting a trial.
“Ruthie acted as his trusty lieutenant and (facilitated) three-way calls, acted as a communication bridge between her husband and criminal street gang members, gave orders on his behalf and gave her own orders under the pretense of acting on his behalf,” Rackauckas explained.
The 14 defendants face life in prison if convicted of their crimes, the Orange County District Attorney said.
The collaborative effort was due to budget cutbacks, said Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. The effort paid off and the agencies were able to get many violent racist gang members off the streets.
“The bottom line to this investigation is some very, very, very serious bad guys have been taken off the streets for a long time,” Hutchens explained. “We will continue these types of relationships to make sure we get these bad people off the streets and in jail where they belong.”
Kevin O'Grady, Orange County's regional director for the Anti-Defamation League said he was happy with the outcome and agreed with other participants that some bad guys were now off the streets.
“This was a significant bust,” O'Grady said. “It's going to put a real dent in all of the racist gangs.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The sweep called “Operation Stormfront,” named after their white-supremacist website, included a collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Orange County District Attorney's Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Orange County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Secret Service.
Sheriff Deputies and ATF investigators went undercover, infiltrating the white gangs looking for various drug and gun crimes, according to officials.
There were 14 people arrested and charged with three indictments including –extortion, conspiracy and solicitation of aggravated assault and murder, county prosecutors announced.
“Operation Stormfront has taken 34 dangerous gang members off our streets (another 16 were charged while in prison) through new indictments and probation and parole violations,” said Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “This is the largest-ever take-down of white supremacist prison and street gang criminal enterprises in Orange County.”
Rackauckas said, the arrests included a married couple, Wayne and Ruthie Marshall who were “shot-callers,” Wayne, was running the gang from an Orange County jail while he was awaiting a trial.
“Ruthie acted as his trusty lieutenant and (facilitated) three-way calls, acted as a communication bridge between her husband and criminal street gang members, gave orders on his behalf and gave her own orders under the pretense of acting on his behalf,” Rackauckas explained.
The 14 defendants face life in prison if convicted of their crimes, the Orange County District Attorney said.
The collaborative effort was due to budget cutbacks, said Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. The effort paid off and the agencies were able to get many violent racist gang members off the streets.
“The bottom line to this investigation is some very, very, very serious bad guys have been taken off the streets for a long time,” Hutchens explained. “We will continue these types of relationships to make sure we get these bad people off the streets and in jail where they belong.”
Kevin O'Grady, Orange County's regional director for the Anti-Defamation League said he was happy with the outcome and agreed with other participants that some bad guys were now off the streets.
“This was a significant bust,” O'Grady said. “It's going to put a real dent in all of the racist gangs.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Captured Illegal alien in BP agent murder has a U.S. rap sheet
One of the captured illegal aliens who was apprehended during a firefight that claimed the life of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, was also shot, and has a rap sheet with a conviction for the assault of a police officer.
“The Border Patrol said that Manuel Arianes, a.k.a. Manuel Arellanes Osorio, was wounded in the gunfight. Arianes, 34, and a Mexican national, was convicted in Maricopa County Superior Court in 2006 for aggravated assault on a police officer, and had been deported to Mexico twice, according to sources familiar with his case,” Arizona’s The Republic reported.
Other border activists are telling reporters that while this event is tragic, until border security is seriously addressed the mayhem will continue.
“The fact that a twice deported dangerous Mexican criminal alien was able to violate our borders once again and participate in a deadly ambush on U.S. Border agents highlights just how unsecured our southern border really is, especially in the Tucson Sector in Arizona. It is long overdue to deploy American troops to that region to quell the foreign violence that occurs regularly now deep inside out borders,” says Jeff Schwilk leader of the San Diego Minutemen.
In response to the latest BP murder, Department of Homeland Security Secretary and former Arizona governor, Janet Napolitano is expected to tour the border region where Terry was murdered.
While this visit may reassure Washington D.C. insiders, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu says he is tired of the political correctness response and lack of action from DHS.
“We’ve heard nothing but the border is more secure than ever and unprecedented resources (have been allocated). Enough of this nonsense and political speak, we’ve got to secure the border once and for all,” Babeu said.
Communications between law enforcement leaders in Arizona has been tense in the past and most admit there is no communication with DHS. “She (Napolitano) won’t even speak to me because we have a difference of opinion,” Babeu finished.
These bandits are the lowest of the low criminals and continue to prey on an illegal industry that continues to operate without impunity. Until the 2,000-mile porous U.S. border is secured, law enforcement and residents will continue to be in danger.
Border Patrol Agent Terry died shortly after he was shot in a remote and rugged area near Rio Rico, just north of Nogales. There is no information about the other three suspects being held for this incident. Check back for updates about this story.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
“The Border Patrol said that Manuel Arianes, a.k.a. Manuel Arellanes Osorio, was wounded in the gunfight. Arianes, 34, and a Mexican national, was convicted in Maricopa County Superior Court in 2006 for aggravated assault on a police officer, and had been deported to Mexico twice, according to sources familiar with his case,” Arizona’s The Republic reported.
Other border activists are telling reporters that while this event is tragic, until border security is seriously addressed the mayhem will continue.
“The fact that a twice deported dangerous Mexican criminal alien was able to violate our borders once again and participate in a deadly ambush on U.S. Border agents highlights just how unsecured our southern border really is, especially in the Tucson Sector in Arizona. It is long overdue to deploy American troops to that region to quell the foreign violence that occurs regularly now deep inside out borders,” says Jeff Schwilk leader of the San Diego Minutemen.
In response to the latest BP murder, Department of Homeland Security Secretary and former Arizona governor, Janet Napolitano is expected to tour the border region where Terry was murdered.
While this visit may reassure Washington D.C. insiders, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu says he is tired of the political correctness response and lack of action from DHS.
“We’ve heard nothing but the border is more secure than ever and unprecedented resources (have been allocated). Enough of this nonsense and political speak, we’ve got to secure the border once and for all,” Babeu said.
Communications between law enforcement leaders in Arizona has been tense in the past and most admit there is no communication with DHS. “She (Napolitano) won’t even speak to me because we have a difference of opinion,” Babeu finished.
These bandits are the lowest of the low criminals and continue to prey on an illegal industry that continues to operate without impunity. Until the 2,000-mile porous U.S. border is secured, law enforcement and residents will continue to be in danger.
Border Patrol Agent Terry died shortly after he was shot in a remote and rugged area near Rio Rico, just north of Nogales. There is no information about the other three suspects being held for this incident. Check back for updates about this story.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
BP Agent Terry murdered in shootout, stark reminder of San Diego Agent Rosas
Elite Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was shot and killed during a firefight in southern Arizona about 13 miles north of the Mexico/Nogales border late Tuesday night.
The multiple agent and bandit gun battle erupted after Border Patrol agents spotted known-outlaws who have been targeting unsuspecting illegal immigrants passing through a violent smuggling corridor in Arizona, according to National Border Patrol Council President T.J. Bonner. “Our agent was murdered in cold blood by criminals running around out there without impunity.”
"The border is not secure," Bonner said. "Those who say that it's secure are either misinformed or they're being disingenuous. If you have bandits operating that far north into the United States and there's enough activity to sustain that it tells you there's a lot of traffic getting by the Border Patrol."
The shootout claimed the life of Terry and took place in the Peck Canyon region near quiet Rio Rico, Arizona.
Local law enforcement was called to the scene after the shooting ceased and medical assistance was required.
"A little after 11 p.m., we got a call from Border Patrol headquarters requesting backup and emergency medical service. There had been shots fired, and one of their agents had been shot. We did send our deputies up there. We did contact the ambulance service. They did respond to an area known as Peck Canyon. By the time the ambulance personnel got there, the agent had already passed away," Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada told the Arizona Republic.
The murder comes after a tumultuous year for Arizona. The state was sued by the federal government after state lawmakers passed SB1070, a law that would allow local law enforcement to crack down on the increased violence related to illegal immigration that has plagued the state for years.
This latest murder spotlights the nation’s borders and the inability of Department of Homeland Security to secure the 2,000 miles international border and prevent narco-style violence form creeping into the U.S.
"It is a stark reminder of the very real dangers our men and women on the front lines confront everyday as they protect our communities and the American people," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Officers on the scene say Terry and the other Border Patrol agents came across a group of five suspected bandits, who didn’t appear to be hauling drugs, but were carrying weapons.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu points to a December 11 incident in Arizona where “so-called bandits” have been preying on unsuspecting illegal immigrants.
During the investigation, “it was discovered the Crown Victoria had been outfitted to represent a law enforcement vehicle. The vehicle had red and blue strobe lights, orange and white strobe lights, a siren, spotlight and front push bar,” Babeu’s press release said.
“It is believed that based upon the positioning of the vehicles, the fact the rear windows of the Crown Victoria were rolled down, the trunk open with a bail of marijuana in it, a black ski mask and black hoodie sweater found next to the driver's seat, that this was an attempted rip of the marijuana in the Ford Taurus by a ‘rip crew.’ This case shows how those responsible for drug and human trafficking are attempting to conduct their business under the disguise of law enforcement. This tactic not only puts law enforcement at risk but also the citizens of Pinal County.”
Local law enforcement was not alone in its criticism with the continued violence.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said, "Although we needed no reminder of the ever-increasing dangers along our southern border, this tragedy serves as stark notice that the threats facing all who serve in protecting our state and nation are real and are increasing on a daily basis," Brewer said.
This event is just one in a series of events that put residents at risk in their own country. Many of these criminal-illegal aliens partake in shootings, robberies, rape, murder, drug smuggling and dealing on a daily basis costing the taxpayers in Arizona untold sums of money in court and incarceration costs.
Border Patrol Agent Terry has now become the latest sacrifice on the altar of political correctness, according to David J. Stoddard, Chairman, National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers.
“We call for immediate implementation of our Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement proposal. We call for eliminating all restrictions that impede or hinder Border Patrol operations along the U.S./Mexico border on public lands,” Stoddard said.
“We (also) call for the deployment of U.S. military units to help secure the border and thus eliminate the violence generated by drug cartels for control of drug routes into the USA,” he finished.
The murder of Terry, a three-year veteran of the Border Patrol and retired Marine, brings to mind others who have lost their lives to border violence- Arizona rancher Robert Krentz and San Diego Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, not to mention the hundreds who suffer from crimes committed by illegal immigrants on a daily basis.
Ranking member of Congress and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Elect Lamar Smith, (R-Texas) referred to this murder as unacceptable.
"The murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry is a sad reminder of the real-life dangers that Americans and our law enforcement agents face along the southwest border," Smith said in a statement. "What will it take to make the Obama administration realizes that we must do more to secure our border and keep Americans safe? Earlier this year, a rancher in Arizona was killed on his own property. The suspect is believed to have been an illegal immigrant. Last night, Border Patrol Agent Terry lost his life for simply doing his job. How many more Americans will die before the Obama administration wakes up and starts taking illegal immigration seriously?"
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The multiple agent and bandit gun battle erupted after Border Patrol agents spotted known-outlaws who have been targeting unsuspecting illegal immigrants passing through a violent smuggling corridor in Arizona, according to National Border Patrol Council President T.J. Bonner. “Our agent was murdered in cold blood by criminals running around out there without impunity.”
"The border is not secure," Bonner said. "Those who say that it's secure are either misinformed or they're being disingenuous. If you have bandits operating that far north into the United States and there's enough activity to sustain that it tells you there's a lot of traffic getting by the Border Patrol."
The shootout claimed the life of Terry and took place in the Peck Canyon region near quiet Rio Rico, Arizona.
Local law enforcement was called to the scene after the shooting ceased and medical assistance was required.
"A little after 11 p.m., we got a call from Border Patrol headquarters requesting backup and emergency medical service. There had been shots fired, and one of their agents had been shot. We did send our deputies up there. We did contact the ambulance service. They did respond to an area known as Peck Canyon. By the time the ambulance personnel got there, the agent had already passed away," Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada told the Arizona Republic.
The murder comes after a tumultuous year for Arizona. The state was sued by the federal government after state lawmakers passed SB1070, a law that would allow local law enforcement to crack down on the increased violence related to illegal immigration that has plagued the state for years.
This latest murder spotlights the nation’s borders and the inability of Department of Homeland Security to secure the 2,000 miles international border and prevent narco-style violence form creeping into the U.S.
"It is a stark reminder of the very real dangers our men and women on the front lines confront everyday as they protect our communities and the American people," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Officers on the scene say Terry and the other Border Patrol agents came across a group of five suspected bandits, who didn’t appear to be hauling drugs, but were carrying weapons.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu points to a December 11 incident in Arizona where “so-called bandits” have been preying on unsuspecting illegal immigrants.
During the investigation, “it was discovered the Crown Victoria had been outfitted to represent a law enforcement vehicle. The vehicle had red and blue strobe lights, orange and white strobe lights, a siren, spotlight and front push bar,” Babeu’s press release said.
“It is believed that based upon the positioning of the vehicles, the fact the rear windows of the Crown Victoria were rolled down, the trunk open with a bail of marijuana in it, a black ski mask and black hoodie sweater found next to the driver's seat, that this was an attempted rip of the marijuana in the Ford Taurus by a ‘rip crew.’ This case shows how those responsible for drug and human trafficking are attempting to conduct their business under the disguise of law enforcement. This tactic not only puts law enforcement at risk but also the citizens of Pinal County.”
Local law enforcement was not alone in its criticism with the continued violence.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said, "Although we needed no reminder of the ever-increasing dangers along our southern border, this tragedy serves as stark notice that the threats facing all who serve in protecting our state and nation are real and are increasing on a daily basis," Brewer said.
This event is just one in a series of events that put residents at risk in their own country. Many of these criminal-illegal aliens partake in shootings, robberies, rape, murder, drug smuggling and dealing on a daily basis costing the taxpayers in Arizona untold sums of money in court and incarceration costs.
Border Patrol Agent Terry has now become the latest sacrifice on the altar of political correctness, according to David J. Stoddard, Chairman, National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers.
“We call for immediate implementation of our Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement proposal. We call for eliminating all restrictions that impede or hinder Border Patrol operations along the U.S./Mexico border on public lands,” Stoddard said.
“We (also) call for the deployment of U.S. military units to help secure the border and thus eliminate the violence generated by drug cartels for control of drug routes into the USA,” he finished.
The murder of Terry, a three-year veteran of the Border Patrol and retired Marine, brings to mind others who have lost their lives to border violence- Arizona rancher Robert Krentz and San Diego Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, not to mention the hundreds who suffer from crimes committed by illegal immigrants on a daily basis.
Ranking member of Congress and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Elect Lamar Smith, (R-Texas) referred to this murder as unacceptable.
"The murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry is a sad reminder of the real-life dangers that Americans and our law enforcement agents face along the southwest border," Smith said in a statement. "What will it take to make the Obama administration realizes that we must do more to secure our border and keep Americans safe? Earlier this year, a rancher in Arizona was killed on his own property. The suspect is believed to have been an illegal immigrant. Last night, Border Patrol Agent Terry lost his life for simply doing his job. How many more Americans will die before the Obama administration wakes up and starts taking illegal immigration seriously?"
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Final push for DREAM Act in lame duck
The historical November midterms repudiated liberal policies and relinquished totalitarian control in Washington D.C. from the Obama Administration, but Democrats have one last gift they’d like to give the American taxpayer- amnesty.
This little gem, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act), would grant amnesty to children who came with their parents unlawfully to America and opponents claim would start a chain migration amnesty for millions of illegal aliens over the next decade.
The weakened Democratic Party has decided the last legislative gift of 2010 will be the DREAM Act bill and Senate leaders, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) joined immigration advocates on a conference call to urge weary grassroots organizers to keep up the fight.
Senator Durbin did his best to boost moral among listeners and boast about the historic accomplishments of the House vote last week, but in the end he conceded the votes are not there in the Senate.
“I wish I could say we have all the votes, but we need Republican support. Sadly, we don’t have all the Democrat votes either,” Durbin said.
He did encourage DREAM Act supporters or “dreamers” to continue the barrage of calls to Capitol Hill in support for the amnesty legislation in the waning days of the 111th Congress. “It’s been a long battle, but we want to bring this across the finish line,” he finished.
Both Senators and Rep. Gutierrez placed the failure to pass the DREAM Act blame squarely on the GOP. “There has been a lot of rhetoric and they (Republicans) are smearing our kids,” Gutierrez said.
Despite all the “rah-rah” pep talks when it comes down to the Senate voting for the DREAM Act, Senator Durbin painted an honest picture. “The Senate will be voting on the tax bill first and then we will vote for the START treaty (Russian nuclear arms treaty), then we will need to vote to fund the government,” he explained.
And if that wasn’t enough to drain all the air out of the room, Durbin said the GOP is filibustering the legislation and forcing lawmakers to read all the bills before a vote can take place. “They (GOP) are asking us to read 15 hours for one bill and basically all day for another bill,” Durbin explained.
Durbin equated the Republican tactics to nothing more than stalling and running the clock out. “We continue to ask them to stop this,” he said. However, it was clear to those on the phone call that Democrat senators were not optimistic the DREAM Act would be signed into law, but encouraged students and advocates to keep trying and maybe a few Republican senators will change their minds.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
This little gem, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act), would grant amnesty to children who came with their parents unlawfully to America and opponents claim would start a chain migration amnesty for millions of illegal aliens over the next decade.
The weakened Democratic Party has decided the last legislative gift of 2010 will be the DREAM Act bill and Senate leaders, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) joined immigration advocates on a conference call to urge weary grassroots organizers to keep up the fight.
Senator Durbin did his best to boost moral among listeners and boast about the historic accomplishments of the House vote last week, but in the end he conceded the votes are not there in the Senate.
“I wish I could say we have all the votes, but we need Republican support. Sadly, we don’t have all the Democrat votes either,” Durbin said.
He did encourage DREAM Act supporters or “dreamers” to continue the barrage of calls to Capitol Hill in support for the amnesty legislation in the waning days of the 111th Congress. “It’s been a long battle, but we want to bring this across the finish line,” he finished.
Both Senators and Rep. Gutierrez placed the failure to pass the DREAM Act blame squarely on the GOP. “There has been a lot of rhetoric and they (Republicans) are smearing our kids,” Gutierrez said.
Despite all the “rah-rah” pep talks when it comes down to the Senate voting for the DREAM Act, Senator Durbin painted an honest picture. “The Senate will be voting on the tax bill first and then we will vote for the START treaty (Russian nuclear arms treaty), then we will need to vote to fund the government,” he explained.
And if that wasn’t enough to drain all the air out of the room, Durbin said the GOP is filibustering the legislation and forcing lawmakers to read all the bills before a vote can take place. “They (GOP) are asking us to read 15 hours for one bill and basically all day for another bill,” Durbin explained.
Durbin equated the Republican tactics to nothing more than stalling and running the clock out. “We continue to ask them to stop this,” he said. However, it was clear to those on the phone call that Democrat senators were not optimistic the DREAM Act would be signed into law, but encouraged students and advocates to keep trying and maybe a few Republican senators will change their minds.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Racist incitement by DREAM Act speaker reaches YouTube
A YouTube video surfaced today of a DREAM Act rally held in Los Angeles last night in which the unidentified speaker urged an enthusiastic crowd the DREAM Act was their way to “replace old white men” in the Senate.
The three-and -a half minute video clip explains the need for the DREAM Act and the fact the legislation will only lead to bigger and better dreams for immigrant workers.
The DREAM Act advocate pressed the importance of education and said, “You’ll go on to be lawyers, teachers, doctors and then go on to be members of the Senate to replace those old white men.”
The supporters were caught on tape clapping and laughing at the possibility of taking over Washington D.C.
The video concluded with the demand “full rights for ALL undocumented workers…”
Is the DREAM Act more than amnesty legislation- or a political movement?
Watch the video link provided by ALIPAC .us and decide for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFCCHbLMqME
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The three-and -a half minute video clip explains the need for the DREAM Act and the fact the legislation will only lead to bigger and better dreams for immigrant workers.
The DREAM Act advocate pressed the importance of education and said, “You’ll go on to be lawyers, teachers, doctors and then go on to be members of the Senate to replace those old white men.”
The supporters were caught on tape clapping and laughing at the possibility of taking over Washington D.C.
The video concluded with the demand “full rights for ALL undocumented workers…”
Is the DREAM Act more than amnesty legislation- or a political movement?
Watch the video link provided by ALIPAC .us and decide for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFCCHbLMqME
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Mexican cartel-style dismemberment killing rocks southern California
Last week a housekeeper for a skid-row Continental Hotel in southern California found the dismembered body of 49-year-old Herbert Tracy White. His body was hacked into five pieces and stuffed in a backpack, rolled up in a blanket under a bed and left for a hotel employee to discover.
Detectives on the scene said they recovered a 3 ½-inch bloody knife that is believed to be the murder weapon. According to police, White's limbs were removed from his body, leaving his torso wrapped in a motel blanket.
A Pennsylvania couple was arrested on suspicion of dismembering a man they allegedly met in Hollywood. The couple was behind bars after they were located in a nearby vacant Hollywood building used by squatters.
Police acting on a tip they received, arrested Edward Garcia Jr., 36, and his wife Melissa Hope Garcia, 25, for the suspected murder and dismemberment of White.
The Garcia's’ both have a criminal record in York, PA., that includes a 2009 kidnapping where Melissa Garcia lured a man to undisclosed location thinking his was going to have sex only to be robbed.
Police officers believe both suspects are drug addicts and the murder happened after the robbery went bad.
The Garcia’s’ made their first court appearance yesterday, but neither entered pleas.
A judge postponed the couple’s arraignment until Jan. 5, each will be charged with one count of murder in the slaying of White.
The court charges include a special circumstance allegation, including torture and it’s unclear if prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the two suspected murderers. The couple remains behind bars without bail.
White's relatives said at a news conference that he mentioned meeting a couple at an automated teller machine and listened patiently to their hard-luck story.
The victim’s relatives said White was a kind person, who worked as a handyman, and had been sober for more than 15 years. If someone needed a food, money or a ride home, White was always willing to help, according to his family.
Detectives believe robbery was the motive in the killing, but have released few details in the gruesome slaying.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Detectives on the scene said they recovered a 3 ½-inch bloody knife that is believed to be the murder weapon. According to police, White's limbs were removed from his body, leaving his torso wrapped in a motel blanket.
A Pennsylvania couple was arrested on suspicion of dismembering a man they allegedly met in Hollywood. The couple was behind bars after they were located in a nearby vacant Hollywood building used by squatters.
Police acting on a tip they received, arrested Edward Garcia Jr., 36, and his wife Melissa Hope Garcia, 25, for the suspected murder and dismemberment of White.
The Garcia's’ both have a criminal record in York, PA., that includes a 2009 kidnapping where Melissa Garcia lured a man to undisclosed location thinking his was going to have sex only to be robbed.
Police officers believe both suspects are drug addicts and the murder happened after the robbery went bad.
The Garcia’s’ made their first court appearance yesterday, but neither entered pleas.
A judge postponed the couple’s arraignment until Jan. 5, each will be charged with one count of murder in the slaying of White.
The court charges include a special circumstance allegation, including torture and it’s unclear if prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the two suspected murderers. The couple remains behind bars without bail.
White's relatives said at a news conference that he mentioned meeting a couple at an automated teller machine and listened patiently to their hard-luck story.
The victim’s relatives said White was a kind person, who worked as a handyman, and had been sober for more than 15 years. If someone needed a food, money or a ride home, White was always willing to help, according to his family.
Detectives believe robbery was the motive in the killing, but have released few details in the gruesome slaying.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Monday, December 13, 2010
Chipotle and McDonald’s crackdown on illegal employees
In an attempt to comply with the U.S. immigration law restaurants across the country are double checking their employee’s paperwork to ensure they are eligible to work in the country.
Chipotle, a Mexican food chain in Minnesota fired approximately 50 Latino employees last week who failed to comply with an I-9 audit and provide adequate documentation showing they could legally work in the United States.
The number of restaurants working in coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased as the Obama Administration is cracking down on businesses looking to skirt the immigration rules of employees.
However, the decision to fire 50 Latino employees didn’t sit well with Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), who is fighting the restaurants’ decision and claims that Chipotle unfairly targeted the Hispanic workers.
“We started to piece together there was something larger going on than a few people fired at one store,” said MIRAC affiliate Brad Sigal. “It appears to be a statewide attack on immigrant workers who are longtime employees most of them been working there for years.”
Meanwhile the Chipotle restaurant chain was subjected to an I-9 audit in which ICE requests employers to collect paperwork from staff and verify their legal status.
“They check the paperwork and fire anyone who can’t immediately prove they have the right to work. An action like this on a mass scale before the holidays is not consistent with the image they (ICE) have cultivated,” Sigal said.
Chipotle restaurant released a statement that read in part, “We are fully cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Minnesota in connection with a document request they have made.”
Other restaurants, like McDonalds or Sizzler are also ensuring their employees legal status by requesting documentation for the federal government program E-verify. The program takes only a few minutes to complete and provides employers with the legal status of their prospective employees.
The E-verify program is a free service and has more than a 95 percent accuracy rating. Once businesses complies with the employment check, many are placing the E-verify signs provided by ICE in their business windows like the McDonalds in Sedona, Arizona pictured above.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Chipotle, a Mexican food chain in Minnesota fired approximately 50 Latino employees last week who failed to comply with an I-9 audit and provide adequate documentation showing they could legally work in the United States.
The number of restaurants working in coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased as the Obama Administration is cracking down on businesses looking to skirt the immigration rules of employees.
However, the decision to fire 50 Latino employees didn’t sit well with Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), who is fighting the restaurants’ decision and claims that Chipotle unfairly targeted the Hispanic workers.
“We started to piece together there was something larger going on than a few people fired at one store,” said MIRAC affiliate Brad Sigal. “It appears to be a statewide attack on immigrant workers who are longtime employees most of them been working there for years.”
Meanwhile the Chipotle restaurant chain was subjected to an I-9 audit in which ICE requests employers to collect paperwork from staff and verify their legal status.
“They check the paperwork and fire anyone who can’t immediately prove they have the right to work. An action like this on a mass scale before the holidays is not consistent with the image they (ICE) have cultivated,” Sigal said.
Chipotle restaurant released a statement that read in part, “We are fully cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Minnesota in connection with a document request they have made.”
Other restaurants, like McDonalds or Sizzler are also ensuring their employees legal status by requesting documentation for the federal government program E-verify. The program takes only a few minutes to complete and provides employers with the legal status of their prospective employees.
The E-verify program is a free service and has more than a 95 percent accuracy rating. Once businesses complies with the employment check, many are placing the E-verify signs provided by ICE in their business windows like the McDonalds in Sedona, Arizona pictured above.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Friday, December 10, 2010
Population control group seeks to save California from legal immigration
Looking for a different solution to solve California’s serious budget crisis, Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS) released a new ad campaign targeting the state’s burgeoning immigration populace.
CAPS is calling for lower levels of "legal immigration" and "temporary workers" in California until state lawmakers have a chance to repair the broken budget and put California back on the path to economic freedom.
The ads are launching as the federal government admits more than 1 million immigrants and temporary workers a year to compete with American employees for scarce jobs in the new normal of 9.8 percent unemployment. The sustained double-digit unemployment is something the country hasn’t seen since the Great Depression, CAPS contends.
“Disconnected policies like these make it easy to understand why a record number of politicians just lost their jobs,” explained Marilyn DeYoung, chairman of the board for CAPS. “Washington needs to wake up and put American workers first. That means slowing legal immigration as well as illegal until the country is working again.”
CAPS believes that more legal immigrants reside and settle in California permanently than in any other state and this fact is a driving force in California’s 12 percent unemployment rate -the third highest in the country.
“The flow of workers has not stopped since the recession hit. The policy is having a particularly insidious effect in states like California, with millions unable to find a job and unemployment rates topping 12 percent. As a result, California has been forced to borrow $40 million a day from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits,” said Gretchen Pfaff, marketing communications director for CAPS. “At the same time, the Federal government continues to flood California with legal immigrants and temporary workers with no calls for an end to foreign workers in sight.”
The new 30-second CAPS TV ad will air on cable networks in California and it illustrates the lack of attention to “legal foreign workers” by first presenting the word “illegal.” The spokesperson in the TV ad then separates the word “legal” out, saying “what about these workers; legal foreign workers?”
The commercial ends by combining the letters to form the word “ill” to describe California’s economy and joblessness, partly attributable to California's out of control legal and illegal immigration.
CAPS explains that it is illegal immigration that often grabs the headlines, but they point to the generous “legal immigration” program the U.S. maintains as another contributing factor to the country’s high unemployment rates.
The group set out to promote the ad campaign in the San Francisco area because the region takes in more legal immigrants on a permanent resident basis than all but a handful of metropolitan areas in America.
A dense population of “legal immigrants” reside in an area known as the Silicon Valley. DeYoung also explains that this part of California has long been known for “its insatiable appetite for cheap labor and temporary foreign workers, regardless of a bountiful supply of Americans eager to fill high tech and other positions.”
CAPS is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization founded in 1986 and has been working to preserve California's future through the stabilization of California’s human population. Since nearly all of California's population growth comes from immigration, CAPS focuses largely on this issue; sponsoring public and media awareness campaigns and working with lawmakers to promote more responsible policies.
For more information about CAPS visit www.CAPSweb.org.
To view the television ad; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryd1-xco9cg
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
CAPS is calling for lower levels of "legal immigration" and "temporary workers" in California until state lawmakers have a chance to repair the broken budget and put California back on the path to economic freedom.
The ads are launching as the federal government admits more than 1 million immigrants and temporary workers a year to compete with American employees for scarce jobs in the new normal of 9.8 percent unemployment. The sustained double-digit unemployment is something the country hasn’t seen since the Great Depression, CAPS contends.
“Disconnected policies like these make it easy to understand why a record number of politicians just lost their jobs,” explained Marilyn DeYoung, chairman of the board for CAPS. “Washington needs to wake up and put American workers first. That means slowing legal immigration as well as illegal until the country is working again.”
CAPS believes that more legal immigrants reside and settle in California permanently than in any other state and this fact is a driving force in California’s 12 percent unemployment rate -the third highest in the country.
“The flow of workers has not stopped since the recession hit. The policy is having a particularly insidious effect in states like California, with millions unable to find a job and unemployment rates topping 12 percent. As a result, California has been forced to borrow $40 million a day from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits,” said Gretchen Pfaff, marketing communications director for CAPS. “At the same time, the Federal government continues to flood California with legal immigrants and temporary workers with no calls for an end to foreign workers in sight.”
The new 30-second CAPS TV ad will air on cable networks in California and it illustrates the lack of attention to “legal foreign workers” by first presenting the word “illegal.” The spokesperson in the TV ad then separates the word “legal” out, saying “what about these workers; legal foreign workers?”
The commercial ends by combining the letters to form the word “ill” to describe California’s economy and joblessness, partly attributable to California's out of control legal and illegal immigration.
CAPS explains that it is illegal immigration that often grabs the headlines, but they point to the generous “legal immigration” program the U.S. maintains as another contributing factor to the country’s high unemployment rates.
The group set out to promote the ad campaign in the San Francisco area because the region takes in more legal immigrants on a permanent resident basis than all but a handful of metropolitan areas in America.
A dense population of “legal immigrants” reside in an area known as the Silicon Valley. DeYoung also explains that this part of California has long been known for “its insatiable appetite for cheap labor and temporary foreign workers, regardless of a bountiful supply of Americans eager to fill high tech and other positions.”
CAPS is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization founded in 1986 and has been working to preserve California's future through the stabilization of California’s human population. Since nearly all of California's population growth comes from immigration, CAPS focuses largely on this issue; sponsoring public and media awareness campaigns and working with lawmakers to promote more responsible policies.
For more information about CAPS visit www.CAPSweb.org.
To view the television ad; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryd1-xco9cg
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Hispanics set to be one quarter of United States youth
It is being reported by the U.S. Census Bureau that Hispanics under the age of 20 will make up 21.8 percent of the American youth population– the figure is an increase from the 2000 census count of 17 percent.
While the U.S. Census Bureau hasn’t officially released the results of the 2010 Census count the projected Hispanic youth numbers are based on the number of births, deaths, enrollments in Medicare and the projected new immigrants who came to the country before April 1st of this year.
For the last 10 years the Latino population has been the fastest growing minority group inside America and the impact has greater reaches than simply numbers. The Hispanic Caucus realizing this fact has moved to exert its power inside Washington D.C. in an effort to have their voices heard.
Preliminary numbers coming from the U.S. Census Bureau report the American population grew by 29.4 million people. In 2000 the country’s population came in at 281.4 million and the new figures claim that approximately 310.8 million asked to be counted in the 2010 census.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
While the U.S. Census Bureau hasn’t officially released the results of the 2010 Census count the projected Hispanic youth numbers are based on the number of births, deaths, enrollments in Medicare and the projected new immigrants who came to the country before April 1st of this year.
For the last 10 years the Latino population has been the fastest growing minority group inside America and the impact has greater reaches than simply numbers. The Hispanic Caucus realizing this fact has moved to exert its power inside Washington D.C. in an effort to have their voices heard.
Preliminary numbers coming from the U.S. Census Bureau report the American population grew by 29.4 million people. In 2000 the country’s population came in at 281.4 million and the new figures claim that approximately 310.8 million asked to be counted in the 2010 census.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
House Democrats pass the DREAM Act
After a spirited debate by both parties the contentious DREAM Act legislation passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 216-198.
While the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) legislation may have admirable intentions in a time of severe economic duress, American children are the ones falling behind and losing their opportunities for higher education.
Arguments from GOP critics pointed to perpetrated fraud, chain amnesty and costs to the taxpayer as reasons to not pass the DREAM Act.
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) said, “The DREAM Act would put the interest of the illegal immigrant above a U.S. citizen.”
On the other hand Democrats contend the GOP’s cries of amnesty are unfounded as the children of lawbreaking adults should not be punished for their parent’s actions.
No amendments were allowed to the current DREAM Act legislation and lawmakers were given only a few hours to read and prepare for the vote on the House floor.
The Senate will vote on the DREAM Act tomorrow morning.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
While the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) legislation may have admirable intentions in a time of severe economic duress, American children are the ones falling behind and losing their opportunities for higher education.
Arguments from GOP critics pointed to perpetrated fraud, chain amnesty and costs to the taxpayer as reasons to not pass the DREAM Act.
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) said, “The DREAM Act would put the interest of the illegal immigrant above a U.S. citizen.”
On the other hand Democrats contend the GOP’s cries of amnesty are unfounded as the children of lawbreaking adults should not be punished for their parent’s actions.
No amendments were allowed to the current DREAM Act legislation and lawmakers were given only a few hours to read and prepare for the vote on the House floor.
The Senate will vote on the DREAM Act tomorrow morning.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
14-year-old cartel assassin’s mom arrested in San Diego
The mother of the suspected 14-year-old cartel assassin responsible for at least four beheadings has been arrested and charged with being in the United States illegally.
Border Patrol agents arrested Yolanda Lugo Jimenez, 43, at her San Diego apartment on Monday according to a federal complaint.
Court documents show Lugo was deported in September of 1997 and admitted that she possessed no legal documentation to be living inside America.
It was Lugo’s son, Edgar Jimenez Lugo, who was arrested last week in Mexico on suspicion of ruthlessly beheading cartel rivals of the South Pacific drug cartel. The 14-year-old’s cartel moniker was El Ponchis (The Cloak).
Mexican Military personnel captured the young murder suspect at the Cuernavaca airport where he was trying to board a plane headed to the United States border with his 16-year-old sister. Authorities say the boy was headed to California where his mother was living.
The boy and his 19-year-old sister, Elizabeth Jimenez Lugo, allegedly worked for Julio ``El Negro'' Padilla, who has been trying to seize control of the illicit drug market in Morelos, Mexico through violence, Mexican authorities said.
After the teen’s arrest he was taken to a regional attorney generals office. The boy admitted that he participated in at least four decapitations, claiming that he was “drugged by the gang and under threat that if I didn't [participate], they would kill me.”
The boy’s sister told reporters they intended to cross the San Diego border to escape the cartels.
According to Morelos Gov. Marco Adame Castillo the U.S. killer was born in San Diego, California. The attorney general for Morelos state said the two suspects were turned over to state authorities who handle crimes committed by minors in Mexico.
It has now been reported that U.S. consular officials have met with the teen who is being held at an undisclosed location for his protection.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 201 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Border Patrol agents arrested Yolanda Lugo Jimenez, 43, at her San Diego apartment on Monday according to a federal complaint.
Court documents show Lugo was deported in September of 1997 and admitted that she possessed no legal documentation to be living inside America.
It was Lugo’s son, Edgar Jimenez Lugo, who was arrested last week in Mexico on suspicion of ruthlessly beheading cartel rivals of the South Pacific drug cartel. The 14-year-old’s cartel moniker was El Ponchis (The Cloak).
Mexican Military personnel captured the young murder suspect at the Cuernavaca airport where he was trying to board a plane headed to the United States border with his 16-year-old sister. Authorities say the boy was headed to California where his mother was living.
The boy and his 19-year-old sister, Elizabeth Jimenez Lugo, allegedly worked for Julio ``El Negro'' Padilla, who has been trying to seize control of the illicit drug market in Morelos, Mexico through violence, Mexican authorities said.
After the teen’s arrest he was taken to a regional attorney generals office. The boy admitted that he participated in at least four decapitations, claiming that he was “drugged by the gang and under threat that if I didn't [participate], they would kill me.”
The boy’s sister told reporters they intended to cross the San Diego border to escape the cartels.
According to Morelos Gov. Marco Adame Castillo the U.S. killer was born in San Diego, California. The attorney general for Morelos state said the two suspects were turned over to state authorities who handle crimes committed by minors in Mexico.
It has now been reported that U.S. consular officials have met with the teen who is being held at an undisclosed location for his protection.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 201 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
More DREAM Act inaccuracies -California colleges full
Lawmakers, advocacy groups and members of the media have been touting a lot of facts and monetary figures regarding the proposed immigration bill called the DREAM Act. And to make matters worse, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has introduced four different versions of the bill, hoping one will find favor with members of Congress.
While the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) legislation may have admirable intentions in a time of severe economic duress, American children are the ones falling behind and losing their opportunities for higher education.
Take California for example, the state is seeing red to the tune of $20 billion per year and included in the cutbacks are colleges. As a result college tuition has increased at least 10 percent and public colleges have already authorized another 10 percent increase for the year 2011-12 school year.
Big deal say DREAM Act advocates, American’s will just pay the increase and still get their college educations.
Wrong.
Let’s take San Diego State University (SDSU), once a famous party school, college admissions have seen record applications and the majority of applicants will be turned away.
SDSU received more than 60,000 undergraduate applications for the fall 2011 semester as well as 8,000 spring applications. The total undergraduate applicants for the fall were 44,623 and 16,946 applicants applied as upper-division transfer students.
“SDSU continues to be a first-choice university for applicants and for good reason,'” said Ethan Singer, SDSU associate vice president for academic affairs. “The quality of students attending SDSU is the best it's ever been, the faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a top-notch university education and SDSU offers a dynamic student experience as well as career opportunities in some of the most high-demand fields in our economy.”
The university contends it will be unknown for awhile as to how many students will be accepted next fall due to the uncertainties regarding state funding. However they have 3,400 freshmen who began college this semester as well as 2,400 transfer students for a total of 5,800.
SDSU says they will most likely only take 3,000 undergraduates for the spring 2011 semester. Moreover, statewide, the California State University System received more than 611,000 applications and many of these prospective students will be turned away. (Currently there are 430,000 students enrolled, but most campuses are reducing enrollment as a way to deal with state cutbacks.)
And if that isn’t depressing enough for students, the University of California employees are taking part in a statewide protest today. The workers are fighting an upcoming regents’ vote to cut retirement benefits.
The fact that California cannot accept all students applying for college must have escaped the Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosawhose city is not only facing insurmountable budget issues, but it is suffering one of the highest high school drop out rates.
“Congress has another chance to make history,” Mayor Villaraigosa said during a news conference at East Los Angeles College. “I urge them to help make the dreams of millions of young people come true by passing the DREAM Act. Giving these young people a path toward citizenship is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in our country's future,'' he finished.
However grand a perfect world would be, the country as a whole is broke and Washington politicians can’t even figure out how to keep the federal government running; let alone pass a piece of legislation that amounts to amnesty. (Once the DREAM Act applicants get their legal status they could begin the process of petitioning for their parents, brothers and sisters as well as other family members to immigrate to America in the name of family reunification.)
More freebies
It is now being reported by the Daily Caller that colleges are now encouraging students to apply for food stamps as a way to survive and continue to pay the skyrocketing university costs. Universities like, Cornell, Portland State and Des Moines State include “how to apply for food stamps” on their financial aid section of their websites.
“Almost 14 percent of the entire U.S. population now receives some sort of government aid. The use of food stamps, in particular, has grown dramatically. There are at least 6 million more Americans receiving government food assistance this year than last, for a total of more than 42 million people,” the Daily Callersaid.
Read article here: http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/07/thedc-investigation-universities-encouraging-students-to-receive-welfare-benefits/#ixzz17Ro0okTq
In California it gets much worse under Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s food stamp program has been redesigned to take away the “stigma” and make it easier for more state residents to receive government aid in the form of ATM cards.
“I am so thrilled that The Modern House Call for Women served as the platform to kick-off the CalFresh rebranding effort for the Food Stamp Program,” Schwarzenegger’s wife Maria Shriver said. “As we have traveled up and down the state raising awareness of this program through WE Connect, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary impact that this program has in the lives of families. This rebranding campaign will go a long way in helping to erase the unfortunate stigma associated with this program and encourage families to seek CalFresh as a resource for putting healthy meals on their table.”
Center for Immigration Studies crunches the numbers- Cost per year is $6.2 billion
The Washington D.C. think tank, the Center for Immigration Studies, delved into the financial consequences of the DREAM Act. The analysis in its report is based on the development of the Migration Policy Institute, which used the latest 2006 to 2008 Current Population Survey (CPS) collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. The following are some of the CIS findings.
· Assuming no fraud, we conservatively estimate that 1.03 million illegal immigrants will eventually enroll in public institutions (state universities or community colleges) as a result of the DREAM Act. That is, they met the residence and age requirements of the act, have graduated high school, or will do so, and will come forward.
· On average each illegal immigrant who attends a public institution will receive a tuition subsidy from taxpayers of nearly $6,000 for each year he or she attends for total cost of $6.2 billion a year, not including other forms of financial assistance that they may also receive.
· The DREAM Act does not provide funding to states and counties to cover the costs it imposes. Since enrollment and funding are limited at public institutions, the act’s passage will require some combination of tuition increases, tax increases to expand enrollment or a reduction in spaces available for American citizens at these schools.
· Tuition hikes will be particularly difficult for students, as many Americans already find it difficult to pay for college. Research indicates that one out of three college students drop out before receiving a degree. Costs are a major reason for the high dropout rate.
Furthermore CIS found any future tax benefit the advocates of the DREAM Act are claiming in the long-term will not help public colleges deal with the large influx of new students the DREAM Act will create. “Given limited spaces at public institutions, there will almost certainly be some crowding out of U.S. citizens therefore reducing their lifetime earnings and tax payments.”
CIS also reported that the DREAM Act only requires two years of college with no requirements of a four-year degree. “The income gains for having some college, but no degree, are modest.”
They concluded that the $6.2 billion yearly taxpayer cost will not be made up over the next 10 years.
Congressional Budget Office’s DREAM Act figures
The CBO released its cost estimate of bill 3992 of the DREAM Act. The CBO found that “putting thousands of young, undocumented immigrants on a path to legalization would reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over ten years.” However, CIS found it would cost the taxpayer $6.2 billion per year in tuition subsidies leaving a deficit of $4.8 billion per year.
Just as the Obama Administration said the health care legislation would bend the cost curve down, giving college tuition subsides to at least a million illegal children will not bend the cost curve down it will actually do the opposite, according to CIS. Plus many reports say the DREAM Act will take university slots away from American children, whose parents were born and raised in this country.
The CBO also concluded there would be an increase in authorized workers (a moot point because America faces 9.8 percent unemployment rate) that would affect individual and corporate income taxes. Taking that into consideration CBO said those changes would increase taxpayer revenues by $2.3 billion over 10 years, these estimates came from the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). Again this is far short of the $6.2 billion (in annualized) tuition costs assessed against American taxpayers.
DREAM Act advocates and opponents make their case
Groups like the National Council of La Raza believes it’s time for members of Congress to show which side they stand on so voters can take their positions into account for the next election.
“This vote will reveal whether they stand with the Latino community and these young people who want to serve and contribute to the only country they have ever called home. Make no mistake—the Latino community will be watching this vote closely. The time for hiding behind excuses and moving the goal posts is over,” said Janet MurguÃa, NCLR President and CEO. “We strongly urge both parties in Congress to work together on legislation that is important to Latinos and other Americans. Passing the ‘DREAM Act’ would be a critical first step.”
However Carmen Morales, a Latino activist and a leader of a Latino coalition, assembled leaders to speak out against the DREAM Act in Washington D.C. “We are here to send a strong message to Congress that as Latinos, we stand staunchly opposed to any measure that puts Americans at a disadvantage and rewards illegal behavior.”
According to congressional statements and the Migration Policy Institute, if passed, the bill could potentially grant amnesty to as many as 2.1 million illegal immigrants. With unemployment officially at 9.8 percent this is a huge mistake, says Morales.
“I think progressives and conservatives alike can agree on the need to support working and middle-class citizens during a depressed economy,” said Leah Durant, Executive Director of Progressives for Immigration Reform. “This bill would provide in-state tuition rates and residency benefits to illegal immigrant students.”
In the age of entitlements, growing deficits threaten the country’s economic existence and instead of providing jobs and independence Washington D.C. continues its quest to ensnare more and more Americans into a government addiction- one that is hard to break.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
While the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) legislation may have admirable intentions in a time of severe economic duress, American children are the ones falling behind and losing their opportunities for higher education.
Take California for example, the state is seeing red to the tune of $20 billion per year and included in the cutbacks are colleges. As a result college tuition has increased at least 10 percent and public colleges have already authorized another 10 percent increase for the year 2011-12 school year.
Big deal say DREAM Act advocates, American’s will just pay the increase and still get their college educations.
Wrong.
Let’s take San Diego State University (SDSU), once a famous party school, college admissions have seen record applications and the majority of applicants will be turned away.
SDSU received more than 60,000 undergraduate applications for the fall 2011 semester as well as 8,000 spring applications. The total undergraduate applicants for the fall were 44,623 and 16,946 applicants applied as upper-division transfer students.
“SDSU continues to be a first-choice university for applicants and for good reason,'” said Ethan Singer, SDSU associate vice president for academic affairs. “The quality of students attending SDSU is the best it's ever been, the faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a top-notch university education and SDSU offers a dynamic student experience as well as career opportunities in some of the most high-demand fields in our economy.”
The university contends it will be unknown for awhile as to how many students will be accepted next fall due to the uncertainties regarding state funding. However they have 3,400 freshmen who began college this semester as well as 2,400 transfer students for a total of 5,800.
SDSU says they will most likely only take 3,000 undergraduates for the spring 2011 semester. Moreover, statewide, the California State University System received more than 611,000 applications and many of these prospective students will be turned away. (Currently there are 430,000 students enrolled, but most campuses are reducing enrollment as a way to deal with state cutbacks.)
And if that isn’t depressing enough for students, the University of California employees are taking part in a statewide protest today. The workers are fighting an upcoming regents’ vote to cut retirement benefits.
The fact that California cannot accept all students applying for college must have escaped the Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosawhose city is not only facing insurmountable budget issues, but it is suffering one of the highest high school drop out rates.
“Congress has another chance to make history,” Mayor Villaraigosa said during a news conference at East Los Angeles College. “I urge them to help make the dreams of millions of young people come true by passing the DREAM Act. Giving these young people a path toward citizenship is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in our country's future,'' he finished.
However grand a perfect world would be, the country as a whole is broke and Washington politicians can’t even figure out how to keep the federal government running; let alone pass a piece of legislation that amounts to amnesty. (Once the DREAM Act applicants get their legal status they could begin the process of petitioning for their parents, brothers and sisters as well as other family members to immigrate to America in the name of family reunification.)
More freebies
It is now being reported by the Daily Caller that colleges are now encouraging students to apply for food stamps as a way to survive and continue to pay the skyrocketing university costs. Universities like, Cornell, Portland State and Des Moines State include “how to apply for food stamps” on their financial aid section of their websites.
“Almost 14 percent of the entire U.S. population now receives some sort of government aid. The use of food stamps, in particular, has grown dramatically. There are at least 6 million more Americans receiving government food assistance this year than last, for a total of more than 42 million people,” the Daily Callersaid.
Read article here: http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/07/thedc-investigation-universities-encouraging-students-to-receive-welfare-benefits/#ixzz17Ro0okTq
In California it gets much worse under Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s food stamp program has been redesigned to take away the “stigma” and make it easier for more state residents to receive government aid in the form of ATM cards.
“I am so thrilled that The Modern House Call for Women served as the platform to kick-off the CalFresh rebranding effort for the Food Stamp Program,” Schwarzenegger’s wife Maria Shriver said. “As we have traveled up and down the state raising awareness of this program through WE Connect, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary impact that this program has in the lives of families. This rebranding campaign will go a long way in helping to erase the unfortunate stigma associated with this program and encourage families to seek CalFresh as a resource for putting healthy meals on their table.”
Center for Immigration Studies crunches the numbers- Cost per year is $6.2 billion
The Washington D.C. think tank, the Center for Immigration Studies, delved into the financial consequences of the DREAM Act. The analysis in its report is based on the development of the Migration Policy Institute, which used the latest 2006 to 2008 Current Population Survey (CPS) collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. The following are some of the CIS findings.
· Assuming no fraud, we conservatively estimate that 1.03 million illegal immigrants will eventually enroll in public institutions (state universities or community colleges) as a result of the DREAM Act. That is, they met the residence and age requirements of the act, have graduated high school, or will do so, and will come forward.
· On average each illegal immigrant who attends a public institution will receive a tuition subsidy from taxpayers of nearly $6,000 for each year he or she attends for total cost of $6.2 billion a year, not including other forms of financial assistance that they may also receive.
· The DREAM Act does not provide funding to states and counties to cover the costs it imposes. Since enrollment and funding are limited at public institutions, the act’s passage will require some combination of tuition increases, tax increases to expand enrollment or a reduction in spaces available for American citizens at these schools.
· Tuition hikes will be particularly difficult for students, as many Americans already find it difficult to pay for college. Research indicates that one out of three college students drop out before receiving a degree. Costs are a major reason for the high dropout rate.
Furthermore CIS found any future tax benefit the advocates of the DREAM Act are claiming in the long-term will not help public colleges deal with the large influx of new students the DREAM Act will create. “Given limited spaces at public institutions, there will almost certainly be some crowding out of U.S. citizens therefore reducing their lifetime earnings and tax payments.”
CIS also reported that the DREAM Act only requires two years of college with no requirements of a four-year degree. “The income gains for having some college, but no degree, are modest.”
They concluded that the $6.2 billion yearly taxpayer cost will not be made up over the next 10 years.
Congressional Budget Office’s DREAM Act figures
The CBO released its cost estimate of bill 3992 of the DREAM Act. The CBO found that “putting thousands of young, undocumented immigrants on a path to legalization would reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over ten years.” However, CIS found it would cost the taxpayer $6.2 billion per year in tuition subsidies leaving a deficit of $4.8 billion per year.
Just as the Obama Administration said the health care legislation would bend the cost curve down, giving college tuition subsides to at least a million illegal children will not bend the cost curve down it will actually do the opposite, according to CIS. Plus many reports say the DREAM Act will take university slots away from American children, whose parents were born and raised in this country.
The CBO also concluded there would be an increase in authorized workers (a moot point because America faces 9.8 percent unemployment rate) that would affect individual and corporate income taxes. Taking that into consideration CBO said those changes would increase taxpayer revenues by $2.3 billion over 10 years, these estimates came from the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). Again this is far short of the $6.2 billion (in annualized) tuition costs assessed against American taxpayers.
DREAM Act advocates and opponents make their case
Groups like the National Council of La Raza believes it’s time for members of Congress to show which side they stand on so voters can take their positions into account for the next election.
“This vote will reveal whether they stand with the Latino community and these young people who want to serve and contribute to the only country they have ever called home. Make no mistake—the Latino community will be watching this vote closely. The time for hiding behind excuses and moving the goal posts is over,” said Janet MurguÃa, NCLR President and CEO. “We strongly urge both parties in Congress to work together on legislation that is important to Latinos and other Americans. Passing the ‘DREAM Act’ would be a critical first step.”
However Carmen Morales, a Latino activist and a leader of a Latino coalition, assembled leaders to speak out against the DREAM Act in Washington D.C. “We are here to send a strong message to Congress that as Latinos, we stand staunchly opposed to any measure that puts Americans at a disadvantage and rewards illegal behavior.”
According to congressional statements and the Migration Policy Institute, if passed, the bill could potentially grant amnesty to as many as 2.1 million illegal immigrants. With unemployment officially at 9.8 percent this is a huge mistake, says Morales.
“I think progressives and conservatives alike can agree on the need to support working and middle-class citizens during a depressed economy,” said Leah Durant, Executive Director of Progressives for Immigration Reform. “This bill would provide in-state tuition rates and residency benefits to illegal immigrant students.”
In the age of entitlements, growing deficits threaten the country’s economic existence and instead of providing jobs and independence Washington D.C. continues its quest to ensnare more and more Americans into a government addiction- one that is hard to break.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Monday, December 6, 2010
ICE’s shady bookkeeping blurs U.S. deportation numbers
The Center for Investigative Reporting uncovered some shady deportation record keeping that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) put into place in order to drive up the Obama Administration’s expulsion numbers.
One of the first Republicans to speak out against ICE’s record keeping methods was House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas). Smith is on the record stating that Congress deserves an honest and fair accounting of the deportation numbers.
The Center for Investigative Reporting reported that “392,862 deportations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement included more than 19,000 immigrants who had exited the previous fiscal year, according to agency statistics.”
They also contend that “ICE also ran a Mexican repatriation program five weeks longer than ever before, allowing the agency to count at least 6,500 exits that, without the program, would normally have been tallied by the U.S. Border Patrol.”
But ICE still stands by their numbers.
“When the secretary tells you that the numbers are at an all-time high, that's straight, on the merits, no cooking of the books,” said John Morton director of ICE regarding DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “It's what happened.”
The United States currently uses an option known as a “voluntary return” as a means to encourage some illegal aliens to return home without going through legal procedures. However, this rule allows hundreds of illegal aliens to avoid an immigration judge who would rule on deportation due to offenses like drunken driving, domestic violence and misdemeanor assault.
If an illegal alien voluntarily leaves the country they are able to return to the U.S. and legally apply for residence at a later date. It is this fact that troubles Congressman Smith.
“Allegations that ICE officials may have engaged in a coordinated effort to pad the Agency’s deportation numbers are troubling. Encouraging illegal immigrants facing criminal charges to take an ‘easy out’ rather than receive a conviction ultimately hurts the American people,” Smith said. “It makes it easier for many illegal immigrants with dangerous prior records to return to the U.S. Congress has a responsibility to pursue the facts surrounding ICE deportation practices to ensure that the law is being enforced to the fullest extent.”
When it comes to the illegal immigration dilemma lawmakers point to a multi-prong plan as the only way America will ever manage its rampant and out of control illegal immigration problem.
“Deportation is not enough when it comes to addressing the problem of illegal immigration. Until the Obama Administration secures the U.S.-Mexico border, thousands of previously deported illegal immigrants will return to the U.S. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are pushing for amnesty for an estimated two million illegal immigrants already in the U.S.,” Smith explained.
Another reason many Americans and lawmakers are concerned with providing amnesty through the DREAM Act directly relates to the economy.
“Legalizing millions of illegal immigrants means more competition for scarce jobs. It is an insult to the millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet,” says Smith.
Smith goes on to say that the new 112th Congress vows to take up the illegal immigration issue in January, however he claims lawmakers will keep the interests of the American in mind. “We will promote policies to help grow the economy and put Americans back to work,” he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserve
One of the first Republicans to speak out against ICE’s record keeping methods was House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas). Smith is on the record stating that Congress deserves an honest and fair accounting of the deportation numbers.
The Center for Investigative Reporting reported that “392,862 deportations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement included more than 19,000 immigrants who had exited the previous fiscal year, according to agency statistics.”
They also contend that “ICE also ran a Mexican repatriation program five weeks longer than ever before, allowing the agency to count at least 6,500 exits that, without the program, would normally have been tallied by the U.S. Border Patrol.”
But ICE still stands by their numbers.
“When the secretary tells you that the numbers are at an all-time high, that's straight, on the merits, no cooking of the books,” said John Morton director of ICE regarding DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “It's what happened.”
The United States currently uses an option known as a “voluntary return” as a means to encourage some illegal aliens to return home without going through legal procedures. However, this rule allows hundreds of illegal aliens to avoid an immigration judge who would rule on deportation due to offenses like drunken driving, domestic violence and misdemeanor assault.
If an illegal alien voluntarily leaves the country they are able to return to the U.S. and legally apply for residence at a later date. It is this fact that troubles Congressman Smith.
“Allegations that ICE officials may have engaged in a coordinated effort to pad the Agency’s deportation numbers are troubling. Encouraging illegal immigrants facing criminal charges to take an ‘easy out’ rather than receive a conviction ultimately hurts the American people,” Smith said. “It makes it easier for many illegal immigrants with dangerous prior records to return to the U.S. Congress has a responsibility to pursue the facts surrounding ICE deportation practices to ensure that the law is being enforced to the fullest extent.”
When it comes to the illegal immigration dilemma lawmakers point to a multi-prong plan as the only way America will ever manage its rampant and out of control illegal immigration problem.
“Deportation is not enough when it comes to addressing the problem of illegal immigration. Until the Obama Administration secures the U.S.-Mexico border, thousands of previously deported illegal immigrants will return to the U.S. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are pushing for amnesty for an estimated two million illegal immigrants already in the U.S.,” Smith explained.
Another reason many Americans and lawmakers are concerned with providing amnesty through the DREAM Act directly relates to the economy.
“Legalizing millions of illegal immigrants means more competition for scarce jobs. It is an insult to the millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet,” says Smith.
Smith goes on to say that the new 112th Congress vows to take up the illegal immigration issue in January, however he claims lawmakers will keep the interests of the American in mind. “We will promote policies to help grow the economy and put Americans back to work,” he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserve
Saturday, December 4, 2010
McDonalds gives customers fliers on Latino college scholarships, DREAM Act?
A San Diego McDonald’s® has been handing out college scholarship information fliers published in English/Spanish for Latino customers informing them of the scholarship opportunities for Hispanics the Golden Arches offer each year.
The RMHC/HACER division of McDonald’s® is a scholarship program directed towards Hispanic students. The website indicates that more than 14,000 Latinos have been awarded scholarships, assisting in Hispanic students’ quest to obtain a college degree.
This well-know program offers money to be used for college and is geared specifically towards those with a Latino background. This program also debunks a myth that Hispanic students have no resources for college if they come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scholarship program has been helping Latinos achieve a college education since 1985, and the king of the Happy Meals has awarded more than $20 million in scholarships to Hispanic students.
The college scholarships start at $1,000 and four students are awarded $100,000 each year to earn their college degree. The company says students are chosen based on their academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.
According to McDonalds, the applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, a high school senior, have one Latino parent and be eligible to enroll a higher education college or a vocational/technical school.
The program was enacted by a former educator and McDonald’s® franchisee Richard Castro from Texas. Castro was aware of a number of Hispanic students who dropped out of high school across the country and wanted to turn the students around. It was this fact and his commitment to give back, that created the McDonalds’ scholarship program which serves as encouragement for young Latinos to complete high school and continue their higher education.
According to McDonald’s® website prospective students must fulfill these eligibility requirements
* Be a graduating high school senior.
* Be a legal U.S. resident.
* Be less than 21 years of age.
* Carry a minimum 2.7 GPA.
* Be eligible to enroll and attend an institution of higher education or a vocational/technical school.
* Disclose other scholarship programs for which he/she has applied.
* Plan to enroll at an accredited post-secondary education institution during the academic year following their graduation.
* Complete and submit a scholarship application either by mail or online, and send required supporting materials and documentation to ISTS no later than January 28, 2011.
* Have at least one parent of Hispanic/Latino heritage.
* Be willing to provide additional verification of all information in scholarship application, upon request.
Moving forward it is unclear if the DREAM Act legislation would interfere with the Golden Arches scholarship program.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
The RMHC/HACER division of McDonald’s® is a scholarship program directed towards Hispanic students. The website indicates that more than 14,000 Latinos have been awarded scholarships, assisting in Hispanic students’ quest to obtain a college degree.
This well-know program offers money to be used for college and is geared specifically towards those with a Latino background. This program also debunks a myth that Hispanic students have no resources for college if they come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scholarship program has been helping Latinos achieve a college education since 1985, and the king of the Happy Meals has awarded more than $20 million in scholarships to Hispanic students.
The college scholarships start at $1,000 and four students are awarded $100,000 each year to earn their college degree. The company says students are chosen based on their academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.
According to McDonalds, the applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, a high school senior, have one Latino parent and be eligible to enroll a higher education college or a vocational/technical school.
The program was enacted by a former educator and McDonald’s® franchisee Richard Castro from Texas. Castro was aware of a number of Hispanic students who dropped out of high school across the country and wanted to turn the students around. It was this fact and his commitment to give back, that created the McDonalds’ scholarship program which serves as encouragement for young Latinos to complete high school and continue their higher education.
According to McDonald’s® website prospective students must fulfill these eligibility requirements
* Be a graduating high school senior.
* Be a legal U.S. resident.
* Be less than 21 years of age.
* Carry a minimum 2.7 GPA.
* Be eligible to enroll and attend an institution of higher education or a vocational/technical school.
* Disclose other scholarship programs for which he/she has applied.
* Plan to enroll at an accredited post-secondary education institution during the academic year following their graduation.
* Complete and submit a scholarship application either by mail or online, and send required supporting materials and documentation to ISTS no later than January 28, 2011.
* Have at least one parent of Hispanic/Latino heritage.
* Be willing to provide additional verification of all information in scholarship application, upon request.
Moving forward it is unclear if the DREAM Act legislation would interfere with the Golden Arches scholarship program.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Friday, December 3, 2010
Mexico arrests a 14-year-old U.S. citizen cartel killer
A 14-year-old U.S. citizen with ties to San Diego was arrested by Mexican authorities who charged the young boy was responsible for the murders of cartel enemies and a couple of the killings even involved beheadings.
The boy is suspected of working for the South Pacific Cartel run by Hector Beltran Leyva who took over the cartel after his brother, a major cartel kingpin was killed by Mexican Marines a year ago.
Military personnel captured the young murder suspect at the Cuernavaca airport where he was trying to board a plane headed to the United States border with his 16-year-old sister. Authorities say the boy was headed to California where his mother lives.
The 14-year-old’s cartel moniker is El Ponchis (The Cloak).
After his arrest the cartel killer was taken to a regional attorney generals office. The boy admitted that he had participated in at least four decapitations, claiming that he was “drugged by the gang and under threat that if I didn't [participate], they would kill me.”
According to Morelos Gov. Marco Adame Castillo the U.S. killer was born in San Diego, California.
The boy’s sister told reporters they intended to cross the San Diego border to escape the cartels, according to the Associated Press.
The attorney general for Morelos state said the two suspects were turned over to state authorities who handle crimes committed by minors in Mexico.
It was not immediately known if the 14-year-old boy was a Mexican national as well.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
The boy is suspected of working for the South Pacific Cartel run by Hector Beltran Leyva who took over the cartel after his brother, a major cartel kingpin was killed by Mexican Marines a year ago.
Military personnel captured the young murder suspect at the Cuernavaca airport where he was trying to board a plane headed to the United States border with his 16-year-old sister. Authorities say the boy was headed to California where his mother lives.
The 14-year-old’s cartel moniker is El Ponchis (The Cloak).
After his arrest the cartel killer was taken to a regional attorney generals office. The boy admitted that he had participated in at least four decapitations, claiming that he was “drugged by the gang and under threat that if I didn't [participate], they would kill me.”
According to Morelos Gov. Marco Adame Castillo the U.S. killer was born in San Diego, California.
The boy’s sister told reporters they intended to cross the San Diego border to escape the cartels, according to the Associated Press.
The attorney general for Morelos state said the two suspects were turned over to state authorities who handle crimes committed by minors in Mexico.
It was not immediately known if the 14-year-old boy was a Mexican national as well.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Despite cartel violence, DHS moves to increase travel between countries
Looking to strengthen the Obama Administration’s ongoing commitment with Mexico, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano traveled to Mexico City to meet with her counterpart and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to fighting terrorism and other transnational crimes.
Among the business conducted by Napolitano was the “signing an agreement to facilitate secure, legitimate travel as part the United States' and Mexico's continued efforts to enhance the security of both nations.”
A statement released by DHS explained that “In the face of ever-evolving, multinational threats, the United States is committed to working with our international partners to enhance information-sharing and our mutual security.”
Secretary Napolitano described her confidence in the relationship between the two countries. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the Mexican government as we forge an unprecedented international security framework that facilitates legitimate trade and travel while protecting our citizens.”
The Mexico City meeting included the signing of an accord expressing both countries intent to develop a Global Entry International Trusted Traveler program pilot. Secretary Napolitano and Mexico Ministry of the Interior Secretary José Francisco Blake Mora shored up plans for a Global Entry “to facilitate secure, legitimate travel between the two nations.”
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) describes the Global Entry as a program that would allow pre-approved members, who undergo a vigorous background check as well as provide biometrics in order to expedite U.S. customs processing.
This new program could reduce average border crossing times and permit law enforcement to focus on other serious security threats at America’s busy points of entry.
The anticipated program would provide Global Entry kiosks at America’s ports of entry that require members to insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card (LPR) into a document reader, provide their digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions and finally spit out a transaction receipt for the traveler to give to a CBP officer in order to leave the inspection area.
Disqualifiers for potential applicants include providing false or incomplete information on the SENTRI application; a criminal conviction or pending criminal charges; violations of any immigration laws; subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency; the inability to satisfy CBP of their low risk status.
Other business conducted by Secretary Napolitano, Minister Blake Mora and Mexican Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Julian Ventura was a signed “Letter of Intent” between DHS, Mexico's Secretariat of Governance and Secretariat of Foreign Affairs affirming their shared commitment to collaborate on a plan to expeditiously and humanly repatriate Mexican nationals to interior parts of Mexico once they’ve been processed and deported.
“The Letter of Intent builds on the framework of 30 Local Arrangements for the Repatriation of Mexican Nationals between consular and immigration authorities of both nations established by Secretary Napolitano and Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa on April 3, 2009–formalizing the operational coordination between governments to guarantee a safe, orderly and humane repatriation process,” the statement concludes.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Among the business conducted by Napolitano was the “signing an agreement to facilitate secure, legitimate travel as part the United States' and Mexico's continued efforts to enhance the security of both nations.”
A statement released by DHS explained that “In the face of ever-evolving, multinational threats, the United States is committed to working with our international partners to enhance information-sharing and our mutual security.”
Secretary Napolitano described her confidence in the relationship between the two countries. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the Mexican government as we forge an unprecedented international security framework that facilitates legitimate trade and travel while protecting our citizens.”
The Mexico City meeting included the signing of an accord expressing both countries intent to develop a Global Entry International Trusted Traveler program pilot. Secretary Napolitano and Mexico Ministry of the Interior Secretary José Francisco Blake Mora shored up plans for a Global Entry “to facilitate secure, legitimate travel between the two nations.”
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) describes the Global Entry as a program that would allow pre-approved members, who undergo a vigorous background check as well as provide biometrics in order to expedite U.S. customs processing.
This new program could reduce average border crossing times and permit law enforcement to focus on other serious security threats at America’s busy points of entry.
The anticipated program would provide Global Entry kiosks at America’s ports of entry that require members to insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card (LPR) into a document reader, provide their digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions and finally spit out a transaction receipt for the traveler to give to a CBP officer in order to leave the inspection area.
Disqualifiers for potential applicants include providing false or incomplete information on the SENTRI application; a criminal conviction or pending criminal charges; violations of any immigration laws; subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency; the inability to satisfy CBP of their low risk status.
Other business conducted by Secretary Napolitano, Minister Blake Mora and Mexican Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Julian Ventura was a signed “Letter of Intent” between DHS, Mexico's Secretariat of Governance and Secretariat of Foreign Affairs affirming their shared commitment to collaborate on a plan to expeditiously and humanly repatriate Mexican nationals to interior parts of Mexico once they’ve been processed and deported.
“The Letter of Intent builds on the framework of 30 Local Arrangements for the Repatriation of Mexican Nationals between consular and immigration authorities of both nations established by Secretary Napolitano and Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa on April 3, 2009–formalizing the operational coordination between governments to guarantee a safe, orderly and humane repatriation process,” the statement concludes.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Dream Act much more than education- it’s amnesty for a new voting block
The DREAM (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors)
Many say the DREAM Act does nothing more than cheapen the American citizenship process and hurt those who have honestly entered the process, filed their paperwork, waited in line, learned English, studied American civics- and ended their arduous task with a U.S. Naturalization ceremony. Achieving the dream of becoming an American citizen is a process, one that means something, but it also means becoming an American.
The United States is one of only a few countries that offer a unique proposition of shedding an old life and truly becoming American with all its stars and stripes. It’s a privilege – not a given.
However, regarding the DREAM Act many Democrats are operating under the premise that it is not fair to punish children for the actions of their parents, therefore, illegal kids deserve a chance to achieve the American dream. Along with the dream they expect reduced tuition rates, something not afforded to all American children. It’s not about the money, it’s the money.
But what happens when children of all persuasions reach adulthood? Do they become bank robbers if that’s the family trade? Or are they held accountable for their actions whatever those actions might be? The greatest gift this country has is the ability to be something or nothing.
Just get into a cab in Washington D.C. and ask the driver about his American dream. “Well, what I love about this country is you can be a loser, party and live in a box if you want. Or you can work your ass off (excuse me) at a couple of jobs, learn the language, go to college and be successful. There aren’t many places in the world you can do that in and I love being an American,” said one cabbie from Ghana.
The cab driver explains in great length the years he waited to enter the country, how hard he worked to learn the language and the fact he may be able to help his family once he becomes successful in his new country. He explains that he came here with nothing and he doesn’t expect “America to give him any money, just a chance.”
It’s true illegal adults and their children continue to live in limbo in the United States. While it may have been a parents’ decision to stay illegally in America, when these kids grow up it becomes their responsibility to gain legal status.
Some immigration experts contend that if children in this “legal limbo” wish to return to their home country and apply for a student visa and legally accept a university’s offer to become a student, these children should take advantage of this legal process.
“As a consequence of lobbying by colleges and universities, there are essentially unlimited numbers of student visas granted. Thus, the scenario of an illegal alien student leaving the U.S. and returning via a student visa is plausible,” says immigration expert Gene Nelson Ph.D. “It is likely that the illegal alien student would then be liable to pay out of state tuition (something all foreign students must do until they establish legal residence). However, I note that the state of California just liberalized the treatment of all illegal alien students by passing their own version of the DREAM Act and offering in-state tuition for illegals. Nevertheless, I think it is likely that the California law will be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.”
Groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) point out that these “in limbo” young adults have many options. “They have the opportunity to go home (to their home country) or they can go to college if they pay out of state tuition rates. Also many minority and poor people use the military as a way to get out of the ghettos and spend their time in the military to earn the right to use a GI bill and then pursue college,” says Susan Tully of FAIR.
However a few strings come with the military GI Bill. Once service members enter college, the military monitors their grades and courses. If a student begins to drop or fail classes the military pulls the purse strings and they no longer receive their college benefits. It is unclear if the DREAM Act ensures these same checks and balances, but illegal alien students do not have to finish an education program in order to qualify for legal status.
Logically it makes sense for illegal young adults to start their grown up lives on the right foot and America loves the underdog. Perhaps groups like La Raza and Centers for American Progress could set up college tuition scholarship funds for these young adults who enter the country with a legal student visa and seek to grab their portion of the American dream.
However, once again a bankrupt Washington D.C. is not offering a real solution for young adults trapped in a legal immigration quagmire. Again they want to reward illegal behavior with citizenship and in-state tuition no matter a person’s legal status.
The DREAM Act would provide illegal aliens in-state tuition, even when it is not being offered to U.S. citizens and legally present aliens living just across state lines. Section 3 of the DREAM Act repeals Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1623) prohibits giving education benefits to an unlawfully present individual unless that same benefit is offered to all U.S. citizens. This glimpse into the unfairness of the DREAM Act came from a press release from Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).
American students would also have to fight with illegal alien children for the limited money and grants available for college tuition. Colleges are raising fees every semester to keep up with the cost of living and many have stalled or reduced the student acceptance rates for financial reasons. Colleges are operating at capacity.
“Section 10 of the DREAM Act allows illegal aliens amnestied under the bill’s provisions to qualify for federal student assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) in the form of federal student loans (Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans), federal work-study programs, and other federal education services such as tutoring and counseling,” the statement from Sessions said. This would all but ensure that some U.S. students would lose the ability to achieve their dream of college.
Leaders in President Obama’s cabinet like Celica Munoz, director of the Intergovernmental Affairs office have been making the rounds with conference calls, action plans and coordinating White House staff to urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act legislation during the lame duck session because they still have the numbers needed to pass any bill.
Munoz’s mantra during the conference calls has been “all hands on deck, call members of Congress and put a human face to the DREAM Act.”
She even replied to a question from a listener on the White House Live session regarding the President’s ability to just unilaterally sign the DREAM Act into law. “Unfortunately the law doesn’t allow the President to override the Congress,” Munoz answered.
Other prominent members of Obama’s team like U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan have hammered the point that the DREAM Act is a win, win proposition for America. “For our young people, for our country, for our country’s economy, we desperately need to pass the DREAM Act,” Duncan said during a conference call hosted by Conservatives for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. “We have a chance to do it now in the lame-duck session. And I simply don’t think we can afford to wait.”
Another main topic used by the left to garner support for the DREAM Act is the military. The arguments that the military is in need of more recruits because America is fighting two wars in the Middle East are weaved into every conference call
Yet, these talking points are simply unfounded.
The military already has rules in place to accept non-citizens into the military. In fact the Armed Forces currently accept thousands of Filipinos, Latin Americans and other nationalities into the armed services. Many of these recruits are given citizenship within six months.
According to a Department of Defense press release regarding “recruitment and retention rates” through October 2011, the military has at least a 100 percent rating in all branches of service with the Army edging out its compatriots with a 103 percent recruitment ratio.
The numbers only get better when it comes to retention rates. The figures varied from 100 percent (the low, Navy) to the high of 130 percent (the Marines). In fact beginning with the 2012 budget the military will begin mandatory implementation of a 10 percent cut across the board, according to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
While it is widely believed that the DREAM Act will fail in the lame duck session, Americans should take the time to learn the pros and cons of such a bill because this legislation has been pulled off the shelf over the last 10 years and will continue to be a hot-button topic until the U.S. illegal immigration problem is solved.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyrighted 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Many say the DREAM Act does nothing more than cheapen the American citizenship process and hurt those who have honestly entered the process, filed their paperwork, waited in line, learned English, studied American civics- and ended their arduous task with a U.S. Naturalization ceremony. Achieving the dream of becoming an American citizen is a process, one that means something, but it also means becoming an American.
The United States is one of only a few countries that offer a unique proposition of shedding an old life and truly becoming American with all its stars and stripes. It’s a privilege – not a given.
However, regarding the DREAM Act many Democrats are operating under the premise that it is not fair to punish children for the actions of their parents, therefore, illegal kids deserve a chance to achieve the American dream. Along with the dream they expect reduced tuition rates, something not afforded to all American children. It’s not about the money, it’s the money.
But what happens when children of all persuasions reach adulthood? Do they become bank robbers if that’s the family trade? Or are they held accountable for their actions whatever those actions might be? The greatest gift this country has is the ability to be something or nothing.
Just get into a cab in Washington D.C. and ask the driver about his American dream. “Well, what I love about this country is you can be a loser, party and live in a box if you want. Or you can work your ass off (excuse me) at a couple of jobs, learn the language, go to college and be successful. There aren’t many places in the world you can do that in and I love being an American,” said one cabbie from Ghana.
The cab driver explains in great length the years he waited to enter the country, how hard he worked to learn the language and the fact he may be able to help his family once he becomes successful in his new country. He explains that he came here with nothing and he doesn’t expect “America to give him any money, just a chance.”
It’s true illegal adults and their children continue to live in limbo in the United States. While it may have been a parents’ decision to stay illegally in America, when these kids grow up it becomes their responsibility to gain legal status.
Some immigration experts contend that if children in this “legal limbo” wish to return to their home country and apply for a student visa and legally accept a university’s offer to become a student, these children should take advantage of this legal process.
“As a consequence of lobbying by colleges and universities, there are essentially unlimited numbers of student visas granted. Thus, the scenario of an illegal alien student leaving the U.S. and returning via a student visa is plausible,” says immigration expert Gene Nelson Ph.D. “It is likely that the illegal alien student would then be liable to pay out of state tuition (something all foreign students must do until they establish legal residence). However, I note that the state of California just liberalized the treatment of all illegal alien students by passing their own version of the DREAM Act and offering in-state tuition for illegals. Nevertheless, I think it is likely that the California law will be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.”
Groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) point out that these “in limbo” young adults have many options. “They have the opportunity to go home (to their home country) or they can go to college if they pay out of state tuition rates. Also many minority and poor people use the military as a way to get out of the ghettos and spend their time in the military to earn the right to use a GI bill and then pursue college,” says Susan Tully of FAIR.
However a few strings come with the military GI Bill. Once service members enter college, the military monitors their grades and courses. If a student begins to drop or fail classes the military pulls the purse strings and they no longer receive their college benefits. It is unclear if the DREAM Act ensures these same checks and balances, but illegal alien students do not have to finish an education program in order to qualify for legal status.
Logically it makes sense for illegal young adults to start their grown up lives on the right foot and America loves the underdog. Perhaps groups like La Raza and Centers for American Progress could set up college tuition scholarship funds for these young adults who enter the country with a legal student visa and seek to grab their portion of the American dream.
However, once again a bankrupt Washington D.C. is not offering a real solution for young adults trapped in a legal immigration quagmire. Again they want to reward illegal behavior with citizenship and in-state tuition no matter a person’s legal status.
The DREAM Act would provide illegal aliens in-state tuition, even when it is not being offered to U.S. citizens and legally present aliens living just across state lines. Section 3 of the DREAM Act repeals Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1623) prohibits giving education benefits to an unlawfully present individual unless that same benefit is offered to all U.S. citizens. This glimpse into the unfairness of the DREAM Act came from a press release from Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).
American students would also have to fight with illegal alien children for the limited money and grants available for college tuition. Colleges are raising fees every semester to keep up with the cost of living and many have stalled or reduced the student acceptance rates for financial reasons. Colleges are operating at capacity.
“Section 10 of the DREAM Act allows illegal aliens amnestied under the bill’s provisions to qualify for federal student assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) in the form of federal student loans (Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans), federal work-study programs, and other federal education services such as tutoring and counseling,” the statement from Sessions said. This would all but ensure that some U.S. students would lose the ability to achieve their dream of college.
Leaders in President Obama’s cabinet like Celica Munoz, director of the Intergovernmental Affairs office have been making the rounds with conference calls, action plans and coordinating White House staff to urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act legislation during the lame duck session because they still have the numbers needed to pass any bill.
Munoz’s mantra during the conference calls has been “all hands on deck, call members of Congress and put a human face to the DREAM Act.”
She even replied to a question from a listener on the White House Live session regarding the President’s ability to just unilaterally sign the DREAM Act into law. “Unfortunately the law doesn’t allow the President to override the Congress,” Munoz answered.
Other prominent members of Obama’s team like U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan have hammered the point that the DREAM Act is a win, win proposition for America. “For our young people, for our country, for our country’s economy, we desperately need to pass the DREAM Act,” Duncan said during a conference call hosted by Conservatives for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. “We have a chance to do it now in the lame-duck session. And I simply don’t think we can afford to wait.”
Another main topic used by the left to garner support for the DREAM Act is the military. The arguments that the military is in need of more recruits because America is fighting two wars in the Middle East are weaved into every conference call
Yet, these talking points are simply unfounded.
The military already has rules in place to accept non-citizens into the military. In fact the Armed Forces currently accept thousands of Filipinos, Latin Americans and other nationalities into the armed services. Many of these recruits are given citizenship within six months.
According to a Department of Defense press release regarding “recruitment and retention rates” through October 2011, the military has at least a 100 percent rating in all branches of service with the Army edging out its compatriots with a 103 percent recruitment ratio.
The numbers only get better when it comes to retention rates. The figures varied from 100 percent (the low, Navy) to the high of 130 percent (the Marines). In fact beginning with the 2012 budget the military will begin mandatory implementation of a 10 percent cut across the board, according to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
While it is widely believed that the DREAM Act will fail in the lame duck session, Americans should take the time to learn the pros and cons of such a bill because this legislation has been pulled off the shelf over the last 10 years and will continue to be a hot-button topic until the U.S. illegal immigration problem is solved.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyrighted 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
