Arizona local, state and federal authorities publicized results of a nearly 18-month multi-agency drug cartel investigation. The joint-task force “Operation Pipeline Express” successfully brought down a billion-dollar narcotic ring in the Arizona desert.
The agencies represented included Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Attorney General’s, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told media outlets that the Sinaloa drug cartel suffered a huge disruption from Arizona law enforcement.
“Today we have dealt a significant blow to a Mexican criminal enterprise that has been responsible for poisoning our communities with the distribution of millions of dollars' worth of marijuana, cocaine and heroin,” said Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne. “I find it completely unacceptable that Arizona neighborhoods are treated as a trading floor for narcotics. This case is the result of an outstanding partnership between federal and county law enforcement authorities and the Arizona Attorney General's office, which will handle the prosecution. These partnerships are essential to making sure these criminals experience the full force of the justice system.”
Authorities pointed out that the massive drug cartel ring built cells throughout western Arizona, and they used backpackers as well as vehicles to various “stash houses” which ultimately sent the illicit drugs to major U.S. cities.
This latest sweep was the third large-scale enforcement raids carried out under “Operation Pipeline Express.” So far, officials say 76 various cartel employees have been arrested. Last week’s warranted searches also netted two tons of marijuana, 19 firearms and $200,000.
“Through our joint efforts, we've sent a resounding message to the Mexican cartels that Arizona is off limits to their operatives,” said Matthew Allen, special agent in charge for HSI in Arizona. “As this case makes clear, law enforcement in Arizona is united in its resolve to protect our communities and our country from the scourge of large-scale narcotics trafficking. We stand ready to use every tool and resource at our disposal to attack and dismantle these organizations.”
While “Operation Pipeline Express” seized more than 3.3 million pounds of marijuana, 20,000 pounds of cocaine, 10,000 pounds of heroin and $2 billion in illicit proceeds, Arizona authorities garnered much-needed intelligence on the way the Sinaloa cartel operates.
“We in Arizona continue to stand and fight the Mexican drug cartels, who think they own the place,” said Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu. “This is America and we shall bring a crushing hand of enforcement against those who threaten our families and our national security. While this is a historic drug bust, sadly this represents only a fraction of what my deputies face every day.”
Arizona law enforcement agencies said it appeared that the Sinaloa drug cartel garnered a huge-profit margin in western Arizona due to the lack of drug cartel competition.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Armas Cruzadas- DHS Sec. Napolitano’s own Mexican gun-trafficking operation
While Operation Fast and Furious remains a thorn in U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s side, it looks like Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano may soon begin sharing the pain.
Sec. Napolitano recently informed the House Judiciary Committee she had no knowledge of Fast and Furious, but omitted to mention her own department was running Operation Armas Cruzadas.
Operation Armas Cruzadas highlights another crucial factor – that the Mexican government had more of a role in the cartel arms trafficking business than just playing the victim.
This new information dovetails with complaints by Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents in the Phoenix office that complained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Team VII regularly called “dibs” on gun trafficking cases in order to “get credit” for splashy narco-related investigations. One agent explained that the atmosphere seemed more focused on press conferences and ego rather than commonsense.
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The DHS memorandum reveals that ICE ran Operation Armas Cruzadas with the full knowledge of Arturo Chávez Chávez,Mexican Attorney General in an effort to ostensibly prosecute cartels in Mexico using U.S. intelligence and agents. This is a departure from Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Operation Fast and Furious where the Mexican government claimed it knew nothing about the gun-walking program.
The Mexican Attorney General agreed it was beneficial for both “…governments to work in a coordinated fashion to prevent, discourage and process arms traffickers,” the documents disclosed.
These documents demonstrate ICE remains more involved in the gun trafficking business than anybody knew or Sec. Napolitano was willing to admit to Congress.
However, Operation Armas Cruzadas doesn’t seem to include any input by ATF agents and this arms trafficking investigation has escaped scrutiny by the media. Perhaps, a bloated-bureaucratic DHS crossed its fingers hoping Operation Armas Cruzadas would not be discovered by the media?
Also, intelligence gathering in a post 9/11 world has accomplished a couple of things; first, it makes it easier for agencies to conduct investigations with little oversight under the guise of national security. And second, the infamous new age of electronic intelligence gathering provides law enforcement agencies with plausible deniability.
This is the first report concerning Operation Armas Cruzadas and a series of stories will provide more information on this gun-trafficking program in the coming days.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Sec. Napolitano recently informed the House Judiciary Committee she had no knowledge of Fast and Furious, but omitted to mention her own department was running Operation Armas Cruzadas.
Operation Armas Cruzadas highlights another crucial factor – that the Mexican government had more of a role in the cartel arms trafficking business than just playing the victim.
This new information dovetails with complaints by Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents in the Phoenix office that complained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Team VII regularly called “dibs” on gun trafficking cases in order to “get credit” for splashy narco-related investigations. One agent explained that the atmosphere seemed more focused on press conferences and ego rather than commonsense.
Advertisement
The DHS memorandum reveals that ICE ran Operation Armas Cruzadas with the full knowledge of Arturo Chávez Chávez,Mexican Attorney General in an effort to ostensibly prosecute cartels in Mexico using U.S. intelligence and agents. This is a departure from Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Operation Fast and Furious where the Mexican government claimed it knew nothing about the gun-walking program.
The Mexican Attorney General agreed it was beneficial for both “…governments to work in a coordinated fashion to prevent, discourage and process arms traffickers,” the documents disclosed.
These documents demonstrate ICE remains more involved in the gun trafficking business than anybody knew or Sec. Napolitano was willing to admit to Congress.
However, Operation Armas Cruzadas doesn’t seem to include any input by ATF agents and this arms trafficking investigation has escaped scrutiny by the media. Perhaps, a bloated-bureaucratic DHS crossed its fingers hoping Operation Armas Cruzadas would not be discovered by the media?
Also, intelligence gathering in a post 9/11 world has accomplished a couple of things; first, it makes it easier for agencies to conduct investigations with little oversight under the guise of national security. And second, the infamous new age of electronic intelligence gathering provides law enforcement agencies with plausible deniability.
This is the first report concerning Operation Armas Cruzadas and a series of stories will provide more information on this gun-trafficking program in the coming days.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Friday, October 28, 2011
Drug seizures in San Diego continue with Border Patrol
Interior Border Patrol checkpoints continue to slow drug smugglers progress and capture illicit drugs before they hit the streets. Yesterday, a Mexican national male, was apprehended when he tried to smuggle nine bundles of cocaine into the U.S.
“A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to a blue 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee and agents subsequently discovered 21.2 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire with an estimated street value of $211,200,” according to Scott Simon, Border Patrol Agent from San Diego.
The alleged-drug smuggler and the cocaine were taken into custody and handed off to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to face charges.
Border Patrol Agents from interior checkpoints busted several U.S. citizens for trafficking marijuana this week. The agents found approximately 150 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $200,000. All the alleged-drug smugglers were arrested and booked into county jail. Border Patrol Agents detained the marijuana and vehicles.
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Since October 1, 2010, the San Diego Sector Border Patrol has seized approximately 2,331 pounds of cocaine, 578 pounds of methamphetamine and 68,722 pounds of marijuana.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Drug seizures in San Diego continue with Border Patrol - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/drug-seizures-san-diego-continue-with-border-patrol#ixzz1c7qyH2lc
“A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to a blue 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee and agents subsequently discovered 21.2 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire with an estimated street value of $211,200,” according to Scott Simon, Border Patrol Agent from San Diego.
The alleged-drug smuggler and the cocaine were taken into custody and handed off to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to face charges.
Border Patrol Agents from interior checkpoints busted several U.S. citizens for trafficking marijuana this week. The agents found approximately 150 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $200,000. All the alleged-drug smugglers were arrested and booked into county jail. Border Patrol Agents detained the marijuana and vehicles.
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Since October 1, 2010, the San Diego Sector Border Patrol has seized approximately 2,331 pounds of cocaine, 578 pounds of methamphetamine and 68,722 pounds of marijuana.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Drug seizures in San Diego continue with Border Patrol - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/drug-seizures-san-diego-continue-with-border-patrol#ixzz1c7qyH2lc
Thursday, October 27, 2011
California pension crisis tops the country’s debt at a whopping $612 billion
A new PEW study puts California at the top of the pension debt crisis with at least $612 billion in obligations followed by New Jersey at $183 Billion and Illinois with a $150 billion.
The shocking new PEW study projected the country is on the hook for approximately $2 trillion dollars for all states, says Capoliticalnews.
“Using the higher pension gap number, State Budget Solutions said California is in the biggest financial hole — with total debt of more than $612 billion. New York follows with $305 billion of debt, and then Texas, with total debt of $283 billion. Vermont has the lowest amount of total debt at just over $6 billion,” a story from Bloomberg reported.
California’s State Controller John Chiang explains California’s state pension crisis is causing big headaches for state politicians. According to the state’s latest money projections, “the State ended last fiscal year with a cash deficit of $8.2 billion. The combined current year cash deficit stands at $17.6 billion. Those deficits are being covered with $12.2 billion of internal borrowing (temporary loans from special funds) and $5.4 billion of external borrowing).”
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When it comes to unemployment, 11.9 percent, California will borrow the most in the country to cover its unemployment benefit checks- $8.6 billion.
Keeping these financial concerns in mind California’s Governor, Jerry Brown will address state legislators on the pension tsunami flooding the state.
“Given the paramount importance of pensions to both taxpayers and public employees, it is absolutely critical that we carefully examine our current assumptions and practices,” Brown stated in a letter to Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino), and Assemblyman Warren Furutani (D-Gardena). “We have to do our best to make sure that we have a system that is fair and truly sustainable over the long time horizon that our pension and health systems require.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The shocking new PEW study projected the country is on the hook for approximately $2 trillion dollars for all states, says Capoliticalnews.
“Using the higher pension gap number, State Budget Solutions said California is in the biggest financial hole — with total debt of more than $612 billion. New York follows with $305 billion of debt, and then Texas, with total debt of $283 billion. Vermont has the lowest amount of total debt at just over $6 billion,” a story from Bloomberg reported.
California’s State Controller John Chiang explains California’s state pension crisis is causing big headaches for state politicians. According to the state’s latest money projections, “the State ended last fiscal year with a cash deficit of $8.2 billion. The combined current year cash deficit stands at $17.6 billion. Those deficits are being covered with $12.2 billion of internal borrowing (temporary loans from special funds) and $5.4 billion of external borrowing).”
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When it comes to unemployment, 11.9 percent, California will borrow the most in the country to cover its unemployment benefit checks- $8.6 billion.
Keeping these financial concerns in mind California’s Governor, Jerry Brown will address state legislators on the pension tsunami flooding the state.
“Given the paramount importance of pensions to both taxpayers and public employees, it is absolutely critical that we carefully examine our current assumptions and practices,” Brown stated in a letter to Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino), and Assemblyman Warren Furutani (D-Gardena). “We have to do our best to make sure that we have a system that is fair and truly sustainable over the long time horizon that our pension and health systems require.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
RAND Corp. recalls study that crime increased after pot shops closed in LA
A controversial study published by the RAND Corp. that claimed crime increased in Los Angeles after medical marijuana dispensaries were closed was officially retracted. The RAND study was published in September and linked increases in various crimes.
The controversial report prompted public safety advocates to question the study. A Santa Monica think-tank reviewed all the data used by RAND and found substantial discrepancies.
The review found the report did not include crime statistics reported by the Los Angeles Police Department. In light of this new information, RAND pulled the plug on the study. RAND also said they have plans to conduct a new analysis, but explained it will take many months to complete.
It appears the RAND authors did not know the third-party organization, CrimeReports.com, they used failed to include LAPD data, according to RAND Vice President of Infrastructure, Safety and Environment Debra Knopman.
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“The whole idea of the study was to try to get insight as to whether or not there was an effect on crime, whatever direction, as a consequence of the city's closure order of some dispensaries. Having an incomplete data set renders that kind of analysis invalid,” Knopman explained.
Knopman called the retraction a “rare failure” from RAND Corp.
“We take our commitment to quality and objectivity seriously, so we have retracted the study in order to correct it,” Knopman said.
In the future, RAND said it would be using crime data taken from police departments, instead of CrimeReports.com or other third party statisticians. Knopman finished by reiterating to readers; “I don't want to suggest in any way that they misrepresented the data or that they have any responsibility.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The controversial report prompted public safety advocates to question the study. A Santa Monica think-tank reviewed all the data used by RAND and found substantial discrepancies.
The review found the report did not include crime statistics reported by the Los Angeles Police Department. In light of this new information, RAND pulled the plug on the study. RAND also said they have plans to conduct a new analysis, but explained it will take many months to complete.
It appears the RAND authors did not know the third-party organization, CrimeReports.com, they used failed to include LAPD data, according to RAND Vice President of Infrastructure, Safety and Environment Debra Knopman.
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“The whole idea of the study was to try to get insight as to whether or not there was an effect on crime, whatever direction, as a consequence of the city's closure order of some dispensaries. Having an incomplete data set renders that kind of analysis invalid,” Knopman explained.
Knopman called the retraction a “rare failure” from RAND Corp.
“We take our commitment to quality and objectivity seriously, so we have retracted the study in order to correct it,” Knopman said.
In the future, RAND said it would be using crime data taken from police departments, instead of CrimeReports.com or other third party statisticians. Knopman finished by reiterating to readers; “I don't want to suggest in any way that they misrepresented the data or that they have any responsibility.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Border Patrol Agent Jesus Diaz gets two years in prison for handcuffing illegal
Border Patrol Agent Diaz gets two years in prison for handcuffing illegal alien
Border Patrol Agent Jesus “Chito” Diaz received a two-year prison sentence for mishandling his handcuffs on a known-illegal alien drug smuggler. He was charged by the Obama Administration Justice Department using the vague “civil rights” strategy and was convicted last week of lifting the arms of a prisoner while handcuffed.
According to the Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council, the government's case is based on false testimony that is contradicted by the facts. This includes the charge that Agent Diaz was physically abusive to the then minor "MBE" as noted by court documents and transcripts that Diaz allegedly put his knee on his back and pulled back on his handcuffs.
“However, given the time of day during the incident, October 16, 2008 at about 2 a.m. and lack of lighting it would be impossible to have actually seen much if anything. The agent who stood next to Mr. Diaz, Marco Ramos testified that he did not see anything that was claimed to have taken place,” Andy Ramirez, president of LEOAC explained. “Other witnesses made claims that were contradictory amongst each other, and some later admitted in court to having perjured themselves, including Gabriel Lerma. Such admissions were ignored by the court and government who continued the prosecution having filed charges against Mr. Diaz for lying to investigators.”
Despite the explanations, the Mexican Consulate pushed for charges against the Border Patrol agent. They contend the Mexican drug smuggler, a minor when he was arrested, was hit several times. The Mexican government also states the beatings continued because the drug smuggler could not give agents the name of his boss. The young drug smuggler also claimed the Border Patrol agent threatened him with continued violence until he provided agents with the name of his boss.
All these claims were disputed by Agent Diaz.
“The doper claimed he suffered no injuries during his testimony during the trial. He was sore from his shoulders. However, that was due to the weight of the drug load, approximately 75 pounds that he carried across the border. There were two dopers apprehended during the incident and 150 pounds total drugs seized. The court sealed the pictures of the doper, which would corroborate the defense that there were neither injuries received or bruising to his lower arms where the handcuffs were placed nor any bruising resulting from the alleged knee on his back. The only marks on his body came from the straps of the pack he carried containing the drugs,” Ramirez said.
Family member’s reaction to the harsh verdict turned to fear for “Chito’s” life as law enforcement officers are often prime targets for prison violence.
“I am coping with the fact that he could potentially be home in six months for good behavior,” said Diana Guadarrama Diaz, wife of Agent Diaz. “I am still angry and scared. Anything can happen inside prison walls.”
The perplexing conviction of a Border Patrol agent for handcuff abuse is certain to have a chilling effect for those agents in the field who encounter drug smugglers every day.
DOJ remains under fire for the weapons it let “walk” under Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF’s) Fast and Furious program. That failed program lead to the unsolved murders of Border Patrol Agents Brian Terry and Robert Rosas (two individuals have been incarcerated for the murder, but others remain at large) and the murder of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agent Jaime Zapata. These murders remain clear memories for agents arresting the barrage of drug smugglers that continue to cross the U.S./Mexico border.
“I think this case will not only affect Border Patrol agents, but all law enforcement officers whose job requires that they use handcuffs,” Mrs. Diaz explained. “It is rulings like these that give the drug cartels the power to run amok. How can a law enforcement officer do their job when they handcuff the individual for their own safety…?
She explains the looming threat of potentially violating suspect drug smugglers’ civil rights because handcuffing can cause pain is unfounded. “What's next? Will law enforcement be banned from talking to people? It’s no wonder cartels don't respect U.S. law enforcement. During sentencing, the judge said just because you have a badge and gun doesn't give you the right to violate a drug smugglers rights.”
As for “Chito,” he only needs to look back to the Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean case. The two Border Patrol Agents were arrested after chasing a fleeing illegal drug smuggler who was eventually shot in the butt. The Attorney General on the case, Johnny Sutton, went over and beyond his prosecution guidelines and the two agents were sentenced to prison. The public outcry was swift and loud. Talk radio refused to let the injustice stand, and after numerous Congressmen and Senator complaints, the two Border Patrol Agents had their prison sentences commuted by outgoing President George Bush.
“This case, unlike that one, is completely clean - defense wise. Judge directed him to apologize to the victim (not present), the nation, fellow BP Agents, his family... He refused and maintained silence,” Ramirez said. “The judge ignored numerous admissions by their own witnesses of perjury. Word is the government did not want this case sitting out there being campaigned on during the 2012 election cycle, so that Holder/DOJ leaned on the judge.”
Like the Ramos and Compean case, talk radio has picked-up the torch and family members are hopeful “Chito’s” name will be cleared. "We believe we can clear Agent Diaz' name given the facts in this case and contradictory statements by the ‘star witnesses,’" Ramirez said.
"While the sentence was light compared to what it could have been, Agent Diaz is a hero and this case should have never gone forward even at an administrative level against Chito, which was recommended by the Office of Professional Responsibility to CBP Internal Affairs. Chito was cleared previously by the Office of Inspector General and OPR regarding prosecution. So how this became a criminal case demands intense scrutiny and oversight. It should have been prosecuted against the dopers, and since then, those star witnesses who perjured themselves. Where is the justice in this case? Once again, our government is far more concerned with the so-called rights of criminal illegal-alien dopers than our agents who continue to be prosecuted for doing their job. Congress needs to investigate this case and the pattern of misconduct and abuse that has resulted in an innocent agent going to prison yet again," concluded Ramirez.
The kicker is the appeal will be heard before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, LA, the same court as the Ramos/Compean cases. So far there is no date for the hearing and experts say it will most likely take three years to reach a judge.
In the meantime, the Diaz family will try to live as normal a life as possible, grocery shopping, getting the children to and from school, homework and praying their father will come home safely.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Border Patrol Agent Jesus “Chito” Diaz received a two-year prison sentence for mishandling his handcuffs on a known-illegal alien drug smuggler. He was charged by the Obama Administration Justice Department using the vague “civil rights” strategy and was convicted last week of lifting the arms of a prisoner while handcuffed.
According to the Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council, the government's case is based on false testimony that is contradicted by the facts. This includes the charge that Agent Diaz was physically abusive to the then minor "MBE" as noted by court documents and transcripts that Diaz allegedly put his knee on his back and pulled back on his handcuffs.
“However, given the time of day during the incident, October 16, 2008 at about 2 a.m. and lack of lighting it would be impossible to have actually seen much if anything. The agent who stood next to Mr. Diaz, Marco Ramos testified that he did not see anything that was claimed to have taken place,” Andy Ramirez, president of LEOAC explained. “Other witnesses made claims that were contradictory amongst each other, and some later admitted in court to having perjured themselves, including Gabriel Lerma. Such admissions were ignored by the court and government who continued the prosecution having filed charges against Mr. Diaz for lying to investigators.”
Despite the explanations, the Mexican Consulate pushed for charges against the Border Patrol agent. They contend the Mexican drug smuggler, a minor when he was arrested, was hit several times. The Mexican government also states the beatings continued because the drug smuggler could not give agents the name of his boss. The young drug smuggler also claimed the Border Patrol agent threatened him with continued violence until he provided agents with the name of his boss.
All these claims were disputed by Agent Diaz.
“The doper claimed he suffered no injuries during his testimony during the trial. He was sore from his shoulders. However, that was due to the weight of the drug load, approximately 75 pounds that he carried across the border. There were two dopers apprehended during the incident and 150 pounds total drugs seized. The court sealed the pictures of the doper, which would corroborate the defense that there were neither injuries received or bruising to his lower arms where the handcuffs were placed nor any bruising resulting from the alleged knee on his back. The only marks on his body came from the straps of the pack he carried containing the drugs,” Ramirez said.
Family member’s reaction to the harsh verdict turned to fear for “Chito’s” life as law enforcement officers are often prime targets for prison violence.
“I am coping with the fact that he could potentially be home in six months for good behavior,” said Diana Guadarrama Diaz, wife of Agent Diaz. “I am still angry and scared. Anything can happen inside prison walls.”
The perplexing conviction of a Border Patrol agent for handcuff abuse is certain to have a chilling effect for those agents in the field who encounter drug smugglers every day.
DOJ remains under fire for the weapons it let “walk” under Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF’s) Fast and Furious program. That failed program lead to the unsolved murders of Border Patrol Agents Brian Terry and Robert Rosas (two individuals have been incarcerated for the murder, but others remain at large) and the murder of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agent Jaime Zapata. These murders remain clear memories for agents arresting the barrage of drug smugglers that continue to cross the U.S./Mexico border.
“I think this case will not only affect Border Patrol agents, but all law enforcement officers whose job requires that they use handcuffs,” Mrs. Diaz explained. “It is rulings like these that give the drug cartels the power to run amok. How can a law enforcement officer do their job when they handcuff the individual for their own safety…?
She explains the looming threat of potentially violating suspect drug smugglers’ civil rights because handcuffing can cause pain is unfounded. “What's next? Will law enforcement be banned from talking to people? It’s no wonder cartels don't respect U.S. law enforcement. During sentencing, the judge said just because you have a badge and gun doesn't give you the right to violate a drug smugglers rights.”
As for “Chito,” he only needs to look back to the Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean case. The two Border Patrol Agents were arrested after chasing a fleeing illegal drug smuggler who was eventually shot in the butt. The Attorney General on the case, Johnny Sutton, went over and beyond his prosecution guidelines and the two agents were sentenced to prison. The public outcry was swift and loud. Talk radio refused to let the injustice stand, and after numerous Congressmen and Senator complaints, the two Border Patrol Agents had their prison sentences commuted by outgoing President George Bush.
“This case, unlike that one, is completely clean - defense wise. Judge directed him to apologize to the victim (not present), the nation, fellow BP Agents, his family... He refused and maintained silence,” Ramirez said. “The judge ignored numerous admissions by their own witnesses of perjury. Word is the government did not want this case sitting out there being campaigned on during the 2012 election cycle, so that Holder/DOJ leaned on the judge.”
Like the Ramos and Compean case, talk radio has picked-up the torch and family members are hopeful “Chito’s” name will be cleared. "We believe we can clear Agent Diaz' name given the facts in this case and contradictory statements by the ‘star witnesses,’" Ramirez said.
"While the sentence was light compared to what it could have been, Agent Diaz is a hero and this case should have never gone forward even at an administrative level against Chito, which was recommended by the Office of Professional Responsibility to CBP Internal Affairs. Chito was cleared previously by the Office of Inspector General and OPR regarding prosecution. So how this became a criminal case demands intense scrutiny and oversight. It should have been prosecuted against the dopers, and since then, those star witnesses who perjured themselves. Where is the justice in this case? Once again, our government is far more concerned with the so-called rights of criminal illegal-alien dopers than our agents who continue to be prosecuted for doing their job. Congress needs to investigate this case and the pattern of misconduct and abuse that has resulted in an innocent agent going to prison yet again," concluded Ramirez.
The kicker is the appeal will be heard before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, LA, the same court as the Ramos/Compean cases. So far there is no date for the hearing and experts say it will most likely take three years to reach a judge.
In the meantime, the Diaz family will try to live as normal a life as possible, grocery shopping, getting the children to and from school, homework and praying their father will come home safely.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Mexican long-haul trucks take to U.S. highways today, angers Teamsters
Despite a protest rally from Teamsters, a speech from Jim Hoffa Jr. and bi-partisan Congressional members, Mexican long-haul trucks will take to U.S. highways today.
Safety standards and the threat of losing more than 100,000 truck driver jobs was not enough to sway the Obama Administration’s decision to allow Mexican trucks, approved through a North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) pilot program, to gain access to U.S. and deliver their goods.
Using a Russian roulette analogy for Mexican truck safety standards, Hoffa said it would take a serious car accident to get Mexican trucks off the highways.
“This pilot program will be a fiasco, just like the last one was,” Hoffa told roughly 100 Teamsters at a San Diego border rally. “You know it’s trouble when the very first carrier that DOT approves is axed because of safety concerns. Department of Transportation (DOT) has never been able to verify the safety of Mexican trucks. That’s why the Teamsters for 17 years kept the border closed to a permanent program that would let any Mexican truck travel anywhere in the U.S.”
San Diego Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. and Democrat Bob Filner voiced their bi-partisan support of the Teamsters and vowed to continue the fight in the halls of Congress. “It’s about American jobs,” Hunter told the rowdy crowd. He also said the Mexican drug cartels would find a way to take advantage of the new trucking arrangement with America.
Rep. Filner agreed and added that “lives will be lost. I just hope it isn’t a school bus full of children.”
Another fear American truck drivers voiced concerned about was the loss of union wages. While many union truck drivers earn $250 for a trip from the border to Los Angeles, Mexican drivers could charge as little as $50 for the same trip.
Traditionally, the Teamsters have provided good-paying blue collar jobs for drivers throughout the country something they contend will be put in jeopardy if this pilot program is expanded. “The whole idea is to tear down the Teamsters,” said Richard Middleton, Vice President for the Teamsters International Western Region.
The new program will also affect local independent truck driving operators. Jose Escott, of Yucipa, California explained that he immigrated, legally, in 1987. “I gave up my Mexican passport and worked very hard to earn my business. I oppose this NAFTA program. It will kill the American spirit that I love and it will export trucking jobs to Mexico.”
Hoffa wrapped up the questions by pointing to the unsafe driving conditions south of the border. “This is not a level playing field. There were 10,000 hijackings in Mexico last year. What American truckers are going to put their lives on the line to deliver flat-screen TVs in Mexico?”
“We’ve had enough of this madness,” he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Safety standards and the threat of losing more than 100,000 truck driver jobs was not enough to sway the Obama Administration’s decision to allow Mexican trucks, approved through a North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) pilot program, to gain access to U.S. and deliver their goods.
Using a Russian roulette analogy for Mexican truck safety standards, Hoffa said it would take a serious car accident to get Mexican trucks off the highways.
“This pilot program will be a fiasco, just like the last one was,” Hoffa told roughly 100 Teamsters at a San Diego border rally. “You know it’s trouble when the very first carrier that DOT approves is axed because of safety concerns. Department of Transportation (DOT) has never been able to verify the safety of Mexican trucks. That’s why the Teamsters for 17 years kept the border closed to a permanent program that would let any Mexican truck travel anywhere in the U.S.”
San Diego Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. and Democrat Bob Filner voiced their bi-partisan support of the Teamsters and vowed to continue the fight in the halls of Congress. “It’s about American jobs,” Hunter told the rowdy crowd. He also said the Mexican drug cartels would find a way to take advantage of the new trucking arrangement with America.
Rep. Filner agreed and added that “lives will be lost. I just hope it isn’t a school bus full of children.”
Another fear American truck drivers voiced concerned about was the loss of union wages. While many union truck drivers earn $250 for a trip from the border to Los Angeles, Mexican drivers could charge as little as $50 for the same trip.
Traditionally, the Teamsters have provided good-paying blue collar jobs for drivers throughout the country something they contend will be put in jeopardy if this pilot program is expanded. “The whole idea is to tear down the Teamsters,” said Richard Middleton, Vice President for the Teamsters International Western Region.
The new program will also affect local independent truck driving operators. Jose Escott, of Yucipa, California explained that he immigrated, legally, in 1987. “I gave up my Mexican passport and worked very hard to earn my business. I oppose this NAFTA program. It will kill the American spirit that I love and it will export trucking jobs to Mexico.”
Hoffa wrapped up the questions by pointing to the unsafe driving conditions south of the border. “This is not a level playing field. There were 10,000 hijackings in Mexico last year. What American truckers are going to put their lives on the line to deliver flat-screen TVs in Mexico?”
“We’ve had enough of this madness,” he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Joining Forces initiative to put military families to work
First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden hit the campaign trail to support veterans and their military families. The American Logistics Association (ALA) is working with the First Lady to hire and train more than 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013.
The Joint Base Langley-Eustis stop is part of President Obama’s American Jobs Act bus tour that emphasizes the importance of hiring America’s veterans.
“The ALA’s commitment today is the largest coordinated effort by the private sector we’ve seen in years, maybe ever. And they’re making these hires not just because it’s the right thing to do or the patriotic thing to do. They’re doing it because it’s good for their bottom line. They know that these veterans and military spouses represent the best, and they want them on their team,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “And that’s what Joining Forces is about, tapping into all that goodwill that’s out there, all across America, in every sector of society, and channeling it into meaningful action that’s a win-win for everyone.”
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The President also suggested that Americans needed to take care of military members who fought against terrorists to ensure freedom.
“We ask our men and women in uniform to leave their careers, leave their families, and risk their lives to fight for our country,” President Obama explained. “The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home. That’s why I’ve made increasing job opportunities for veterans a critical priority for my Administration and why the American Jobs Act I proposed includes tax credits to make it easier for businesses to hire America’s veterans.”
The jobs for “veterans and their families” supporters include notable and easily recognizable U.S. companies committed to hiring those who served their country; Tysons Foods, Coca Cola, Unilever and ConAgra along with a multitude of specialty suppliers to the on-base military consumer channel.
To accomplish its goal, the new association will begin several on-going employment programs including the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) and the Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program.
Serving military families has been the focus of First Lady Michelle Obama’s attention during her time in the White House. Along with Jill Biden, the “Joining Forces program aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned.”
The ALA’s pledge is to hire at least 25,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Joining Forces initiative to put military families to work - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/joining-forces-initiative-to-put-military-families-to-work#ixzz1bFfgPdSm
The Joint Base Langley-Eustis stop is part of President Obama’s American Jobs Act bus tour that emphasizes the importance of hiring America’s veterans.
“The ALA’s commitment today is the largest coordinated effort by the private sector we’ve seen in years, maybe ever. And they’re making these hires not just because it’s the right thing to do or the patriotic thing to do. They’re doing it because it’s good for their bottom line. They know that these veterans and military spouses represent the best, and they want them on their team,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “And that’s what Joining Forces is about, tapping into all that goodwill that’s out there, all across America, in every sector of society, and channeling it into meaningful action that’s a win-win for everyone.”
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The President also suggested that Americans needed to take care of military members who fought against terrorists to ensure freedom.
“We ask our men and women in uniform to leave their careers, leave their families, and risk their lives to fight for our country,” President Obama explained. “The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home. That’s why I’ve made increasing job opportunities for veterans a critical priority for my Administration and why the American Jobs Act I proposed includes tax credits to make it easier for businesses to hire America’s veterans.”
The jobs for “veterans and their families” supporters include notable and easily recognizable U.S. companies committed to hiring those who served their country; Tysons Foods, Coca Cola, Unilever and ConAgra along with a multitude of specialty suppliers to the on-base military consumer channel.
To accomplish its goal, the new association will begin several on-going employment programs including the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) and the Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program.
Serving military families has been the focus of First Lady Michelle Obama’s attention during her time in the White House. Along with Jill Biden, the “Joining Forces program aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned.”
The ALA’s pledge is to hire at least 25,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Joining Forces initiative to put military families to work - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/joining-forces-initiative-to-put-military-families-to-work#ixzz1bFfgPdSm
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Mocking airport TSA personnel could be a crime
Congress is famous for writing and passing bills without reading them. The Committee on Homeland Security, under Republican Chairman Peter King, have inserted language that would make it a crime to make fun of Transportation Security Administration (TSA)… or their off-the-record name "Thousands Standing Around."
Reference to the latter could land anyone in TSA jail if H.R. 3011, The Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act of 2011 becomes law. Section 295, located on page 61 of H.R. 3011 contains fascinating language beginning on line six;
“Whoever, except with the written permission of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security (or the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service for issues involving the Federal Air Marshal Service), knowingly uses the words ‘Transportation Security Administration’, ‘United States Transportation Security Administration’, ‘Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘United States Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘Federal Air Marshals’, the initials ‘T.S.A.’, ‘F.A.M.S.,’‘F.A.M.,’ or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or the likeness of a Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service badge, logo, or insignia on any item of apparel, in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or with any play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in a matter that is reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the wearer of the item of apparel is acting pursuant to the legal authority of the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service, or to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or such play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service.”
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Hollywood may need to lawyer up the next time they plan to film an Airplane movie.
Special thanks to Inforwars for leaking the questionable passage in TSA’s Authorization bill.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Mocking airport TSA personnel could be a crime - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/mocking-airport-tsa-personnel-could-be-a-crime#ixzz1b9iED1ZA
Reference to the latter could land anyone in TSA jail if H.R. 3011, The Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act of 2011 becomes law. Section 295, located on page 61 of H.R. 3011 contains fascinating language beginning on line six;
“Whoever, except with the written permission of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security (or the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service for issues involving the Federal Air Marshal Service), knowingly uses the words ‘Transportation Security Administration’, ‘United States Transportation Security Administration’, ‘Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘United States Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘Federal Air Marshals’, the initials ‘T.S.A.’, ‘F.A.M.S.,’‘F.A.M.,’ or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or the likeness of a Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service badge, logo, or insignia on any item of apparel, in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or with any play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in a matter that is reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the wearer of the item of apparel is acting pursuant to the legal authority of the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service, or to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or such play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service.”
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Hollywood may need to lawyer up the next time they plan to film an Airplane movie.
Special thanks to Inforwars for leaking the questionable passage in TSA’s Authorization bill.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Mocking airport TSA personnel could be a crime - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/mocking-airport-tsa-personnel-could-be-a-crime#ixzz1b9iED1ZA
Monday, October 17, 2011
La Raza to storm Congress Super-Committee to keep their Medicaid benefits
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) will step up its fight against entitlement reform in order to let the Congressional “Super-Committee,” who must cut $1.2 trillion of America’s bloated $14 trillion debt, or slash Medicaid spending.
“[We need to] keep sending the message that the trade-off for reducing the deficit cannot be the livelihood of our [Latino] families,” a press release read. “[We are] tired of hearing about threats to health care for our families. The fact is that national leaders are on the cusp of making decisions about our national budget and we can’t ignore the debate.”
La Raza is teaming up with Families USA and the National Urban League to lobby the Super Committee using the social services of Twitter.
Twitterstorm is set up for anyone with a computer or smart phone. It allows activists to contact their members of Congress and voice their opinion about any possible cuts to Medicaid.
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La Raza says there are two easy ways to do this;
1. To contact the Super Committee follow this link for an easy way to use Twitter to ask the Super Committee to keep Medicaid safe.
2. Join the Twitter Chat on Medicaid on October 19, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. EDT by following the hashtags #OurLifeline and #NCLRChats.
NCLR points to a report that clearly reveals the integral role Medicaid plays in seriously ill Latino individuals by providing treatment.
“The evidence is clear; Millions have been priced out of private insurance or denied completely because they are ill, but can have peace of mind on the Medicaid program,” according to Jennifer Ng’andu, Deputy Director, Health Policy Project at La Raza.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com La Raza to storm Congress Super-Committee to keep their Medicaid benefits - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/la-raza-to-storm-congress-super-committee-to-keep-their-medicaid-benefits#ixzz1b3Ty4aCc
“[We need to] keep sending the message that the trade-off for reducing the deficit cannot be the livelihood of our [Latino] families,” a press release read. “[We are] tired of hearing about threats to health care for our families. The fact is that national leaders are on the cusp of making decisions about our national budget and we can’t ignore the debate.”
La Raza is teaming up with Families USA and the National Urban League to lobby the Super Committee using the social services of Twitter.
Twitterstorm is set up for anyone with a computer or smart phone. It allows activists to contact their members of Congress and voice their opinion about any possible cuts to Medicaid.
Advertisement
La Raza says there are two easy ways to do this;
1. To contact the Super Committee follow this link for an easy way to use Twitter to ask the Super Committee to keep Medicaid safe.
2. Join the Twitter Chat on Medicaid on October 19, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. EDT by following the hashtags #OurLifeline and #NCLRChats.
NCLR points to a report that clearly reveals the integral role Medicaid plays in seriously ill Latino individuals by providing treatment.
“The evidence is clear; Millions have been priced out of private insurance or denied completely because they are ill, but can have peace of mind on the Medicaid program,” according to Jennifer Ng’andu, Deputy Director, Health Policy Project at La Raza.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com La Raza to storm Congress Super-Committee to keep their Medicaid benefits - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/la-raza-to-storm-congress-super-committee-to-keep-their-medicaid-benefits#ixzz1b3Ty4aCc
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mexico sends its first long-haul trucks across the border under NAFTA
Mexico’s first long-haul trucking company received approval to cross the international border and compete with American trucking companies.
A statement from the Mexican Embassy highlighted the first trucking company, Transportes Olympic, successfully completed a U.S. agency pre-authorization safety audit, allowing drivers to deliver their products throughout America.
President Obama pushed agencies to establish a fair, mutually reciprocal trucking program to enhance free trade between U.S. and Mexico. So far three U.S. trucking companies, Plastic Express, A&R Transport Inc. and Stage Coach Cartage & Distribution can operate south of the border.
“Issuance of operating authority to Transportes Olympic is a positive step taken by the United States to come into full compliance with its commitments on long haul cross-border trucking services under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),” said Ricardo Alday of the Mexican Embassy in Washington DC. “This latest development in the 16-year-old bilateral trucking dispute follows an agreement announced last March by presidents Calderon and Obama and as a result Mexico will suspend the remaining retaliatory tariffs on 99 U.S. products that Mexico was forced to impose after a previous trucking pilot program was defunded in 2009.”
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Mexico contends that their trucking companies are capable of meeting America’s regulatory requirements and operate on the highways safely.
However, many law enforcement agencies say the new program will only make their jobs harder as they will need to decipher what trucks may be carrying illicit drugs in the name of free-trade.
Currently Mexico and America benefit from a $400 billion annual trade relationship and 70 percent of this trade is delivered by long-haul trucking companies.
“Door-to-door delivery services of international cargo represent a step toward a more modern, agile, secure and efficient border as envisioned by both countries in the 21st Century Border Declaration released during President Calderon’s State visit to the US in May of 2010,” Adlay explained. “Given that Mexico is the second largest market for U.S. exports and that the two neighboring nations together produce goods for worldwide consumption, reestablishment of cross-border long-haul trucking services is vital for North America's competitiveness and for job creation on both sides of our border.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Mexico sends its first long-haul trucks across the border under NAFTA - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/mexico-sends-its-first-long-haul-trucks-across-the-border-under-nafta#ixzz1arvjHsJO
A statement from the Mexican Embassy highlighted the first trucking company, Transportes Olympic, successfully completed a U.S. agency pre-authorization safety audit, allowing drivers to deliver their products throughout America.
President Obama pushed agencies to establish a fair, mutually reciprocal trucking program to enhance free trade between U.S. and Mexico. So far three U.S. trucking companies, Plastic Express, A&R Transport Inc. and Stage Coach Cartage & Distribution can operate south of the border.
“Issuance of operating authority to Transportes Olympic is a positive step taken by the United States to come into full compliance with its commitments on long haul cross-border trucking services under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),” said Ricardo Alday of the Mexican Embassy in Washington DC. “This latest development in the 16-year-old bilateral trucking dispute follows an agreement announced last March by presidents Calderon and Obama and as a result Mexico will suspend the remaining retaliatory tariffs on 99 U.S. products that Mexico was forced to impose after a previous trucking pilot program was defunded in 2009.”
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Mexico contends that their trucking companies are capable of meeting America’s regulatory requirements and operate on the highways safely.
However, many law enforcement agencies say the new program will only make their jobs harder as they will need to decipher what trucks may be carrying illicit drugs in the name of free-trade.
Currently Mexico and America benefit from a $400 billion annual trade relationship and 70 percent of this trade is delivered by long-haul trucking companies.
“Door-to-door delivery services of international cargo represent a step toward a more modern, agile, secure and efficient border as envisioned by both countries in the 21st Century Border Declaration released during President Calderon’s State visit to the US in May of 2010,” Adlay explained. “Given that Mexico is the second largest market for U.S. exports and that the two neighboring nations together produce goods for worldwide consumption, reestablishment of cross-border long-haul trucking services is vital for North America's competitiveness and for job creation on both sides of our border.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Mexico sends its first long-haul trucks across the border under NAFTA - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/mexico-sends-its-first-long-haul-trucks-across-the-border-under-nafta#ixzz1arvjHsJO
Friday, October 14, 2011
San Diego car wash owners jailed for hiring & harboring illegal aliens
The owners of a San Diego car wash were arraigned in federal court yesterday for hiring and harboring known illegal aliens.
The owners Sun Jae Lee, 51, and Ju Hea Kim, 54 were charged with a criminal conspiracy complaint for harboring illegal aliens. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego, a conviction carries a five-year prison sentence and a fine of $250,000 for each defendant.
The two arrested defendants own and manage Betty’s Car Wash in the north San Diego community of Rancho Penasquitos. Authorities said the arrests took place after a routine search of the business.
Officers on the scene also detained alleged illegal aliens working at the car wash. Authorities said the illegal workers will be held as material witnesses in the case.
According to prosecutors, “the majority of those employed by the defendants lacked legal documentation that would allow them to work in the United States. Additionally, Kim and Lee allegedly rehired two employees who were deported while working at the car wash and then returned to the country illegally.”
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The complaint also contends that Kim instructed two employees to hide from view because Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had arrived at the business.
The defendants will face U.S. Magistrate Judge William Gallo on Monday.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The owners Sun Jae Lee, 51, and Ju Hea Kim, 54 were charged with a criminal conspiracy complaint for harboring illegal aliens. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego, a conviction carries a five-year prison sentence and a fine of $250,000 for each defendant.
The two arrested defendants own and manage Betty’s Car Wash in the north San Diego community of Rancho Penasquitos. Authorities said the arrests took place after a routine search of the business.
Officers on the scene also detained alleged illegal aliens working at the car wash. Authorities said the illegal workers will be held as material witnesses in the case.
According to prosecutors, “the majority of those employed by the defendants lacked legal documentation that would allow them to work in the United States. Additionally, Kim and Lee allegedly rehired two employees who were deported while working at the car wash and then returned to the country illegally.”
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The complaint also contends that Kim instructed two employees to hide from view because Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had arrived at the business.
The defendants will face U.S. Magistrate Judge William Gallo on Monday.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Rasmussen national poll ties Cain with Romney at 29 percent
With primary season approaching quickly, the Republicans have hoisted a new favorite- Herman Cain. A new Rasmussen poll shows Cain and Romney with 29 percent of the primary vote and Newt Gingrich moving up to third with 10 percent.
What a difference a month makes. Cain insists he will ride the wave all the way to the White House, but will need to raise a lot more money to stay competitive in crucial states- something he was able to accomplish during his tenure at Godfather’s Pizza.
The former CEO, Cain, took a crumbling business and turned it into a pizza empire. Couple his business experience with a likeable guy personality and voters have a secret-ingredient formula for success.
The politically inexperienced candidate has also found favor with the Tea Party movement that seeks to fire all establishment politicians and replace them with commonsense, small government elected officials who will represent the people first. So far Cain fits that bill.
“It’s obvious the Tea Party and Independents are tired of seeing more the same liberal-conservative Republican in name only (RINO) establishment politics,” explained Rhonda Deniston of Stop Taxing Us, a grassroots San Diego Tea Party group (not sponsored by the Koch brothers).
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Deniston quickly pointed out that while the group likes what they see from Cain right now, it could change as the media vets his candidacy.
“He needs to stay on message and continue to describe his true American story. He came from a poor family and through hard work, not handouts, was able to achieve the American dream,” Deniston said. “This is what America stands for and it sends a message to all demographics in this country that hard work can pay off.”
While GOP candidate Mitt Romney has more name recognition, Tea Party affiliates contend this status is, in part, a result of living in the political world for at least six years. These same affiliates maintain that as the primary season gets underway they will begin to unleash the networking skills that turned the historic 2010 elections upside down.
Meanwhile in San Diego, Stop Taxing Us is reading through all the presidential contender profiles and will wait until the vetting process is over to back any candidate. “Our group is looking for an economic plan, and so far Cain has one. Is the “9-9-9”plan perfect, no but it’s a start.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Rasmussen national poll ties Cain with Romney at 29 percent - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/rasmussen-national-poll-ties-cain-with-romney-at-29-percent#ixzz1agXnP1QZ
What a difference a month makes. Cain insists he will ride the wave all the way to the White House, but will need to raise a lot more money to stay competitive in crucial states- something he was able to accomplish during his tenure at Godfather’s Pizza.
The former CEO, Cain, took a crumbling business and turned it into a pizza empire. Couple his business experience with a likeable guy personality and voters have a secret-ingredient formula for success.
The politically inexperienced candidate has also found favor with the Tea Party movement that seeks to fire all establishment politicians and replace them with commonsense, small government elected officials who will represent the people first. So far Cain fits that bill.
“It’s obvious the Tea Party and Independents are tired of seeing more the same liberal-conservative Republican in name only (RINO) establishment politics,” explained Rhonda Deniston of Stop Taxing Us, a grassroots San Diego Tea Party group (not sponsored by the Koch brothers).
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Deniston quickly pointed out that while the group likes what they see from Cain right now, it could change as the media vets his candidacy.
“He needs to stay on message and continue to describe his true American story. He came from a poor family and through hard work, not handouts, was able to achieve the American dream,” Deniston said. “This is what America stands for and it sends a message to all demographics in this country that hard work can pay off.”
While GOP candidate Mitt Romney has more name recognition, Tea Party affiliates contend this status is, in part, a result of living in the political world for at least six years. These same affiliates maintain that as the primary season gets underway they will begin to unleash the networking skills that turned the historic 2010 elections upside down.
Meanwhile in San Diego, Stop Taxing Us is reading through all the presidential contender profiles and will wait until the vetting process is over to back any candidate. “Our group is looking for an economic plan, and so far Cain has one. Is the “9-9-9”plan perfect, no but it’s a start.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Rasmussen national poll ties Cain with Romney at 29 percent - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/rasmussen-national-poll-ties-cain-with-romney-at-29-percent#ixzz1agXnP1QZ
Monday, October 10, 2011
Fast and Furious truth seeker Issa slams DOJ’s Holder competence
In a scathing letter to the nation’s top Department of Justice (DOJ) lawman, Eric Holder, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) called the Obama appointed lawyer either a liar, incompetent or worse when it came to overseeing thousands of weapons being trafficked to Mexican drug cartels.
The first paragraph of the letter includes phrases like “DOJ has offered a roving set of ever-changing explanations, undermining the investigation and insisted there was no wrongdoing or gunwalking.”
However after Congressional testimony, whistle-blower statements and investigative reporting by dedicated journalists an avalanche of facts were placed front-and-center. The ill-fated Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Project Gunrunner investigation “Fast and Furious” gun trafficking made the front page of most newspapers.
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After months of DOJ denials that the Phoenix-based operation didn’t reached anyone in Washington D.C., the jig was up and honest federal agents released emails proving wiretaps and concerns were indeed approved in the Nation’s Capital.
Issa’s letter continues; “It appears your latest defense has reached a new low. Incredibly, in your letter from Friday you now claim that you were unaware of Fast and Furious because your staff failed to inform you of information contained in memos that were specifically addressed to you. At best, this indicates negligence and incompetence in your duties as Attorney General. At worst, it places your credibility into serious doubt.”
Harsh, but reality-based words for Holder to consider as the 2012 election cycle ramps up. Political insiders are speculating the Attorney General will only lose his job if President Obama's reelection is at grave risk.
Issa also lambasted Holder of playing politics instead of representing the American people. “Instead of pledging all necessary resources to assist the congressional investigation in discovering the truth behind the fundamentally-flawed Operation Fast and Furious, your letter instead did little but obfuscate, shift blame, berate, and attempt to change the topic away from the Department’s responsibility in the creation, implementation, and authorization of this reckless program.”
Congressman Issa also pointed to a speech Holder gave a month after he became DOJ’s leader. “The cartels, you said, ‘are lucrative, they are violent, and they operated with stunning planning and precision.’ You promised that under your leadership ‘these cartels will be destroyed.’ You vowed that the Department of Justice would ‘continue to work with (its) counterparts in Mexico, through information sharing, training and mutual cooperation to jointly fight these cartels, both in Mexico and the United States.’”
Many senior ATF Agents have repeated a new mantra; “Mexican relations have now been set back by 10 years- trust is gone.”
In fact, Issa contends DOJ and some agents at ATF have engaged in a major cover-up of the Fast & Furious unlawful details. “Officials are actively engaged in hiding information about Fast and Furious from not only Mexican officials, but also U.S. law enforcement officials operating in Mexico.”
One of the main beneficiaries of the weapon allotment appears to be the Sinaloa Cartel whose front man, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has moved to the top of the FBI’s most wanted list after the CIA/SEALs team killed Osama bin Laden. (Also, last week the LA Times reported Guzman’s wife crossed the California border to give birth to twins in a Los Angeles County hospital all under the watchful eyes of federal law enforcement. Before the young wife returned to Mexico with El Chapo’s twins, U.S. law gave the FBI’s most wanted criminal’s daughters with American citizenship.)
The Congressional Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ends his six-page letter to Holder with; “Operation Fast and Furious was the Department’s most significant gun trafficking case. It related to two of your major initiatives – destroying the Mexican cartels and reducing gun violence on both sides of the border. On your watch, it went spectacularly wrong.”
To read Issa’s letter to Eric Holder click here. October 11th letter.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Fast and Furious truth seeker Issa slams DOJ’s Holder competence - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/fast-and-furious-truth-seeker-issa-slams-doj-s-holder-competence#ixzz1aRQAQccb
The first paragraph of the letter includes phrases like “DOJ has offered a roving set of ever-changing explanations, undermining the investigation and insisted there was no wrongdoing or gunwalking.”
However after Congressional testimony, whistle-blower statements and investigative reporting by dedicated journalists an avalanche of facts were placed front-and-center. The ill-fated Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Project Gunrunner investigation “Fast and Furious” gun trafficking made the front page of most newspapers.
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After months of DOJ denials that the Phoenix-based operation didn’t reached anyone in Washington D.C., the jig was up and honest federal agents released emails proving wiretaps and concerns were indeed approved in the Nation’s Capital.
Issa’s letter continues; “It appears your latest defense has reached a new low. Incredibly, in your letter from Friday you now claim that you were unaware of Fast and Furious because your staff failed to inform you of information contained in memos that were specifically addressed to you. At best, this indicates negligence and incompetence in your duties as Attorney General. At worst, it places your credibility into serious doubt.”
Harsh, but reality-based words for Holder to consider as the 2012 election cycle ramps up. Political insiders are speculating the Attorney General will only lose his job if President Obama's reelection is at grave risk.
Issa also lambasted Holder of playing politics instead of representing the American people. “Instead of pledging all necessary resources to assist the congressional investigation in discovering the truth behind the fundamentally-flawed Operation Fast and Furious, your letter instead did little but obfuscate, shift blame, berate, and attempt to change the topic away from the Department’s responsibility in the creation, implementation, and authorization of this reckless program.”
Congressman Issa also pointed to a speech Holder gave a month after he became DOJ’s leader. “The cartels, you said, ‘are lucrative, they are violent, and they operated with stunning planning and precision.’ You promised that under your leadership ‘these cartels will be destroyed.’ You vowed that the Department of Justice would ‘continue to work with (its) counterparts in Mexico, through information sharing, training and mutual cooperation to jointly fight these cartels, both in Mexico and the United States.’”
Many senior ATF Agents have repeated a new mantra; “Mexican relations have now been set back by 10 years- trust is gone.”
In fact, Issa contends DOJ and some agents at ATF have engaged in a major cover-up of the Fast & Furious unlawful details. “Officials are actively engaged in hiding information about Fast and Furious from not only Mexican officials, but also U.S. law enforcement officials operating in Mexico.”
One of the main beneficiaries of the weapon allotment appears to be the Sinaloa Cartel whose front man, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has moved to the top of the FBI’s most wanted list after the CIA/SEALs team killed Osama bin Laden. (Also, last week the LA Times reported Guzman’s wife crossed the California border to give birth to twins in a Los Angeles County hospital all under the watchful eyes of federal law enforcement. Before the young wife returned to Mexico with El Chapo’s twins, U.S. law gave the FBI’s most wanted criminal’s daughters with American citizenship.)
The Congressional Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ends his six-page letter to Holder with; “Operation Fast and Furious was the Department’s most significant gun trafficking case. It related to two of your major initiatives – destroying the Mexican cartels and reducing gun violence on both sides of the border. On your watch, it went spectacularly wrong.”
To read Issa’s letter to Eric Holder click here. October 11th letter.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Fast and Furious truth seeker Issa slams DOJ’s Holder competence - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/fast-and-furious-truth-seeker-issa-slams-doj-s-holder-competence#ixzz1aRQAQccb
The murder of New Mexico border rancher Larry Link remains unsolved
It’s been nearly six months since New Mexico rancher Larry Link was unexpectedly gunned down on his property and New Mexico State Police say they are no closer to solving the murder.
The lack of news about the June 7, 2011 murder weighs heavily on the minds of ranchers whose property straddles the international border with Mexico. However, most ranchers believe the crime was perpetrated by someone connected to the drug smuggling community.
Spokesperson for the New Mexico Police, Tim Johnson, indicated that locals in the region are perplexed that the murder investigation has not produced any leads and “encourages anyone with information to contact the State Police.”
The ranch where Link was executed is home to known-drug smuggling corridor. This murder falls on the heels of longtime Arizona rancher Rob Krentz, who was also killed by unknown assailants. These two unsolved slayings have forced property owners along the southern region to travel heavily-armed at all times.
A recent trip to Arizona’s border ranches highlighted the daily danger property owners and their ranch hands face on any given day. Most remain on a constant state of alert as they have been victims of break-ins, robberies and destruction of property.
“As you can see we have to carry multiple firearms with us at all times,” says Jim Chilton whose family has been ranching in Arizona since the 1800s. “We’ve had several break-ins and robberies. So far we haven’t been harmed by the rip crews (drug smugglers who rob from other human smugglers and property owners), but the criminals keep my wife and I prepared at all times.”
The Chilton ranch sees a daily barrage of drug smugglers seeking to deliver narcotics into the U.S. or illegal aliens seeking a “better life” in America. This steady flow of illicit activity forces ranchers to check fence lines every day. Chilton explains his ranch hands now have to travel armed and be ready to defend themselves from possible attacks- something ranchers never worried about a decade ago.
“We’ve had to add much more security to our homes in recent years for our safety,” he explained.
Even with the added security and permanent ranch hands Link’s murder lingers in the back of Chilton’s mind. “It was a senseless crime.”
Chilton knows a bit about senseless crimes; his ranch is a stone’s throw away from Rio Rico, Arizona where Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed by drug smugglers using the now infamous “fast and furious” guns.
“The canyons in this part of Arizona give the drug smugglers ample terrain to scout and traverse into America,” Chilton said.
He goes on to explain that he provides water fountains every quarter of a mile to keep the illegals from cutting water lines. Chilton also admits he does not report suspected illegal border crossers to the local authorities. “For reasons of safety and retaliation my wife and I do not report every crosser because we don’t want anyone to harm us.”
The Krentz and Link unsolved murders provide plenty of proof that staying outside the fray is the best policy.
In the meantime, ranchers will continue to protect their lives and property fiercely and hope they are not the next victims of druggers (a term Chilton uses referring to illegal drug smugglers).
Those with any information about the Larry Link murder can reach the New Mexico State Police at (575) 524-8827 or to report an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at (575) 542-8827.
Congressional hearings on border issues set for Friday
Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) will chair a hearing on October 14th titled “A Call to Action: Narco-Terrorism’s Threat to the Southern U.S. Border” for the Homeland Security Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee will present to Congress a comprehensive military assessment of the U.S.-Mexico border.
A highlighted report, Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment, demonstrates that Mexican drug cartels are attempting to establish safe havens in the U.S. as a launching point into the rest of the United States. Among the findings the hearing will examine:
• Cartels’ intention to influence all levels of government throughout the Americas
• Cartels’ intention to establish sanctuary zones in the U.S. one county deep
• Poorly resourced U.S. tactical efforts to stop cartel incursions; vulnerability to corruption
• Increasing likelihood that competition to control distribution territories and corridors will result in greater violence in Texas, as the Mexican military gains more control in Mexico
• The need to designate Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
“This report is a call to action. Every American needs to be aware of the threat these narco-terrorists pose to our communities in every state, and to our national security,” Rep. McCaul said. “To date, this administration has buried its head in the sand rather than confront the extraordinary magnitude of the cartels’ incursions and operations in the United States and the propensity for increased violence. If the White House does not heed the warning that now is the time to commit to a comprehensive strategy to secure the border, it unfortunately may take a catastrophic event to get their attention.”
To read the first story; UPDATE: New Mexico businessman Larry Link murdered on own property - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/breaking-new-mexico-rancher-larry-link-murdered-by-illegal-alien#ixzz1QE7BoOXl
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The lack of news about the June 7, 2011 murder weighs heavily on the minds of ranchers whose property straddles the international border with Mexico. However, most ranchers believe the crime was perpetrated by someone connected to the drug smuggling community.
Spokesperson for the New Mexico Police, Tim Johnson, indicated that locals in the region are perplexed that the murder investigation has not produced any leads and “encourages anyone with information to contact the State Police.”
The ranch where Link was executed is home to known-drug smuggling corridor. This murder falls on the heels of longtime Arizona rancher Rob Krentz, who was also killed by unknown assailants. These two unsolved slayings have forced property owners along the southern region to travel heavily-armed at all times.
A recent trip to Arizona’s border ranches highlighted the daily danger property owners and their ranch hands face on any given day. Most remain on a constant state of alert as they have been victims of break-ins, robberies and destruction of property.
“As you can see we have to carry multiple firearms with us at all times,” says Jim Chilton whose family has been ranching in Arizona since the 1800s. “We’ve had several break-ins and robberies. So far we haven’t been harmed by the rip crews (drug smugglers who rob from other human smugglers and property owners), but the criminals keep my wife and I prepared at all times.”
The Chilton ranch sees a daily barrage of drug smugglers seeking to deliver narcotics into the U.S. or illegal aliens seeking a “better life” in America. This steady flow of illicit activity forces ranchers to check fence lines every day. Chilton explains his ranch hands now have to travel armed and be ready to defend themselves from possible attacks- something ranchers never worried about a decade ago.
“We’ve had to add much more security to our homes in recent years for our safety,” he explained.
Even with the added security and permanent ranch hands Link’s murder lingers in the back of Chilton’s mind. “It was a senseless crime.”
Chilton knows a bit about senseless crimes; his ranch is a stone’s throw away from Rio Rico, Arizona where Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed by drug smugglers using the now infamous “fast and furious” guns.
“The canyons in this part of Arizona give the drug smugglers ample terrain to scout and traverse into America,” Chilton said.
He goes on to explain that he provides water fountains every quarter of a mile to keep the illegals from cutting water lines. Chilton also admits he does not report suspected illegal border crossers to the local authorities. “For reasons of safety and retaliation my wife and I do not report every crosser because we don’t want anyone to harm us.”
The Krentz and Link unsolved murders provide plenty of proof that staying outside the fray is the best policy.
In the meantime, ranchers will continue to protect their lives and property fiercely and hope they are not the next victims of druggers (a term Chilton uses referring to illegal drug smugglers).
Those with any information about the Larry Link murder can reach the New Mexico State Police at (575) 524-8827 or to report an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at (575) 542-8827.
Congressional hearings on border issues set for Friday
Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) will chair a hearing on October 14th titled “A Call to Action: Narco-Terrorism’s Threat to the Southern U.S. Border” for the Homeland Security Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee will present to Congress a comprehensive military assessment of the U.S.-Mexico border.
A highlighted report, Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment, demonstrates that Mexican drug cartels are attempting to establish safe havens in the U.S. as a launching point into the rest of the United States. Among the findings the hearing will examine:
• Cartels’ intention to influence all levels of government throughout the Americas
• Cartels’ intention to establish sanctuary zones in the U.S. one county deep
• Poorly resourced U.S. tactical efforts to stop cartel incursions; vulnerability to corruption
• Increasing likelihood that competition to control distribution territories and corridors will result in greater violence in Texas, as the Mexican military gains more control in Mexico
• The need to designate Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
“This report is a call to action. Every American needs to be aware of the threat these narco-terrorists pose to our communities in every state, and to our national security,” Rep. McCaul said. “To date, this administration has buried its head in the sand rather than confront the extraordinary magnitude of the cartels’ incursions and operations in the United States and the propensity for increased violence. If the White House does not heed the warning that now is the time to commit to a comprehensive strategy to secure the border, it unfortunately may take a catastrophic event to get their attention.”
To read the first story; UPDATE: New Mexico businessman Larry Link murdered on own property - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/breaking-new-mexico-rancher-larry-link-murdered-by-illegal-alien#ixzz1QE7BoOXl
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
California Governor signs DREAM Act to give taxpayer money to illegal immigrants
California Governor Jerry Brown finally signed the Golden State's version of the DREAM Act.
Part two of the controversial bill will release taxpayer money to illegal aliens seeking to attend public colleges without proving their immigration status to financial aid offices.
The move will allow prospective illegal alien students to compete with American citizens for precious college financial aid.
Previous Story
California’s taxpayer-funded version of the DREAM Act inched closer to reality as it leaped out of the state Senate 22-11 along party-line votes.
The legislation now moves back to the assembly to reconcile changes and is expected to pass solely on Democratic votes. From there it will head to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for the expected signature.
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The legislation would allow illegal aliens to apply for public financial aid for college tuition forcing American citizens to compete for precious college funding. Some of the coveted financial aid programs that would open up to illegal aliens include; Cal Grants, college grants and community college assistance.
The Golden State’s analysis of the legislation found AB 131 has a $40 million price tag and is expected to take effect just after the 2012 elections.
A few weeks ago AB 130, a bill that allowed illegal aliens to accept private financial aid, passed through the California legislature and was signed by the governor.
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California’s disgraced Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed similar bills during the past eight years, but the state’s anomaly during the 2010 election cycle essentially gave Democrats power of all branches of government, something that ensured the Golden State would lead the country where President Obama failed.
Anti-DREAM Act activist vowed to voice their concern and launch a recall effort.
One group taking calls from angry Californians’ is Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said; “We have spoken to people in Fresno, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego and they are all talking about the‘re-call’ if AB 131 becomes law. We recalled Davis and we can recall Brown!”
Activists like FAIR say they haven’t heard this much fervor from California residents in years.
In 2003, former-Democrat Governor Gray Davis lost a recall fight over huge deficit-spending irked voters. Lucky Californian’s were then treated to seven years of Governor Schwarzenegger.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com California Governor signs DREAM Act to give taxpayer money to illegal immigrants - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/california-governor-signs-dream-act-to-give-taxpayer-money-to-illegal-immigrants#ixzz1aEMEJdHA
Part two of the controversial bill will release taxpayer money to illegal aliens seeking to attend public colleges without proving their immigration status to financial aid offices.
The move will allow prospective illegal alien students to compete with American citizens for precious college financial aid.
Previous Story
California’s taxpayer-funded version of the DREAM Act inched closer to reality as it leaped out of the state Senate 22-11 along party-line votes.
The legislation now moves back to the assembly to reconcile changes and is expected to pass solely on Democratic votes. From there it will head to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for the expected signature.
Advertisement
The legislation would allow illegal aliens to apply for public financial aid for college tuition forcing American citizens to compete for precious college funding. Some of the coveted financial aid programs that would open up to illegal aliens include; Cal Grants, college grants and community college assistance.
The Golden State’s analysis of the legislation found AB 131 has a $40 million price tag and is expected to take effect just after the 2012 elections.
A few weeks ago AB 130, a bill that allowed illegal aliens to accept private financial aid, passed through the California legislature and was signed by the governor.
Advertisement
California’s disgraced Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed similar bills during the past eight years, but the state’s anomaly during the 2010 election cycle essentially gave Democrats power of all branches of government, something that ensured the Golden State would lead the country where President Obama failed.
Anti-DREAM Act activist vowed to voice their concern and launch a recall effort.
One group taking calls from angry Californians’ is Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said; “We have spoken to people in Fresno, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego and they are all talking about the‘re-call’ if AB 131 becomes law. We recalled Davis and we can recall Brown!”
Activists like FAIR say they haven’t heard this much fervor from California residents in years.
In 2003, former-Democrat Governor Gray Davis lost a recall fight over huge deficit-spending irked voters. Lucky Californian’s were then treated to seven years of Governor Schwarzenegger.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com California Governor signs DREAM Act to give taxpayer money to illegal immigrants - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/california-governor-signs-dream-act-to-give-taxpayer-money-to-illegal-immigrants#ixzz1aEMEJdHA
Monday, October 3, 2011
CIS says illegal immigrant deportation numbers over reported
DC immigration think-tank, Center for Immigration Studies, released a new study today. The report concludes the current Department of Justice legal process used to query and deport illegal aliens or visa overstayers is ripe with flaws.
“Built to Fail: Deception and Disorder in America’s Immigration Courts,” details the inherent flaws immigration courts continue follow. Mark H. Metcalf, a former immigration judge, outlined the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) shortcomings in a 100-page report.
Metcalf contends DOJ’s erroneous statistical reporting leads to fewer deportations being executed, but perhaps more alarming, is the fact more than one million illegal aliens have been ordered to be removed from the U.S. yet they continue to live in America’s shadows.
Among Center for Immigration Studies findings:
• Very few aliens who file lawsuits to remain in the United States are deported, even though immigration courts – after years of litigation – order them removed.
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• Deportation orders are rarely enforced, even against aliens who skip court or ignore orders to leave the United States.
• Aliens evade immigration courts more often than accused felons evade state courts. Unlike accused felons, aliens who skip court are rarely caught.
• From 1996 through 2009, the United States allowed 1.9 million aliens to remain free before trial and 770,000 of them – 40 percent of the total – vanished. Nearly one million deportation orders were issued to this group – 78 percent of these orders were handed down for court evasion.
• From 2002 through 2006 – in the shadow of 9/11 – 50 percent of all aliens free pending trial disappeared. Court numbers show 360,199 aliens out of 713,974 dodged court.
• For years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has grossly understated the number of aliens who evade court. In 2005 and 2006, DOJ said 39 percent of aliens missed court. Actually, 59 percent of aliens – aliens remaining free before trial – never showed.
• Since 1996, failures of aliens to appear in court have never dipped below 30 percent.
• Enforcement of deportation orders is now nearly non-existent. Removal orders are not enforced unless aliens have committed serious crimes.
• Unexecuted removal orders are growing. As of 2002, 602,000 deportation orders had not been enforced. Since then, another 507,551 have been added to the rolls. Today, unexecuted removal orders number approximately 1,109,551 – an 84 percent increase since 2002.
• U.S. immigration courts rule in favor of aliens 60 percent of the time. DOJ statistics suggest aliens win only 20 percent of the time.
• The Department of Justice tells Congress that aliens appeal deportation orders only 8 percent of the time. In fact, over the last 10 years aliens’ appealed deportation orders 98 percent of the time.
• Since 1990, immigration court budgets have increased 823 percent with taxpayers footing the entire bill. Aliens pay no more to file their cases today than they did in 1990.
• From 2000 through 2007, tax dollars paid aliens’ court costs. Taxpayers underwrote the appeals of aliens ordered removed for criminal convictions and fraudulent marriages.
• U.S. immigration judges carry huge caseloads. In 2006 – the courts’ busiest year ever – 233 judges completed 407,487 matters. All work of DOJ’s trial and appellate lawyers combined equaled only 289,316. By comparison, federal district and circuit courts, with 1,271 judges, completed 414,375 matters.
• The only possible way the Justice Department’s misrepresentations will be corrected is for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit America’s immigration courts.
• An Article I court – a court created through Congress’s constitutional authority over immigration – is the surest solution for those fleeing persecution, while balancing America’s fundamental interest in secure borders and an effective immigration system.
Earlier this year, the Obama Administration, approved a new directive that gives judges even more leeway when it comes to deportation orders. Combine these factors of illegal immigration enforcement, sprinkle in a liberal-minded administration and clearly Americans have a recipe for executive-order amnesty.
To read the report online; http://www.cis.org/articles/2011/built-to-fail-full.pdf.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/alabama-judge-upholds-parts-of-tough-state-illegal-immigration-law?CID=examiner_alerts_article
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com CIS says illegal immigration deportation numbers over reported - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/cis-says-illegal-immigrant-deportation-numbers-over-reporte#ixzz1ZjIqeeMx
“Built to Fail: Deception and Disorder in America’s Immigration Courts,” details the inherent flaws immigration courts continue follow. Mark H. Metcalf, a former immigration judge, outlined the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) shortcomings in a 100-page report.
Metcalf contends DOJ’s erroneous statistical reporting leads to fewer deportations being executed, but perhaps more alarming, is the fact more than one million illegal aliens have been ordered to be removed from the U.S. yet they continue to live in America’s shadows.
Among Center for Immigration Studies findings:
• Very few aliens who file lawsuits to remain in the United States are deported, even though immigration courts – after years of litigation – order them removed.
Advertisement
• Deportation orders are rarely enforced, even against aliens who skip court or ignore orders to leave the United States.
• Aliens evade immigration courts more often than accused felons evade state courts. Unlike accused felons, aliens who skip court are rarely caught.
• From 1996 through 2009, the United States allowed 1.9 million aliens to remain free before trial and 770,000 of them – 40 percent of the total – vanished. Nearly one million deportation orders were issued to this group – 78 percent of these orders were handed down for court evasion.
• From 2002 through 2006 – in the shadow of 9/11 – 50 percent of all aliens free pending trial disappeared. Court numbers show 360,199 aliens out of 713,974 dodged court.
• For years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has grossly understated the number of aliens who evade court. In 2005 and 2006, DOJ said 39 percent of aliens missed court. Actually, 59 percent of aliens – aliens remaining free before trial – never showed.
• Since 1996, failures of aliens to appear in court have never dipped below 30 percent.
• Enforcement of deportation orders is now nearly non-existent. Removal orders are not enforced unless aliens have committed serious crimes.
• Unexecuted removal orders are growing. As of 2002, 602,000 deportation orders had not been enforced. Since then, another 507,551 have been added to the rolls. Today, unexecuted removal orders number approximately 1,109,551 – an 84 percent increase since 2002.
• U.S. immigration courts rule in favor of aliens 60 percent of the time. DOJ statistics suggest aliens win only 20 percent of the time.
• The Department of Justice tells Congress that aliens appeal deportation orders only 8 percent of the time. In fact, over the last 10 years aliens’ appealed deportation orders 98 percent of the time.
• Since 1990, immigration court budgets have increased 823 percent with taxpayers footing the entire bill. Aliens pay no more to file their cases today than they did in 1990.
• From 2000 through 2007, tax dollars paid aliens’ court costs. Taxpayers underwrote the appeals of aliens ordered removed for criminal convictions and fraudulent marriages.
• U.S. immigration judges carry huge caseloads. In 2006 – the courts’ busiest year ever – 233 judges completed 407,487 matters. All work of DOJ’s trial and appellate lawyers combined equaled only 289,316. By comparison, federal district and circuit courts, with 1,271 judges, completed 414,375 matters.
• The only possible way the Justice Department’s misrepresentations will be corrected is for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit America’s immigration courts.
• An Article I court – a court created through Congress’s constitutional authority over immigration – is the surest solution for those fleeing persecution, while balancing America’s fundamental interest in secure borders and an effective immigration system.
Earlier this year, the Obama Administration, approved a new directive that gives judges even more leeway when it comes to deportation orders. Combine these factors of illegal immigration enforcement, sprinkle in a liberal-minded administration and clearly Americans have a recipe for executive-order amnesty.
To read the report online; http://www.cis.org/articles/2011/built-to-fail-full.pdf.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/alabama-judge-upholds-parts-of-tough-state-illegal-immigration-law?CID=examiner_alerts_article
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com CIS says illegal immigration deportation numbers over reported - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/cis-says-illegal-immigrant-deportation-numbers-over-reporte#ixzz1ZjIqeeMx
CIS says illegal immigrant deportation numbers over reported
DC immigration think-tank, Center for Immigration Studies, released a new study today. The report concludes the current Department of Justice legal process used to query and deport illegal aliens or visa overstayers is ripe with flaws.
“Built to Fail: Deception and Disorder in America’s Immigration Courts,” details the inherent flaws immigration courts continue follow. Mark H. Metcalf, a former immigration judge, outlined the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) shortcomings in a 100-page report.
Metcalf contends DOJ’s erroneous statistical reporting leads to fewer deportations being executed, but perhaps more alarming, is the fact more than one million illegal aliens have been ordered to be removed from the U.S. yet they continue to live in America’s shadows.
Among Center for Immigration Studies findings:
• Very few aliens who file lawsuits to remain in the United States are deported, even though immigration courts – after years of litigation – order them removed.
Advertisement
• Deportation orders are rarely enforced, even against aliens who skip court or ignore orders to leave the United States.
• Aliens evade immigration courts more often than accused felons evade state courts. Unlike accused felons, aliens who skip court are rarely caught.
• From 1996 through 2009, the United States allowed 1.9 million aliens to remain free before trial and 770,000 of them – 40 percent of the total – vanished. Nearly one million deportation orders were issued to this group – 78 percent of these orders were handed down for court evasion.
• From 2002 through 2006 – in the shadow of 9/11 – 50 percent of all aliens free pending trial disappeared. Court numbers show 360,199 aliens out of 713,974 dodged court.
• For years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has grossly understated the number of aliens who evade court. In 2005 and 2006, DOJ said 39 percent of aliens missed court. Actually, 59 percent of aliens – aliens remaining free before trial – never showed.
• Since 1996, failures of aliens to appear in court have never dipped below 30 percent.
• Enforcement of deportation orders is now nearly non-existent. Removal orders are not enforced unless aliens have committed serious crimes.
• Unexecuted removal orders are growing. As of 2002, 602,000 deportation orders had not been enforced. Since then, another 507,551 have been added to the rolls. Today, unexecuted removal orders number approximately 1,109,551 – an 84 percent increase since 2002.
• U.S. immigration courts rule in favor of aliens 60 percent of the time. DOJ statistics suggest aliens win only 20 percent of the time.
• The Department of Justice tells Congress that aliens appeal deportation orders only 8 percent of the time. In fact, over the last 10 years aliens’ appealed deportation orders 98 percent of the time.
• Since 1990, immigration court budgets have increased 823 percent with taxpayers footing the entire bill. Aliens pay no more to file their cases today than they did in 1990.
• From 2000 through 2007, tax dollars paid aliens’ court costs. Taxpayers underwrote the appeals of aliens ordered removed for criminal convictions and fraudulent marriages.
• U.S. immigration judges carry huge caseloads. In 2006 – the courts’ busiest year ever – 233 judges completed 407,487 matters. All work of DOJ’s trial and appellate lawyers combined equaled only 289,316. By comparison, federal district and circuit courts, with 1,271 judges, completed 414,375 matters.
• The only possible way the Justice Department’s misrepresentations will be corrected is for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit America’s immigration courts.
• An Article I court – a court created through Congress’s constitutional authority over immigration – is the surest solution for those fleeing persecution, while balancing America’s fundamental interest in secure borders and an effective immigration system.
Earlier this year, the Obama Administration, approved a new directive that gives judges even more leeway when it comes to deportation orders. Combine these factors of illegal immigration enforcement, sprinkle in a liberal-minded administration and clearly Americans have a recipe for executive-order amnesty.
To read the report online; http://www.cis.org/articles/2011/built-to-fail-full.pdf.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/alabama-judge-upholds-parts-of-tough-state-illegal-immigration-law?CID=examiner_alerts_article
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
“Built to Fail: Deception and Disorder in America’s Immigration Courts,” details the inherent flaws immigration courts continue follow. Mark H. Metcalf, a former immigration judge, outlined the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) shortcomings in a 100-page report.
Metcalf contends DOJ’s erroneous statistical reporting leads to fewer deportations being executed, but perhaps more alarming, is the fact more than one million illegal aliens have been ordered to be removed from the U.S. yet they continue to live in America’s shadows.
Among Center for Immigration Studies findings:
• Very few aliens who file lawsuits to remain in the United States are deported, even though immigration courts – after years of litigation – order them removed.
Advertisement
• Deportation orders are rarely enforced, even against aliens who skip court or ignore orders to leave the United States.
• Aliens evade immigration courts more often than accused felons evade state courts. Unlike accused felons, aliens who skip court are rarely caught.
• From 1996 through 2009, the United States allowed 1.9 million aliens to remain free before trial and 770,000 of them – 40 percent of the total – vanished. Nearly one million deportation orders were issued to this group – 78 percent of these orders were handed down for court evasion.
• From 2002 through 2006 – in the shadow of 9/11 – 50 percent of all aliens free pending trial disappeared. Court numbers show 360,199 aliens out of 713,974 dodged court.
• For years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has grossly understated the number of aliens who evade court. In 2005 and 2006, DOJ said 39 percent of aliens missed court. Actually, 59 percent of aliens – aliens remaining free before trial – never showed.
• Since 1996, failures of aliens to appear in court have never dipped below 30 percent.
• Enforcement of deportation orders is now nearly non-existent. Removal orders are not enforced unless aliens have committed serious crimes.
• Unexecuted removal orders are growing. As of 2002, 602,000 deportation orders had not been enforced. Since then, another 507,551 have been added to the rolls. Today, unexecuted removal orders number approximately 1,109,551 – an 84 percent increase since 2002.
• U.S. immigration courts rule in favor of aliens 60 percent of the time. DOJ statistics suggest aliens win only 20 percent of the time.
• The Department of Justice tells Congress that aliens appeal deportation orders only 8 percent of the time. In fact, over the last 10 years aliens’ appealed deportation orders 98 percent of the time.
• Since 1990, immigration court budgets have increased 823 percent with taxpayers footing the entire bill. Aliens pay no more to file their cases today than they did in 1990.
• From 2000 through 2007, tax dollars paid aliens’ court costs. Taxpayers underwrote the appeals of aliens ordered removed for criminal convictions and fraudulent marriages.
• U.S. immigration judges carry huge caseloads. In 2006 – the courts’ busiest year ever – 233 judges completed 407,487 matters. All work of DOJ’s trial and appellate lawyers combined equaled only 289,316. By comparison, federal district and circuit courts, with 1,271 judges, completed 414,375 matters.
• The only possible way the Justice Department’s misrepresentations will be corrected is for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit America’s immigration courts.
• An Article I court – a court created through Congress’s constitutional authority over immigration – is the surest solution for those fleeing persecution, while balancing America’s fundamental interest in secure borders and an effective immigration system.
Earlier this year, the Obama Administration, approved a new directive that gives judges even more leeway when it comes to deportation orders. Combine these factors of illegal immigration enforcement, sprinkle in a liberal-minded administration and clearly Americans have a recipe for executive-order amnesty.
To read the report online; http://www.cis.org/articles/2011/built-to-fail-full.pdf.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/alabama-judge-upholds-parts-of-tough-state-illegal-immigration-law?CID=examiner_alerts_article
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
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