border

GOP Spending Bill Gives Nearly $1 Billion To Aid Border Migrants

The GOP’s draft 2015 “omnibus” spending bill reportedly includes $948 million to help poor and unskilled Central American migrants establish themselves in the United States, but includes no effective restrictions on President Barack Obama’s plan to provide work permits and tax payments to millions of resident illegal immigrants.

That new spending works out to $16,928 for each of the 56,000 youths, young adults and children who crossed the border during the 12 months up to October 2014.

Prior to October, Obama’s officials sent only 1,901 of the migrants back home to Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, according to a federal report.

Much of the $948 million may also be used to care for the next wave of illegals who could flood across the border during the summer. The influx in the summer of 2015 is expected to be large, because Obama is offering work permits and social security numbers to at least five million illegals already in the country.

The $948 million fund is part of the one-year, $1 trillion 2015 spending plan described in a late-night report from The New York Times.

The GOP leadership has given merely lip service to supporting the opposition among GOP legislators and much of the public to Obama’s welcome for foreign migrants, and is now refusing to direct the Department of Homeland Security not to spend any funds on implementing the Obama amnesty.

Instead, the leadership, led by House Speaker John Boehner, drafted a bill imposing a 60-day spending limit for Obama’s immigration agencies.

The planned 60-day spending limit is largely symbolic, because the most important immigration agency can operate on fees paid by the illegals.

“Leadership is basically giving in to every facet of Obama’s amnesty. We’re giving up an astonishing amount of leverage on every issue imaginable,” said one Hill aide.

The struggle between Boehner’s business wing and the populist conservative wing, has received little coverage in the established media, even though GOP legislators are calling for the public to protest their leadership’s policies. Top GOP officials have said they would like to pass their own amnesty and foreign worker bill in 2015.

Obama’s amnesty, announced Nov. 21, minimizes enforcement of immigration law against all 12 million illegals in the United States, and creates enforcement loopholes for new migrants coming over the border or flying into U.S. airports on temporary visas.

The plan also puts many illegals on a fast-track to citizenship, and increases the inflow of university-trained migrants who can gain citizenship if they compete for any professional jobs sought by U.S. college graduates.

The cost of Obama’s amnesty is expected to reach $2 trillion over 50 years, or roughly $22,000 per new U.S. college graduate.

In 2014, Obama’s agencies accepted the children, youths and adults delivered to them at the border by paid escorts, before providing them with health screenings and air transport to parents and family members throughout the United States.

Obama’s deputies are also spending at least $7 million to provide free lawyers to the migrants so they can win court cases to remain in the United States. Up to 1,901 were sent home by October.

The money likely will also be used to support family units of women and children that cross the border.

In fiscal 2014, roughly 66,000 people in family units crossed the border. Only 582 were repatriated before October. Nearly all were allowed to apply for residency, and either attend American schools or apply for work permits. Read more about GOP Spending Bill Gives Nearly $1 Billion To Aid Border Migrants

US judge ruling on Obama immigration changes criticized gov't leniency on kids crossing border

WASHINGTON — The federal judge assigned to rule in the lawsuit over President Barack Obama's changes to immigration rules last year accused the Obama administration of participating in criminal conspiracies to smuggle children into the country by reuniting them with parents living here illegally.

... Homeland Security Department should be arresting parents living in the U.S. illegally who induce their children to cross the border illegally...

"DHS has simply chosen not to enforce the United States' border security laws," the judge wrote. ...

Hanen was assigned through an automated system to be the judge who will preside over a lawsuit filed by 20 states trying to block Obama's expansive executive actions to spare nearly 5 million people living in the U.S. illegally from deportation...

Last December, Hanen wrote a 10-page order in an immigrant smuggling case in which he his frustration over four cases in a month in which a child who arrived in the U.S. illegally alone was reunited with a parent also in the country illegally.

"Instead of arresting (the child's mother) for instigating the conspiracy to violate our border security laws, the (Homeland Security Department) delivered the child to her — thus successfully completing the mission of the criminal conspiracy," Hanen wrote.

...The order highlighted the growing problem of unaccompanied child immigrants being caught at the border in South Texas. During the fiscal year that ended in September, the government apprehended more than 68,000 unaccompanied children at the border....

Texas is leading a coalition of states suing the government. It argued in the lawsuit filed last week that Obama's decision "tramples" key portions of the Constitution. The states, including Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana and the Carolinas, aren't seeking monetary damages but want Hanen to block the president's actions...

"Texas is uniquely qualified to challenge the president's executive order, and South Texas is at the epicenter of where border security is of concern for Texas and the entire nation," Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said in a statement. Abbott was elected last month to be the next governor of Texas.

The Justice Department, which is defending the case, declined to comment on the case.

Obama announced the executive actions in November, saying lack of action by Congress forced him to make sweeping changes to immigration rules on his own.

The administrative actions don't provide legal immigration status or green cards to those in the country illegally, but millions of eligible immigrants will be able to apply for permission to stay in the country for up to three years and get a work permit.
  Read more about US judge ruling on Obama immigration changes criticized gov't leniency on kids crossing border

Obama: 'I’m going to do what I need to do' on immigration

GOP, President Obama deeply divided on immigration

President Obama repeated Sunday that he intends to change U.S. immigration law through executive action, over Republican leaders’ repeated requests to wait and dire warnings about the consequences of sidestepping Congress.

“I’m going to do what I need to do,” Obama told CBS’ “Face the Nation,” in an interview taped on Friday.

As he has said before, the president said he would prefer that reform legislation come through Congress, but that he has waited for more than a year for House Speaker John Boehner to pass a bill like the Democrat-controlled Senate has done.

“If a bill gets passed, nobody would be happier than me,” Obama said.

His remarks followed similar ones made Wednesday, which brought dire warnings from Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell that were followed by more on Sunday.

“I believe [executive action] will hurt cooperation on every issue,” Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told “Fox News Sunday.” “I think it would be like the president pulling the pin out of a hand grenade and throwing it in as we are trying to actually work together. I am hoping that cooler heads at the White House can prevail."

The comments by Barrasso, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, followed Boehner warning Obama that using executive action would “poison the well” and McConnell, who will likely be the Senate majority leader next year, comparing it to waving a flag in front of a bull.

“Their time hasn’t run out,” Obama told CBS, arguing that legislation passed by Congress would supersede his executive action.

To be sure, the president is under pressure to use executive action on immigration reform, after promising Americans that he would by the end of summer, then delaying any action until after the midterms, which upset Democrats’ strong Hispanic base.

Obama also said Sunday that inaction is a “mis-allocation of resources” and that the country cannot continue to deport people who should be allowed to stay and keep those who should leave Read more about Obama: 'I’m going to do what I need to do' on immigration

Francisco Aguirre, Portland labor activist fighting deportation, arrested on federal criminal warrant

Francisco Aguirre, a local labor activist originally from El Salvador, was arrested Thursday on federal charges of entering the United States illegally after he had been deported.

Aguirre took refuge in Northeast Portland church in September ...

Aguirre -- full name Juan Francisco Aguirre-Velasquez -- was deported to El Salvador in 2000 after a conviction for drug trafficking offenses.

Thursday's arrest came as a surprise to Aguirre...

Defense attorney Barbara Gabriela Ghio said she did not learn of the federal warrant until the hearing began.

A federal grand jury indicted Aguirre on Sept. 30 and an arrest warrant was issued Oct. 1.

Aguirre arrived at the courthouse in an old school bus along with religious leaders and many of those fighting his deportation....

"Here I am, doing the right thing. Doing what they ask me to do. They say, 'Francisco need(s) to show up at court.' Here I am. I'm not hiding," Aguirre said.

"I'm a father. I'm a community organizer. This is where I belong," he said.

Aguirre also urged President Obama to take immediate steps to address immigration reform....

It is unclear how he will comply with the requirement for alcohol treatment while he is in federal custody.

Aguirre was taken to the Clackamas County Jail where he was to be held until federal agents took him into custody, Ghio said.

Aguirre's supporters quickly regrouped. About 70 people held a protest rally outside the U.S Attorney's Office in downtown Portland on Thursday afternoon.

Aguirre, transferred to to the Multnomah County Detention Center on a federal hold, spoke to them by phone. He said he was going on a hunger strike and asked his supporters to stay strong and united.

Aguirre was involved in the Workers' Organizing Committee that went on to found Voz Workers' Rights Education Project, nonprofit organization that mostly helps male Latino immigrants find work in Portland. He currently serves as the MLK Jr. Worker Center coordinator for the group.

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, another of Aguirre's supporters, issued a statement Thursday afternoon:

I have been informed that Francisco Aguirre was arrested today in Clackamas County and is being held, while federal agents plan to take him into custody.

Mr. Aguirre was not in court today because of his immigration status. He was in a Clackamas County Court on an accusation of driving under the influence. But he was taken into custody on the likelihood that he will be deported.

As I stated this summer, Francisco Aguirre is an important voice on the issues of equity and immigration rights. Our community benefits from the work done by Francisco and the Voz Workers Rights Education Project....

Naturally, I have faith that the U.S. Attorney for Oregon will handle this case in a just manner. I do not presuppose the outcome. I also do not know if Mr. Aguirre should be deported. A court will decide that. But I do know that our community is better off for having him here, in Oregon, with his family, working hard and paying his taxes, and speaking out on issues that impact our community.

I stand with mayors across the nation who are calling on Congress to address comprehensive immigration reform. This case, and the way it has been handled, is a glaring example of why that reform is needed right now. Read more about Francisco Aguirre, Portland labor activist fighting deportation, arrested on federal criminal warrant

Sheriff and State Advisor Border Summits

The Sheriff and State Advisor Border Summits were held consecutively on 11-12 and 12-13 September in El Paso, Texas.

State Representative Sal Esquivel, Morrow County Sheriff Ken Matlack and OFIR President Cynthia Kendoll represented Oregon at the conference.

Read a full report of the event.

Visit the OFIR photo gallery, as well. Read more about Sheriff and State Advisor Border Summits

Cops Searching for Teenage Illegal Alien for Cartel Assassination Attempt in Texas

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Cops are on the hunt for a previously deported 14-year-old illegal alien suspected of trying to execute a teenaged human smuggler on the Texas border in an apparent cartel hit. The victim in the case had a lengthy criminal history that had already resulted in two deaths.

While details remain unknown....

...Breitbart Texas has learned that the teenager has a lengthy criminal history that includes several human smuggling arrests and deportations. In October, 2012 the victim drove a red Ford pickup filled with illegal aliens as he tried to elude authorities. The pursuit ended near the border town of La Joya when a Texas State Trooper in a helicopter fired several shots at the truck eventually blowing out its tires. The bullets struck three illegal aliens from Guatemala killing two of them. Since the shooting, DPS has changed its use of force policies.

Authorities have developed a person of interest in the case, however Breitbart Texas has learned that a possible suspect is a 14-year-old male who had been previously been arrested and charged in juvenile court and had been deported three weeks ago. Law enforcement sources have confirmed to Breitbart Texas that one of the leads that investigators are looking at is a possible cartel hit. Read more about Cops Searching for Teenage Illegal Alien for Cartel Assassination Attempt in Texas

OFIR President participates in Border Summit

Cynthia Kendoll - OFIR President, just returned from an intensive weekend at The Border Summit.  A written summary of her visit to the border will be posted soon.

The conference was hosted by The Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in El Paso, Texas the weekend of Sept. 12 - 14.  Law enforcement officers and activists from across the country gathered to learn more about what's happening on our southern border.

Please visit the OFIR photo gallery.

  Read more about OFIR President participates in Border Summit

Gov Rick Perry Warns Americans – Be Concerned That ISIS Terrorists Are Crossing Border

Texas Governor Rick Perry says it’s no surprise to him that four individuals with terrorism ties were captured on Texas soil on September tenth. He says it is indicative of the reason they have been bringing this issue to the attention of the federal government for some time.

Perry cites the movement of various law enforcement and Texas National Guard units to the border as the type of response that is needed, one that has already been demonstrated as effective in controlling a significant portion of the influx.

Governor Perry says that all Americans should be substantially concerned “That the southern border of the United States and Mexico is potentially a place where radicalized terrorists could penetrate into the United States with intent to do harm to American citizens.

He says, “That is the reason that the federal government continues to fail, from my perspective, in securing that border, putting the resources there that we know can make that border substantially more secure than it is today.”

Perry addresses the request that his state has had into the FAA to allow the use of drones for surveillance and a failure to respond or authorize their use as evidence that the federal government is not serious about correcting the problem.

He says, “I don’t think we’ve got the federal government’s agreement that this is as big of a problem as what a lot of us in this country and I can assure you that those farmers, those ranchers, those individuals that have seen these people penetrating across the border, crossing their land, and then that’s not to mention the thousands of criminal activities that have gone on by individuals who have come into the State of Texas and then go across this country and committing criminal acts.”

Hannity asks Governor Perry why there is not more of a sense of urgency and recognition of the threat of terrorism to this, our most vulnerable and easily penetrated security weakness.

Governor Perry says he can’t explain it. He feels this country is capable of multi-tasking and that we have the ability to defend ourselves here at home, we just don’t have the will, particularly within the executive branch.

He says that the American people want security; they want to feel safe in their homes and their communities. Border enforcement provides that and both the executive branch and terror groups such as ISIS are working to tear that down.

The Mexican president has labeled Governor Perry as reprehensible for acting in the interest of Texas and of the United States. Governor Perry sent a letter of response yesterday, which identified a portion of the role that Mexico has played in the lawless situation on our border. The governor has trade considerations which seem to have tempered his comments. Mexico is in many ways one of the greatest threats to the United States, particularly as it applies to their contributing to people crossing into our nation illegally.

Hannity points out the hypocrisy with which Mexico criticizes American immigration laws which are less rigid and much less stringently enforced than their own.

Rick Wells is a conservative writer who recognizes that our nation, our Constitution and our traditions are under a full scale assault from multiple threats. Please “Like” him on Facebook, “Follow” him on Twitter or visit www.rickwells.us Read more about Gov Rick Perry Warns Americans – Be Concerned That ISIS Terrorists Are Crossing Border

Border Summit review to be featured on OLC conference call Monday

Alert date: 
September 18, 2014
Alert body: 

Cynthia Kendoll - Oregonians For Immigration Reform President will be on the Oregon Liberty Coalition's conference call Monday at noon. She will give the highlights of her trip to Federation for Immigration Reform's (FAIR) Border Summit in El Paso, Texas last weekend.

Representative Sal Esquivel from Medford and Sheriff Ken Matlack from Morrow County also represented Oregon at the 3 day event.

Contact Bob Sowdon of the Cottage Grove 912 Project for more information about the OLC.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Immigration Chicanery

The strategists who base their political advice on public opinion polls have just had a surprise. A new poll reports that the American people are now more likely to trust Republicans to handle immigration and less likely to trust Democratic plans to offer illegals a path to citizenship (a.k.a. amnesty).

The new survey is decisive; 35 percent say the Republican Party would do a better job on immigration while only 27 percent say the Democrats would. That’s a dramatic reversal from the previous year.

The Wall Street Journal poll also revealed another change in public opinion that should get the attention of candidates. Support for the much-discussed “pathway to citizenship” has dropped significantly from 64 percent in April to 53 percent today.

Obama was saying all summer that his plan was to bypass Congress and the Constitution and issue an “executive amnesty” for millions of illegal aliens. His amnesty plan has since changed to be issued only after the 2014 elections so as not to defeat Democrats up for election in November.

His planned amnesty will include work permits, photo IDs, and Social Security numbers for millions of people who entered the U.S. illegally, overstayed their visas, or defrauded U.S. immigration authorities.

As Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) said, “Never in recent memory has the divide between the everyday citizen and the political elite been as wide as it is now.” He says the immigration debate comes down to several major questions:

Does our country have the right to decide who comes to live and work here? Do we have the right to demand that our representatives enforce our laws? Should American workers get priority for jobs?

If your answer is Yes, it is essential to block Obama’s planned executive amnesty and demand that Harry Reid call this up for a vote.

As Sessions said, “Let this sink in. The majority leader of the Senate is bragging that he knows the president will circumvent Congress to issue executive amnesty to millions.” Read more about Immigration Chicanery

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