Texarkana, TX - November 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On Saturday, November 25, in support of a national movement in celebrating Small Business Saturday, to recognize the strength, value and importance imparted by locally owned small businesses to their communities and the state, The Ponder is encouraging citizens to visit their local mom and pop stores.
Sandwiched between the holiday shopping trends of “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” the Small Business Saturday observation also follows Thanksgiving and gives people an appropriate time and place to give special thanks and patronage for the state’s small businesses.
“As the holiday shopping season commences this weekend, I hope all Louisianans will participate in Small Business Saturday and support small businesses throughout the state,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they do so much to showcase the skills, talent and culture that can only be found in Louisiana. It is important that we acknowledge the tremendous contributions our small businesses owners and their staffs make throughout the year, and supporting Small Business Saturday is a sincere way to express our thanks and gratitude for all they do to better our state.”
According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated 154 million shoppers made consumer purchases during Thanksgiving weekend in 2016. Such retail activity supports the nearly 93,000 small business retail jobs in Louisiana. In particular, Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to make a larger percentage of their purchases at those locally owned, independent business, thus helping those enterprises thrive in a competitive economy.
“When Louisianans participate in Small Business Saturday, they strengthen their local economies by supporting local businesses and keeping the dollars they spend within the state,” said Secretary Don Pierson of Louisiana Economic Development. Louisiana small businesses account for the majority of jobs in our state. We encourage Louisianans to shop at small businesses to support their friends and neighbors, as well as the strength and employment of their communities.”
In Louisiana, small businesses make up over 97 percent of the state’s employers. More than 910,000 Louisiana residents are employed by small businesses, collectively accounting for 53 percent of all private-sector jobs in the state. In October 2017, Louisiana earned an A+ grade in Thumbtack’s report card on small business friendliness, ranking the state No. 4 in the U.S. – a testament to Louisiana’s commitment to support an economic climate in which small businesses can grow and thrive.
“Small Business Saturday is about supporting local businesses and creating jobs in communities all across America,” said Linda McMahon, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Shopping small this Saturday is the perfect opportunity for Americans to support their local community businesses and promote growth and vitality to America’s booming economy during this holiday season and throughout the coming year.”
This year marks the eighth Small Business Saturday, an annual celebration of America’s small business community. Last year on Small Business Saturday, an estimated 112 million Americans spent a combined $15.4 billion at independent neighborhood retailers and restaurants.
“Small businesses are the engine of our national economy. We now have in the United States about 30 million small businesses. About half of all American workers are either employed by a small business or own a small business. And two out of three new jobs are created by small business. Those are pretty powerful and compelling statistics,” said McMahon.
“One of my goals in leading the U.S. Small Business Administration is to revitalize a sense of entrepreneurship in America. We want entrepreneurs to feel confident taking a risk on starting or expanding their small businesses. Everyone wants businesses to grow and for people to be employed. Shopping small on November 25 supports these men and women who create the foundation for strong, successful small businesses.”
The Unpopular Truth
Friday, November 24, 2017
NSSF PRAISES TEXAS REPS. CUELLAR, CULBERSON FOR FIX NICS LEGISLATION
Washington, D.C. - November 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industries, praised U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and John Culberson (R-Texas) for their leadership on introducing the bipartisan H.R. 4434, the Fix NICS Act of 2017 into the House of Representatives. The legislation is a companion to an identically titled Senate bill and both drew support from both Republican and Democrat co-sponsors.
“We are deeply appreciative of both Congressmen Cuellar and Culberson to demonstrate leadership in the House of Representatives to encourage state and federal agencies to enter all applicable records in the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS),” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “This legislation will offer states the necessary resources to promptly and efficiently provide disqualifying records to NICS on those who are prohibited under current law from possessing firearms. Federally licensed firearms retailers rely upon NICS to prevent the sale of firearms to prohibited persons. This legislation will fix NICS so that background checks are accurate and reliable.”
The bipartisan House of Representatives legislation would ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history and mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bill penalizes federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and incentivizes states to improve their overall reporting. The bill also directs more federal funding to the accurate reporting of domestic violence records.
Fixing NICS has long been a top priority for NSSF. The FixNICS® campaign was launched by the firearms industry in 2013 when the industry examined how many states were failing to fully submit prohibiting mental health and other disqualifying records to NICS. Since then, NSSF’s work has resulted in reforms being adopted in 16 states and a 170 percent increase in records submission, to 4.5 million in 2013 up from only from 1.7 million in 2013. Several states, and as tragically learned through recent events, some federal agencies, still are not fully participated in submitting records to keep firearms from those prohibited from purchasing them.
Congressman Cuellar praised the bipartisan effort that offers promise to strengthening existing laws and keep firearms from prohibited persons.
“Following the horrific shooting that occurred in my district, in Sutherland Springs, Texas, there is a call to action to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again. But many call for new laws often without considering whether or not current laws are being enforced,” Congressman Cuellar said. “Today, we introduced bipartisan legislation that will fill in the gaps in NICS that led to tragedies like the one in Sutherland Springs. The FIX NICS Act is an example of both parties in both chambers of Congress working together to set aside partisan politics and offer real solutions to the American people.”
Congressman Culberson pointed to the fact this legislation is intended to bolster existing law, the common ground on which both parties should agree.
“Had existing law been enforced, the horrific tragedy in Sutherland Springs, Texas would have never occurred. The pure negligence of criminal history reporting into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) must end,” said Rep. Culberson. “I’m honored to join my fellow Texas legislators, Senator John Cornyn and Rep. Henry Cuellar on the Fix NICS Act and am greatly encouraged at the bipartisan effort to hold federal and state authorities accountable to existing law. I urge my fellow colleagues in Congress to support this critical, lifesaving piece of legislation.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
“We are deeply appreciative of both Congressmen Cuellar and Culberson to demonstrate leadership in the House of Representatives to encourage state and federal agencies to enter all applicable records in the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS),” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “This legislation will offer states the necessary resources to promptly and efficiently provide disqualifying records to NICS on those who are prohibited under current law from possessing firearms. Federally licensed firearms retailers rely upon NICS to prevent the sale of firearms to prohibited persons. This legislation will fix NICS so that background checks are accurate and reliable.”
The bipartisan House of Representatives legislation would ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history and mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bill penalizes federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and incentivizes states to improve their overall reporting. The bill also directs more federal funding to the accurate reporting of domestic violence records.
Fixing NICS has long been a top priority for NSSF. The FixNICS® campaign was launched by the firearms industry in 2013 when the industry examined how many states were failing to fully submit prohibiting mental health and other disqualifying records to NICS. Since then, NSSF’s work has resulted in reforms being adopted in 16 states and a 170 percent increase in records submission, to 4.5 million in 2013 up from only from 1.7 million in 2013. Several states, and as tragically learned through recent events, some federal agencies, still are not fully participated in submitting records to keep firearms from those prohibited from purchasing them.
Congressman Cuellar praised the bipartisan effort that offers promise to strengthening existing laws and keep firearms from prohibited persons.
“Following the horrific shooting that occurred in my district, in Sutherland Springs, Texas, there is a call to action to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again. But many call for new laws often without considering whether or not current laws are being enforced,” Congressman Cuellar said. “Today, we introduced bipartisan legislation that will fill in the gaps in NICS that led to tragedies like the one in Sutherland Springs. The FIX NICS Act is an example of both parties in both chambers of Congress working together to set aside partisan politics and offer real solutions to the American people.”
Congressman Culberson pointed to the fact this legislation is intended to bolster existing law, the common ground on which both parties should agree.
“Had existing law been enforced, the horrific tragedy in Sutherland Springs, Texas would have never occurred. The pure negligence of criminal history reporting into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) must end,” said Rep. Culberson. “I’m honored to join my fellow Texas legislators, Senator John Cornyn and Rep. Henry Cuellar on the Fix NICS Act and am greatly encouraged at the bipartisan effort to hold federal and state authorities accountable to existing law. I urge my fellow colleagues in Congress to support this critical, lifesaving piece of legislation.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
National Association for Gun Rights Opposes the New "Fix NICS Act" While NRA Endorses It.
Washington, D.C. - November 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Fix NICS Act to ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The Fix NICS Act has received endorsements from the National Rifle Association of America, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and the National Sheriffs Association.
NRA: “We applaud Sen. John Cornyn’s efforts to ensure that the records of prohibited individuals are entered into NICS, while providing a relief valve for those who are wrongly included in the system.” (Executive Director Chris Cox, National Rifle Association of America, 11/16/17)
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: “The Fix NICS Act is a demonstration of Congressional unity, bringing together not only legislators from both sides of the aisle but also taking meaningful action supported by a diverse cross-section of individuals and organizations.” (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/16/17)
Fraternal Order of Police: “Tragically, recent events have showed us that Federal agencies and State governments have too often failed to upload all relevant information to the NICS, allowing the illegal sale of a firearm. This bill will address this issue in a comprehensive way.” (Fraternal Order of Police, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/16/17)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: “This bill will help save the lives of victims of domestic violence and the communities in which they live and worship, by ensuring that domestic violence records are entered properly and consistently into the background check system.” (CEO Katie Ray Jones, National Domestic Violence Hotline, 11/16/17)
National Shooting Sports Foundation: “This legislation will fix NICS so that background checks are accurate and reliable.” (National Shooting Sports Foundation, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/15/17)
National Network to End Domestic Violence: “Your bipartisan bill would help to avert future tragedies… This legislation will save lives by keeping firearms out of the hands of people with a history of domestic abuse.” National Network to End Domestic Violence, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/16/17)
National Sheriff’s Association: “This legislation is a bold step to ensure federal laws are adhered to and upheld.” (Jonathan Thompson, National Sheriffs Association, 11/17/2017)
“All too often we come to the conclusion that horrible situations could have been prevented with thorough and complete reporting,” said Senator Tim Scott. “As we tragically found out after the heartbreaking shooting at Mother Emanuel, we know the devastation that can manifest if gaps in reporting allow a madman with a criminal history to obtain a weapon. While we cannot legislate against pure evil, we most certainly should do all we can to ensure these individuals do not have access to any type of firearm. This is a commonsense solution that can fix the reporting gaps, and most importantly, has the potential to save countless innocent lives.”
“These provisions will help enforce public safety protections that could mean the difference between life and death. Non-reporting now puts people at lethal risk—riddling a system that should keep guns away from killers with gaping holes. The federal background check program is only as good as the information that is provided to it,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “Mass murderers in Sutherland Springs, Charleston, and Blacksburg were legally prohibited from accessing firearms, but gaps in NICS allowed each of them to walk out of a gun store with the weapons used to commit their crimes. Our bipartisan legislation will incentivize states, and hold federal agencies accountable, to build robust reporting systems that can prevent the sale of firearms to people who are a danger to themselves or others—including convicted domestic abusers.”
Background on the Fix NICS Act
Requires federal agencies and states to produce NICS implementation plans focused on uploading all information to the background check system showing that a person is prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under current law—including measures to
verify the accuracy of records.
Holds federal agencies accountable if they fail to upload relevant records to the background check system through public reporting and prohibiting bonus pay for political appointees.
Rewards states who comply with their NICS implementation plans through federal grant preferences and incentives, while increasing accountability through public reporting for those who do not comply with their plans.
Reauthorizes and improves important law enforcement programs to help state governments share relevant criminal record information with NICS.
Creates a Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention Initiative to ensure that states have adequate resources and incentives to share all relevant information with NICS showing that a felon or domestic abuser is excluded from purchasing firearms under current law.
Dudley Brown, President of the National Association for Gun Rights responded to the gun control legislation introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
“The surrender-monkey Republicans are not only caving to anti-gun Democrats, but working hand-in-hand with them. This bill introduced by Senators Cornyn and Murphy aims to establish a gun control super-database – expanding the Brady-NICS gun owner registry, denying even more Americans of their due process rights.
“Weak Republicans always push gun control laws under the guise of ‘enforcing the laws we have,’ but only end up pushing the Democrat agenda, giving gun owners more reasons to worry. NAGR will strongly oppose this gun control scheme and fight any Republican who surrenders our Second Amendment rights.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
NRA: “We applaud Sen. John Cornyn’s efforts to ensure that the records of prohibited individuals are entered into NICS, while providing a relief valve for those who are wrongly included in the system.” (Executive Director Chris Cox, National Rifle Association of America, 11/16/17)
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: “The Fix NICS Act is a demonstration of Congressional unity, bringing together not only legislators from both sides of the aisle but also taking meaningful action supported by a diverse cross-section of individuals and organizations.” (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/16/17)
Fraternal Order of Police: “Tragically, recent events have showed us that Federal agencies and State governments have too often failed to upload all relevant information to the NICS, allowing the illegal sale of a firearm. This bill will address this issue in a comprehensive way.” (Fraternal Order of Police, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/16/17)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: “This bill will help save the lives of victims of domestic violence and the communities in which they live and worship, by ensuring that domestic violence records are entered properly and consistently into the background check system.” (CEO Katie Ray Jones, National Domestic Violence Hotline, 11/16/17)
National Shooting Sports Foundation: “This legislation will fix NICS so that background checks are accurate and reliable.” (National Shooting Sports Foundation, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/15/17)
National Network to End Domestic Violence: “Your bipartisan bill would help to avert future tragedies… This legislation will save lives by keeping firearms out of the hands of people with a history of domestic abuse.” National Network to End Domestic Violence, Letter to Sen. Cornyn, 11/16/17)
National Sheriff’s Association: “This legislation is a bold step to ensure federal laws are adhered to and upheld.” (Jonathan Thompson, National Sheriffs Association, 11/17/2017)
“All too often we come to the conclusion that horrible situations could have been prevented with thorough and complete reporting,” said Senator Tim Scott. “As we tragically found out after the heartbreaking shooting at Mother Emanuel, we know the devastation that can manifest if gaps in reporting allow a madman with a criminal history to obtain a weapon. While we cannot legislate against pure evil, we most certainly should do all we can to ensure these individuals do not have access to any type of firearm. This is a commonsense solution that can fix the reporting gaps, and most importantly, has the potential to save countless innocent lives.”
“These provisions will help enforce public safety protections that could mean the difference between life and death. Non-reporting now puts people at lethal risk—riddling a system that should keep guns away from killers with gaping holes. The federal background check program is only as good as the information that is provided to it,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “Mass murderers in Sutherland Springs, Charleston, and Blacksburg were legally prohibited from accessing firearms, but gaps in NICS allowed each of them to walk out of a gun store with the weapons used to commit their crimes. Our bipartisan legislation will incentivize states, and hold federal agencies accountable, to build robust reporting systems that can prevent the sale of firearms to people who are a danger to themselves or others—including convicted domestic abusers.”
Background on the Fix NICS Act
verify the accuracy of records.
Dudley Brown, President of the National Association for Gun Rights responded to the gun control legislation introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
“The surrender-monkey Republicans are not only caving to anti-gun Democrats, but working hand-in-hand with them. This bill introduced by Senators Cornyn and Murphy aims to establish a gun control super-database – expanding the Brady-NICS gun owner registry, denying even more Americans of their due process rights.
“Weak Republicans always push gun control laws under the guise of ‘enforcing the laws we have,’ but only end up pushing the Democrat agenda, giving gun owners more reasons to worry. NAGR will strongly oppose this gun control scheme and fight any Republican who surrenders our Second Amendment rights.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Bill Johnson on the FCC’s Net Neutrality Announcement
Washington, D.C. - November 23, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) put forward its plan on Net Neutrality rules:
“I’m very encouraged by the FCC’s plan to free the Internet from the overly burdensome regulations imposed by the previous Administration. Much of the innovation we’ve seen in America over the last several decades has been driven by a free and open Internet - it’s imperative that this type of innovative environment is restored. Additionally, it’s vital that the FCC and Congress continue working together to close the ‘digital divide’ that has left millions of Americans in rural areas – including a large number of those I represent - behind when it comes to internet access. Access to broadband internet is critical for Americans to pursue today’s educational and economic opportunities.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
“I’m very encouraged by the FCC’s plan to free the Internet from the overly burdensome regulations imposed by the previous Administration. Much of the innovation we’ve seen in America over the last several decades has been driven by a free and open Internet - it’s imperative that this type of innovative environment is restored. Additionally, it’s vital that the FCC and Congress continue working together to close the ‘digital divide’ that has left millions of Americans in rural areas – including a large number of those I represent - behind when it comes to internet access. Access to broadband internet is critical for Americans to pursue today’s educational and economic opportunities.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
Inhofe Praises President's Action on North Korea
Washington, D.C. - November 23, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), made the following statement after President Trump declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism:
“By imposing the most substantial sanctions against the North Korean regime to date, the President has shown that his actions towards the regime speak far louder than the threats of Kim Jong Un—the United States is committed to stopping North Korea’s aggressive actions against America and our allies.
“I’ve been clear—North Korea is currently the most imminent threat facing the United States. The past eight years of ‘strategic patience’ have done nothing but enable a rogue regime to advance their nuclear and ballistic missile programs. As the President considers all economic, diplomatic and military options against North Korea, I will continue to fight for increased missile defense to protect American families and our allies around the world.”
Inhofe worked to include several provisions to support missile defense to the FY18 NDAA, which is currently awaiting the president’s signature. Some of the provisions include increasing funding to modernize the U.S. ground-based missile defense system and the procurement of 24 additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems.
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
“By imposing the most substantial sanctions against the North Korean regime to date, the President has shown that his actions towards the regime speak far louder than the threats of Kim Jong Un—the United States is committed to stopping North Korea’s aggressive actions against America and our allies.
“I’ve been clear—North Korea is currently the most imminent threat facing the United States. The past eight years of ‘strategic patience’ have done nothing but enable a rogue regime to advance their nuclear and ballistic missile programs. As the President considers all economic, diplomatic and military options against North Korea, I will continue to fight for increased missile defense to protect American families and our allies around the world.”
Inhofe worked to include several provisions to support missile defense to the FY18 NDAA, which is currently awaiting the president’s signature. Some of the provisions include increasing funding to modernize the U.S. ground-based missile defense system and the procurement of 24 additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems.
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
Immigrant Legal Resource Center says Deporting Haitians is Heartless
Washington, D.C. - November 23, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Trump Administration announced it is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. Beneficiaries will be out of status and subject to deportation effective July 22, 2019. There are currently 50,000 Haitians with TPS living and working in the US who will be affected by this decision.
Said Amanda Baran, Policy Consultant at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and co-author of ILRC’s report “Economic Contributions by Salvadoran, Honduran and Haitian TPS Holders”:
“Ripping 50,000 Haitians from communities across the United States and sending them back to a country that still hasn’t recovered from the dire conditions that qualified it for TPS in the first place is another heartless decision made by the Trump Administration. A mere six months ago, then-DHS Secretary John Kelly decided to extend TPS for Haiti, noting the extensive damage Hurricane Matthew left in its wake and, since then, the island was hit by two more hurricanes--Irma and Maria--further damaging Haiti’s infrastructure and displacing thousands.
“This decision is yet another example of the Trump Administration politicizing a humanitarian program in an effort to appease its anti-immigrant base and breaking our country’s long-standing commitment to people who have built lives, grown families, and lived in the U.S. for years. This Administration has no plan in place for the children who are U.S. citizens but may now lose their parents and caregivers to deportation. Deporting mothers and fathers back to a country with bleak living conditions that cannot support their return is stunningly cruel.
“We call on Congress to step in immediately and find a legislative solution for all TPS holders. Haitian TPS holders are an important part of our communities, our economy, and our society. There is bipartisan support for a humane solution for Haitians with TPS, that would extend them a path to citizenship.”
Deporting current Haitian TPS holders will cost our nation more than $468 million; lead to a GDP reduction of $2 billion over a decade; and incur $428 million in lost Social Security and Medicare contributions over a decade, according to findings from ILRC’s report “Economic Contributions by Salvadoran, Honduran and Haitian TPS Holders” released earlier this year. The ILRC report “Relief Not Raids: Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Guatemala & Honduras” outlines the legal and factual grounds for designating these Central American countries for TPS and the impact it would have on these communities.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC’s mission is to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities.
Said Amanda Baran, Policy Consultant at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and co-author of ILRC’s report “Economic Contributions by Salvadoran, Honduran and Haitian TPS Holders”:
“Ripping 50,000 Haitians from communities across the United States and sending them back to a country that still hasn’t recovered from the dire conditions that qualified it for TPS in the first place is another heartless decision made by the Trump Administration. A mere six months ago, then-DHS Secretary John Kelly decided to extend TPS for Haiti, noting the extensive damage Hurricane Matthew left in its wake and, since then, the island was hit by two more hurricanes--Irma and Maria--further damaging Haiti’s infrastructure and displacing thousands.
“This decision is yet another example of the Trump Administration politicizing a humanitarian program in an effort to appease its anti-immigrant base and breaking our country’s long-standing commitment to people who have built lives, grown families, and lived in the U.S. for years. This Administration has no plan in place for the children who are U.S. citizens but may now lose their parents and caregivers to deportation. Deporting mothers and fathers back to a country with bleak living conditions that cannot support their return is stunningly cruel.
“We call on Congress to step in immediately and find a legislative solution for all TPS holders. Haitian TPS holders are an important part of our communities, our economy, and our society. There is bipartisan support for a humane solution for Haitians with TPS, that would extend them a path to citizenship.”
Deporting current Haitian TPS holders will cost our nation more than $468 million; lead to a GDP reduction of $2 billion over a decade; and incur $428 million in lost Social Security and Medicare contributions over a decade, according to findings from ILRC’s report “Economic Contributions by Salvadoran, Honduran and Haitian TPS Holders” released earlier this year. The ILRC report “Relief Not Raids: Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Guatemala & Honduras” outlines the legal and factual grounds for designating these Central American countries for TPS and the impact it would have on these communities.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC’s mission is to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities.
Court Order on Presidential Proclamation on Visas November 13, 2017
Washington, D.C. - November 23, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On November 13, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted, in part, the government’s motion for an emergency stay of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii’s October 17, preliminary injunction. The preliminary injunction prohibited the U.S. government from enforcing or implementing Sections 2(a), (b), (c), (e), (g), and (h) of Presidential Proclamation 9645, “Enhancing Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry into the United States by Terrorists or other Public-Safety Threats.” Under the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, the earlier preliminary injunction is stayed, except as to “foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.” In light of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, visa applicants who are nationals of Chad, Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen and do not have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States are now subject to the applicable visa restrictions under the Presidential Proclamation. Consequently, any applicants who lack such a claim, if found otherwise eligible for a visa, will be denied under the Proclamation, unless they are exempt or qualify for a waiver under the Proclamation. The court orders did not affect Sections (d) and (f) of the Proclamation, so nationals from North Korea and Venezuela remain subject to the restrictions and limitations listed in the Presidential Proclamation, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, with respect to nationals of those countries.
Additional Background: The President issued Presidential Proclamation 9645 on September 24, 2017. Per Section 2 of Executive Order 13780 of March 6, 2017 (Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States), a global review was conducted to determine what additional information is needed from each foreign country to assess whether foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States pose a security or safety threat. As part of that review, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed a comprehensive set of criteria to evaluate the information-sharing practices, policies, and capabilities of foreign governments on a worldwide basis. At the end of that review, which included a 50-day period of engagement with foreign governments aimed at improving their information sharing practices, there were seven countries whose information sharing practices were determined to be “inadequate” and for which the President deemed it necessary to impose certain restrictions on the entry of nonimmigrants and immigrants who are nationals of these countries. The President also deemed it necessary to impose restrictions on one country due to the "special concerns" it presented. These restrictions are considered important to addressing the threat these existing information-sharing deficiencies, among other things, present to the security and welfare of the United States and pressuring host governments to remedy these deficiencies.
Nationals of the eight countries are subject to various travel restrictions contained in the Proclamation, as outlined in the following table, subject to exceptions and waivers set forth in the Proclamation. In addition, under applicable court orders, applicants from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with either a person or an entity in the United States are exempt from the restrictions in the Proclamation. Consequently, if the requirements for a particular visa classification include that the applicant have a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States, then applicants qualifying for visas of those classifications are exempt from the Proclamation, based on the court orders.
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
Additional Background: The President issued Presidential Proclamation 9645 on September 24, 2017. Per Section 2 of Executive Order 13780 of March 6, 2017 (Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States), a global review was conducted to determine what additional information is needed from each foreign country to assess whether foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States pose a security or safety threat. As part of that review, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed a comprehensive set of criteria to evaluate the information-sharing practices, policies, and capabilities of foreign governments on a worldwide basis. At the end of that review, which included a 50-day period of engagement with foreign governments aimed at improving their information sharing practices, there were seven countries whose information sharing practices were determined to be “inadequate” and for which the President deemed it necessary to impose certain restrictions on the entry of nonimmigrants and immigrants who are nationals of these countries. The President also deemed it necessary to impose restrictions on one country due to the "special concerns" it presented. These restrictions are considered important to addressing the threat these existing information-sharing deficiencies, among other things, present to the security and welfare of the United States and pressuring host governments to remedy these deficiencies.
Nationals of the eight countries are subject to various travel restrictions contained in the Proclamation, as outlined in the following table, subject to exceptions and waivers set forth in the Proclamation. In addition, under applicable court orders, applicants from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with either a person or an entity in the United States are exempt from the restrictions in the Proclamation. Consequently, if the requirements for a particular visa classification include that the applicant have a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States, then applicants qualifying for visas of those classifications are exempt from the Proclamation, based on the court orders.
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
Sessions Orders Review of Background Check System
Washington, D.C. - November 23, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo to the FBI and ATF directing them to look at several issues as it relates to reporting information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The memo directs the FBI and ATF to take the following steps:
1. Work with the Department of Defense to identify and resolve any issues with the military’s reporting of convictions and other information relevant to determining prohibited person status under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).
2. Conduct a review to identify other federal government entities that are not fully and accurately reporting information to NICS. If any such entities are identified, a plan should be developed to ensure full and accurate reporting to NICS going forward to the extent required under current law.
3. Conduct a review of the format, structure, and wording of ATF Form 4473 and recommend changes as necessary.
4. Prepare a report that addresses: (a) the number of current open investigations for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473; (b) the number of investigations for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473 for the past five years; (c) the prosecution referral and declination numbers for the current year, as well as the past five years for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473; and (d) the priority level assigned to investigations for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473.
5. Identify any additional measures that should be taken to prevent firearms from being obtained by prohibited persons, including identifying obstacles to state, local, and tribal entities sharing information with NICS.
“The National Instant Criminal Background Check System is critical for us to be able to keep guns out of the hands of those that are prohibited from owning them,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “The recent shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas revealed that relevant information may not be getting reported to the NICS – this is alarming and it is unacceptable. Therefore, I am directing the FBI and ATF to do a comprehensive review of the NICS and report back to me the steps we can take to ensure that those who are prohibited from purchasing firearms are prevented from doing so.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
1. Work with the Department of Defense to identify and resolve any issues with the military’s reporting of convictions and other information relevant to determining prohibited person status under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).
2. Conduct a review to identify other federal government entities that are not fully and accurately reporting information to NICS. If any such entities are identified, a plan should be developed to ensure full and accurate reporting to NICS going forward to the extent required under current law.
3. Conduct a review of the format, structure, and wording of ATF Form 4473 and recommend changes as necessary.
4. Prepare a report that addresses: (a) the number of current open investigations for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473; (b) the number of investigations for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473 for the past five years; (c) the prosecution referral and declination numbers for the current year, as well as the past five years for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473; and (d) the priority level assigned to investigations for making a false statement on ATF Form 4473.
5. Identify any additional measures that should be taken to prevent firearms from being obtained by prohibited persons, including identifying obstacles to state, local, and tribal entities sharing information with NICS.
“The National Instant Criminal Background Check System is critical for us to be able to keep guns out of the hands of those that are prohibited from owning them,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “The recent shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas revealed that relevant information may not be getting reported to the NICS – this is alarming and it is unacceptable. Therefore, I am directing the FBI and ATF to do a comprehensive review of the NICS and report back to me the steps we can take to ensure that those who are prohibited from purchasing firearms are prevented from doing so.”
See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Seriously? What did they expect...
Ruben Gallego is whining about how Trump's evil wall is going to spread hate through the use of eminent domain to build the Border wall.
I don't feel sorry for those who's property it is going to affect, since it was hate that purchased that property to begin with.
BREAKING: Liberal Group Buys Land Along Mexican Border in Effort to Block Trump Wall
Rep. Gallego Reacts to Release of Documents Detailing Plans for Trump’s Border Wall
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