Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Local deportations up 37%
om Ohio and Michigan, a 37 percent increase over last year.
The jump in deportations mirrors a national trend toward annual increases since at least 2003, when U.S. immigration enforcement was overhauled in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Nationwide, deportations are up about 34 percent since last year, climbing from 204,000 to 273,000.
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Immigration officials say the increase is the result of greater emphasis on enforcement, the creation of special teams to pursue fugitives, bigger detention facilities and speedier legal proceedings.
“Primarily, it’s because of enforcement efforts,” said Greg Palmore, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Detroit, the regional office that covers Ohio and Michigan. “We’re getting better at our job.”
They also are getting more resources to do the job.
The agency has added 75 fugitive operation teams during the past two years to bolster its ability to track down and arrest fugitive aliens who have remained in this country despite court orders to leave.
One team operates in Ohio and, along with two teams in Michigan, arrested 1,816 fugitive aliens and other immigration violators during the past year. All of the figures are based on a fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
The tougher enforcement and higher deportation numbers have prompted some criticism of the agency, especially among those who say officials focus too much on workers and not enough on criminal aliens.
But Palmore said the fugitive operation teams target aliens who are most likely to pose a threat. He said many of those arrested are felons wanted for offenses far more serious than ignoring a court order to leave the country.
He said Honduran native Osman Alvarez was recently arrested in Columbus on charges of felonious assault. He’s suspected of being a gang member and is accused of stabbing someone.
The fugitive teams in Ohio and Michigan arrested 159 aliens with criminal convictions last year, Palmore said.
“There are some individuals who are significant threats to public safety,” he said.
Jason Riveiro, spokesman for the League of United Latina American Citizens, said he has no problem with immigration officials pursuing criminal aliens. But he still worries about the impact of tougher enforcement on the families of illegal immigrants who came to this country to work.
“The federal government has the right to protect its borders,” Riveiro said. “But at the same time we have to be mindful of the people who are being caught up in it … I’m more concerned about the families involved, the families that are split apart.”
Riveiro’s group was one of several that raised concerns in August when immigration agents raided the Koch Foods poultry processing facility in Fairfield.
That raid resulted in 161 arrests and criminal charges of identity theft or forgery against more than 20 people. Palmore said all of the illegal aliens arrested in that raid have been deported.
The jump in deportations mirrors a national trend toward annual increases since at least 2003, when U.S. immigration enforcement was overhauled in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Nationwide, deportations are up about 34 percent since last year, climbing from 204,000 to 273,000.
ADVERTISEMENT
Immigration officials say the increase is the result of greater emphasis on enforcement, the creation of special teams to pursue fugitives, bigger detention facilities and speedier legal proceedings.
“Primarily, it’s because of enforcement efforts,” said Greg Palmore, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Detroit, the regional office that covers Ohio and Michigan. “We’re getting better at our job.”
They also are getting more resources to do the job.
The agency has added 75 fugitive operation teams during the past two years to bolster its ability to track down and arrest fugitive aliens who have remained in this country despite court orders to leave.
One team operates in Ohio and, along with two teams in Michigan, arrested 1,816 fugitive aliens and other immigration violators during the past year. All of the figures are based on a fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
The tougher enforcement and higher deportation numbers have prompted some criticism of the agency, especially among those who say officials focus too much on workers and not enough on criminal aliens.
But Palmore said the fugitive operation teams target aliens who are most likely to pose a threat. He said many of those arrested are felons wanted for offenses far more serious than ignoring a court order to leave the country.
He said Honduran native Osman Alvarez was recently arrested in Columbus on charges of felonious assault. He’s suspected of being a gang member and is accused of stabbing someone.
The fugitive teams in Ohio and Michigan arrested 159 aliens with criminal convictions last year, Palmore said.
“There are some individuals who are significant threats to public safety,” he said.
Jason Riveiro, spokesman for the League of United Latina American Citizens, said he has no problem with immigration officials pursuing criminal aliens. But he still worries about the impact of tougher enforcement on the families of illegal immigrants who came to this country to work.
“The federal government has the right to protect its borders,” Riveiro said. “But at the same time we have to be mindful of the people who are being caught up in it … I’m more concerned about the families involved, the families that are split apart.”
Riveiro’s group was one of several that raised concerns in August when immigration agents raided the Koch Foods poultry processing facility in Fairfield.
That raid resulted in 161 arrests and criminal charges of identity theft or forgery against more than 20 people. Palmore said all of the illegal aliens arrested in that raid have been deported.
Free Trade in Unpasteurized Milk
Introducing HR 4077 to Allow the Interstate Shipment of Unpasteurized Milk, November 6, 2007
Madame Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation that allows the transportation and sale in interstate commerce of unpasteurized milk and milk products, as long as the milk both originates from and is shipped to states that allow the sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products. This legislation removes an unconstitutional restraint on farmers who wish to sell unpasteurized milk and milk products, and people who wish to consume unpasteurized milk and milk products.
My office has heard from numerous people who would like to purchase unpasteurized milk. Many of these people have done their own research and come to the conclusion that unpasteurized milk is healthier than pasteurized milk. These Americans have the right to consume these products without having the federal government second-guess their judgment about what products best promote health. If there are legitimate concerns about the safety of unpasteurized milk, those concerns should be addressed at the state and local level.
I urge my colleagues to join me in promoting consumers’ rights, the original intent of the Constitution, and federalism by cosponsoring my legislation to allow the interstate sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Ga. National Guard going to Afghanistan
The Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade, which returned from Iraq last year, is heading back to war. This time, the state's citizen soldiers will be deployed to Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense announced Monday that the 48th brigade has been tapped to help train Afghan security forces. The brigade's 4,200 soldiers will be called up in the spring of 2009 and head overseas two months later.
Brigade commander Col. Lee Durham said his soldiers will be based throughout Afghanistan training local Army and police forces. He said the mission will not be that different from the role it played in the second half of its deployment in Iraq when Georgia soldiers provided combat security and worked closely with Iraqi soldiers.
Durham, who took command of the brigade in October, said he was excited about the impending deployment.
"I have a lot of confidence in them," he said.
Durham said most Guard units have been put on a one-year on, three years off rotation. The 48th returned from Iraq in May 2006 and will have been home for almost three years when it is mobilized again.
The Department of Defense announced Monday that the 48th brigade has been tapped to help train Afghan security forces. The brigade's 4,200 soldiers will be called up in the spring of 2009 and head overseas two months later.
Brigade commander Col. Lee Durham said his soldiers will be based throughout Afghanistan training local Army and police forces. He said the mission will not be that different from the role it played in the second half of its deployment in Iraq when Georgia soldiers provided combat security and worked closely with Iraqi soldiers.
Durham, who took command of the brigade in October, said he was excited about the impending deployment.
"I have a lot of confidence in them," he said.
Durham said most Guard units have been put on a one-year on, three years off rotation. The 48th returned from Iraq in May 2006 and will have been home for almost three years when it is mobilized again.
This is a message from Ron Paul..
December 3, 2007
Want to know a secret? There were two moments I especially enjoyed at the CNN/YouTube debate -- despite my frustration at some of the questions, and the maldistribution of time.
First, I was pleased at John McCain's attack, which he clearly had planned. Not because that sort of stream-of-consciousness nonsense about Hitler and WWII -- when the neocons openly want what they call WW IV! Are we to forget that the first war crime charged at Nuremberg was waging aggressive war?
I mean this: mainstream politicians NEVER attack an opponent they think is far behind. The McCain campaign, we've heard, is worried sick about New Hampshire, and they thought a slam at me would help. Ha! Of course,
it only strengthened our forces.
Then, after the debate, Rudy Giuliani walked up to me and said, "Oooh, you sure have a LOT of supporters." It's only the beginning, I told him.
Indeed, he could have told that by the crowd outside after the debate. Mitt Romney had a few people, but no one else did. We, on the other hand, had about 500 enthusiastic revolutionaries, plus a boat, a trolley, and two planes towing lighted signs. As I looked out at the crowd, I thought: the establishment has no idea of what they are facing. We have an army of freedom, prosperity, and peace. As the LA Times political blog noted the other day, the
British also thought they had no problem with the Americans--until Yorktown.
But we have an astoundingly short time before the first contests. The Iowa caucuses are on January 3, the New Hampshire primary is on January 8, and Nevada and South Carolina are both on January 19. We have only
30 days to stake our claim to the nomination, and to the new America that restores the ideals of the founders, and leads the world through free enterprise, a sound dollar, the rule of law, and peaceful example. Not through
inflation and bombs.
Help me surprise the neocons and all the establishment with our success. Help me build the foundation for the America we all want. Send your most generous contribution: https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate. The military-industrial complex, the biased media, the big banks, the Fed, the waterboarders, and the IRS don't like what we're doing. But every good American is applauding us, and daring to hope for a better future.
Please, help me give it to them, to us, to all Americans to come. Keep this revolution growing and winning:
https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate.
Sincerely,
Ron
.
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Sunday, December 2, 2007
TXDOT releases I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor draft
After three years of research and gathering input from citizens, the Texas Department of Transportation released a draft of the proposed I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor. See highlighted map.
The Texas Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor project, last week saying it will make transportation safer, faster, more reliable and provide for faster hurricane evacuation.
In announcing the release of the DEIS TXxDOT says existing highways will be considered first, yet in the case of Grimes County the proposed route splits the county, east and west.
The 1,072 page report, representing nearly three years of work with local officials and input from citizens through hundreds of public meetings goes into great detail explaining, among other things, the need for the highway which will stretch 650 across Texas from far south Texas to extreme northeast Texas.
The report recommends additional detailed examination and public comment on a narrow study area to see where I-69/TTC can be located while minimizing environmental impacts. The recommended study area is approximately one-half to four-miles wide.
TxDOT says as a result of public comment to date, the report also recommends continued environmental studies on I-69/TTC focused on using existing highways first with new corridors as a secondary option.
“We are doing what the public asked us to do and that is to look at existing highways first, “ said Amandeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director.
“If improvements to existing highways and infrastructure cannot be made to handle long range transportation needs-or if citizens and local officials tell us they prefer a new corridor-other options will be considered. Decisions will be based on public input and detailed studies of environmental and social impacts.” Saenz continued.
In January, TxDOT will hold 10 Town Hall Meetings along the proposed corridor. The scheduling of the meetings is the direct result of public comments that the citizens want more opportunity to ask questions and get answers about the project.
TxDOT will begin formal public hearing on the environmental study in February.
Ted Haughton, member of the Texas Transportation Commission said, “We cannot solve the transportation challenges facing Texas without public awareness and public involvement.”
“We are doing what the public asked us to do and that is to look at existing highways first.”
Amandeo Saenz
Unemployment May Rise, Manufacturing Slow: U.S. Economy Preview
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Employers in the U.S. hired fewer workers in November and the unemployment rate rose to a 16-month high, reflecting a loss of confidence in the economic expansion, economists said before a report this week.
The economy created 75,000 jobs, less than half October's 166,000 gain, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists before the Labor Department's Dec. 7 report. The jobless rate rose to 4.8 percent from 4.7 percent, based on the survey.
Companies are curbing expenses as the economy is forecast to nearly stall this quarter under the weight of the worsening housing slump. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke last week said consumers face ``headwinds,'' and the labor market was ``important'' for sustaining growth.
``The labor market is adding to the list of reasons the consumer is in trouble,'' said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. ``If employment growth is weakening, then so will spending.''
There is already evidence Americans are scaling back.
Consumer spending rose less than forecast in October and incomes increased at the slowest pace in six months, figures last week from the Commerce Department showed. Spending stalled when adjusted for inflation, the figure used in calculating economic growth.
Auto sales in November were probably the third weakest of the year, according to analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC probably all posted declines compared with November 2006. Automakers will release November results tomorrow.
Manufacturing Slows
Also tomorrow, the Institute for Supply Management may report manufacturing expanded in November at the slowest pace in 10 months, adding to evidence the housing slump and rising energy costs are reverberating though the economy.
The Tempe, Arizona-based group's factory index probably fell to 50.7 from 50.9 in October, according to the survey median. A reading of 50 is the dividing line between expansion and contraction.
A report on Dec. 5 from the Commerce Department may show factory orders were unchanged in October after a 0.2 percent gain in September, the Bloomberg survey showed.
Service industries have so far fared better than manufacturers this quarter, economists said.
Services Little Changed
A separate report from the Institute for Supply Management due Dec. 5 may show banks, builders, retailers and other non- manufacturers expanded last month at about the same pace as in October. The gauge fell to 55 from 55.8, based on the median of economists' forecasts.
Energy prices, the weakening labor market and the persistent housing slump raise the odds that retailers and other service providers will soon feel the brunt of the economic slowdown, economists said.
Bear Stearns Cos., the biggest underwriter of U.S. mortgage bonds, said last week it will eliminate 650 jobs in the firm's fourth round of cuts this year.
Citigroup Inc., the largest U.S. bank, said it is reviewing ways to cut expenses as it seeks a new chief executive officer and grapples with mortgage writedowns. Former CEO Charles O. ``Chuck'' Prince III, who was forced to resign last month, had pledged to eliminate 17,000 jobs and trim costs by $4.6 billion.
Fed policy makers have signaled mounting concern over the outlook.
Consumer `Headwinds'
``The combination of higher gas prices, the weak housing market, tighter credit conditions, and declines in stock prices seem likely to create some headwinds for the consumer in the months ahead,'' Bernanke said in a Nov. 29 speech.
Federal funds futures show traders see a 100 percent chance of a reduction in the benchmark rate this month, with a 40 percent probability of a half-point move. The Fed has cut rates by 0.75 percentage point over the past two meetings.
Policy makers said Nov. 20 that they expect U.S. gross domestic product to increase between 1.8 percent and 2.5 percent in 2008, ``notably below'' the 2.5 percent to 2.75 percent they predicted in July.
In other reports this week, a Labor Department report on Dec. 5 may show worker productivity in the third quarter rose, while labor costs fell. Two days later, a preliminary estimate from the University of Michigan may show consumer sentiment fell to a two-year low in December.
Bloomberg Survey
Date Time Period Indicator BN Survey Prior
12/03 10:00 Nov. ISM Manufacturing 50.7 50.9
12/03 10:00 Nov. ISM Prices 65.5 63.0
12/05 8:30 3Q F Productivity 5.7% 4.9%
12/05 8:30 3Q F Unit Labor Costs -1.0% -0.2%
12/05 10:00 Oct. Factory Orders 0.0% 0.2%
12/05 10:00 Nov. ISM Non-Manufacturing 55.0 55.8
12/06 8:30 11/17 Continuing Claims 2603K 2553K
12/06 8:30 11/24 Initial Jobless Claims 335K 329K
12/07 8:30 Nov. Avg. Hourly Earnings 0.3% 0.2%
12/07 8:30 Nov. Change Nonfarm Jobs 75K 166K
12/07 8:30 Nov. Unemployment Rate 4.8% 4.7%
12/07 10:00 Dec. P Confidence- U. of MI 75.0 76.1
12/07 15:00 Oct. Consumer Credit $5.5B $3.7B
To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Richter in Washington Jrichter1@bloomberg.net .
The economy created 75,000 jobs, less than half October's 166,000 gain, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists before the Labor Department's Dec. 7 report. The jobless rate rose to 4.8 percent from 4.7 percent, based on the survey.
Companies are curbing expenses as the economy is forecast to nearly stall this quarter under the weight of the worsening housing slump. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke last week said consumers face ``headwinds,'' and the labor market was ``important'' for sustaining growth.
``The labor market is adding to the list of reasons the consumer is in trouble,'' said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. ``If employment growth is weakening, then so will spending.''
There is already evidence Americans are scaling back.
Consumer spending rose less than forecast in October and incomes increased at the slowest pace in six months, figures last week from the Commerce Department showed. Spending stalled when adjusted for inflation, the figure used in calculating economic growth.
Auto sales in November were probably the third weakest of the year, according to analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC probably all posted declines compared with November 2006. Automakers will release November results tomorrow.
Manufacturing Slows
Also tomorrow, the Institute for Supply Management may report manufacturing expanded in November at the slowest pace in 10 months, adding to evidence the housing slump and rising energy costs are reverberating though the economy.
The Tempe, Arizona-based group's factory index probably fell to 50.7 from 50.9 in October, according to the survey median. A reading of 50 is the dividing line between expansion and contraction.
A report on Dec. 5 from the Commerce Department may show factory orders were unchanged in October after a 0.2 percent gain in September, the Bloomberg survey showed.
Service industries have so far fared better than manufacturers this quarter, economists said.
Services Little Changed
A separate report from the Institute for Supply Management due Dec. 5 may show banks, builders, retailers and other non- manufacturers expanded last month at about the same pace as in October. The gauge fell to 55 from 55.8, based on the median of economists' forecasts.
Energy prices, the weakening labor market and the persistent housing slump raise the odds that retailers and other service providers will soon feel the brunt of the economic slowdown, economists said.
Bear Stearns Cos., the biggest underwriter of U.S. mortgage bonds, said last week it will eliminate 650 jobs in the firm's fourth round of cuts this year.
Citigroup Inc., the largest U.S. bank, said it is reviewing ways to cut expenses as it seeks a new chief executive officer and grapples with mortgage writedowns. Former CEO Charles O. ``Chuck'' Prince III, who was forced to resign last month, had pledged to eliminate 17,000 jobs and trim costs by $4.6 billion.
Fed policy makers have signaled mounting concern over the outlook.
Consumer `Headwinds'
``The combination of higher gas prices, the weak housing market, tighter credit conditions, and declines in stock prices seem likely to create some headwinds for the consumer in the months ahead,'' Bernanke said in a Nov. 29 speech.
Federal funds futures show traders see a 100 percent chance of a reduction in the benchmark rate this month, with a 40 percent probability of a half-point move. The Fed has cut rates by 0.75 percentage point over the past two meetings.
Policy makers said Nov. 20 that they expect U.S. gross domestic product to increase between 1.8 percent and 2.5 percent in 2008, ``notably below'' the 2.5 percent to 2.75 percent they predicted in July.
In other reports this week, a Labor Department report on Dec. 5 may show worker productivity in the third quarter rose, while labor costs fell. Two days later, a preliminary estimate from the University of Michigan may show consumer sentiment fell to a two-year low in December.
Bloomberg Survey
Date Time Period Indicator BN Survey Prior
12/03 10:00 Nov. ISM Manufacturing 50.7 50.9
12/03 10:00 Nov. ISM Prices 65.5 63.0
12/05 8:30 3Q F Productivity 5.7% 4.9%
12/05 8:30 3Q F Unit Labor Costs -1.0% -0.2%
12/05 10:00 Oct. Factory Orders 0.0% 0.2%
12/05 10:00 Nov. ISM Non-Manufacturing 55.0 55.8
12/06 8:30 11/17 Continuing Claims 2603K 2553K
12/06 8:30 11/24 Initial Jobless Claims 335K 329K
12/07 8:30 Nov. Avg. Hourly Earnings 0.3% 0.2%
12/07 8:30 Nov. Change Nonfarm Jobs 75K 166K
12/07 8:30 Nov. Unemployment Rate 4.8% 4.7%
12/07 10:00 Dec. P Confidence- U. of MI 75.0 76.1
12/07 15:00 Oct. Consumer Credit $5.5B $3.7B
To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Richter in Washington Jrichter1@bloomberg.net .
State Fair stands by premise ID policy, NAIS
LAKEWOOD - The Colorado State Fair Board of Commissioners has voted to keep a policy requiring exhibitors to register locations where their animals were raised.
Commissioners voted 8-1 Friday at its monthly meeting to stand by the policy set last year. The policy mirrors part of the controversial National Animal Identification System, a voluntary federal program.
Supporters say the "premise ID" portion of the NAIS allows animals to be tracked relatively quickly in case of an animal disease outbreak.
Opponents say registration is an invasion of privacy. They have objected to requiring participation in the voluntary federal premise ID program.
Two exhibitors were disqualified from the state fair this year because their premises weren't properly registered.
Fair commissioners plan to look at expanding premise ID requirements to all large animals that will be on the fairgrounds during the 11-day state fair.
"Any type of leadership comes with criticism," said John Stulp, state commissioner of agriculture. "I think we did right by the state and the Colorado State Fair in a step to ensure the safety of our livestock industry."
Jeanne Robinson, livestock coordinator for the fair, said packing plants in the state are looking at making premise ID required before slaughter.
Commissioners voted 8-1 Friday at its monthly meeting to stand by the policy set last year. The policy mirrors part of the controversial National Animal Identification System, a voluntary federal program.
Supporters say the "premise ID" portion of the NAIS allows animals to be tracked relatively quickly in case of an animal disease outbreak.
Opponents say registration is an invasion of privacy. They have objected to requiring participation in the voluntary federal premise ID program.
Two exhibitors were disqualified from the state fair this year because their premises weren't properly registered.
Fair commissioners plan to look at expanding premise ID requirements to all large animals that will be on the fairgrounds during the 11-day state fair.
"Any type of leadership comes with criticism," said John Stulp, state commissioner of agriculture. "I think we did right by the state and the Colorado State Fair in a step to ensure the safety of our livestock industry."
Jeanne Robinson, livestock coordinator for the fair, said packing plants in the state are looking at making premise ID required before slaughter.
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