#U.S. Green Card 2024

[visaandimmigrations01]

Stay updated on US immigration, particularly the U.S. Green Card. Anticipate policy changes in 2024, including updates to the U.S. Green Card Lottery by 2025. Our platform provides the Latest US Immigration News, ensuring you stay ahead of regulatory shifts. Whether you're seeking residency or tracking immigration trends, trust our insights to guide you through your Green Card journey.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Amazing what you can get done when you're not golfing everyday.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

August 1, 2024

Heather Cox Richardson

Aug 02, 2024

“This is a very good afternoon,” President Joe Biden said today. “[A] very good afternoon.”

“Today, we’re bringing home Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir—three American citizens and one American green-card holder. 

“All four have been imprisoned unjustly in Russia…. Russian authorities arrested them, convicted them in show trials, and sentenced them to long prison terms with absolutely no legitimate reason whatsoever. None.” 

In a complicated prisoner swap involving the U.S., Russia, and at least seven other countries, Americans Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva and British-Russian activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who openly opposed the invasion of Ukraine, came home from Russia. Four German citizens who had also been wrongfully detained—meaning they had not broken laws but were being held as political bargaining chips—were also part of the exchange, along with a fifth who was released from Belarus. 

Also in the swap were seven Russian citizens who had been detained as political prisoners, four of whom worked with Alexei Navalny, the political opposition leader who died in February in a Russian prison. They have left Russia and will make their way to other countries. It is extraordinary that the U.S. government managed to force Putin to release his own citizens, and Biden called it out. “It says a lot about the United States that we work relentlessly to free Americans who are unjustly held around the world,” he said. “It also says a lot about us that this deal includes the release of Russian political prisoners. They stood up for democracy and human rights. Their own leaders threw them in prison. The United States helped secure their release as well. That’s who we are in the United States.

“We stand for freedom, for liberty, for justice—not only for our own people but for others as well. And that’s why all Americans can take pride in what we’ve achieved today.” 

In exchange, Russian president Vladimir Putin got the prisoner he wanted most, hit man Vadim Krasikov, back from Germany. In addition, the U.S. released three Russians, Slovenia released two, and Norway and Poland each released one. All told, eight Russians went home. 

Foreign affairs journalist Anne Applebaum noted that “a group of brave journalists and democracy activists are being exchanged for a group of brutal spies.” The exchange included no money or sanctions relief. 

The U.S. had been calling for the freedom of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as part of the negotiations when he died abruptly in Russian custody in February 2024. His death briefly derailed the negotiations that had been going on since shortly after Biden took office. Even before he took office, he had asked his national security team to dig into all the cases of hostages being wrongfully detained, which they were inheriting from the previous administration. “I wanted to make sure we’d hit the ground running,” Biden said today, “and we did.” 

He noted that with today’s releases, his administration “has brought home over 70 Americans who were wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad, many since before I took office.” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later noted that the administration has reclaimed U.S. citizens from “Afghanistan, Burma, Gaza, Haiti, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Rwanda, and elsewhere.”

Asking Germany to release Krasikov was a big ask, but the government was willing to exchange him for Navalny. After Navalny’s death, it seemed likely the deal could not be revived. But Sullivan believed he saw a way forward, and Biden called German chancellor Olaf Scholz and asked him to continue to move forward. “For you, I will do this,” Scholz said. The president told Sullivan to get it done. In April President Biden sent a formal request to Scholz asking him to make the complicated swap that transpired today. When a reporter today asked Biden what Scholz had demanded in return, Biden answered: “Nothing.”

In his remarks today, Biden emphasized that the deal was “a feat of diplomacy and friendship—friendship. Multiple countries helped get this done. They joined difficult, complex negotiations at my request. And I personally thank them all again.  And I’ve thanked them personally, and I’ll thank them again.”

“This deal would not have been made possible without our allies Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey. They all stepped up, and they stood with us. They stood with us, and they made bold and brave decisions, released prisoners being held in their countries who were justifiably being held, and provided logistical support to get the Americans home. So, for anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do. They matter. 

“And today is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world—friends you can trust, work with, and depend upon, especially on matters of great consequence and sensitivity like this. 

“Our alliances make our people safer.”  

Sullivan was clear about where specific praise was due. “Today’s exchange is a feat of diplomacy that honestly could only be achieved by a leader like Joe Biden,” he said at a press conference this afternoon.” He directed the team and was personally engaged in the diplomacy necessary. “There is no more singular or concrete demonstration that the alliances that the president has reinvigorated around the world matter to Americans—to the individual safety of Americans and to the collective security of Americans,” Sullivan said. “And honestly, guys, I can just say this was vintage Joe Biden, rallying…American allies to save American citizens and Russian freedom fighters and doing it with intricate statecraft, pulling his whole team together to drive this across the finish line.” 

Tearing up, Sullivan added, “Today…was a very good day.”

This deal was in the works during the weeks when the press was hounding the president and suggesting he was not fit to do the work of the office. In fact, a senior administration official briefing reporters this morning pointed out that on July 20, an hour before he announced to the nation that he would not accept the Democratic nomination for president, Biden “was on the phone with his Slovenian counterpart, urging them to make the final arrangements and to get this deal over the finish line.” 

This is the largest prisoner swap since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The administration warned journalists that no one should think that there has been a breakthrough in the relationship between the U.S. and Russia or that tensions have eased. Putin’s continuing attacks on Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and our European partners, as well as his growing defense relationship with China, North Korea, and Iran, all mean that “you will not see a policy change from President Biden or the administration when it comes to standing up to Putin’s aggression as a result of this,” an official said. 

But the deal does suggest that Putin might be finding it in his own interest to look like he might be willing to negotiate on different issues going forward, a reflection of the damage the Ukraine war has inflicted on his own society. Russia has recently pulled its ships from the Sea of Azov, Russian mercenaries just suffered big losses in Mali, and today, Russian media reported that the country’s largest oil refinery was on fire. Putin might also be seeing that Trump’s path to the White House has gotten dramatically steeper in the past couple of weeks. 

Indeed, Putin’s decision to go ahead with the swap was a blow to Trump. Gershkovich was a Wall Street Journal reporter when he was taken into custody in March 2023, and the Wall Street Journal covered the negotiations in quite some depth today. Reporters Joe Parkinson, Drew Hinshaw, Bojan Pancevski, and Aruna Viswanatha noted that Trump got wind that a deal was coming together and began to insist at his rallies and in interviews that Putin would free Gershkovich only for him.

Putin has proven Trump wrong. 

That did not, however, stop Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance from claiming that Trump deserved credit for the swap despite Trump’s insistence that Gershkovich would be released only after Trump was reelected. For his part, Trump didn’t express any joy at all in the deal, simply claiming that Biden got fleeced and saying “[o]ur ‘negotiators’ are always an embarrassment to us!”  

And from the Department of Poor Timing, MAGA representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina tweeted this morning: “Biden is MIA. Why is no one talking about it?”

At today’s White House announcement, a reporter noted that former president Trump “has said repeatedly that he could have gotten the hostages out without giving anything in exchange,” and asked President Biden: “What do you say to that?”

“Why didn’t he do it when he was president?” Biden answered.  

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[the-whispers-of-death]

OC Information: "Death"

Full Name: Jason Maximovich Ivanov

Callsign(s): Death

Alias(es): Scythe-Bearer, Devil Incarnate, Lucifer, Grim Reaper, Shadow-Wolf

Nationality: American (Russian Immigrant)

Affiliations: U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Marine Fleet Force

Rank: Captain (U.S. Marines)

Gender: Male

Status: Alive

Birthday: February 11th, 1989 (35 as of 2024)

Build: Burly

Height: 6'8"

Marks: Whip scars on his arms, legs, back, and torso. A very old burn scar on the nape of his neck. A jagged knife scar going through his left eye scar but didn't blind him.

Hair: Black

Eyes: Brown

Background: Jason is the oldest son out of three sons and a daughter. He grew up in Russia and when he was three, his mother died during childbirth. His father trained him to be a killer and when he was thirteen, his father found out he was gay and abandoned him in the U.S. He lived on the streets until he was eighteen, where he got a green card and enlisted in the military. He's been in the Marine Corps for fifteen years.

Extra: He is a sniper and has a Purple Heart. He has a twenty year-old son named Ilariy that he adopted when Ilariy was at the age of four. He still talks to his siblings.

Reblogs are welcomed & appreciated! Asks are open, feel free to pop in and request something! (Check the rules in "Rules for Requesting NSFW" before requesting.)

[strictlyfavorites]

At least 59.4 percent of illegal immigrant-led homes use one or more welfare programs, compared with 39 percent of households headed by people born in the United States, according to the Dec. 19 report.

High rates of welfare use among illegal immigrants “primarily reflect their generally lower education levels and their resulting low-incomes, coupled with the large share who have U.S.-born children who are eligible for all welfare programs from birth,” the report reads.

“More than half of all illegal immigrant households have one or more U.S.-born children.”

Children born to illegal immigrants in the United States, also known as “anchor babies,‘ are considered to have automatic birthright citizenship even though the U.S. Supreme Court hasn’t explicitly ruled on the matter. Illegal immigrants can’t access most welfare programs, a restriction that eases for their children who are born in the country.

“The American welfare system is designed in large part to help low-income families with children, which describes a large share of immigrants,” CIS states in the report.

A dozen states offer Medicaid to all low-income children regardless of immigration status. Such children also have access to various government food and meal programs.

Programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program, free or subsidized lunch and breakfast for students, and Medicaid for children (Children’s Health Insurance Program) were “explicitly created for minors,” the report states.

The CIS report is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

“The reality is that illegal immigrants are included in the SIPP, a large share of them are poor, and they or their U.S.-born children have welfare eligibility; and many take advantage of this eligibility,” CIS stated.

“A very large share of immigrants come to America, have children, struggle to provide for them, and so turn to taxpayers for support. This can be seen as especially problematic given that there is already a large number of Americans who are also struggling to provide for their children.”

According to data from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the total number of U.S.-born children of illegal aliens in the United States as of June stood at 5.78 million, a population more than two times that of Chicago.

FAIR estimates that “illegal aliens and their U.S.-born children impose a net annual cost of $150.6 billion on American taxpayers as of the beginning of 2023.” Over the past five years, the annual cost has risen by almost $35 billion.

“This burden will only continue to grow as a result of the Biden administration’s open-borders policies,” the organization warns.

Ending Birthright Citizenship

Multiple GOP members have taken a strong stance against birthright citizenship. In 2018, former President Donald Trump said he would remove birthright citizenship via executive order, which didn’t happen.

In his 2024 campaign, President Trump has reiterated his position on the matter. In a May video, President Trump promised to sign an executive order on day one of his second term to solve the issue.

Such an order would end the “unfair practice known as birth tourism, where hundreds of thousands of people from all over the planet squat in hotels for their last few weeks of pregnancy to illegitimately and illegally obtain U.S. citizenship for the child, often to later exploit chain migration to jump the line and get green cards for themselves and their family members.”

“At least one parent will have to be a citizen or a legal resident in order to qualify,” President Trump stated.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called for an end to birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants during the second GOP debate, in September.

“Now, the left will howl about the Constitution and the 14th Amendment. The difference between me and them is I’ve actually read the 14th Amendment. And what it says is that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the laws and jurisdiction thereof are citizens,” Mr. Ramaswamy said.

“So nobody believes that the kid of a Mexican diplomat in this country enjoys birthright citizenship—not a judge or legal scholar in this country will disagree with me on that. Well, if the kid of a Mexican diplomat doesn’t enjoy birthright citizenship, then neither does the kid of an illegal migrant who broke the law to come here.”

In July, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced a proposal called “End Birthright Citizenship Fraud Act of 2023,” which aims to abolish automatic birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants.

Under the legislation, at least one parent of the child must be a U.S. national or a refugee, have lawful permanent citizenship, or be an active member of the military.

“My legislation recognizes that American citizenship is a privilege—not an automatic right to be co-opted by illegal aliens,” Mr. Gaetz said in a statement.

“This is an important step in preserving the sanctity of American citizenship and ensures that citizenship is not treated as a loophole to be exploited but rather a privilege to be earned when legally migrating to our country.”

[saintmeghanmarkle]

EXCLUSIVERevealed: The real reason Prince Harry may be on a 'golden ticket' diplomatic visa in the U.S. and why getting a green card could be a financial 'dagger to the heart' for the Royal Family by u/Von_und_zu_

EXCLUSIVERevealed: The real reason Prince Harry may be on a 'golden ticket' diplomatic visa in the U.S. and why getting a green card could be a financial 'dagger to the heart' for the Royal Family The Royal Family may want Prince Harry to remain on a diplomatic visa indefinitely so it does not have to reveal aspects of its finances to the U.S. Government.If the Duke of Sussex was to become a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident with a green card, it could be a financial 'dagger in the heart' for the royals, one tax expert told Dailymail.com.It would mean the Duke having to report his entire worldwide income to America's Internal Revenue Service, including details of any British bank accounts or trusts.And documents relating to any joint finances involving the rest of the Royal Family would have to be disclosed.It comes amid growing speculation about the Duke's immigration status in the U.S.Immigration experts have suggested to Dailymail.com that he may be on an extremely rare A-1 Head of State visa.This reporting makes no sense to me. Maybe he is on an A-1 - I do not know. But claiming that he has an A-1 because the RF wants him to be on an A1 because that would save Harold and the RF the embarassment of reporting to the US government any joint financial interests he has with the RF? What? Is anyone with a brain on duty at the DM today? https://ift.tt/sGlLzJZ post link: https://ift.tt/w1LEmyU author: Von_und_zu_ submitted: September 07, 2024 at 11:27PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[dertaglichedan]

Biden Considering Granting Amnesty, Handing Out Green Cards To Illegal Immigrants

P Resident Joe Biden is currently considering granting amnesty to illegal migrants in a bid to act on the worsening immigration crisis, according to Politico.

Biden and his administration are weighing several ideas to take a tougher stance on the southern border crisis and illegal immigration amid criticisms he has thus far failed to act on either. The administration could start dolling out green cards to illegal immigrants who have long stayed inside the United States, thereby giving them amnesty to stay in the country, three people familiar with the planning told Politico. (RELATED: Immigration Overtakes Inflation As Top Voter Concern In 2024: POLL)

The plan would grant migrants who have been in the country for more than 10 years access to the cancellation of removal program provided that they have relatives who would suffer if they were deported, according to Politico. Migrants could then receive a green card — a permanent residency grant —  if they meet the cancellation of removal requirements and an immigration judge rules in their favor.

It would represent a larger effort by Biden to take action on behalf of illegal immigrants who have long stayed inside the U.S., the three officials told Politico. The Obama administration took similar action in 2012 with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which delayed the deportation of illegal migrants who came to the U.S. when they were minors.

[ausetkmt]

Congrats on your citizenship! If you’ll be 18 before Election Day, you have the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections. This is your chance to influence the leadership in your community — and in the United States as a whole. In this article, we’ll walk you through the voter registration process.

Learn the voting rules in your state

Voting rules are different in every state. However, with exception to North Dakota, all states require citizens to register if they want to vote. How you register to vote can vary too. In many cases you can register to vote online, at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or by using the National Voter Registration form.

Check your state’s deadline for registration

You can check your state’s deadline for registering here, and learn about specific details on your state’s voter registration process, by visiting your state or local territory’s election office website. Whether or not you can vote in the upcoming midterm elections, registering to vote now will allow you to vote in the presidential election in 2024, so just do it!

Confirm you’re registered to vote

To confirm you’re registered to vote, you can check your voter registration status online, over the phone, by mail, or in person. Like registering itself, this varies state by state, so it’s helpful to check with your local election office.

When you’re confirming your registration, there are a few things to watch out for:

Your name is accurate and on the voter list

Your address is up to date

The polling place is correct

If you can’t find your name on the voter list, reach out to your election office as soon as possible! Every time you move or change your name you have to update your registration or re-register.

Determine your polling place

Once you’ve registered to vote, your election office will likely send you a voter registration card that tells you your polling place. On Election Day, you’ll go there to vote. You’ll probably need to show an ID before you can vote and if you know you can’t make it to your polling place on Election Day, you might qualify to vote by mail.

Important!

If you’re a lawful permanent resident and not a U.S. citizen, you cannot vote in federal and state elections. It can be confusing because if you’re at the DMV to get your license, the clerk might ask if you want to register to vote. If you accept, there is a risk of deportation.Non-citizens, such as green card holders cannot vote in federal, state, and most local elections. Learn more about who can vote here.

If you have any questions about the U.S. voting process process, USAGov can help! Call at 1-844-USA-GOV1 (1-844-872-4681).

Learn more about the other benefits of U.S. citizenship, and congrats again!

[kdevasier]

Understanding the Current Border Debate in Congress

On Joe Biden's first day in the White House, he sent a bill to Congress to reform America's immigration system. Called the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, it would have done what Republicans have been wanting, which has been to provide more security for the U.S./Mexican border. The bill did not pass, but lately, Republicans have been arguing that Biden has done nothing to address the influx of migrants at the southern border. So lets discuss what the bill would specifically have done, and why it did not pass.

First, briefly, here is a quick overview of what the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 would have done:

1.) Provide a roadmap for undocumented immigrants to apply for temporary legal status, with the ability to apply for green cards after five years if they pass criminal and national security background checks and pay their taxes. 

2.) Allocate additional funding for the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a plan to deploy technology to expedite screening and enhance the ability to identify narcotics and other contraband at every land, air, and sea port of entry. 

3.) Improve the immigration courts by expanding family case management programs, reducing immigration court backlogs, expanding training for immigration judges, and improving technology for immigration courts.

3.) Create a $4 billion four-year inter-agency plan to address the underlying causes of migration in the region, which would include increasing assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, conditioned on their ability to reduce the endemic corruption, violence, and poverty that causes people to flee their home countries. 

There is a lot more to the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, but the point is that the bill would have tackled the root cause of migrants from Central America, provided a pathway for undocumented individuals to escape legal limbo and become citizens, and bolstered security at the southern border. Everything that the Republicans would want, right? Nope.

In a recent interview with CNN, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) said: "Let me tell you, I’m not willing to do too damn much right now to help a Democrat and to help Joe Biden’s approval rating." In another interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), in response to Tapper's questions of accepting Biden's offer to allocate $14 billion in supplemental aid to bolster security at the border for right now, he responded with "no." With the economy improving and the 2024 elections rapidly approaching, Republicans recognize that the issue at the border will an excellent cudgel for them to hit Biden and Democrats with. Sadly, it also means that no serious measures will not be taken unless voters decide to put serious people in charge to solve the problem.

[reasonsforhope]

More details below. Thanks for posting, OP!

Article

"President Biden will clear the way on Tuesday [June 18, 2024] for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens to apply for legal residency in one of the most expansive immigration programs of his presidency, administration officials said...

Marrying an American citizen is typically a fast track to U.S. citizenship, but immigrants who cross the border illegally are subject to significant bureaucratic hurdles that have left them in limbo for years. Federal law requires such immigrants to leave the United States for up to 10 years and then apply to return, but immigrants call the penalty excessive.

Biden will allow undocumented spouses to apply for legal residency without having to leave the United States, a major relief for those who have jobs and are raising young children and worry that there is no guarantee they will be allowed back into the country.

“It’s just too much risk for me to leave my wife, my son and everything we’ve established in the United States,” said Foday Turay, a 27-year-old immigrant from Sierra Leone who is married to a U.S. citizen and is among those invited to Biden’s announcement at the White House.

Turay crossed the Mexican border unlawfully in 2003 when he was 7 to join his mother, who had earlier fled that country’s war. He is now an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia and has a work permit through Obama’s 2012 program [DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. But he said he wants to become a citizen.

About 500,000 undocumented spouses and 50,000 undocumented stepchildren of U.S. citizens are expected to be eligible to apply, according to a copy of the plan released by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security. To be eligible, immigrants must have lived in the United States for at least a decade as of Monday, have been married by that date, and meet other requirements. Their immigrant children must be under 21 to qualify, officials said.

Officials said the majority of immigrants expected to benefit from the program are Mexican nationals who have lived in the United States for an average of 23 years. Applicants who are approved will have three years to apply for permanent residency, also known as a green card, and will have work permits in the meantime.

Permanent resident spouses are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after three years, faster than the usual five-year requirement.

Biden is also expected to announce a work-visa program for current enrollees in Obama’s 2012 program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and others who were shut out of the program after the Trump administration called it an illegal amnesty and tried to terminate it in 2017."

-via The Washington Post, June 17, 2024

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[dankusner]

Inside Dallas PD's recruiting process

For those who want to become a police officer with one of the largest police forces in the country, the process begins with a morning spent at Dallas Police Headquarters.

About twice a month, the Dallas Police Department hosts an open recruiting session at police headquarters where prospective officers show up to begin the background check process and undergo a physical fitness evaluation under the watchful eye of department recruiters.

Of those who pass the initial round of assessments, roughly 91.5% of applicants, move on to a medical exam and psychological evaluation and submit to a polygraph examination to test their previous answers.

Good marks during this process mean an applicant can move on to Dallas’ police academy.

Forty weeks and 1,400 hours of instruction later, they can become a fully fledged police officer.

Applicant group sizes typically average about 30 to 40 applicants, with more applying at the beginning of summer when school ends, and less in the winter months, officials say. Around 40 came

Thursday morning.

The process begins with applicants filling out forms for background checks and providing recruiters with personal documents such as a driver’s license, Social Security card, birth certificate and college and high school transcripts.

Applicants then move on to a physical fitness test, which consists of activities to gauge their vertical jump, bench press capabilities, an agility test, push-ups, sit-ups and a 300-meter spring and mile-and-a-half run.

Applicants spoke on Thursday morning of their desire to serve their community and protect others.

Kassidy Green, 30, came to Dallas Police Headquarters to apply to be a police officer.

From Dallas, she said she wants to join the force to protect and serve, something she said she derives from her desire to protect her family.

Green also said she valued the team values within the police department.

“I’m really about camaraderie,” she said.

“I‘m really just about having the next man’s back, and showing up and setting my foot forward for the next people that come behind me and protecting those around me.”

For Jaelon Martin, 23, joining the police force seemed like the next step after leaving the U.S. Marines Corps.

Originally from Mississippi, he said he saw a lot of overlap between law enforcement and the military.

Army veteran Wesley Yellowwings, 32, said joining the police was something he always wanted to do, for similar reasons he joined the military.

He said his time in the military was to serve his country, but now he wants to serve his community.

Chris Martinez, 21, said he moved to Dallas from the Rio Grande Valley to try and become a Dallas police officer.

Martinez said officers should be role models for their communities.

“Everyone needs to be protected,” he said. “I want to be that role model for everyone.”

Potential Dallas Police recruits watch as Christopher Martinez of Edinburgh, TX does the Illinois Shuttle Run as part of the Physical Readiness Test during the On Site Testing at Jack Evans Police Headquarters in Dallas on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer)

Applicants who pass the first phases of recruiting go on to attend Dallas’ Police Academy, which consists of 1,400 hours of instruction spread out over 40 weeks.

Recruits study the Texas Penal Code, municipal codes and traffic laws, and are trained on arrest, search and seizure procedures, firearms, defensive tactics and emergency vehicle operation.

Dallas PD recruits are also taught some Spanish, which is beyond the standard set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

The on-site training and recruiting events come shortly after voters narrowly passed Proposition U in the Nov. 5 election, which calls on Dallas to hire roughly 900 more police officers.

A spokesperson with the department said police recruiters attend job fairs across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the state of Texas and the country looking for prospective applicants.

The department also offers off-site testing, meaning interested applicants can submit their paperwork and undergo an interview without needing to travel to Dallas.

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’ (AP) Just as there are good odds the turkey will taste dry, airports and highways are expected to be jam-packed during Thanksgiving week, a holiday period likely to end in another record day for air travel in the United States. The people responsible for keeping security lines, boarding areas and jetliners moving—from the U.S. transportation secretary and airline chiefs on down the line—swear they are prepared for the crowds. Auto club and insurance company AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday. Most of them will travel by car. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year. “This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.

America’s Rivals Have a New Favorite Weapon: Criminal Gangs (WSJ) There is a growing threat facing Western security agencies already stretched thin by war and terrorism: alliances between adversarial states and criminals, including drug gangs and lone wolves hired online. Dealing with crime was once the domain of law enforcement, while threats from foreign countries were the responsibility of intelligence agencies. Today the confluence of these foes is increasingly rendering such distinctions obsolete. Numerous incidents in recent years have awakened Western intelligence officials to the problem. Among their allegations: Russia recruits criminals on social media to commit acts of sabotage across Europe. China outsources overseas cyberattacks to private hackers. Iran hires teenage boys in Scandinavia to lob grenades at Israeli embassies. North Korea deals in drugs and cyber-fraud. Even the Indian government contracted a notorious gangster’s associates to kill a Sikh separatist in Canada. In July 2020, Italian police seized 84 million captagon tablets at the port of Salerno. The drugs, worth 1 billion Euros, were manufactured by the Islamic State group in Syria, which uses drug trafficking to finance its terrorist operations. The new threat is forcing Western governments to rethink decades of national-security and intelligence practices.

Immigrants Across U.S. Rush to Prepare for Trump Crackdown (NYT) President-elect Donald J. Trump has vowed to slash immigration—both legal and illegal—and ramp up deportations on Day 1. Immigrants are racing to get ahead of the crackdown. Foreign-born residents have been jamming the phone lines of immigration lawyers. They’re packing information meetings organized by nonprofits. And they’re taking whatever steps they can to inoculate themselves from the sweeping measures Mr. Trump has promised to undertake after he is inaugurated on Jan. 20. “People that should be scared are coming in, and people that are fine with a green card are rushing in,” said Inna Simakovsky, an immigration lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, who added that her team has been overwhelmed with consultations. “Everyone is scared,” she said. In total there are about 13 million who have legal permanent residency. And there were an estimated 11.3 million undocumented people in 2022, the latest figure available.

Trump and his allies see a role model in Argentina’s Milei (Washington Post) For the American right, there’s a new icon on the bloc. The week after Donald Trump’s election victory, Argentine President Javier Milei appeared at a black-tie bash at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was received with the same effusive enthusiasm that he himself took to the proceedings. In a short speech, the libertarian economist exulted in Trump’s win, saying “the forces of heaven [were] on our side.” Milei surged to power a year ago. Since taking office in December, he has moved quickly and radically, slashing public spending, erasing several governmental ministries and deregulating broad swaths of the economy. His zeal has won admirers in Trumpworld, where Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked with leading the so-called Department of Governmental Efficiency, are keen to follow Milei’s example. Ramaswamy, pushing for mass federal layoffs, has called for “Milei-style cuts, on steroids” as Trump and his allies act on their long-held desire to dismantle the administrative state.

Romania in shock after far-right populist enters presidential election’s runoff with most votes (AP) Romania’s political landscape is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election, electoral data showed Monday, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister. Calin Georgescu, 62, who has no party of his own and who campaigned largely on TikTok, will likely face center-right opposition party leader Elena Lasconi in a Dec. 8 presidential run-off vote. Some fear Georgescu’s victory could threaten Romania’s staunchly pro-Ukraine stance.

Ukraine’s Western Missiles Threaten Big Russian Assets (WSJ) A half-dozen U.S. ballistic missiles, fired by Ukraine, slammed into an ammunition depot some 75 miles across the Russian border early Tuesday, setting off further detonations that turned the sky red. The following morning, 10 British-provided cruise missiles pounded the vicinity of a Kremlin-run sanatorium that was apparently used as a military headquarters, smashing one after another in the town of Marino, located in Russia’s Kursk region about 20 miles from the front line there. These two strikes, the first Kyiv launched with Western-supplied missiles after receiving authorization from the U.S. and allies, show the range of military targets now available to Kyiv. Russian airfields, ammo depots and training grounds are no longer safe as Ukraine chooses what to target. Hundreds of targets are now within reach of the newly authorized weapons, which pack more punch than the long-range drones Ukraine has been using to strike deep inside Russia. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, has compiled a map of some 200 military targets in range of ATACMS, which has a range of up to 190 miles, and Storm Shadow, which can hit about 155 miles.

Thousands of Imran Khan supporters defy tear gas, lockdown and arrest to head to Pakistani capital (AP) Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned former premier Imran Khan have defied a lockdown and widespread arrests to head to the capital Monday to demand his release. Khan, who has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. The lockdown, which has been in place for two days, has disrupted daily life. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible. Ambulances and cars were seen turning back from areas along the key Grand Trunk Road highway in Punjab province, where shipping containers were used to block roads. Despite the crackdowns, senior PTI activists have reportedly entered the city limits of Islamabad, as part of convoys that have been organized to gather in the city center. Images have also begun circulating on social media of PTI supporters in the city trucking in gigantic fans, aimed at blowing away tear gas expected to be fired at protestors by Pakistani police. So far, authorities in Pakistan have arrested an estimated 4,000 PTI supporters.

In southern Lebanon, even war can’t stop the olive harvest (NZZ/Switzerland) This fall, like every year, whole families in Lebanon are traveling to their villages of origin to pick a fruit that has long been a national symbol. Kaukaba is a tiny village with around 200 inhabitants. It lies on a slope opposite Mount Hermon, which everyone here calls Haramoun. The family’s olive grove is located in the valley below, surrounded by other groves that also belong to local families. Between the leafy branches, stone walls and unpaved paths, the voices of children playing can be heard. Whole clans have come here to harvest their olives. The picking is a meditative affair. You stand in the middle of the trees and run your hand along the rough branches. The sun is shining and the air is warm. Sometimes the leaves rustle in the wind. Everything seems peaceful. You think about God and the world—and not about the war. But the war is nearby. The Syrian workers helping us used to live in a neighboring village. They fled from the bombs. A man called Aymad says he has already sent his family to Aleppo because of the war. When asked what he will be doing in the near future, he shrugs his shoulders. «Picking,» he says. «After all, I have to earn money.» Then, abruptly, the bombing starts. It is coming from the nearby Shiite village of Khiam, where Israel and Hezbollah are engaged in fierce battles. The Syrian workers carry on undeterred until the early afternoon, when they pack the harvest into sacks and drive away. According to legend, Jesus once rested here, along with the Mother of God. For this reason, the local council had a huge statue of the Virgin Mary erected on top of the mountain above Kaukaba. Her white face of stone now stares fixedly down at the war.

Lebanon’s Shiite Muslims pay high price in war between Israel and Hezbollah (AP) The Lebanese civilians most devastated by the Israel- Hezbollah war are Shiite Muslims, and many of them believe they are being unfairly punished because they share a religious identity with Hezbollah militants and often live in the same areas. “This is clear,” said Wael Murtada, a young Shiite man who anxiously watched paramedics search rubble after a recent Israeli airstrike destroyed his uncle’s two-story home and killed 10 people. “Who else is being attacked?” Israel has concentrated its attacks on villages in southern and northeastern Lebanon and neighborhoods south of Beirut. This is where many Hezbollah militants operate from, and their families live side by side with large numbers of Shiites who aren’t members of the group. Israel insists its war is with Hezbollah and not the Lebanese people—or the Shiite faith. It says it only targets members of the Iran-backed militant group to try to end their yearlong campaign of firing rockets over the border. But Israel’s stated objectives mean little to people like Murtada as growing numbers of Shiite civilians also die in a war that has escalated sharply in recent months.

Hundreds flee north Gaza as IDF orders more evacuations amid intense airstrikes (Guardian) The IDF ordered the evacuation of more parts of northern Gaza over the weekend, forcing hundreds of Palestinians to flee the area. The Israeli attacks only add to the hellish situation in northern Gaza, according to multiple international aid agencies—tens of thousands of people in the area are unable to access water, sanitation, food, and medical supplies thanks to Israel’s sustained offensive. Over the weekend, a senior member of Israel’s security cabinet said that the IDF would be stationed in Gaza “for years,” stating, “Gaza will never be a threat to the state of Israel, no matter how long it is going to take … I think that we are going to stay in Gaza for a long time … I think most people understand that that will be years.”

From eyesore to asset: How a smelly seaweed could fuel cars (BBC) When large swathes of invasive seaweed started washing up on Caribbean beaches in 2011, local residents were perplexed. Mounds of unsightly sargassum were carpeting the region’s prized coastlines, repelling holidaymakers with the pungent stench emitted as it rots. Now, a pioneering group of Caribbean scientists and environmentalists hope to turn the tide on the problem by transforming the troublesome algae into a lucrative biofuel. They recently launched one of the world’s first vehicles powered by bio-compressed natural gas. The innovative fuel source created at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados also uses wastewater from local rum distilleries, and dung from the island’s indigenous blackbelly sheep which provides the vital anaerobic bacteria. The team says any car can be converted to run on the gas via a simple and affordable four-hour installation process, using an easily available kit, at a total cost of around $2,500 (£1,940).

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Stay updated on US immigration, particularly the U.S. Green Card. Anticipate policy shifts in 2024, with updates to the U.S. Green Card Lottery expected in 2025. Access the latest US Immigration News on our platform to stay informed about regulatory changes. Whether you're pursuing residency or monitoring immigration trends, trust our insights to guide your Green Card journey.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Trust Joe Biden

June 19, 2024

ROBERT B. HUBBELL

President Biden announced a significant modification to the pathway to citizenship for “undocumented spouses” of US citizens. Even the hard-to-impress headline writers at the New York Times described Biden’s action as follows: “The new policy is one of the most significant actions to protect immigrants in years.” (This article is accessible to all.)

Per the Times,

Under the new policy, some 500,000 undocumented spouses will be shielded from deportation and given a pathway to citizenship and the ability to work legally in the United States. It is one of the most expansive actions to protect immigrants since Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, was enacted 12 years ago to protect those who came to the United States as children. [¶] The policy aims to help people who have been living in the United States for more than a decade, building lives and families here. Even though marrying an American citizen generally provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship, people who crossed the southern border illegally — rather than arriving in the country with a visa — are required to return to their home countries to complete the process for a green card. To be eligible, the spouses must have lived in the United States for 10 years and been married to an American citizen as of June 17. They cannot have a criminal record. The benefits would also extend to the roughly 50,000 children of undocumented spouses who became stepchildren to American citizens.

The Republican response to Biden’s humanitarian plan descended to new depths of mind-blowing hypocrisy. As The Hill reported in its headline, Republicans slam Biden immigration order as election ploy.

“An election ploy?” Hmm. Remember that time—six months ago—when Joe Biden had successfully negotiated a bipartisan immigration reform package that was set to sail through the House and Senate? And then remember that Donald Trump asked congressional Republicans to kill the bill to preserve immigration as an election issue for Trump? See HuffPost (1/24/24) Trump Privately Pressuring GOP Senators To ‘Kill’ Border Deal To Deny Biden A Win.

So, in the absence of congressional action, President Biden is doing the only thing he can —use executive action to address areas of immigration policy within the President’s discretion. Biden wishes it were otherwise but has no choice. Rather, he is willing to work with anyone who is interested in finding solutions.

In announcing the new policy, President Biden said,

Folks, I’m not interested in playing politics on the border or immigration. I’m interested in fixing it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again today, I will work with anyone to solve these problems. That’s my responsibility as president. That’s our responsibility as Americans.

No, Joe Biden is not playing politics. He is addressing an intractable problem despite obstructionist behavior from Republicans. A lesser president would give up in defeat. Not Joe Biden. He is a great president and deserves to be re-elected.

[Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter]

[alexesguerra]

Herbana Witch Oracle Herbana Witch Oracle Contributor(s): Lattari, Cecilia (Author) , Guidi, Alice (Illustrator) Binding: Other Pub Date: August 16, 2024 ISBN: 9781646712113 Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Physical Info: 1.4" H x 5.2" L x 3.3" W (0.7 lbs) 64 pages Wise, intuitive, and in harmony with nature, the green witch Herbana is the goddess of the earth element. She is deeply attuned to the forest's mysteries. Her magic is intricately woven with the wild essence of herbs, flowers and animals, guided by the ancient language of nature. This 50-card oracle deck transports you to the magical forest, inviting you to observe and to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Use the 64-page full-color illustrated guidebook to explore this realm and receive the insights it offers. Biographical Note: About the Author: Cecilia Lattari is a theater pedagogue, educator, and performer. She works in educational programs for adults with disabilities and at-risk youth, in theater training and artistic collaborations as a performer, and in dissemination and training in the field of medicinal herbs, sacred plants, and tarot. About the Artist: Alice Guidi is an illustrator passionate about mythology, folklore, and everything that has an ancient flavor and deep roots. Born in May in a small town near Milan, she has always spent her summers among the landscapes and colors of Friuli Venezia Giulia. This has allowed her to grow up appreciating both the city, with its chaotic rhythms, and the emotions that nature releases.

[mediahousepressin]

U.S. Department of State December 2024 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates for Employment-Based and Family-Sponsored Green Cards

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Canada Immigration: Canada Ranked Among Top Safest Countries to Travel in 2025.

Planning a trip to Canada in 2025? You’re in good hands! According to the latest report by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP), Canada ranks as the third safest country globally for travelers in 2025. With a reputation for safety and natural beauty, Canada continues to attract visitors worldwide, making it a top choice for international travelers and those considering Canada immigration.

Whether you're traveling for leisure or exploring opportunities to study or work in Canada, here’s a detailed look at why Canada stands out as a top destination for safety and immigration.

Canada Ranks #3 in Global Safety for 2025

In BHTP's annual travel safety rankings, Canada has secured third place, following Iceland and Australia. Canada even surpassed other safe countries like Switzerland, New Zealand, and Sweden. This ranking is based on comprehensive safety metrics, including protection from violent crime, terrorism, health risks, and considerations for LGBTQIA+ travelers and travelers of color.

To ensure accurate evaluations, BHTP integrated data from the Global Peace Index, Numbeo, and GeoSure Global, providing travelers with an all-rounded perspective on Canada’s safety across various dimensions.

Canada’s High Rankings in Key Safety Areas

BHTP’s assessment reveals that Canada ranks among the top in various safety sub-categories:

Protection Against Violent Crime: Canada ranks #2 globally in protection from violent crime, reassuring visitors and potential immigrants about its low crime rates and secure environment.

Wildlife and Road Safety: With vast landscapes and diverse wildlife, road safety is critical in Canada. The report advises travelers to exercise caution on highways, particularly in rural areas where encounters with wildlife such as bears, moose, and deer are common. These wildlife precautions highlight the importance of safe travel habits in Canada’s natural surroundings.

Canada Immigration: A Safe and Secure Destination

Canada’s ranking as one of the safest countries globally supports its reputation as a desirable destination for immigrants. Each year, people choose Canada immigration to pursue studies, career advancement, and quality of life improvements.

If you’re considering immigration to Canada through study, work, or residency programs, consulting with a Canadian immigration consultant can simplify the process. Reputable immigration consultants offer guidance on visa applications, eligibility assessments, and pathways for skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs.

2024 vs. 2025 Safety Rankings: Canada Remains a Safe Choice

While Canada held the top spot for safety in 2024, it continues to maintain a strong position in 2025 as the third safest country globally. BHTP’s report shows that Canada consistently ranks high on the list of safest countries, making it a secure choice for those looking to study abroad or migrate through Canadian immigration pathways.

The report noted that travelers widely regard Canada, Northern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand as some of the world’s safest spaces. This consistent ranking underscores Canada's commitment to providing a secure environment for residents, travelers, and immigrants alike.

How to Visit Canada: Visa and Entry Requirements

For most international travelers, visiting Canada requires either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Here’s a quick breakdown:

eTA: Citizens of visa-exempt countries need an electronic travel authorization before flying to Canada. U.S. citizens and green card holders, as well as residents of St. Pierre and Miquelon who are French nationals, are exempt from needing an eTA.

Visitor Visa: Individuals from non-visa-exempt countries need to obtain a visitor visa prior to their arrival.

Regardless of your documentation, travelers must also meet Canada's admissibility requirements, which means individuals with certain criminal backgrounds may face restrictions.

Benefits of Consulting with a Canada Immigration Consultant

For those considering permanent residency or studying abroad, working with a Canada immigration consultant can streamline the process. Immigration consultants help with visa consultancy services, application forms, and any necessary supporting documentation. This is especially helpful for students, skilled workers, and individuals exploring Canadian residency options through Wave visas and other visa consultancy services.

Why Canada Remains a Top Destination for Study and Immigration

Canada is more than a travel destination; it’s a country known for high-quality education, stable job markets, and diverse communities. Here are some reasons why so many people choose Canada immigration for study and work opportunities:

World-Class Education: Canada has a robust education system, with several universities ranking among the world’s best, making it a top choice for those looking to study abroad.

Thriving Job Market: With sectors like technology, healthcare, and engineering growing steadily, Canada offers abundant opportunities for skilled professionals.

High Quality of Life: Known for its welcoming culture, healthcare system, and safety, Canada ranks high in quality of life—an attractive factor for individuals seeking a better standard of living.

Pathways to Residency: Canada provides numerous pathways to permanent residency, including the Express Entry program for skilled workers, family sponsorships, and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Canada

For those planning a short stay or scouting the country before settling, Canada offers numerous travel experiences, from bustling urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver to breathtaking natural parks in the Rockies and coastlines in Atlantic Canada. Remember to take safety precautions, especially when exploring Canada’s natural beauty.

Conclusion

Canada’s ranking as the third safest country for travel in 2025 solidifies its reputation as a secure and welcoming destination for international visitors and those considering Canada immigration. From high safety standards to diverse opportunities for study, work, and residency, Canada is a top choice for global travelers and prospective immigrants