Flashback: Texas RINO Congressman pleads for Biden to use Laughlin AFB to dump illegals into Florida, NY

As Texans  mark their absentee mail ballots or head to the polls on Monday to vote in the "First-In-The-Nation" 2022 primaries it's worth taking a trip down memory lane to June 4, 2021. 

That was the day Texas RINO Congressman Tony Gonzales wrote to Jennifer Miller, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Energy, and Environment, requesting she work with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to fly the illegal aliens out of his Texas congressional district and essentially dump them onto the taxpayers of Louisiana, New York and Florida.

Here's the text of the letter:

"I am writing to express my support for expanding access to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). 

As you know, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is experiencing record levels of migrant apprehensions. Local, state, and federal entities in the region are thus severely limited in their detainment and processing capabilities. As a result, substantial numbers of migrants, pending trial, are being released into communities in my district, overwhelming local resources and creating unsustainable bottlenecks. 

To help alleviate the high traffic this region is enduring, I urge you to collaborate with ICE to facilitate flights for migrants out of Laughlin Air Force Base and to their final destinations. The current crisis on the border requires law enforcement agencies to be adaptable in their operations and work with counterparts to effectively manage federal resources. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter and please contact my office if any questions arise."

We now know the Biden Administration made good on Texas RINO Congressman Tony Gonzales' request. 

Even Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson exploded when he learned the Laughlin AFB flights were dumped in Alexandria, LA.

“There are a lot more questions than there are answers right now,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. “In fact, we are seeking those answers. I sent a letter to the President himself just two days ago that we get some of this data that’s accurate, that we get some of the plans of ICE.”

Then there were comments from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: 

Governor Ron Desantis proposes bussing illegal immigrants, brought to Florida, up to Delaware. "I will send them to Delaware and do that. If he's (President Biden) not going to support the border being secured, then he should be able to have everyone there." pic.twitter.com/V8WuoUTGD4

— CBS4 News Gainesville (@mycbs4) November 10, 2021

Instead of Tony's Texas voters and communities being overwhelmed his thought process was for Joe Biden to dump this mess on Louisiana, New York and Florida.

RINO Texas Congressman shares office building with Biden "Border Invasion" federal contractor

Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales - a first term member of the House of Representatives running for reelection this year- has a field office in a San Antonio building owned by a Biden "border invasion" federal contractor, County Examiner can reveal.

Representing Texas' 23rd District Gonzales official government website features a district office address of 6333 De Zavala Rd which public records reveal shares the same address as Family Endeavors, a nonprofit linked to the Biden Administrations' suspicious, massive no-bid contract awarded to Endeavors and Biden Administrations border invasion of illegal aliens.

 

The contracts potentially totalling over $641 million were awarded in March 2021 through Immigration and Customs Enforcement arm of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of HHS shortly after Gonzales was sworn into office on January 3, 2021.

On May 24th 2021 the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) applauded the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General for launching an investigation into a massive, no-bid contract awarded to Endeavors Inc.—a nonprofit linked to the Biden-Harris Transition Team.

“The Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General is right to launch an investigation into the Biden Administration’s suspicious no-bid contract awarded to Endeavors Inc. There are serious concerns about the award process, the nonprofit’s ability to meet the contract needs, and the link to the Biden-Harris Transition Team. The cost of President Biden’s border crisis already burdens American taxpayers and we cannot allow the Biden Administration to exploit it to reward political allies with lucrative taxpayer-funded contracts. This is government waste and abuse and must be addressed. I hope this investigation sends a strong message to the Biden Administration that taxpayer dollars cannot be misused to line the pockets of political friends."

 

ICE Houston deports three illegal aliens wanted for homicide in Mexico

While Harris County, Texas residents were distracted by mandatory mask-wearing orders issued by a child county executive, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Removal Operations in Houston sent three illegal aliens ---adios fellas---back to Mexico where they are all wanted for homicide.

“These individuals fled Mexico to escape prosecution for their alleged crimes and have continued to engage in criminal activity here in the U.S.,” said Paul McBride, acting field office director of ERO Houston.

 "By working together with our foreign law enforcement partners, we have safely returned them to their home country where they will stand trial for their alleged crimes and made our community safer.”

From the ICE press release:


HOUSTON — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Houston, Texas, removed three fugitives Wednesday wanted for homicide in Mexico.

Alfredo Medina-Martinez, 29, Guillermo Vazquez-Saenz, 51, and Eduardo Antonio Perez Don Juan, 53, all citizens of Mexico, were escorted to the Laredo, Texas, Port of Entry where they were presented to Mexican law enforcement authorities.

Medina-Martinez is wanted by Mexican authorities for homicide. Vazquez-Saenz and Perez Don Juan are wanted for aggravated homicide.

Medina-Martinez has been removed from the U.S. to Mexico on three previous occasions; Jan. 5, 2019; Feb. 27, 2019; and May 10, 2019. He was ordered removed by an immigration judge Dec. 30, 2018. Medina-Martinez was convicted of illegal entry Jan. 2, 2019, and illegal reentry Feb. 26, 2019, and Oct. 15, 2019. He is a documented member of the Mexicles, a Mexican street gang allied with the Sinaloa Cartel.

Vazquez-Saenz, a documented member of the Zetas Drug Cartel, was administratively removed from U.S. to Mexico May 14, 2013. On Jan. 22, 2018, he was encountered by immigration officials after illegally reentering the U.S. An immigration judge ordered him removed from the U.S. to Mexico Aug. 24, 2018. He was convicted of escaping from custody July 15, 2002, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and driving while intoxicated in Collin County (Texas) June 2, 2006.

Perez Don Juan has previously been removed from the U.S. to Mexico on four occasions; April 17, 1999; Oct. 25, 2002; March 25, 2004; and Dec. 10, 2009. He has multiple criminal convictions in the U.S. including a conviction for attempted burglary in Dekalb County (Georgia) June 26, 1998, illegal reentry March 24, 2003, driving while intoxicated in Galveston County (Texas) Nov. 30, 2009, and illegal reentry March 27, 2020.

Read it all here.

ICE arrests over 100 dangerous criminals in Utah, Nevada and Idaho

More than 100 criminals who posed a threat to public safety, national security and border security were arrested in Utah, Nevada and Idaho during the last week in February, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) news release.

Among those arrested was a 31-year old Laotian man who evaded law enforcement authorities for almost 14 years after he  was previously convicted in Utah of attempted homicide:

• A 36-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of larceny;

• A 50-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of domestic violence;

• A 38-year-old El Salvadoran national who was convicted of DUI;

• A 54-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of cruelty toward a child;

• A 42-year-old Mexican national who was convicted of prostitution.

Jason Somchanmavong, 31, an aggravated felon, is now in ICE custody waiting removal to his home country. He was convicted of attempted homicide and discharging a firearm from a vehicle Feb. 13, 2006. 

In addition to Somchanmavong's arrest, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers made more than 110 arrests in Utah, Nevada and Idaho during the last week of February. Recent arrests include:

"We applaud ICE for removing a known dangerous illegal alien from the community and sparing innocent Americans from possible harm," said Maria Espinoza, National Director of The Remembrance Project.

"We would like to see a more expeditious conviction and removal process with future cases prosecuted in these states" Espinoza added.

"There must also be justice for the American taxpayer; Congress must seek to be reimbursed from the Mexican government," she emphasized.

Grand jury returns indictment against two Irving, TX men for assaulting a federal officer

A Laredo, Texas grand jury returned an indictment against two men for their role in assaulting a federal officer, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) news release dated March 5 revealed.

According to the indictment the incident stemmed from two men who applied for admission into the United States at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo, Texas. 

LAREDO, Texas — Two men from Irving, Texas were charged Thursday for their role in forcibly assaulting a federal officer.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick, Southern District of Texas, announced the charges. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations.

A Laredo grand jury returned the indictment Feb. 25, 2020 against Juan Alfredo Crisencio Martinez, 20, and Jaythan Trevonne Phillips, 20, both from Irving, Texas. Both men went before U.S. District Judge Diana Song Quiroga who charged them with forcible assault.

According to the indictment, the assault took place Feb. 8, 2020. The incident began after they applied for admission into the United States at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo. A CBP officer allegedly began to conduct an immigration inspection and asked them to exit the vehicle. They refused, according to the allegations.

The charges allege authorities swarmed the lane to apprehend the occupants. At that time, Martinez allegedly reached for the officer’s belt from inside the vehicle. He also opened the driver’s side door in order to prevent a responding officer from assisting, according to the allegations.

Law enforcement allegedly had to physically carry Phillips to the secondary inspection area.

Martinez continued to resist, according to the allegations. Law enforcement allegedly had to deploy a Taser in order to subdue him.

Read the rest here.

Bribery investigation involving alien detainee roster lists results in indictment

County Examiner has frequently wondered how some alien detainees secure legal representation. According to this press release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), legal representation was alledged to have occurred through the Raymondville, Texas "friends and family" program.

From the ICE newsroom:

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A South Texas woman was taken into custody Monday, following an indictment alleging she made a false statement to authorities in a bribery investigation involving alien detainee roster lists.

This announced was made by U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick, Southern District of Texas. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

On Feb. 18, 2020, a federal grand jury returned an indictment on Cynthia Alanis, 27, from Weslaco, Texas. She as arrested Feb. 24, 2020, without incident.

The charge stems from a bribery investigation involving Benito Barrientes, 42, from Lyford; Exy Adelaida Gomez, 42, from Los Fresnos; and Damian Ortiz, 30, and her brother and McAllen attorney Roel Alanis, 39, both from Weslaco. They were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery in relation to obtaining alien detainee roster lists.

According to court documents, the indictment against Alanis alleges she falsely stated she did not receive nor know of any alien detainee roster lists given to the Alanis law firm. However, the charges allege she had previously received detainee roster lists and knew of such lists given to the law firm.

Barrientes and Ortiz were employed at the Willacy County Regional Detention Center as a classification clerk and a senior program director, respectively. Gomez was a corrections officer at the El Valle Detention Center. Both facilities are in Raymondville, Texas.

The indictment also alleges Barrientes, Ortiz and Gomez obtained alien detainee roster lists from the El Valle Detention Center and the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos while employed in their respective capacities.

The lists were then allegedly provided to Roel Alanis, an attorney with a practice in in the Rio Grande Valley. Roel Alanis then allegedly paid money to the employees in return for receiving the lists which contained names, dates of birth, country of origin and A-numbers of alien detainees. The charges allege Roel Alanis would visit the illegal aliens for the purpose of hiring his law firm as their attorney in immigration proceedings. Alternatively, he would instruct his sister or others to do so, according to the charges.

If convicted, Alanis faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Barrientes and Ortiz have pleaded guilty and are set for sentencing April 29, 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

OOPS! Florida news reporter accidentally makes the case for passing an EVerify bill

When she shared the story of "Junior" and his pending deportation from the United States,  she revealed "Junior" was employed at his fathers' business. 

In an opinion piece published by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune titled "Seidman: One-size-fits-all in Florida ICE detentions"dated January 26, 2020 columnist Carrie Seidman gives an account of "Junior", a Mexican national brought to the United States by his parents as a minor. Junior, she reveals, was recently arrested in Sarasota, Florida after a traffic stop, found to be unlawfully present in the country with an arrest record back to 2007 and subsequently turned over to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) for deportation.

"Last week, I shared the story of “Junior,” a Mexican national brought to this country by his parents as a minor, who was arrested in Sarasota recently after a traffic stop and turned over to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) for potential deportation."

 Turns out "Junior" has an arrest record going back 13 years 

"Though he has never been accused of a violent crime or a felony offense, Junior does have a history of arrests dating back to 2007 that includes numerous traffic and misdemeanor offenses, including driving without a valid license, shoplifting, disorderly intoxication, parole violations and resisting arrest without violence."

"Junior" it turns out, has been employed at his fathers' business:

"Thus, it’s not terribly surprising that someone like Junior, who graduated from Riverview High School and has been employed ever since in his father’s business or as a barber, now finds himself on the brink of being returned to a country he left 16 years ago and barely knows."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called upon the Florida Legislature to pass an EVerify bill to ensure Florida businesses not only follow the IIRIRA (Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996) but to ensure Florida businesses maintain and employ a safe and legal workforce.

Thank you Sarasota Herald-Tribune for publishing a story supporting the Governor and supporting the Rule of Law.

ICE: Inspection of employment records reveals Texas construction company knowingly employed 43 illegal aliens

Perhaps the Texas Legislature should pass an EVerify bill in their 2021 session. They could follow the lead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Joe Gruters; the chair of the Republican Party of Florida.

Earlier today, January 28 and in the aftermath of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' direction to the Florida Lege, Florida Politics reports the Republican Party of Florida Executive Committee passed a formal resolution last night rallying behind the Governor's call for passage of an EVerify bill this session.

Why does Florida --any state for that matter---need a safe and legal workforce?

County Examiner has written numerous articles: 

• the fake father who forced a 12 year old boy to work in agriculture fields in Palm Beach County, 
• the Stuart, Florida company whose officers were sentenced for knowingly hiring 92 illegal aliens, and 
• the Fort Lauderdale-area illegal alien charged in Broward County with the hit-and-run death of a Canadian snowbird while operating a forklift at a construction site without a license required by OSHA.

So here comes a news release published by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) where five North Texas businessmen agreed to pay the U.S. Government $3 million for their role in a scheme to employ illegal aliens.

DALLAS – A North Texas construction company will pay the U.S. government $3 million for its role in a scheme to illegally employ illegal aliens.

This agreement was reached following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Five individuals have already pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme.

In a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Speed Fab Crete, a Texas-based builder, admitted it illegally employed individuals not authorized to work in the United States, and agreed to forfeit $3 million to the U.S. Treasury for use in promoting law enforcement activities related to immigration enforcement.

According to the agreement, which requires Speed Fab Crete to cooperate with the government to ensure it will not violate immigration laws in the future, the company pledged to continue to use E-Verify, the federal government’s web-based employment eligibility verification system; to comply with new internal verification procedures; to conduct company-wide training on immigration compliance; and to discipline those who attempt to employ unauthorized workers.

The company’s three owners, Carl Eugene Hall, Ronald Alan Hamm, and David Leon Bloxom, are jointly and severally liable for the full amount if Speed Fab Crete does not fulfill its financial obligations under the non-prosecution agreement.

You can read the rest here.

Federal law requires employers hire only U.S. citizens and aliens who are authorized to work in the country and its a darn shame Florida Senate President Bill Galvano continues to stubbornly resist an EVerify bill that would codify into state law that which is already federal law---verify all new employees at all Florida businesses---in the hopes of thwarting labor trafficking schemes among employers who thumb their nose at our Rule of Law.

"Fake father" forced 12 yr old to work at Palm Beach County ag farms in labor trafficking scheme, says DOJ

A Guatemalan national was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a labor trafficking scheme of a 12 year old boy, announced the U.S, Department of Justice, Southern District of Florida earlier today.

In a press release posted January 13, 2020 the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and a Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Miami Field Office made the announcement.

Court records reveal the Guatemalan national obtained fake identification in order to pose as the 12 year old boys' father (think "fake families" attempting to illegally enter the U.S.) who then lied to Customs and Border Protection about being the boy's father and unfortunately were released as a family unit. 

Based on the "fake family" lie, both made their way to Florida where, it was announced the fake father obtained a fake ID and forced the BOY to work at agricultural farms throughout Palm Beach County (emphasis mine):

"Beginning in December 2016, the Guatemalan national obtained false identification for the 12 year-old boy and forced him to work at agricultural farms throughout Palm Beach County for more than 6 months to repay a debt from the human smuggling venture.  The boy was eventually able to escape and reported his victimization during the course of the labor trafficking scheme. 

Walfre Eliseo Camposeco-Montejo, 35, of Guatemala, previously pled guilty to providing and obtaining forced labor, alien smuggling, and unlawfully transporting aliens.  On Friday, January 10, 2020 U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman sentenced Camposeco-Montejo to a total of 96 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release."  

Side note:

The 2020 session of the Florida Legislature will convene in Tallahassee tomorrow, January 14. Passage of an E-Verify law is among the major initiatives Governor DeSantis has announced for this legislative session.

E-Verify, authorized by Congress and signed into law by former President Bill Clinton through the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), is a web-based system through which employers electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their employees.

Federal law requires employers hire only U.S. citizens and aliens who are authorized to work in the country and its a darn shame Florida Senate President Bill Galvano continues to stubbornly resist supporting SB 664, a bill that would codify into state law that which is already federal law---verify all new employees at all Florida businesses---in the hopes of thwarting labor trafficking schemes.

Another illegal alien arrested in Florida- this time for brutal assault of Federal DHS agent

Florida Democrats fought with all their might against Governor Ron DeSantis's bill SB 168 banning sanctuary jurisdictions and requiring local and state law enforcement agencies and entities honor immigration detainer requests ban during the 2019 Legislative session. 

Not the 2018 case of the Fort Myers police officer shot and killed in the line of duty by an illegal alien visa-overstay nor the 2017 case of two paramedics in Jupiter killed by an illegal alien driver charged with the driving while intoxicated second degree felony death of the EMTs would sway the Democrats steadfast objections to the rule of law and supporting the lives of all Florida first responders and law enforcement.

Florida Democrats just didn't think law enforcement should cooperate with the Feds to remove dangerous illegal aliens from Florida communities; Governor DeSantis was right to push the Legislature to pass that bill.Opponents called it "one of the worst anti-immigrant laws in the country."

Now in just a few seven months after the Governor signed the bill into law comes ANOTHER illegal alien arrested in Florida only this time for the brutal assault of a federal agent.

Jorge Asencion Monge, 48 years old and an illegal alien living in Bonita Springs, Florida was arrested and booked into the Lee County jail on November 14, 2019 on charges of first degree felony assault on a federal Department of Homeland Security agent and second degree felony resisting arrest with violence. And YES, the jail booking records reflects he was subject to an ICE hold. 

According to the arrest record reviewed by County Examiner, the Lee County Sheriff's Office received a call for assistance from two Department of Homeland Security agents the evening of November 14. Due to an incident at a federal hearing that took place on an unknown date and regarding a fake identity the agents were out in the community to take Monge into custody.

The probable cause statement explains how Monge assaulted one of the DHS agents after also making a move for the agents firearm.

Think about it.

Monge HAD a prior interaction with law enforcement and that's when ICE should have taken him into custody--THATS why honoring immigration detainer requests with other jurisdictions in accordance with the rule of law and passing SB 168 was necessary.

Jones County prison finally opens 10 years after construction

The West Texas county borrowed in excess of $ 7 million dollars nearly ten years ago to construct a new prison at the request of the state of Texas and now the facility will finally open. 

In a press release dated December 3, 2019 Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) announced a new detention facility will open next week in Jones County, Texas.

ANSON, Texas — (emphasis mine)The field office director (FOD) for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) for Dallas, Texas, is announcing a new ICE detention facility that’s officially opening during the week of Dec. 9.

FOD Marc J. Moore explained that the new ICE facility was actually built in 2010 by the state of Texas to house inmates for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  However, the facility has never been used. 

BBDC operates from an intergovernmental service agreement (IGSA) between ICE and Jones County, Texas.  The facility is managed by Management and Training Corporation (MTC), which will be overseen by ICE officers.  The new facility will house about 1,000 ICE detainees as they await the outcomes of their immigration proceedings, or their removal to their countries of origin.  IGSAs are contractual agreements made between government agencies. 

Most of the facility will house men; however, one separate section has been designated to house up to 72 women.  

BBDC has 25 housing units within about 100,000 square feet.  The 42-acre plot is big enough to easily accommodate expansion, if needed in the future.

According to bond disclosures of the Jones County Public Facility Corporation County Jail Project posted December 2, 2009 revenue bonds totaling $7,880,000 were issued by Jones County Public Facility Corporation, a nonprofit public corporation and instrumentality of Jones County, Texas.

Judge rules blood test results of driver charged in 2017 Palm Beach County ambulance crash that killed two paramedics cannot be suppressed

A Palm Beach County judge denied a defense request to prevent the results of a blood test taken on the driver charged with the June 2017 driving while intoxicated second degree felony death of two paramedics in Jupiter, Florida from being entered into evidence

Palm Beach County public records dated November 8, 2019 reveal the attorney defending Guatemala native Genaro Delacruz Ajqui in the death of paramedics Paul Besaw and Lahiri Garcia was unsuccessful in his effort to claim an illegal blood draw. 

While the Fourth Amendment clearly provides all searches of persons and property are unreasonable absent a warrant or exception, in the State of Florida all licensed drivers consent to give breath or blood in exchange for the privilege to drive under Florida State Statute 316.1932 (1) (c).

The process of attempting to find Delacruz Ajqui mentally deficient to proceed to trial and waving his right to a speedy trial has also slowed the day of reckoning in this case.

Having been declared indigent after his June 2017 arrest and citing traumatic brain injury in addition to anxiety disorder, Ajqui was found mentally incompetent to proceed almost one year after his June 2017 arrest  when in May 2018 he was remanded to a Florida Department of Children and Families mental health facility for six months. Court records reveal defendant Ajqui was subsequently found competent to proceed to trial in a December 2018 status check.

Although this WPTV news report cited a spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) statement that: 

"ICE lodged a detainer on Genaro De La Cruz , a citizen of Guatemala, with the Palm Beach County Jail after he was arrested on local charges.", 

the arrest report on file with other court documents does not nor does the arrest & bond section of the county website indicate if Ajqui is lawfully present in the United States.

Nearly two and one-half years after his arrest Ajqui has been order to appear in court again on January 3, 2020.

Florida's "Better Safe Than Sorry" Legal Standard for Confiscating Your Property---and other cases on the radar screen

A number of intriguing cases are percolating within several county and district courts in Florida. As is my practise I've included court names, case numbers and styles to assist any of you legal wonks who enjoy researching these cases.

Here's a summary of the legal actions we're following:

Photography is not a crime

Case No.: 2:19-cv-0484 in United States District Court, Middle District of Florida: On October 31, 2019 the City of Punta Gorda responded to the plaintiffs motion for preliminary injunction to a lawsuit in federal court pertaining to a recording prohibition contained within Chapter 15 of the City Code. 

In court filings reviewed by County Examiner, the City asserts only persons who engage in legitimate public business with city officers or employees are authorized to access certain public properties,therefore someone who is a non-resident wouldn't and doesn't have a constitutional right to use public spaces at all times and under all circumstances.

Non-US Citizens Can't Get their Story Straight at U.S, Port of Entry

Miami Dade County, cases F-19-020143 through 146 involve four flight attendants arrested at Miami International Airport in October 2019 on charges of money laundering and unauthorized money transfer. Court records reveal all four are subject to immigration holds and are due back in court for arraignment on November 20, 2019.

Was it terrorism?

Case 1:19-cr-20603 in United States District Court, Southern District of Florida: a jury trial date is set for December 9, 2019 before Judge Marcia Cooke for Abdul Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani. The former American Airlines mechanic was charged with sabotaging an airplane in July 2019. Few news outlets other than County Examiner reported on and published court documents revealing the presence of an Arabic translator during courtroom proceedings. 

Florida's "Better Safe Than Sorry" Legal Standard for Confiscating Your Property

Florida's Second District Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in case number 18-4631 styled DTM v Grady Judd, Sheriff of Polk County challenging the states' risk protection order act section of SB 7026. 

In her brief and arguments before the court, Orlando attorney Kendra Parris makes public the Constitutional concerns set forth in this firearm confiscation act, specifically the due process and vagueness concerns, the selective application and unlawful delegation of legislative and prosecutorial authority in violation of the Florida Constitution.

In Jefferson Eugene Davis v Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, case 1D18-3938 Florida's First District Court of Appeals upheld the statutes constitutionality, finding no abuse of discretion or denial of due process. I'm forecasting the ERPO Act will eventually end up in front of the Florida Supreme Court.

Visa Overstay charged with First Degree murder of Fort Myers Police Officer

A competency hearing is scheduled for December 19, 2019 in case 2018-CF-017498 styled The State of Florida v Wisner Desmaret. 

Lee County Court records reveal an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) hold placed on the man facing first degree premeditated homicide of a Fort Myers police officer in 2018. Desmaret is also charged with first degree robbery with a firearm, battery on an officer - firefighter - EMT, aggravated assault on an officer - firefighter- EMT and grand theft. 

 

Report: Miami top locale for calls requesting services from ICE VOICE Office

A report published by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals 304 requests for service by victims and families impacted by crimes committed by removable criminal aliens were handled by the VOICE (Victims Of Immigration Crime Enforcement) Office in Q4 2018. Callers in the ICE Areas of Responsibility (AOR) of Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles comprised approximately 34% of the total calls handles by the office.

The ICE AORs of Los Angeles, New York City and Miami comprised approximately 35% of the 295 calls handled by the office in Q3 2018.

Established by Executive Order 13768 titled Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States, the VOICE office serves the needs of crime victims and their families who have been impacted by crimes committed by removable criminal aliens. With the creation of the VOICE Office, victims of crimes committed by individuals with a nexus to immigration now have a government resource that can provide timely information on their cases.

The 2017 Executive Order also directed the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to produce quarterly reports studying the effects of the victimization by criminal aliens present in the United States.

The 4th quarter 2018 report discloses fifteen case studies of victim engagement which include the following:

Collier County, Florida - illegal alien charged with reckless driving, no valid driver license

An illegal alien from Guatemala was charged with reckless driving and no valid driver license in Collier County, Florida after a Sheriff Deputy observed the suspect driving aggressively and putting pedestrians lives at risk. 

Cristino Alberto Roblero Lopez, 21 years of age was observed by a CCS Deputy driving recklessly and with a willful disregard for the safety of pedestrians on Monday September 2 in the vicinity of Sunshine Blvd and Green Blvd 

Cristino was booked into the Naples, Florida jail for processing with an ICE hold noted on his record.

Tampa, Florida H1-B visa employer to use E-Verify

A Tampa, Florida based Information Technology staffing and solutions firm was recognized by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their commitment to maintain a legal workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through education and training.

According to a news release from U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement, SRI Tech Solutions, Inc has been recognized by Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a recent ceremony.

• The Departments IMAGE certification program, which stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers, requires companies to perform four requirements:

• Complete the IMAGE Self-Assessment Questionnaire (application)

• Enroll in the E-Verify program within 60 days

• Establish a written hiring and employment eligibility verification policy that includes internal Form I-9 audits at least once per year, and

• Submit for a Form I-9 inspection

The ICE news release noted SRI Tech Solutions, Inc. headquartered in Tampa, Florida, has additional offices in Sterling, Virginia, and Waltair Ward, Visakhapatnam, India.  SRI Tech Solutions, Inc. currently has over 80 employees.

"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program enables employers to verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records."

Data posted on the Save American Information Technology Jobs (SAITJ) website revealed SRI Tech Solutions Inc. participated in the H1-B visa program for the year 2017. 

4x deported illegal alien found in West Virginia jail, faces prison time, deportation

The United States Attorney's Office in the Southern District of West Virginia announced Wednesday that an illegal alien from Mexico plead guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien.

According to the press release announced by United States Attorney Mike Stuart, the Mexican national found not lawfully present in the United States was deported from the U.S. on four prior occasions; in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. 

"On June 17, 2019, Camarena-Jacinto was found in the South Central Regional Jail  located in Charleston, West Virginia by members of ICE after he was arrested by Ripley police officers for the state offense of obstruction.  ICE agents traveled to the jail to confirm his legal status.  The defendant admitted to agents that he was in the United States illegally.  Camarena-Jacinto  was arrested and ICE agents matched his fingerprints to previous removals from the United States.  ICE agents further spoke to the defendant to confirm his identity. Camarena-Jacinto again admitted being in the United States illegally.  Camarena-Jacinto had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States."

News of securing the guilty plea comes on the heels of a controversy in nearby Huntington, West Virginia and a grant deal where some community members do not want local law enforcement officers working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

From the Herald-Dispatch:

HUNTINGTON — What is normally a routine request for federal grant money has turned into a point of controversy for Huntington City Council.

For at least the past decade, the city has applied and received money for the Huntington Police Department through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The program is used to pay for officers performing drug interdiction patrols and for community education programs.

However, new language added to the grant application this year has some people questioning whether accepting it will open the city up to illegal immigration raids conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency.

City officials said the grant's wording is merely a promise to comply with all federal laws, and the grant itself has nothing to do with immigration or ICE.
Still, a group of people are asking the city not to follow through with the grant application and to take measures to prevent local officers from working with ICE agents.

Report: LA, NY, Miami top locales for calls requesting services from ICE VOICE Office

A report published by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals 295 requests for service by victims and families impacted by crimes committed by removable criminal aliens were handled by the VOICE (Victims Of Immigration Crime Enforcement) Office in Q3 2018. Callers in the ICE Areas of Responsibility (AOR) of Los Angeles, New York City and Miami comprised approximately 35% of the total calls handles by the office.

The ICE AORs of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami comprised approximately 34% of the 362 calls handled by the office in Q2 2018.

Established by Executive Order 13768 titled Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States, the VOICE office serves the needs of crime victims and their families who have been impacted by crimes committed by removable criminal aliens. With the creation of the VOICE Office, victims of crimes committed by individuals with a nexus to immigration now have a government resource that can provide timely information on their cases

The 2017 Executive Order also directed the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to produce quarterly reports studying the effects of the victimization by criminal aliens present in the United States.

The 3^rd quarter 2018 report discloses eleven case studies of victim engagement which include the following:

An April 2017 article posted on Breitbart News announced the formal unveiling of the VOICE (Victims of Immigration Crime Enforcement) Office and contained a photo of then GOP Presidential Nominee Donald Trump taken during his 2016 appearance and speech at The Remembrance Project conference luncheon.

Disclosure: I attended The Remembrance Project Luncheon in 2016