House Republicans investigating fraud in migrant parole program
The House Homeland Security Committee sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas seeking answers about reports of fraud in a migrant parole program. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paused President Joe Bidenâs migrant flights because sponsors were being improperly vetted.Â
The program allowed 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to come into the United States with the support of a financial sponsor. Those allowed in could live and work in the states for two years.
The organization Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, obtained an internal investigation that found U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services identified thousands of applications with fraudulent information.
The investigation found false Social Security numbers, phone numbers and addresses on the I-34A forms filled out by sponsors. Investigators found that sponsors used 100 addresses on 19,000 applications. Those addresses included warehouses and storage units.
DHS said there were no problems vetting migrants, just sponsors.
DHS told The Associated Press in a statement that the beneficiaries âare thoroughly screened and vetted prior to their arrival to the United States.â The department also said it would ârestart application processing as quickly as possible, with appropriate safeguards.â
The Homeland Security Committee is continuing its inquiry into the matter and wants Mayorkas to hand over documents that could shed light on what went wrong.
The committee requested an unredacted copy of the Department of Homeland Securityâs internal report that identifies patterns, trends and potential fraud indicators within the program. Additionally, members requested the associated data used to inform the report.
Committee members also said they want all documents and communications within the department and with external contractors regarding the report and the decision to pause the program.
Members want the information by Aug. 27. Since the program was fully introduced in January 2023, approximately 494,000 people have been let into the country.
Violent clashes in Kenya turn deadly as police fire on youth protesters
Kenyan security forces shot and killed multiple demonstrators in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 25, as anti-tax protests turned violent. Police fired live rounds on protesters outside of Kenya’s parliament building, reportedly killing at least 10 and injuring dozens. Amid the chaos, a section of the parliament building was set on fire.
The demonstrators, rallying against new tax hikes amid a severe cost-of-living crisis, were met with water cannons and tear gas as they stormed the assembly.
Inside parliament, lawmakers approved the contentious tax hikes despite the unrest. Lawmakers evacuated to a nearby government building through an underground tunnel as police clashed with protesters.
The bill now goes to President William Ruto, who had been expected to sign it this week, though he has signaled a willingness to hold talks with protesters and negotiate changes to the tax bill.
The bill aims to raise $2.7 billion in taxes to address the national debt, which consumes about 40% of the nationâs total revenue in interest payments alone.
Frustrated Kenyan youth launched the current â7 Days of Rageâ movement to protest the nationâs fiscal policies they see as unfairly burdensome.
Amnesty International has expressed concern over the governmentâs response. The organization said at least 12 key figures in the movement were abducted in the days leading up to the protests in what appears to be an attempt to suppress the demonstrations.
On Monday, President Ruto sent 400 police officers to Haiti for a U.N.-backed security mission. This deployment, expected to total 1,000 officers, has ignited controversy within Kenya. Critics question the legality and morality of the move, while human rights groups fear the Kenyan police might replicate the tactics used during domestic protests in their operations abroad.
Haiti reopens airport after months of gang violence. Where are the gangs now?
Previously, the gangs relied on financial support from Haitiâs corrupt political and business elites, particularly during election times. Gangs used financial backing to influence votes to maintain power.
In recent years, however, these gangs funded their activities through kidnappings, extortion and drug trafficking, making them less dependent on political partners. According to the U.S. Justice Department, some groups acquired more sophisticated weapons and adopted a more militaristic stance. The gangs focused on national ambitions instead of typical turf wars. Gunfights became prominent in the streets.
Tensions escalated in March after gangs stormed prisons, freeing thousands of inmates and prompting a mass exodus of tens of thousands of Haitian citizens.
Several groups then took control of the capital city and demanded the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who ultimately stepped down. A transitional council with nine members now governs the country, with Henry’s former finance minister serving as interim prime minister. However, gangs continue to cause chaos.
In response, Kenya prepared to lead an international task force, approved by the U.N. Security Council, to deploy a police presence to help the transitional council restore stability.
âA bilateral reciprocal agreement was entered into between Kenya and Haiti which facilitates Kenya to be able to deploy, and we are in the process or government is in the process of finalizing preparation to deploy,” said Korir Singoei, the principal secretary of foreign affairs for Kenya. “I can tell you for sure that that deployment will happen in the next few days, few weeks.â
U.S. airlines JetBlue and American expect to resume flights to Port-au-Prince by early June.
Thousands of migrants flew into US under new program. Where did they go?
Hundreds of thousands of migrants entered the U.S. under a Biden White House initiative that allows them to bypass the border and fly directly into the U.S. Of those migrants, 80% of them are landing in the Sunshine State.
The program is meant to serve as a safer pathway into the country, according to the Biden administration. However, critics of the program argue that itâs adding to the overwhelmed immigration system, and they question its legality.
The migrant is responsible for airfare expenses but once in the U.S., they can apply for work. After two years, there are a number of options that would allow them to remain in the U.S.
The program has been around since January of last year, and more than 400,000 migrants have taken advantage of it.
The Homeland Security House Committee wanted to know where these migrants are flying into and subpoenaed the Department of Homeland Security for the data.
The committee was provided with numbers from January to August of 2023, showing U.S. destinations for 200,000 of the migrants.
The other 200,000 migrants who utilized the program in the following months are not included in this data set.
Eighty percent of the migrants flew to Florida. Miami had more than 90,000 migrants fly into the city. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa saw 161,562 migrants travel through their airports. New York saw 14,827, Houston had 7,923, and Los Angeles had 3,271 migrants fly into their cities.
âItâs a secret in the sense, yes, we know the program is going on, weâre suing, we think itâs illegal, but, theyâre not coordinating with state government at all,” DeSantis said. “If they throw six people on a commercial flight, thereâs no acknowledgement at all to state or local authorities. Thatâs a fact.â
According to DHS, the migrants flying over are considered âinadmissible,â meaning they are ânot permitted by law to enter the U.S.â
âWhat they’re essentially saying is that the laws passed by Congress have said that these people are inadmissible, and so they created a program to try to get around those laws,” Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said. “The thing is, they don’t have the authority to create such a program. By their own admission, they’re breaking the law.”
The White House released a statement in response.
âThis is a lawful process that cuts out smugglers seeking to take advantage of vulnerable individuals considering migrating and that has successfully decreased irregular migration from these countries. To say this process is âsecretâ is laughably false.â
This program initiative by the Biden White House is capped to 30,000 migrants a month. There are already millions of migrants on a waiting list who have applied.
A new Gallup poll released on Tuesday, April 30, shows immigration is still the No. 1 issue for American voters.
Some voters believe programs like the CHNV program can be a solution and give some slack to a strained immigration system by allowing certain migrants who qualify to bypass it. Other voters believe itâs incentivizing more immigration when cities are already overwhelmed.
US citizens fleeing Haiti gang violence land in Miami
The U.S. State Department is urging American citizens to leave Haiti due to recent gang violence and advises those wishing to depart to contact them through their website.
As of Sunday, March 17, the number of U.S. citizens in Haiti seeking a charter flight and the total remaining in the country were unclear.
In an effort to assist its citizens, the U.S. arranged for a limited number of charter flights from the northern city of Cap-Haitien, less impacted by the unrest. However, officials emphasized that Americans needed to make their own way to the airport for evacuation.
Upon arrival in Miami, government officials have begun assisting the evacuees with their immediate planning and next steps.
A State Department spokesperson highlighted the “fluid and quickly evolving situation” in Haiti, noting, “U.S. citizens are not required to register their travel to a foreign country with us, so we cannot accurately track how many U.S. citizens are in any particular country.”
In a related move to ensure the safety of its diplomatic missions, the U.S. military has recently increased its presence to bolster security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, reflecting ongoing concerns about the stability in the region.
Vladimir Putin wins Russian presidential election, 6 more years in power
With a landslide victory in an election without real competition, Russian President Vladimir Putin secures another term in power. And, following a downturn during the pandemic, marriage rates in the U.S. are on the rise. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, March 18, 2024.
Vladimir Putin wins Russian election, remains in power for six more years
Vladimir Putin is celebrating a landslide victory in Russia’s presidential election, securing another six years in office that will have him surpassing Josef Stalin as the country’s longest-serving modern leader. The Kremlin announced that Putin won 87% of the vote, a win described by Putin as a sign of the Russian people’s “hope” and “trust” in him.
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During his victory speech, Putin referenced his country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, indicating his next term would focus on the “special military operation.” The election, however, has been widely criticized. Opponents of Putin have been exiled or imprisoned, leading to international condemnation. A U.S. official criticized the election as neither “free nor fair.”
Despite the expected outcome, thousands of protesters demonstrated against Putin on the final day of voting in the three-day election period, participating in a “Noon Against Putin” event. This demonstration was in response to a call by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who urged people to show their dissent against Putin’s two-decade rule.
đłđˇđşPresidential Elections are over at the polling station #8148 located at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa.
đ§ŽThe electoral commission starts to count the votes.
Following the election results, Putin held a news conference where he commented publicly for the first time on Navalny’s death, claiming that he had considered a prisoner swap before the opposition leader died.
North Korea fires short-range missiles as Blinken visits Seoul
Early Monday, March 18, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Seoul attending a democracy conference, North Korea resumed its missile testing after two months by launching several short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern seas. This move follows closely on the heels of a joint 11-day military drill between South Korea and the U.S., which Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned as a rehearsal for invasion.
Officials from Japan and South Korea reported that the North fired three missiles, which traveled nearly 200 miles before landing off the east coast. These missile tests have been denounced as violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions, with South Korea’s military describing them as a “clear provocation” and reaffirming its strong alliance and vigilance alongside the U.S.
The missile launches have drawn sharp criticism from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, highlighting them as threats to the peace and security of neighboring nations and the broader region.
Benjamin Netanyahi criticizes Chuck Schumer’s calls for new elections
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator described Netanyahu as a âmajor obstacleâ to peace. During a Senate speech last week, Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S. and a longtime supporter of Israel, suggested Israel should hold new elections once the war with Hamas begins to subside.
Netanyahu, speaking to CNN on Sunday, March 17, labeled Schumer’s remarks as âtotally inappropriate.â He argued, âItâs inappropriate for a â to go to a sister democracy and try to replace the elected leadership there. Thatâs something that Israel, the Israeli public, does on its own, and weâre not a banana republic.”
He continued, emphasizing that the focus should instead be on combating Hamas in Gaza, saying, “I think the only government that we should be working on to bring down now is the terrorist tyranny in Gaza, the Hamas tyranny that murdered over 1,000 Israelis, including some dozens of Americans, and is holding Americans and Israelis hostage. Thatâs what we should be focused on.â
In response to Netanyahu’s comments, Schumer released a statement saying, âItâs a good thing that a serious discussion has now begun to ensure Israelâs future security and prosperity once Hamas has been defeated.â
U.S. citizens fleeing Haiti amid gang violence land in Miami
This week at State, @SecBlinken headed to Jamaica to meet with regional leaders on the situation in Haiti, the Swedish flag is raised at @NATO, and the Secretary traveled to Vienna to address the synthetic drug crisis with UN partners. pic.twitter.com/eRMyB2DQRe
In an effort to assist its citizens, the U.S. arranged for a limited number of charter flights from the northern city of Cap-Haitien, less impacted by the unrest. However, officials emphasized that Americans needed to make their own way to the airport for evacuation.
Upon arrival in Miami, government officials have begun assisting the evacuees with their immediate planning and next steps.
In a related move to ensure the safety of its diplomatic missions, the U.S. military has recently increased its presence to bolster security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, reflecting ongoing concerns about the stability in the region.
CDC: Marriage rates are up following pandemic downturn
In 2022, the number of marriages exceeded 2 million for the first time since 2019, signaling a return to pre-pandemic matrimonial highs. Nevada, known for its quick and easy wedding options, topped the list of states with the highest marriage rates, closely followed by Hawaii.
The CDC report also highlights a decline in divorce rates, suggesting that not only are more Americans choosing to get married, but fewer are deciding to part ways, based on the latest data available.
Teams selected for 2024 Men’s, Women’s NCAA Tournament
On the men’s side, the Connecticut Huskies, the defending champions, have secured a top seed, alongside Purdue, North Carolina, and Houston. These teams are poised to begin their journey toward another title in a fiercely competitive bracket.
For the women’s tournament, the unbeatable South Carolina leads as a top seed, with Iowa, Texas, and USC rounding out the number one spots. These teams have demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the season, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.
The men’s tournament kicks off with the First Four games on Tuesday, March 19, leading into the first round starting Thursday, March 21. The women’s tournament follows, with the first round beginning on Friday, March 22. Fans across the nation are gearing up for the thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments that define March Madness.
US deploys Marines to embassy in Haiti amid rising unrest
As tensions and civil unrest escalate in Haiti, the United States announced Wednesday, March 13, it will heighten security measures by deploying an additional team of Marines to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. This action comes in the wake of the turmoil that led to the resignation of Acting Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, after a series of anti-government protests and violence swept through the nation.
The Marine Fleet-Anti-Terrorism Security Team, known as the FAST team, aims to reinforce the security of the embassy. The U.S. Southern Command stated that the deployment is intended to ensure the embassy remains capable of assisting U.S. citizens and supporting Haitian efforts toward a peaceful transition of power.
“At the request of the Department of State, the U.S. Southern Command deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) to maintain strong security capabilities at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and conduct relief in place for our current Marines, a common and routine practice worldwide,” a U.S. Southern Command spokesperson said. “The U.S. Embassy remains open, and limited operations continue, focused on assistance to US citizens and supporting Haitian led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power.”
In addition to the Marines’ deployment, U.S. military helicopters were utilized earlier this week to evacuate non-essential American personnel from the embassy. Despite the evacuations, a State Department official informed ABC News that a substantial number of diplomats are still stationed at the embassy, continuing their duties amidst the unrest.
The Defense Department is intensifying its involvement with the Multinational Security Support Mission, collaborating with Haitian and Kenyan partners to expedite the provision of resources necessary for assisting the Haitian National Police in restoring peace and security across the country.
Haitian prime minister to resign amid rising gang violence
âThe government that Iâm running cannot remain insensitive in front of this situation. There is no sacrifice that is too big for our country,â Henry said. âThe government Iâm running will remove itself immediately after the installation of the council.â
The leaders gathered to discuss the increasing violence in Haiti, where criminal gangs have seized control of a large part of the capital city, impacting international travel. Due to security concerns, Henry has been unable to return to Haiti and remains in Puerto Rico. However, the U.S. Territoryâs Department of State indicated he plans to return once conditions allow.
A presidential council is poised to replace Henry, comprising two observers and seven voting members from various sectors, including political coalitions, the business community, civil society, and a religious leader. This council is tasked with appointing an interim prime minister swiftly; however, those planning to run in Haiti’s upcoming elections are ineligible to participate.
Since early 2023, Haiti has been without elected representatives, and the forthcoming elections will be the first since 2016. Many Haitians view Henry as corrupt, criticizing him for repeatedly delaying elections under the pretext of restoring security first.
U.S. intelligence chiefs warn of threats at border, abroad
With ongoing wars and the crisis at the border, U.S. intelligence officials warn of threats at home and abroad. And changes are coming for groceries with that ‘Made in the USA’ label. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
U.S. intelligence chiefs warn of threats at border, abroad
Wray addressed concerns about the crisis at the border, responding to questions from Senator Marco Rubio about threats from individuals entering the U.S. illegally. Wray highlighted the danger posed by drug trafficking and violent crime linked to gangs involved in distributing fentanyl, noting the FBI seized enough fentanyl in the last two years to kill 270 million people.
Despite acknowledging that criminals have indeed entered the U.S. through the southern border, Wray clarified that the FBI is not aware of any specific plots. The officials also discussed threats related to ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East.
Burns emphasized the importance of America’s continued support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, arguing that additional funding is crucial for Ukraine to remain a “strong, sovereign, independent country.” He warned of a “grimmer future” for Ukraine and broader implications for European security and stability in the Indo-Pacific if support wanes, potentially emboldening China’s ambitions in regions such as Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Robert Hur to testify before Congress on Biden classified documents report
A month after the release of his report on the investigation into President Biden’s handling of classified documents, Robert Hur, the special counsel, is scheduled to testify before Congress today. In his role as special counsel, Hur recommended no charges against Biden.
However, his report, which spans nearly 400 pages, drew significant attention for its critique of the president’s age and memory, suggesting that a potential jury might view Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with poor memory.”
Following the release of Hur’s report, President Biden addressed the nation from the White House, defending his cognitive abilities and overall fitness for office. Hur’s report did acknowledge Biden’s cooperation with the investigation, noting that the president had voluntarily turned in classified documents, consented to searches of multiple locations including his homes, and sat for a voluntary interview.
Biden, Trump could clinch nominations after today’s contests
While President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are the frontrunners for their respective parties’ presidential nominations, nothing is official yet. This could change after today’s contests. Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington state are holding primaries for both parties, along with a GOP caucus in Hawaii. The Northern Mariana Islands and Democrats Abroad will also conclude their Democratic Party contests.
Biden is 102 delegates short of securing the Democratic nomination, with 254 delegates available today. Trump needs 140 delegates to become the GOP’s presumptive nominee, with 161 delegates at stake in today’s primaries.
Haitian Prime Minister to resign amid rising gang violence
The leaders gathered to discuss the increasing violence in Haiti, where criminal gangs have seized control of a large part of the capital city, impacting international travel. Due to security concerns, Henry has been unable to return to Haiti and remains in Puerto Rico. However, the U.S. Territory’s Department of State indicated he plans to return once conditions allow.
A ship carrying 200 tons of food aid for Gaza has set sail from Cyprus, marking what is considered the first shipment of aid by sea to the war-torn territory. The departure of the ship was captured in video footage by The Associated Press as it was towed out of a harbor Tuesday morning.
The effort is spearheaded by World Central Kitchen, an international charity founded by celebrity chef JosĂŠ AndrĂŠs. The organization describes this shipment as a test run for establishing a sea corridor to supply aid to Gaza amid the ongoing five-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to the rule, only products derived from animals born and raised in the United States can bear the labels “Made in the USA” or “Product of USA.”
Under the current system, companies have been able to apply these labels to meats imported from other countries. While the use of these labels remains voluntary, the new regulation seeks to bolster consumer confidence in the “Made in the USA” designation, ensuring that such claims on meats, eggs, and poultry are genuinely reflective of American sourcing.
“This airlift of personnel into and out of the embassy is consistent with our standard practice for embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft,” the U.S. military’s Southern Command said in a statement.
“Our embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections,” the Southern Command statement read.
Rising gang violence near the embassy and the airport prompted the State Department to relocate additional personnel. Despite the turmoil, the embassy remains open, actively supporting Haitiâs local police, advocating for security missions, and promoting peaceful power transitions.
The German Foreign Ministry said its ambassador and other EU representatives moved to the Dominican Republic due to security concerns. On Monday, leaders from Caribbean nations are set to meet to discuss the crisis in Haiti. They have invited the U.S., Canada, France, the U.N., and Brazil to attend the meeting. Â
