Mediaboss Marketing

Farah Larrieux feels like she's about to be forced out after living and working in the U.S. for more than a decade. Immigration privileges granted to her and many other Haitians after the 2010 earthquake could soon be revoked.

President Donald Trump's appointees must announce by May 23 whether to continue "temporary protected status" for about 50,000 Haitians legally living and working in the U.S. Without this status, they could suddenly face deportation.

A top immigration official has argued that Haiti is stable enough for its citizens to no longer need protection from deportation. According to emails obtained by The Associated Press , Trump appointees are looking for evidence that Haitian immigrants have committed crimes before announcing the decision.

As President Barack Obama's administration repeatedly extended the benefits for Haitians, Florida came to feel like a permanent home to Larrieux.

"I am planning my life, settling down. I can tell you that I am financially getting stable but now I don't know what's going to happen in the next three months," she said.

Four years after Larrieux arrived in Florida in 2005, she had been divorced and depressed. Her visa had expired, and her green card application was rejected. The post-quake benefits gave her a lifeline: She got a Florida driver's license, returned to school and built a company promoting Haitian entertainers from her home in Miramar.

"It was a rebirth," she said.

According to James McCament, President Donald Trump's acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Haiti's poverty, political instability, infrastructure problems and cholera outbreak no longer qualify its citizens for a program responding to countries in crisis.

"Those myriad problems remaining in Haiti are longstanding problems which have existed for many years before the 2010 disaster," McCament wrote in an April 10 memo first reported by USA Today. His recommendation: end the status once current benefits expire July 22, and give the Haitians until January to leave voluntarily.

The AP obtained emails sent from April 7 to May 1 showing a USCIS policy chief repeatedly asking staff how often Haitians with temporary status were convicted of crimes and how many took advantage of public benefits. Her employees replied that such data weren't available or difficult to find in government records.

USCIS spokeswoman Sharon Scheidhauer said the agency doesn't discuss "pre-decision documents." She said Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly hadn't made a decision regarding Haiti.

A criminal history disqualifies an applicant for temporary protected status, and recipients aren't eligible for public benefits, so Trump is "not going to be able to find the evidence he's looking for, and if he does, it's fake news," Cheryl Little of Americans for Immigrant Justice said Tuesday.

Haitian-American leaders and Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Rodrigue said deporting established property owners, entrepreneurs, students, taxpayers and the parents of U.S.-born children could cut off their remittances, financially crippling a country where the quake killed up to 300,000, cholera has killed least 9,500 since 2010 and Hurricane Matthew's landfall killed 546 in October.

Immigrant rights advocates say the U.S. economy also would suffer. Deporting the affected Haitians could cost $469 million, and $428 million in contributions to Social Security and Medicare would be lost over the next decade, according to estimates by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

"These people are working. They are contributing. They have lives here," said Marleine Bastien, of Haitian Women of Miami. "This is one of the gravest crises we've been facing since the earthquake."

Temporary protected status allows immigrants from countries experiencing armed conflict or environmental disasters to legally live and work here. To be eligible, Haitians had to live in the U.S. before Jan. 12, 2011. Residency and employment authorizations were renewed every 18 months.

Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors strict immigration policies, said Haitians never should have expected permanent privileges.

"There is always going to be something happening in Haiti," Mehlman said. "Unless things are absolutely perfect, which they never were and they will never be, we would have to allow people to remain here indefinitely."

Haitian government officials said Wednesday they're ill-equipped to welcome back tens of thousands of people.

"Their return would be detrimental to us," said Dave Fils-Aime, a political and economic affairs specialist for Haiti's embassy in Washington.

The same benefits currently extend to citizens of a dozen other countries. It's unclear if USCIS also inquired about their criminal histories.

McCament's memo didn't address the expiration of benefits next year for nearly 355,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador, who have had "temporary protected status" for nearly 20 years. Immigrants from the other countries arrived more recently and in fewer numbers.

Trump wooed Haitian-Americans as the Republican nominee, despite wide support for Democrats in their community, which makes up 1.8 percent of Florida voters.

"The Haitian people deserve better, as I intend to give them," Trump said in Miami's Little Haiti in September. "I will be your champion."

In the USCIS emails, Larrieux hears echoes of the prejudice Haitians suffered in the 1980s when U.S. doctors wrongly identified them as a risk factor for AIDS.

"Now they're going to put a tag on us that we are criminals and we're abusing the system? This is discrimination," Larrieux said. "Does that mean that white people don't do crimes? That there's no American born in the U.S., or people with green cards, or people who get their citizenship who commit crimes? If that's their argument, they're wrong."

Associated Press writer David McFadden in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, contributed to this report.

See the original post:
Haitians fear wrenching end to US immigration protection - ABC News

It turns out Jared Kushners role as senior adviser to President Donald Trump hit a snag.

White House sources confirmed to FOX Business that Kushner recused himself from working on the controversial EB-5 immigration program at the start of the administration amid potential concern that his involvement would have been perceived as a conflict of interest due to his White House role.

However, despite that recusal, his name was mentioned when his sister, Nicole Kushner Meyer, used the immigration law during a sales pitch in Beijing where she urged Chinese billionaires to invest in the luxury apartment building One Journal Square in Jersey City, NJ. In return, investors would be granted a chance to live in the United States and a fast track to permanent residency. She mentioned her brother, the former chief executive officer of Kushner Companies, within her presentation, as a way, some have said, to lure investors.

EB-5, the much-criticized visa program, allows foreigners to win fast-track immigration in return for investing $500,000 in U.S. properties.

President Trump extended the program only a day before Meyers investor pitch as part of a massive federal spending bill, but theres no sign that the president did so in order to help the Kushners.

Kushner Companies insisted the mention of Trumps son-in law during the presentation was not an attempt to reel in investors and issued this mea culpa: Kushner Companies apologizes if that mention of her brother was in any way interpreted as an attempt to lure investors. That was not Ms. Meyer's intention, a Kushner Companies spokesperson said in a statement to FOX Business.

Continue Reading Below

ADVERTISEMENT

Kushners personal attorney Blake Roberts of WilmerHale LLP, said in a statement to FOX Business that his client divested himself from Kushner Companies and the One Journal Square project while also acknowledging he will recuse from particular matters concerning the EB-5 visa program.

While Trumps senior adviser recused himself from being involved with the EB-5 program in January, well before his sisters China visit, it may also have something to do with another project he was working on throughout the campaign, which involved the same program hes hurrying to distance himself from.

In 2014, Kushner Companies, under the leadership of Jared Kushner, teamed up with The Trump Organization, then led by Donald Trump, and KABR Group of New Jersey to work on their first big project known as Trump Bay Street, a 50-story luxury rental apartment building in Jersey City.

The project itself was worth about $200 million but sources close to the development say Kushner Properties and KABR Group raised $50 million in funds through the EB-5 program. At the time, The Trump Organization was only involved with licensing the building, sources tell FOX Business.

The timing of Trump Bay Streets completion may also suggest why the White House was so eager to have Kushner recuse himself from working on the EB-5 program. The project was officially completed in November 2016, the same month Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States and only two months before Jared Kushner resigned from being the CEO of his familys real estate company to become Trumps most trusted adviser.

Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, agreed that Kushner should have recused himself from working on the EB-5 program. It makes total sense that he had to recuse himself because he legally could not discuss it and it just wouldnt look good for the administration if Trumps senior adviser, not to mention his son-in-law, was in on conversations about a program that his company used to invest in properties.

Here is the original post:
Jared Kushner Steps Away From Immigration Reform Amid Questions of Conflict - Fox Business

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly recently defended his Border Patrol and Immigration officers against congressional complaints that they were being too aggressive.

If lawmakers do not like the laws theyve passed and we are charged to enforce, then they should have the courage and skill to change the laws. Secretary Kelly was absolutely right.

Anecdotes abound about immigration officials treating visitors rudely and arbitrarily at borders. At least 5,000 undocumented persons with no criminal record, including mothers, students and veterans, have been deported this year. Attorney General Jeff Sessions preferred adjective to describe all undocumented immigrants has hardened from illegal to criminal.

None of this is the fault of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol. Yes, individual agents and their supervisors should be held accountable for how they execute their job responsibilities, but their agencies do not control the policies they must carry out.

Immigration is a complicated issue. Tens of millions live in the U.S. without proper documentation. Children who only know themselves as American live under the threat of exile to a foreign country. Entire industries, including the food supply chain, depend on immigrant workers. The best universities in the world develop skills that are drained away to benefit other nations.

Ultra-nationalists have used the nations failure to comprehensively address immigration as an excuse for dehumanizing non-white non-Europeans. Xenophobic language and impossible campaign promises are morphing into federal policy.

House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., responded to Secretary Kelly by pointing out that Democrats are frustrated by the current administrations immigration policies, but are unable to change laws because they dont currently control Congress. Democratic whining moves the nation no closer to fixing a broken system.

Almost four years ago, the U.S. Senate passed a bi-partisan reform proposal that would have addressed immigration laws, undocumented residents and border security. Republicans in the House have refused to debate it.

The truth is that we American voters are responsible for our immigration mess. We allow employers to treat undocumented workers as little more than slaves. We turn our backs on desperate refugees. We fail to realize that those being demonized are actually our neighbors and friends.

Voters can fix the mess by turning out any lawmaker who does not demonstrate the courage and skill that can make comprehensive immigration reform happen.

Read the rest here:
Immigration reform is the job of lawmakers, not enforcers | Editorials ... - Idaho Mountain Express and Guide

One of President Trump's closest evangelical advisors has a bold new plan for immigration reform that he says will meet the approval of one of the biggest power players in Congress the House Freedom Caucus.

In an exclusive interview on Facebook Live with CBN News, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Leadership Conference (NHCLC), said he's working with the White House to advance an initiative that would stop short of full citizenship.

It also acknowledges that border security is imperative and that it's logistically impossible to deport some 11 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the U.S.

"So what do we do? We legalize them," said Rodriguez, "by giving them permanent residency as long as they're not dependent on welfare and government welfare. As long as they're already working, we legalize them." Rodriguez believes the plan will ultimately win approval from the House Freedom Caucus.

"At the end of the day, it's the Freedom Caucus," he said, "you can't deny the fact that the political reality is that the president's agenda is basically in the hands of the Freedom Caucus and they have the ability to kill it."

Rodriguez says early indications show support in the NHCLC's 40,000 churches.

He says the plan would allow people to apply for full citizenship but only if they go back to their country of origin and "start from scratch."

Rodriguez said the NHCLC is working with key players in the White House to move the plan forward. Just last week, he joined other members of the Trump campaign's faith advisory board for a private dinner at the White House and tour of the residence.

Rodriguez also joined with the leaders for a Rose Garden ceremony announcing the president's executive order on religious liberty.

While many analysts and faith leaders believe the order did not go far enough, Rodriguez calls it "politically brilliant." He says the strategy of taking a small first step will help to lay a foundation for more substantive initiatives down the road to fight what he calls an "unprecedented assault on religious liberty."

Rodriguez also praised the Trump administration for allowing the NHCLC to help shape initiatives as they're being hashed out.

"Be it a policy issue that we want to help contextualize, address, advance, we have issues with--we have access to the White House," he said. "And I don't mean a junior staffer."

One of those issues, said Rodriguez, is deportation. "We've made some significant inroads," he said. As deportations increased earlier this year, Rodriguez says the NHCLC pleaded with the White House to "make sure that families stay intact."

Rodriguez said a collaborative effort involving the White House, Department of Justice and Homeland Security has made that happen.

See the article here:
Trump Latino Advisor Says New Immigration Reform Plan Could Seal the Deal - CBN News

It was said countless times during the 2016 US election cycle, but it bears mentioning again that the peoples votes represented a referendum on the status quo. Voters from all walks of life expressed deep frustration with the political elite on both sides of the aisle. However, Donald Trump was by far the biggest beneficiary of this sentiment.

As I reflect on last years election, it is clear to me that Trump saw something that no one else noticed. At least, not until it was too late for the other candidates to do anything about it. He knew that anger had built up to a boiling point in average ordinary adults across the nation. He also understood that this frustration cut across party lines but more importantly he understood why people were angry illegal immigration.

Some felt that by looking the other way as migrants crossed the U.S. border that our nations leaders were putting the priorities of others above its own citizens. Still, others are concerned for their families safety, while many blame illegal immigration for the soft labor market. But whatever the case, during the campaign Mr. Trump zeroed in on these sentiments and put illegal immigration at the center of his campaign.

It isnt the migrants fault that Mexico and several other Central American countries are collapsing under the weight of a brutal drug-induced crime spree. Left to choose between staying in a country where either you work for the cartels or you die, is it any wonder that so many flee for safety across the U.S.-Mexico border?

Just on this basis alone, theres a case to be made that at least those affected by the violence be allowed asylum in the U.S. However, there are other issues at play, as well. Such as the fact that many of these undocumented workers have lived here most or all of their lives. As such, asking them to go back is inhumane.

One of the reasons its been so hard to pull off a comprehensive immigration reform package in the past is that given the countrys lax enforcement, the will to get it done has been weak.

The so-called Gang of Eight was made of four Republicans and four Democrats and, including Mr. Rubio represents the most recent attempt. They teamed up in 2013, to draft an immigration bill. Although the bill made it out of the Senate, conservative opposition in the House prevented it from making its way to then President Obama.

The core framework of the immigration bill (S-744) proposed by Schumer and Rubio in 2013 was based on the failed KennedyMcCain legislation of 2005. On amnesty, for example, SchumerRubio granted illegal immigrants immediate provisional status.

One of the reasons opponents of the Schumer-Rubio voted against it is that while it included no immediate border security timetable, illegal immigrants were granted immediate amnesty, albeit through probationary status.

Indeed, the bill was so unpopular that former Tea Party darling, Marco Rubio, fell out of favor with conservatives and was unable to regain his stature within the Rights grassroots community. Its no wonder that many credit the failed initiative with rousing up the same anti-immigrant sentiment that got Trump elected.

Most of the DACA employment authorization documents (EADs) that former President Obama granted to undocumented minors expire within the next year. Their expiration represents a perfect opportunity for the Trump administration.

Although some within his party dont want President Trump to renew the status of the undocumented who came as minors, it may be in their best interest. If the publics lukewarm reception to the American Healthcare Act is anything to go by, the Republicans could use a solid win. And who wouldnt want to be seen as the side that solved this long-standing issue?

Thats what makes Trump the right person for the job. He can convince his party that hes serious about enforcing the law and that the right deal could gain the support of all sides, while make enforcing the law more cost-effective.

Wishful thinking? Consider this since Bannons influence in the administration began to wane, Ivanka Trump has emerged as one of Trumps most influential advisors. The result has been a steady move to the center on Trumps part.

A move towards comprehensive amnesty is certainly within Ivankas wheelhouse, not just because Ivankas a Democrat, but its consistent with many of her other positions. So, the only question is whether she could convince her father that its in his best interest to act.

Anyone who doubts her ability to do so need only recall the Syrian strike for proof that its indeed possible.

See the article here:
Why Comprehensive Immigration Reform May Be Next On Trump's ... - Huffington post (press release) (blog)