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Re: Pre-K enrollment rebounds Numbers for free program plunged during pandemic; but turnaround underway, Monday news story.

Thank you so much for the front-page story on pre-kindergarten enrollment in Dallas ISD, and for highlighting the exciting and positive work that Bachman Lake Together is doing for the community in that area. Its goal is to prepare all children in the area for kindergarten, since research has shown the value of early education. The earlier a child is exposed to education, the better his or her chances for success in school.

But not only is the organization focusing on the children. It is also empowering the parents to advocate for their children in all areas of education. Parental leadership and equity are an integral part of its programs. Its board includes two parent leaders and they have parents in other leadership positions.

If you are not familiar with the work of Bachman Lake Together, may I suggest that you look them up and pay them a visit? You will be impressed and may even want to volunteer there, as I do.

Elena C. Hines, Far North Dallas

So now is the time for the U.S. and all of Western Europe to immediately deploy our best weapons and troops to rally to the defense of Ukraine. Why isnt this a situation similar to the early stages of World War II?

Ukraine has shown the world the courage to stand up for freedom. We owe them our support. We should take the battle to Russia. They are very vulnerable. Havent we for years wanted a neutral Russia? Now is the time to do it. We can counter the nuclear threat if it arises. Can you imagine a world with Russia becoming an ally, economically and militarily? The opportunity is now. Lets do it.

Jack Carroll, Irving/Las Colinas

The Republican leaders of Texas constantly create new issues to distract us from their neglect of the critical issues in our state. The latest distractions are Gov. Greg Abbotts ordering of a state probe into treatment of transgender children and Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks proposed ending of tenure in Texas universities. Neither issue rises to the level that should gain our leaders time and attention, given our other problems.

Texas lags most states regarding health insurance coverage. In a first, I had to take my 92-year-old disabled mother to the polls and watch her stand in the cold Friday to vote because her absentee ballot didnt arrive.

I wait hours at the Department of Motor Vehicles whenever I have to do business with that agency. In Texas, foster children sleep in Child Protective Services offices, and the system is under court oversight because of state mismanagement.

Maybe instead of electing leaders who distract and divide, we should elect leaders who will fix these problems and improve the quality of life for all of us.

Brian R. Smith, Colleyville

Re: GOP quietly moves $480M to pay to keep National Guard at border Targeted agencies signed letters saying their departments, programs wont be negatively affected because of lost funds, Saturday news story.

Thank you, Gov. Greg Abbott, for pointing out that Texans are overtaxed. Three state law enforcement agencies say they can give up nearly a half-billion dollars without negatively affecting their departments and programs. How many other state agencies are that bloated with unnecessary tax dollars? So much for Republican fiscal responsibility.

Fergal and Ann Purcell, Dallas/Lake Highlands

Re: Target reasons for migration, by Karen M. Hopkins, Saturday Letters.

If only it were that simple. The writer correctly identifies the push factors involved in the arrivals of unauthorized migrants to our borders. However, decades of illegal immigration combined with the intelligence gathered from aspiring migrants, some of whom I personally interviewed, have shown that pouring American tax dollars into these often-corrupt governments does little to prevent the disregard for our immigration laws or deter the journey north.

It continues to be the pull factors that perpetuate illegal migration to our nation. I have opined on these pull factors with your paper on several occasions, but they deserve repeating: remove the job magnet with effective employer sanctions; eliminate free health care and free education benefits to those illegally in the country; eliminate U.S. citizenship to children born to unauthorized migrants; and stop waving the carrot of amnesty.

Granted, these are tough measures, which is likely why you have not seen the political will within this current administration. Until the pull factors of illegal migration are addressed, no wall in the world will deter migrants. Who can blame them?

Bob Wallis, Dallas/Turtle Creek

If the second-largest city in Ukraine can keep their buses running while a war is raging all around them, youd think DART buses could keep running here in winter weather.

Shirley Patterson, Lucas

Re: Why Dallas eateries are now adding service fees Diners seeing higher prices at bottom of receipts can thank prolonged pandemic, Feb. 24 news story.

Our legislators need to outlaw this practice of obscure added fees. These seem designed to misrepresent the actual price. There are resort fees added after a quoted room rate is prepaid; music license fees for Sirius radio, even if you only listen to Howard Stern; and mechanic shop towel fees.

Laser printers make updates of menus very easy. QR codes even more so. I will pay the fee but reduce my tip accordingly. So sad. I have been trying to support our restaurants more than ever.

Tim Bob, Plano

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Letters to the Editor Pre-kindergarten programs, Texas problems, immigration, DART - The Dallas Morning News

An illegal immigrant was looking after a large North East cannabis farm with days of arriving in the UK on a small boat.

Trung Phan arrived at Dover on May 28 last year and was taken to an immigration centre then moved to Home Office accommodation in London.

But with the help of underworld contacts, he managed to travel to Newcastle that same day and by June 12 he was living in a cannabis farm on Cowpen Road, in Blyth, Northumberland.

Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates

Despite being surrounded by 325 plants, worth up to 129,000, he "ludicrously" claimed he didn't realise he was living in the midst of a drugs factory.

A jury found the 39-year-old guilty of being concerned in the production of cannabis and he has now been jailed for 18 months.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was a sophisticated set up, which had been established before Phan's involvement.

There were four different growing areas and the electricity supply had been bypassed.

When police raided it, Phan was there alone and tried to escape and hide mobile phones and a list of contact numbers.

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Sloan QC said: "You claimed you had been ignorant of the fact you had been living in the middle of a cannabis farm and that you had done nothing to assist the production.

"The jury rejected that account, which was plainly ludicrous, and convicted you."

The judge added: "You were not threatened or forced to become involved.

"You clearly had links to organised crime long before you arrived in this jurisdiction and you quickly made contact with gang members once you were in London.

"That said, you played a small part in this particular enterprise."

Peter Schofield, defending, said he had "traversed Europe from his home" and played a limited role in the cannabis farm.

For daily news from the North East's courts direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free court newsletter

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Blyth cannabis farm worth more than 100,000 was being looked after by illegal immigrant - Chronicle Live

Despite decades of Congressional stalemate and avoidance of passing meaningful immigration reform, Americans overwhelmingly support immigration reform happening right now and especially before the November midterms.

The urgency is felt not only by Democrats but also by majorities of independents and Republicans, according to a new national survey by the National Immigration Forum.

In Congress, Republican leadership repeatedly has blocked attempts to address immigration reform, while using immigration as a campaign issue. Donald Trump was elected president on an America First platform that was heavily anti-immigrant.

The most recent significant immigration reform bill passed in Congress was the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which made it illegal to hire or recruit illegal immigrants. President Barack Obama called for major reform but was blocked by then House Speaker Paul Ryan.

The most recent significant immigration reform bill passed in Congress was the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which made it illegal to hire or recruit illegal immigrants.

Yet despite the stereotype of all Republicans opposing immigration reform, this is not the reality among a majority of Republican voters, the Forum reported.

New polling shows that an overwhelming majority of Republicans, independents and Democrats want lawmakers to work together on key immigration reforms and want action now, the group said.

The national poll included two questions on this topic. The first: Would you support or oppose Republicans and Democrats working together on immigration reforms that strengthen border security, create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, and ensure a legal, reliable workforce for Americas farmers and ranchers?

Among the national sample, 79% said yes, as did 84% of Democrats, 78% of independents and 76% of Republicans.

The second question: Thinking about immigration reforms such as strengthening border security, creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, and ensuring a legal, reliable workforce for Americas farmers and ranchers, do you support or oppose Democrats and Republicans acting on these measures before the November 2022 midterm elections?

Among the national sample, 72% said yes, as did 80% of Democrats, 71% of independents and 65% of Republicans.

An overwhelming majority of Americans want Democrats and Republicans to pass actual solutions that restore a sense of order at the border, protect immigrants brought here as children, and stabilize the farm workforce, saidAli Noorani, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. These are solutions that will help Americans and strengthen our nation, and Americans are tired of waiting.

An overwhelming majority of Americans want Democrats and Republicans to pass actual solutions that restore a sense of order at the border, protect immigrants brought here as children, and stabilize the farm workforce.

Republicans and Democrats have an opportunity to bring the country together as they work together to address some of our thorniest challenges. In so doing, they can offer certainty to thousands of immigrant workers whose futures are in limbo, and to the Americans who depend on them.

Even when sorted by religious affiliation, there is a relatively small gap in opinions on the urgent need for meaningful immigration reform that achieves some of the goals of both parties. On most other social issues today, white evangelicals remain outliers compared the rest of the nation. Not so on immigration reform.

The new study found 77% of born-again Christians agree with the first question and 68% agree with the second question. That compares to 84% of all Protestants on the first question and 74% on the second question.

The poll was done in partnership with The Bullfinch Group Feb. 19-23, 2022.

Related articles:

Once again, immigration reform gets kicked to the curb by Senate

Conservative commentator Kristol says Republicans should support immigration measures

New polling finds three views on immigration: Democrats, party-loyal Republicans or Trump-loyal Republicans

Federal judges ruling against DACA ignites faith leaders demands for Congress to finally do something

Original post:
Majorities of all Americans want something Congress refuses to do: Meaningful immigration reform now - Baptist News Global

The government has boasted of its plans to deter illegal immigration, sparking a furious backlash as Ukrainians seek refuge amid a deadly war with Russia.

In a tweet, the Home Office announced that the controversial Borders Bill has passed eight of 12 stages before it becomes British law.

Tweeting under a banner proclaiming that the UK stands with Ukraine, the Home Office said: Fixing the UKs broken asylum system involves major reforms, but we are making good progress.

Tomorrow our firm but fair #BordersBill reaches the report stage in the UK House of Lords. This is how it will deter illegal migration.

The post directs people to the government website, where the Home Office promises the new law will introduce new and tougher criminal offences for those attempting to enter the UK illegally.

The website says the government would raise the penalty for illegal entry from six months to four years imprisonment and introduce life sentences for people smugglers.

It then goes on to say the UK may remove people including criminals to a safe third country where the asylum seekers could have claimed asylum.

But it insists we stand by our moral and legal obligations to help innocent people fleeing cruelty from around the world.

The announcement is bad immigration policy and even worse timing, according to migrant rights campaigner Alexandra Bulat.

Yes, todays exactly the day you want to tweet out a big graphic about how youre making it harder for people fleeing wars to claim asylum in the UK, you hollow-chested ghouls, comedy writer Nathaniel Tapley added.

Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski said Russias invasion of Ukraine should end the Conservatives awful Borders Bill once and for all.

He said: It was totally unacceptable to demonise refugees this time last week. And do the British public really want to give Ukrainians another kick despite seeing hourly updated of their trauma?

Policy expert Pauline Castres sarcastically repeated the governments firm but fair claim: Were talking about a Bill that would criminalise asylum seekers who arrive in the UK without a visa if they have passed through another safe country along the way. Like many Ukrainians who are currently seeking sanctuary.

Human rights advocate Pinar Aksu slammed the governments move as a great violation of Human Rights and international protection.

One Twitter user talked against using UK taxpayers money to promote legislation breaking international law.

And another said the Bill is anything but fair. And by firm, they mean making things many of us think are fair illegal. If the Ukraine situation has had you questioning immigration policy, learn more about this and write to your MP.

Related: UKs unacceptable visa offer to fleeing Ukrainians slammed

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Home Office boasts of deterring illegal immigration as Ukrainians flee war - The London Economic

The crisis at our southern border is raging on, although you wouldnt know it from watching the evening news or looking at the front pages of the papers. Along with attorneys general from other states, I recently visited the Rio Grande Valley Sector in Texas to see the border for myself and hear directly from public safety officials who are dealing with the crisis every day. What I saw and heard was eye-opening -- and its harming Montana communities.

At the behest of President Biden and his administration, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is playing catch-and-release with migrants who have criminal records. Federal data shows that more than 270,000 illegal immigrants were released into our country without a court date in a span of just five months last year. While law enforcement is intercepting a staggering amount of dangerous drugs like methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin at the border, an even greater amount is making it across.

Once drugs enter the country, they can be smuggled into Montana within 48 hours. Data from our Forensic Science Division show fentanyl-linked deaths increased 116% in Montana in 2020, while the number of postmortem cases with identified methamphetamine in the blood also more than doubled that year.

As Montanas attorney general, Im taking action to force President Biden to uphold the law and lessen the impacts of drugs and crime on Montana communities.

First, were fighting President Bidens dangerous immigration policies in court. In November, I filed a lawsuit to stop the non-enforcement policy that ties the hands of immigration officers and halts nearly all deportations even for criminals and when federal immigration courts have already ordered their removal from the United States. Immigration arrests and deportations were slashed and deportable criminal aliens were released from jails.

Last month, we filed a lawsuit against the Central American Minor (CAM) program that incentivizes illegal immigration. This Obama-era program which President Trump eliminated was sold as a means to decrease the number of children coming to the border, but it failed to do so. If the Obama policy opened the door, President Bidens reincarnation blows the door off the hinges by releasing illegal immigrants and then allowing them to bring additional people here.

Every man hour that Customs and Border Patrol agents spend apprehending and processing illegal border crossers is time they dont spend on stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the country. As a result of the increase, states like Texas have stepped up by building their own sections of a border wall and patrolling the Rio Grande themselves.

Montana is also having to fight our share of the battle here. The increase in violent crime over the last several years is directly linked to the proliferation of drugs in our state. As head of the Montana Department of Justice, I'm also getting additional resources into the field to help law enforcement across our state.

Weve converted two desk jobs at a regulatory division into slots for narcotics agents to increase capacity for investigations and work with multi-agency anti-drug task forces. A proposal signed last month by Governor Greg Gianforte will fund three more investigators at our agency. Last year, I advocated and secured $300,000 from the state legislature for a grant program to replace drug-detecting canines. As a result, 23 new canines and their handlers will soon be on patrol in Montana with police departments, county sheriffs offices, and a tribal law enforcement agency.

Law enforcement officers in Montana are doing what they can to combat drugs trafficked across the southern border and the resulting crime, but were fighting an uphill battle until the federal government does its job to secure the border and enforce immigration laws. I am not deterred by President Bidens indifference to the border crisis and the fallout in our state. Ill keep fighting in court to reverse his dangerous immigration policies and working with other Montana law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Montana Department of Justice

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Biden's indifference to the border crisis, crime is hurting Montana - whitefishpilot.com