ColdWarUSAF

DHS Implements Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today implemented the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule. Under the final rule, DHS will look at the factors required under the law by Congress, like an alien’s age, health, family status, assets, resources, and financial status, education and skills, among others, in order to determine whether the alien is likely at any time to become a public charge.

The rule now applies nationwide, including in Illinois.

Self-sufficiency is a long-standing principle of immigration law. Since the 1800s, inadmissibility based on public charge has been a part of immigration law. Since 1996, federal laws have stated that aliens seeking to come to or remain in the United States, temporarily or permanently, must be self-sufficient and rely on their own capabilities and the resources of family, friends, and private organizations instead of public benefits.

Cell Phones and Accessories

“President Trump continues to deliver on his promise to the American people to enforce our nation’s immigration laws. After several judicial victories, DHS will finally begin implementing the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule,” said Ken Cuccinelli, the acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “This rule enforces longstanding law requiring aliens to be self-sufficient, reaffirming the American ideals of hard work, perseverance and determination. It also offers clarity and expectations to aliens considering a life in the United States and will help protect our public benefit programs.”

The final rule defines “public charge” as an alien who has received one or more public benefits (as defined in the rule) for more than 12 months, in total, within any 36-month period.

The final rule defines “public benefits” to include any cash benefits for income maintenance, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, most forms of Medicaid and certain housing programs.

Applicants for adjustment of status who are subject to the final rule must show that they are not likely at any time to become a public charge by submitting a Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, when they file their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

To determine whether an alien is inadmissible on the public charge grounds, USCIS will not consider, and applicants and petitioners do not need to report, the application for, certification or approval to receive, or receipt of certain previously excluded non-cash public benefits (such as SNAP, most forms of Medicaid, and public housing) before Feb. 24, 2020. Similarly, USCIS will not consider as a heavily weighted negative factor receipt of previously included public benefits (such as SSI and TANF) before Feb. 24, 2020, in a public charge inadmissibility determination.

The final rule requires most aliens seeking to extend their nonimmigrant stay or change their nonimmigrant status to show that, since obtaining the nonimmigrant status they seek to extend or change, they have not received public benefits (as defined in the final rule) for more than 12 months, in total, within any 36-month period beginning Oct. 15, 2019. Due to litigation-related delays in the final rule’s implementation, DHS is applying this requirement as though it refers to Feb. 24, 2020 rather than Oct. 15, 2019.

Therefore, with respect to applying the public benefits condition to applications and petitions for extension of nonimmigrant stay and change of nonimmigrant status, DHS will not consider, and applicants and petitioners need not report an alien’s receipt of any public benefits before Feb. 24, 2020.

Certain classes of aliens are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility (such as refugees, asylees, certain VAWA self-petitioners, U petitioners, and T applicants) and therefore, are not subject to the Final Rule.

After today, USCIS will reject prior editions of affected forms, including in Illinois where the rule remained enjoined until Feb. 21, 2020, when the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of the statewide injunction.

If USCIS receives an application or petition for immigration benefits using prior editions of the forms postmarked on or after Feb. 24, 2020, then USCIS will inform the applicant or petitioner of the need to submit a new application or petition using the correct forms. For applications and petitions that are sent by commercial courier (such as UPS, FedEx and DHL), the postmark date is the date reflected on the courier receipt.

DHS.gov (February, 2020) DHS Implements Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule

Help a veteran in need by donating here.

Texas Couple Sentenced to a Combined 140 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography and Other Crimes Against Children

A husband and wife from Big Spring, Texas, were sentenced today to a combined 140 years in prison for crimes against children.

A husband and wife from Big Spring, Texas, were sentenced today to a combined 140 years in prison for crimes against multiple children.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

Christopher James Regan, 38, a former shipping logistics manager, was sentenced to 90 years in prison after pleading guilty in October 2019 to conspiracy to produce child pornography and two counts of producing child pornography. Tanya Marie Regan, 35, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after her October 2019 guilty plea to conspiracy to produce child pornography and possession of prepubescent child pornography. The sentences, which were imposed by U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman of the Northern District of Texas, also included lifetime terms of supervised release for both defendants.

According to court documents, Christopher and Tanya Regan sexually abused and produced child pornography of multiple children, and they possessed and distributed child pornography to one another as well. The Regans also engaged in graphic discussions about the sexual abuse of children over several online platforms.

In plea papers, the pair admitted that at Christopher Regan’s direction, Tanya Regan repeatedly videotaped herself sexually abusing children for Christopher Regan’s sexual gratification.

When law enforcement seized electronics from the home, several graphic videos had been deleted, but were still stored in the recycle bin or on unallotted space on various SD cards. Undeleted videos were stored in a computer folder titled “users\tanya_000\pictures\privatevids\minor.”

HSI’s San Angelo, Texas, office, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and the High Technology Investigative Unit within the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) investigated the case. Substantial assistance was provide by the HSI offices in Lubbock and Tyler, Texas, Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the National Center for Mission and Exploited Children. Trial Attorney Kyle P. Reynolds of CEOS and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann Howey and Jeffrey R. Haag prosecuted the case along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell H. Lorfing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

FBI.gov (February, 2020) Texas Couple Sentenced to a Combined 140 Years in Prison

Help a veteran in need by donating here.

FBI Continues to Seek Information on the 2014 Murder of Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero

The FBI Washington Field Office and the Prince William County Police Department continue to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the unknown individual(s) involved in the murder of Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero, which took place six years ago on February 21, 2014.

FBI Offering $20,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest of Person(s) Responsible

The FBI and the Prince William County Police Department are committed to investigating this case and bringing justice for Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero and her family.

The murder of Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero occurred on the evening of February 21, 2014, at the former Platanillos Grocery and Jewelry in Woodbridge, Virginia. On the night of February 21, 2014, shortly before 9 p.m., the victim employees were shot after three unknown male suspects entered the store where they worked.

After the shooting, the suspects immediately fled the store without taking any property or money. One of the shooting victims, 21-year-old Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero, died at the scene, and the other victim was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries and survived the encounter. Coca-Romero was the mother of an infant.

Since the incident, the Prince William County Police Department has worked in conjunction with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office to offer a $20,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for this murder. In addition to the reward money, the FBI has offered numerous resources to aid in the investigation.

If you lived or were present in the area of the Platanillos Grocery and Jewelry in Woodbridge, Virginia, on February 21, 2014, and noticed anything suspicious, your information may be important to the investigation.

Soffe Men’s 3 Pack-USA Poly Cotton Military Tee

Surveillance footage can be viewed on the Prince William County Police YouTube channel.

Law enforcement agencies are asking anyone with information about this crime to call the FBI Washington Field Office at 202-278-2000 or the Prince William County Police Department at 703-792-7000.

You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. All tips can remain anonymous. More information and a photo can be found on fbi.gov.

FBI.gov (February, 2020) FBI Washington Field Office and Prince William County Police Department Continue to Seek Information on the 2014 Murder of Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero

Help a veteran in need by donating here.

DEA announces launch of Operation Crystal Shield

Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon has announced that the DEA will direct enforcement resources to methamphetamine “transportation hubs” — areas where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country.

Efforts will focus on main U.S. methamphetamine trafficking transportation hubs

While continuing to focus on stopping drugs being smuggled across the border, DEA’s Operation Crystal Shield will ramp up enforcement to block their further distribution into America’s neighborhoods.

DEA has identified eight major methamphetamine transportation hubs where these efforts will be concentrated: Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, and St. Louis. Together, these DEA Field Divisions accounted for more than 75 percent of methamphetamine seized in the U.S. in 2019.

Operation Crystal Shield builds on existing DEA initiatives that target major drug trafficking networks, including the Mexican cartels that are responsible for the overwhelming majority of methamphetamine trafficked into and within the United States. From FY 2017 to FY 2019, DEA domestic seizures of methamphetamine increased 127 percent from 49,507 pounds to 112,146 pounds. During the same time frame, the number of DEA arrests related to methamphetamine rose nearly twenty percent.

Shop Amazon Gift Cards. Any Occasion. No Expiration.

“For decades meth has been a leading cause of violence and addiction – a drug threat that has never gone away. With a 22 percent increase in methamphetamine related deaths, now is the time to act and DEA is leading the way with a surge of interdiction efforts and resources, targeting regional transportation hubs throughout the United States. By reducing the supply of meth we reduce the violence, addiction, and death it spreads.”

Virtually all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the nation’s highways to major transfer centers around the country. It is often found in poly-drug loads, alongside cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.

DEA.gov (February, 2020) DEA announces launch of Operation Crystal Shield

Help a veteran in need by donating here.

Investigation into Davidson County Drug Trafficking Operation Results in Multiple Arrests

A joint undercover drug investigation by Special Agents with the Drug investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and several other agencies has resulted in the arrest of six individuals, and the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and multiple handguns.

As a result of this still-ongoing investigation, six individuals were arrested and charged with multiple drug-related offenses, and booked at the Davidson County Jail.

Those arrested are:

–Denia Navarro (DOB 09/10/1995) – One count Possession with Intent (Cocaine), one count Drug Paraphernalia.

–Odin Navarro (DOB 05/27/1980) – One count Possession with Intent (Cocaine), one count Drug Paraphernalia.

–Carlos Torres (DOB 01/16/1980) – One count Possession with Intent (Methamphetamine), one count Possession with Intent (Cocaine), one count Possession in Intent (Marijuana), one count Possession of a Weapon during Dangerous Felony, one count Tampering with Evidence, one count Possession Drug Paraphernalia.

–Antonio Mungfuia (DOB 10/06/1980) – One count Possession with Intent (Methamphetamine), one count Possession with Intent (Cocaine), one count Possession in Intent (Marijuana), one count Possession of a Weapon during Dangerous Felony, one count Tampering with Evidence, one count Possession Drug Paraphernalia.

–Franklin Cardona (DOB 02/05/1995) – One count Possession with Intent (Methamphetamine), one count Possession with Intent (Cocaine), one count Possession in Intent (Marijuana), one count Possession of a Weapon during Dangerous Felony, one count Tampering with Evidence, one count Possession Drug Paraphernalia.

–Deybi Alcantara (DOB 12/26/1995) – One count Possession with Intent (Methamphetamine), one count Possession with Intent (Cocaine), one count Possession in Intent (Marijuana), one count Possession of a Weapon during Dangerous Felony, one count Tampering with Evidence, one count Possession Drug Paraphernalia.

Soffe Men’s 3 Pack-USA Poly Cotton Military Tee

The arrests resulted in which TBI Agents developed information in January 2020 about a drug trafficking organization that was operating in and around Davidson County.

During the course of that investigation, TBI Agents, along with Agents and detectives with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, executed search warrants on Thursday at five locations within Davidson County.

TBI.com (February, 2020) Investigation into Davidson County Drug Trafficking Operation Results in Multiple Arrests

Help a veteran in need by donating here.