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The often overlooked, yet key public official most responsible for quality of life and public safety in thousands of American communities carries a badge, not a briefcase. In old England they were called Shire Reeves (get it?) whose job was to keep the peace on behalf of the king. Today we know them as sheriffs, and under the Biden Border Crisis, they struggle to keep the peace in spite of theking.

FAIR works closely with these law enforcement heroes who see firsthand the adverse impact of open borders. We support them, and there are good reasons you shouldtoo.

Unlike appointed police chiefs who are subject to progressive politics and often capitulate to special interests, the vast majority of the 3,081 of Americas sheriffs are elected and as such, theyre accountable and responsive to citizen concerns, not least of which is rampant illegal immigration. Consequently, as open borders have fueled record numbers of drugs, guns and gangs in recent years, sheriff departments fought back and sought solutions while at the same time, police departments nationwide became increasingly complicit in counter-productive sanctuarypolicies.

One solution was 287(g), a voluntary program named for the section of U.S. Code under which the federal government trains and deputizes local law enforcement agencies to assist with the enforcement of immigration laws. Added into the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act in 1996, it quickly became a force multiplier as it allowed local law enforcement direct access into Homeland Security databases to quickly determine legal status, while creating working relationships with regional ICE offices. For departments that opted in, this productive partnership synergized the data resources of the federal government with the eyes and ears of local sheriffs resulting in more criminal aliens being transferred to ICE and fewer being released into localcommunities.

It works well, so not surprisingly, while 287(g) is still operational, its days may be numbered. Funding is declining, Democrats are putting intense pressure on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to terminate all the existing agreements (although only Congress can repeal the law itself), and there have been no new Memorandum of Agreements approved since June of 2020, i.e., during the Biden Administration. Worse yet, sheriff departments that utilize the program are under sustained attacks, distractions that Sheriff Chuck Jenkins of Frederick County, Maryland, knows all too well. His department has utilized 287(g) since 2008, passed each years audit with flying colors, and was recognized by ICE as an Exemplary Law Enforcement Partner. Despite those accolades, Jenkins faces regular onslaughts of false allegations by local open borders advocates determined to stop theprogram.

Like most sheriffs, Jenkins tenaciously defends his use of 287(g) because as he says, its the only way I can honor my promise to never put known criminal aliens back onto my streetsand frankly those who want to stop me from doing my job are just a small but very vocal percentage of voters, a claim proven by the fact hes been sheriff for 17 years and recently reelected for a 5th term. There may be some wolves at the door as Jenkins notes, but the voters clearly support his law and order approach to illegal immigration, time andagain.

Jenkins does acknowledge as do most of his fellow sheriffs across the country that while 287(g) is a crucial resource, the ultimate solution is to secure theborder.

But until that happens, sheriffs need encouragement from you to retain 287(g), to apply for it if they dont have it, and to use their influence against state legislatures that want to gut their authority with dangerous sanctuary policies. Given that using 287(g) is both a necessity for public safety, yet one that also becomes a target for radical open borders activists, many elected sheriffs need support from the public to hold the line against the small, but boisterous, minority that opposes any manner of immigration enforcement. Thus, you can bet these local public servants (who are unusually receptive to hearing from citizens) will appreciate a reinforcing thank you for holding the line and facing the heat, while steadfastly trying to keep thepeace.

Read more:
Local Sheriffs Need Your Support - Federation for American Immigration Reform

House Republican leadership is pushing for a delay to a planned markup next week of multiple immigration and border security bills as it deals with infighting between members a move likely to upset immigration hawks keen to see action from the caucus on the historic migrant crisis at the southern border.

Punchbowl News reported Thursday that leadership has asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to delay a planned consideration of as many as eight border and immigration bills next week before the April recess.

But sources told the outlet that leadership had delayed the markup until after the recess, meaning it will be more than four months since Republicans took control of the House before there is any consideration of legislation to tackle the ongoing migrant crisis at the southern border. A source familiar with the situation confirmed the Punchbowl News report to Fox News Digital.

BIDEN ADMIN SCALING BACK DETENTION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, EVEN AMID MIGRANT SURGE

Republicans had been planning to markup as many as eight bills next week. (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images / File)

Jordan told Punchbowl that "we have eight pieces of legislation that we think makes sense, and were going to get done as soon as we can, but were working with the whole conference."

Republicans have little wiggle room when it comes to defections as they have just a five-seat majority in the lower chamber. While there has been consensus on the broad strokes of how the caucus should tackle the migrant crisis, deep divisions have emerged between members.

Specifically, legislation introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, which would allow DHS to block the entry of illegal migrants into the U.S. until there was "operational control" of the border, has seen internal Republican opposition from a small number of lawmakers.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, has been the most vocal opponent of the bill, calling it anti-American and claiming it bans asylum a claim Roy has denied. Gonzales' opposition to the bill was one factor in the Texas Republican Partys move to censure him this month.

But Republicans had campaigned on coming up with solutions to the border crisis and have already held a number of hearings at the border to draw attention to the crisis. Last year, Republicans unveiled a number of policy proposals to secure the border that they said they would advance if they took the House. Policies include finished the Trump-era border wall, expanding Title 42, modernizing technology and overhauling the asylum system.

DHS PUSHES BACK AGAINST MCCARTHY CALL FOR MAYORKAS TO RESIGN OR FACE POTENTIAL IMPEACHMENT

Since then, some Republicans including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have floated the possibility of impeaching DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. That move has yet to happen, although two lawmakers have introduced articles of impeachment.

A coalition of hawkish groups, including the Heritage Foundation, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), America First Policy Institute and Numbers USA, had written to GOP leaders in February urging the party to keep its promises and warning that resources alone were not enough and that laws needed to be changed to end loopholes.

In a statement on Thursday, Heritage Action Executive Director Jessica Anderson said border security needs to be the "top priority" for the House.

BORDER HAWKS SAY FAILURE TO PASS BORDER SECURITY BILL WOULD BETRAY GOP COMMITMENT TO AMERICA

"House Republicans have been in power for several months," she wrote. "They must immediately develop and consider a border security package that ends the asylum fraud, creates an authority to immediately expel illegal aliens, sends resources to complete the border wall, and gives border agents the personnel and tools needed to carry out their proper duties, not the mass release of illegal aliens as directed by the Biden administration. Migrants must be disincentivized from making the dangerous journey to cross the border illegally, and must not be promised any possibility of amnesty."

Anderson noted the ongoing fentanyl crisis, which is primarily smuggled across the border, as well as cartel trafficking and an increase in the number of individuals encountered on the terror watch list. While she blamed the "Biden administrations deliberate border destruction," she also urged action from Republicans.

"The time is now American sovereignty has been severely damaged. Heritage Action urges House Republicans to follow through on their Commitment to America and move forward on consideration of a border security package," she said.

Meanwhile, Democrats and the Biden administration have been attacking Republicans for failing to agree to border security funding requests made by the Biden administration. President Joe Biden himself has called for Republicans in Congress to support additional funding to the ports as well as pathways to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S.

Fox News' Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

See the article here:
GOP leadership pushes back immigration, border bill markup amid infighting - Fox News

In Afghanistan, Dr. Wessal Mukhtar was a successful doctor for 20 years. After coming to the United States 10 months ago, he and his family have struggled just to pay rent.

Mukhtar was among the panelists in San Francisco last week for a program titled Refugees in the Bay Area: Welcoming Our Neighbors, held at the Mission District community space and caf Mannys.

Members of the local immigrant community and their supporters gathered to tackle questions of resettlement, immigration policy and how Bay Area residents can best help their new neighbors, and the space was filled to capacity as Mukhtar told his story.

Along with his wife and six children, Mukhtar fled Afghanistan in March 2022 after the fall of Kabul seven months earlier.

After arriving in San Francisco, the Mukhtars were helped by Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay, which helped them secure housing, jobs and schools for the children. But complications and hardship soon followed. Despite his education, Mukhtar cannot practice medicine due to visa regulations; he cannot buy a home with no credit history in the U.S.; and two months ago, his youngest daughter passed away.

I have to be strong, Mukhtar told the audience. I am here in this region [so] my children can grow.

San Francisco Supervisor Myrna Melgar, a Jew from El Salvador who emigrated in the 1980s to escape civil war, hosted the panel, which also included Joe Goldman of HIAS (a Jewish nonprofit that aids refugees and asylum seekers) and Robin Mencher, CEO of JFCS East Bay.

I think Jews understand more than most people the harm that occurs when refugees are not welcome.

State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco dropped in before things got underway to shake hands and promote his recently proposed State Senate Bill 85, which would grant refugees and asylum seekers an additional 90 days of case management support on top of the 90 days given by current policy.

The work of immigration reform, Wiener said, is intimately tied to his Jewish identity.

I think Jews understand more than most people the harm that occurs when refugees are not welcome, Wiener said.

Many of the hardships faced by refugees like Mukhtar and his family are the direct result of United States policy, Goldman pointed out.

He said that HIAS which considers itself the worlds oldest refugee agency and was founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in 1902 is heavily involved with not only resettlement, but also with advocating for legislation that would make things easier for refugees seeking to enter the country. Goldman encouraged the crowd to get involved in local politics, contact representatives and advocate for change.

We should be welcoming far more people into California, said Goldman, community engagement director for the Western region of HIAS.

Mencher praised the work JFCS East Bay is doing on the ground to help refugees after they arrive in the Bay Area. The agencys mission is to help those in need flourish with dignity, a process that is different for every family, she said.

Over the course of the event at Mannys, which is owned by Manny about town and observant Jew Manny Yekutiel, it became clear that, despite the efforts of agencies such as HIAS and JFCS, much is still needed when it comes to a family like the Mukhtar family.

When asked what he wanted to leave the audience with, Mukhtar, through a translator, said that although the assistance he has received has been life-changing, there need to be more resources for families like his.

[I want] the government as well as these organizations to look into the possibilities of increasing these services, furthering the assistance programs and helping refugees, Mukhtar said.

Read more:
In Afghanistan he was a doctor. Now he struggles to pay rent. J. - The Jewish News of Northern California

For the first time ever, two of the largest associations representing the home-based care industry have joined together on a call to action regarding the workforce shortage.

On Monday, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) released a report that details the needs of the nursing and home care aide workforces and specifically recommends policy changes and operational practices that can be implemented to address the workforce shortage in home-based care.

What I think is truly innovative with this report is the collaboration of it, Kristen Wheeler, NAHCs executive director of private duty home care, told Home Health Care News. This really brought the associations together in a way that hasnt been done before.

Industry leaders from across the home-based care space came together to form working groups to strategize and solidify actionable steps to address the issue, Wheeler said.

Some of the recommendations include higher wages and immigration reform, which are familiar concepts. Others, however, are more fresh.

Those include: creating agency-based peer mentoring for new hires during the first 90 days of employment; replacing weekly or bi-weekly pay with daily or on-demand pay; and engaging with nursing schools to institute rotations in a community or home care setting as part of a nursing school curriculum.

The industry also has to do a better job of educating policymakers about the financial implications that come with low-paying home care jobs while demand continues to rise, according to the report.

It also emphasizes the importance of collecting data that will show how the cost trend factors in home care are threatening the affordability of family-funded or private-pay care. Higher prices for care would then lead to more need for Medicaid support, something policymakers would have no choice but to pay attention to.

One of the main sticking points, Wheeler said, was for the industry to change the public perception of direct care workers and to put their struggles in the limelight.

Two of the work groups focused on supply, benefits and retention and two of them focused on elevating the profession and really getting a more positive image of the profession out there, Wheeler said. Particularly for the direct care workers. Everyone understands what a nurse is and what they do. Oftentimes, theres confusion out there as to what a home care caregiver or home health aide really does and what kind of skill level they actually operate under.

Wheeler pointed to one comment specifically, made by Pattie Rodgers, the VP and director of operations at the Pennsylvania-based home care provider Waverly Care.

The way private home care is paid can be contributing to misperception of the complexity of what we do, Rodgers said in the report. Clients, who pay $100 or more for a few hours of housecleaning, often balk at paying anywhere near that for home care.

That perception needs to shift, Wheeler said, which is a massive undertaking.

Theres a reason that people arent coming into the industry and its because they dont even understand whats great about the industry, Wheeler said. So its going to take time to get that information out there and into the public, but it has to start now with all of us.

While this latest report is an example of how the industry can come together to try to enact change, its also crucial for states to band together in order to affect change at the federal level.

That could start by getting everyone on the same page with workforce training standards.

I think the federal government really needs to implement benchmarking standards for people providing care in the home, Wheeler said. There certainly are some bad players out there that are in this just to take advantage of these very vulnerable folks and I think a national standard would start to change that. Its astonishing how many states actually have zero regulations when it comes to this level of home care.

Originally posted here:
NAHC, HCAOA Unveil Practical Solutions To Address Home-Based ... - Home Health Care News

Sinema highlighted her focus on delivering lasting, common sense solutions to the challenges impacting housing availability and affordability

WASHINGTON Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema hosted a meeting with members of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) to discuss lasting solutions to the shortage of affordable and available housing options across Arizona.Right now, too many Arizona families struggle to find quality, affordable housing. As rent and home prices continue to rise, Ill keep working to address the affordable housing shortage and help everyday Arizonans feel secure, said Sinema, a member of the Senate Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee.Sinema heard from members of NAHREP about their priorities and how they can work together to address their needs and better provide for Arizona families. Specifically, Sinema discussed lasting solutions to the affordable housing shortage across Arizona and the need for comprehensive immigration reform.Last week, Sinema met with the White Mountain Apache and San Carlos Housing Authorities to discuss solutions to housing affordability and accessibility challenges in tribal communities. Sinema discussed successes with both tribal housing authorities including how they built more affordable housing units using the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) alongside the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), expanding accessible housing options while supporting careers for Tribal members.Last month, Sinema convened two events with leading housing stakeholders in Phoenix one focused on homelessness and services, and one around housing supply and affordability. Sinema first toured UMOM, the largest shelter services provider in Maricopa County and saw firsthand how their innovative model provides child care and workforce development alongside shelter services. Afterwards, Sinema brought industry stakeholders and affordability advocates together to assess the market in Arizona, identify supply chain challenges that hold capital investment back, and craft solutions to those challenges.In January, Sinema led the largest bipartisan delegation of U.S. Senators in recent memory to the Southwest border in El Paso, Texas, and Yuma, Arizona, to see firsthand the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis that Arizona border communities witness every day. During the Congressional delegation, Sinema convened a roundtable with participating U.S. Senators, nonprofits, local law enforcement, and local elected leaders, highlighting the challenges presented by the ongoing border crisis. Sinema vowed to continue her work with solutions-focused colleagues who understand the need to deliver lasting results to solve this challenge.The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals is a nonprofit 501(c)6 trade association dedicated to advancing sustainable homeownership among Latinos by educating and empowering the real estate professionals who serve them. NAHREP is the premier trade organization for Hispanics and has more than 30,000 members in 48 states and over 70 chapters.

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Sinema Discusses Solutions to Arizona's Affordable Housing ... - Kyrsten Sinema