Department Of Homeland Security

Presidents And Immigration Policies: 2001-2026

Ronald 9 Comments

The last four Presidents—George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden—saw more pro immigration policies, with the extreme exception of Donald Trump in both separate terms.

George W. Bush, similar to his father before him, promoted the general idea of the need for further immigration reform, but the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, caused him to promote extreme security measures due to the unprecedented crisis.

But Bush also supported the concept of the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education For Alien Minors), which gave illegal immigrant minors the right to avoid being deported, but it suffered from great opposition from the majority of Republicans, so it only, finally, came to fruition under his successor, Barack Obama.

Under Barack Obama, the DREAM Act finally passed, and Obama also initiated by executive action the DACA program,(Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals), which by 2017, had registered 740,000 individuals.

Obama also tried to promote DAPA (Deferred Action For Parents Of Americans And Lawful Permanent Residents) from 2014 through 2016, but it was prevented by Republican opposition, and then dropped by Donald Trump in 2017. At the same time, Obama also had record deportations of undocumented immigrants, estimated at more than three million people.

Donald Trump, in his first term, worked to build an expansion of the Border Wall with Mexico; imposed a travel ban on people from a wide variety of nations, particularly outside of Europe and the Americas; dramatically reduced refugee admissions; and promoted family separations.

Many children were left without presence of their parents, while in detention before deportation. These policies caused massive outrage and resistance.

Under Joe Biden, Trump policies on immigration were reversed; there were increased refugee admissions to the nation; and there was restored DACA (Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals).

Upon Trump’s return to the Presidency, a totally anti-immigrant policy was pursued, including declaring a national emergency; promotion of greater border militarization with Mexico; and massive mass deportation operations, setting a goal of 3,000 immigrants per day to be arrested and sent to detention centers with horrendous conditions.

Major court cases led to lots of litigation to stop what was seen as a basic violation of civil and human rights, but with total determination by the Department of Homeland Security and the US Border Patrol to accelerate millions of immigrants being removed from the country, and with many being sent to nations they had no background in their earlier lives, and not having even the same language to be able to communicate.

Often citizens as well as undocumented immigrants, particularly those who are Latinos, or really, any person of color, have been removed, and the pace of deportation has accelerated, as the Trump Administration denies any mistreatment, and often ignores court decisions or lawsuits.

What the Trump Administration has done is the worst anti immigration policy since the internment of 125,000 Japanese Americans during World War II under Franklin D. Roosevelt; and Operation Wetback against Mexican nationals in the mid 1950s under Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Donald Trump Threats Against Free And Fair Elections Must Be Vigorously Resisted!

Ronald 69 Comments

Donald Trump gave a speech from the Oval Office on Thursday evening, full of delusion and lies, regarding his false claims about the Presidential Election of 2020, which he lost massively to Joe Biden.

But he set the stage for the Department of Homeland Security, under MarkWayne Mullin, to threaten interference in the promotion of free and fair elections in November, 2026, as he well knows that his Republican Party is is dire straits in public opinion polls, and in fund raising in many Congressional races, particularly for the US Senate.

Trump also threatened to take away the licenses of ABC and NBC for refusing to cover live the propaganda speech he was engaging in, an attack on the news media.

Trump’s henchmen, including Mullin; Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission; Russell Vought of the Office of Management and Budget; Kevin Roberts, the head of the Heritage Foundation and author of “Project 2025”; and Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff For Policy and Homeland Security Adviser—are determined to undermine American democracy and free elections, and the battle against these authoritarian forces must be waged!

ICE On Campaign Of Mass Terror And Promotion Of White Supremacy!

Ronald 16 Comments

Supposedly, placing former Oklahoma Senator MarkWayne Mullin into the position of heading the Department of Homeland Security, including responsibility for Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE), was going to lead to major improvements, after the removal of former head Kristi Noem.

Well, it is now clear no such improvement has occurred, as now, two Latino immigrant males–one in Texas and one in Maine–have been murdered by the abuses of ICE agents, who are unlikely to be held accountable in any way.

The American government is authorizing mass murder, a holy war against immigrants who are not white, and particularly, those of Latino ancestry and brown skin, with Stephen Miller being the leading perpetrator of this abuse of power by the Donald Trump Administration.

There is a dire need for restraints on ICE, as we are living in a time of mass terror, where anyone could face the danger of death or major injuries due to abuses perpetrated by ICE agents in the name of a policy of white supremacy.

Ouster Of Kristi Noem Satisfying, But Markwayne Mullin As Replacement Is Not An Improvement!

Ronald 13 Comments

Finally, after a full year of a massive nightmare, the leadership of Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Donald Trump has dismissed her, without even giving her warning ahead of time.

Noem should be prosecuted for her uncaring, abusive leadership of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which is part of her department.

But the truth is that Donald Trump is ultimately responsible for the ICE abuses against American citizens, legal immigrants, and even undocumented immigrants, which has led to the deaths of Rene Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, plus the massive abuses, including some deaths, at detention facilities, and the horrendous tactics utilized by ICE all over America.

So the fact that Noem is gone is not satisfying, as her proposed replacement is Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, who has made a reputation of being a lunatic in his utterances, and no better than Noem in his agreement with ICE tactics that have outraged all those who believe in the Bill of Rights.

Mullin has been labeled “the dumbest Senator” by many, and embarrassed himself by his threats to engage in a physical brawl with the President of the Teamsters Union, Sean O’Brien, at a hearing, causing Senator Bernie Sanders to intervene, and call for civil behavior.

ICE needs to be massively reformed in its tactics, and Mullin must be pressed to agree that the outrageous mistreatment of people much like a secret police or Gestapo, has to end.

But the massive campaign against immigrants, and the racism that is so evident, most likely will not change, so Mullin will just be the “front person”, who will rapidly alienate the American people as Noem has done.

The Horrors And Fears Latinos Now Face Due To ICE Raids!

Ronald 9 Comments

Tragically, Latinos in America, whether born in America, or naturalized citizens, or those with a “green card”, or those who are undocumented, face the horrors and fear of ICE raids!

This is true in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, and elsewhere, as thousands upon thousands of immigrants who washed cars, shopped for groceries, delivered food, walked dogs, drove their cars and attended schools and jobs, are being summarily arrested and facing deportation!

Mothers and fathers and even teenagers have been separated from their families without notice or knowledge of where such victims are being sent on the way to deportation.

This is a civil liberties crisis unmatched in American history, with an out of control Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency waging massive raids, with a hardline attitude by Kristi Noem, Tom Homan, Stephen Miller, and others, who are acting as authoritarians under their sycophantic loyalty to Donald Trump.

The Supreme Court has bent to the will of the Trump Administration, with six of the nine members of the high Court giving leeway to whatever is occurring, which is violating the Bill Of Rights, and the future will be determined in future cases being argued on the Court.

At the same time, lower courts have often blocked Trump actions, so we have a split judicial system, but with the Supreme Court soon to decide just how far these violations of basic human rights will be implemented long term.

The lives of these unfortunate victims are being upended, as people stay home from work and school, and are unable to pay their bills, and have to depend on others for grocery shopping.

“The American Dream” is being upended, and is, sadly, likely to get worse, under a Supreme Court more extreme than any in a century since the 1920s, as the advancements of the previous Warren and Burger Courts are being upended by the Roberts Court!

Lack Of Principle And Guts Of So Many Republicans Disillusioning!

Ronald 59 Comments

This author and blogger is so disillusioned at the lack of principle and guts of so many Republican Senators, as it seems more likely by the day that there will be little, if any, opposition to any of the most controversial Donald Trump Cabinet nominees.

By all reasonable judgment, the nominations of:

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services

should be rejected for a multitude of reasons.

And this does not include another objectionable nominee, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security.

But at least four Senators would have to be willing to gamble their future and vote against, and that seems now highly unlikely.

Those most considered possible to oppose some, if not all, of these nominees, would include:

Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Susan Collins of Maine
Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
John Curtis of Utah (newly elected to succeed Mitt Romney)

Some other Republican Senators are also seen as possible holdouts, but not as likely as these four.

And even among these four, the truth is that Susan Collins is unreliable, and Mitch McConnell, despite his plans to retire, and his contempt for Donald Trump, cannot be considered in any way likely to vote against any of these nominees, when push comes to shove.

Murkowski and Curtis seem more likely, but the pressure on them and other Republicans is intense. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who first seemed likely to oppose Pete Hegseth, is now receiving blowback with her reelection race coming up in 2026, and Collins also faces reelection two years from now.

So the odds are that Trump will get all of his controversial Cabinet appointments confirmed, and the nation will face a Presidential cabinet with a number of ill qualified, and in some cases, totally terrifying, and reprehensible individuals who will undermine America and its population for the next four years at a minimum.

So this blogger and author is taking a break, escaping from the morass we are in, and will be back near the end of the year!

Unqualified And Controversial Trump Appointments Abound In Early Selections!

admin 35 Comments

When one observes Donald Trump’s early appointments, one concludes that he has decided to name unqualified individuals to a multitude of major positions.

When one can say that Florida Senator Marco Rubio becoming Secretary of State is the “best” appointment of a horrendous list, that summarizes what a disaster the nation is facing!

Rubio has 14 years of Senate experience, and is on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and while no great intellectual, he meets the minimum requirements to lead our foreign policy establishment, but is no star in any sense.

But then, one looks at other appointments:

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News Host, as Secretary of Defense
Kristi Noem, South Dakota Governor, as Secretary of Homeland Security
Elise Stafanek, NY Congresswoman, as United Nations Ambassador
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor, as US Ambassador to Israel
Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii as Director Of National Intelligence
Lee Zeldin, former NY Congressman, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency

Pete Hegseth is a total surprise to the Pentagon with no real credentials to head the Pentagon.

Kristi Noem has ZERO experience to head Homeland Security, and has been an embarrassment as Governor of a very small state, South Dakota.

Elise Stefanik is an ultimate example of an individual who transformed, conveniently, from being a moderate Republican to a MAGA Republican, as a way to advance her career.

Mike Huckabee is a Christian Zionist, whose ultimate aim is to convert Jews to his radical brand of Christianity, the last thing that American Jews would support, but may be acceptable to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he works to take over the Palestinian territories.

Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic Presidential contender, who has gone over to the Republican Party, after going off the rails in her foreign policy views, and now will be more powerful over intelligence gathering than anyone else .

Lee Zeldin has no desire to promote environmental protection, so can be described as a fox put into a chicken coop.

It seems clear that the major qualification to be in the Trump Cabinet is to be slavishly loyal to his agenda, with no concept of considering what is constitutional and legitimate!

Add to this list Robert F. Kennedy Jr. possibly being Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Billionaire Elon Musk everywhere, trying to have a major influence.

This list will become even more controversial as the days pass, and fireworks are possible on some of the appointments.

And now, as I am writing, controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been chosen to be Attorney General, which would seem extremely divisive.

It also means now THREE Republican House members, including Mike Waltz of Florida as National Security Adviser, along with Stefanik and Gaetz, will be removed from that chamber, endangering, at least for the short term, having a Republican majority, which seems a lunatic move!

The last 24 hours have been shocking, and will continue to be in the coming hours and days!

Project 2025: Attack On Crucial Government Agencies And Federal Regulations!

admin 5 Comments

Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation plan to promote massive right wing government in America, is a direct attack on crucial government agencies:

Eliminate the Department of Energy
Eliminate the Department of Education
Eliminate the Department of Commerce
Eliminate the Food and Drug Administration
Eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency
Eliminate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Transform the Department of Justice to an agency controlled by the White House
Radically Change the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Radically Change the Department of Homeland Security
Repeal Dodd-Frank Financial Regulations
Reduce Business Regulations
End Funding of National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting System
Privatize the Federal Aviation Administration
Repeal Net Neutrality regulations

The whole concept of an “Administrative State”, which has been part of American government since Theodore Roosevelt onward, and with both parties, Democrats and Republicans, is under threat, as it is also due to recent Supreme Court decisions!

Republican House Majority In 118th Congress A Total Disaster, On Its Way To Defeat In November!

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The Republican House majority in the 118th Congress is a total disaster, and has managed to produce the fewest legislative actions of any Congress going back a century and more!

Their move to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the first sitting cabinet officer to be so impeached, is a purely political disaster, as it comes after they have agreed not to consider a border security bill, due to the intervention of Donald Trump, who wants to use immigration as a campaign issue for the upcoming Presidential and Congressional Elections of 2024, nine months from now!

It is stunning that every one of the 17 Biden District Republicans went along with the impeachment, which will go nowhere in the Senate, and that even the so called “moderate” Republicans, led by Don Bacon of Nebraska and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, went along, causing a total loss of respect and common decency.

It is clear that there has to be total attack on all House Republicans, as well as all but a small handful of Republican Senators, and the goal must be to end the control of Congress by a party that has no principles, other than to obey and follow a Fascist, authoritarian, Donald Trump, who supports a Russian invasion of our NATO allies!

The Republican Party Declares War On Law Enforcement And National Security!

Ronald 1 Comment

The Republican Party, Donald Trump loyalists, and Fox News Channel have declared war on law enforcement and national security, threatening action to destroy the FBI, Department of Justice, and Department of Homeland Security, over the legitimate action of removing national security and other government documents wrongfully taken by Donald Trump to his Florida estate, Mar A Lago, when he left office 19 months ago!

It is shocking to see the reaction of a large slew of Republicans, including, among others:

Rick Scott
Marco Rubio
Ted Cruz
Rand Paul
Josh Hawley
Tom Cotton
Kevin McCarthy
Jim Jordan
Elise Stefanik
Newt Gingrich

They and numerous others are promoting violence and potential civil war, and it is clear that they have become the Fascist Party, with the desire to install Donald Trump as the dictator of the US, with the plan to wipe out these government agencies!

Death threats are emanating, with the fear that top government officials to the highest level, may be subjected to assassination threats, a horrifying thought!

Another January 6th is a possibility, an attack on the US Capitol or other government buildings by an armed mob, with domestic terrorism being inflamed further by Donald Trump and his minions!