The House and Senate convened the 116th Congress today without any compromise in sight for funding the remaining federal agencies. President Trump invited congressional leadership to a border security briefing at the White House Wednesday but the meeting broke without an agreement. The president invited leaders to meet again on Friday but it is uncertain whether the meeting will take place.
In a series of tweets today, President Trump said he would "close the Southern Border entirely" if Democrats do not agree to fund the wall and to change the nation’s “ridiculous” asylum laws. The threats come on the seventh day of a partial government shutdown. At this point no votes are expected until Trump and Democratic leaders reach a funding deal.
In the wake of the death of a second migrant child in federal detention, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen blamed smugglers, traffickers, and migrant parents for pushing border security systems to the “breaking point.” She cited several “draw factors” that caused the recent surge, including an asylum process that encourages fraudulent claims and rewards parents for sending or bringing their children across the border.
CBS’ El Paso, Texas affiliate reports ICE released about 400 alien parents and children in the two days before Christmas and another 186 on Christmas day. Most were dropped off near the local Greyhound bus station and eventually assisted by local charities. More are expected to be released today.
President Trump’s 1/27/17 executive order directed the Departments of State and Homeland Security to force “recalcitrant” countries to accept the repatriation of their citizens, most of whom committed criminal acts in the United States. Reports indicate the Administration is making headway since the number of recalcitrant countries is down and more criminal aliens are being deported.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division greatly expanded criminal investigations, business audits and arrests in fiscal year 2018. HSI conducted 6,848 worksite investigations compared to 1,691 in FY17, initiated 5,981 I-9 audits compared to 1,360; and made 779 criminal and 1,525 administrative arrests compared to 139 and 172.
More than 400 migrants surrendered to Customs and Border Protection agents Monday in an open area in between two-tier fencing near El Paso, Texas. Border Patrol spokesman Joe Romero said the migrants are part of a caravan seeking asylum in the U.S. Meanwhile in San Diego, California at least two dozen caravan migrants were apprehended after climbing a border fence near the Pacific Ocean.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a notice of proposed rulemaking that would give priority under the H-1B visa cap to foreign students with advanced degrees from U.S. universities or colleges. The measure would increase the likelihood that visa holders are better educated and decrease the chances that outsourcing companies can obtain visas for foreign-educated workers.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government is considering reducing its annual legal immigration cap from 190,000 to 160,000, a 16 percent reduction. Morrison said “Australians in our biggest cities are concerned about population. They are saying: enough, enough, enough. The roads are clogged, the buses and trains are full. The schools are taking no more enrollments. I hear what you are saying. I hear you loud and clear.”
NBC News reported on a survey conducted by El Universal, a popular Mexican newspaper, that found about seven in 10 Mexicans have a negative view about Central American caravan migrants. It also found that 52 percent of Mexicans oppose giving work permits to the migrants, 52 percent want those without legal documents blocked from entering Mexico and 55 percent support cracking down on future caravans.