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Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Indicts 7 Foreign Nationals For Money Laundering and Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned a multi-count indictment on April 16, 2025, charging seven foreign nationals with money laundering related offenses and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.   

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Cincinnati Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Quincy R. Barnett of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

    According to the indictment, Jose Malagon Castro, 49, a citizen of Mexico, operated three grocery stores in the Western District of Kentucky and offered, among other things, international money transmission services at each location. Yeimi Hernandez Barahona, 34, Kenia Hernandez Barahona, 35, Kelin Hernandez Barahona, 31, all citizens of Honduras, and Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, 27, a citizen of Guatemala, were employed by Castro and conducted wire transfers as part of the money transmission service. Vanessa Avila Galaviz, 28, and Jose Martin Romero, 32, both citizens of Mexico, along with other individuals, were narcotics traffickers, who directed monetary wire transfers conducted at Castro’s stores to send drug proceeds to Mexico.

    The indictment alleges that between at least January 2020 and continuing until at least December 2024, all the named defendants engaged in a conspiracy to knowingly conduct, and attempt to conduct, millions of dollars’ worth of financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce, knowing that the transactions were designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the drug proceeds and to avoid federal and state reporting requirements for the transmission of those proceeds.

    The indictment further alleges between August 6, 2024, and August 30, 2024, all the named defendants, aided and abetted by each other and others, knowingly conducted financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce, which involved approximately $62,042 in proceeds from the sale and distribution of controlled substances knowing that the transactions were designed in whole and in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds of the drug trafficking and to avoid Federal and State reporting requirements for the transmission of those proceeds.

    The indictment further alleges that on April 23, 2024, Jose Malagon Castro, Kenia Hernandez Barahona, and Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, aided and abetted by each other and others, knowingly conducted financial transactions, with undercover law enforcement agents acting as alleged narcotics traffickers, to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of property represented to be the proceeds of drug trafficking, and to promote the carrying on of the alleged drug trafficking, and to avoid a transaction reporting requirement under state and federal law.

    The indictment further alleges that, Jose Malagon Castro, possessed firearms on December 4, 2024, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, knowing he was an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States. On that date he illegally possessed the following firearms: an Aguirre y Aranzabal (AYA), model 4/53, 12-gauge shotgun; a Marlin Firearms Company, model 336W, 30-30 rifle; a Henry Repeating Rifle Company, model H004GE Golden Eagle, .22lr rifle; a Maverick Arms, model 88, 12-gauge shotgun; a Colt, model King Cobra, .357 magnum revolver; a Smith & Wesson, model CSX, 9mm pistol; and ammunition.

    On April 24, 2025, defendants Jose Malagon Castro, Yeimi Hernandez Barahona, Kelin Hernandez Barahona, Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, and Jose Martin Romero each made an initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Defendants Kenia Hernandez Barahona and Vanessa Avila Galaviz remain fugitives with outstanding warrants for their arrest.

    If convicted, Jose Malagon Castro faces a maximum sentence of 475 years in prison and Yeimi Hernandez Barahona, Kenia Hernandez Barahona, Kelin Hernandez Barahona, Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, Vanessa Avila Galaviz, and Jose Martin Romero each face a maximum sentence of 460 years in prison. The United States is seeking forfeiture of $516,800.00 in United States Currency seized from Jose Malagon Castro. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case is being investigated by the IRS, ATF, DEA, HSI, FBI, and LMPD.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mac Shannon and Joseph Ansari are prosecuting this case.

    This investigation is a part of the IRS-CI’s Cincinnati Field Office’s Third Party Money Laundering (3PML) Project. This project focuses on Complicit Money Service Businesses (MSB) working for Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations. The purpose of this project is to develop high-impact 3PML cases for IRS-CI and other agencies across the United States, by utilizing data analytics.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Blast Trump Administration’s Attacks on Head Start, Demand RFK, Jr. Release Funding and Reverse Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, (both D-VA) joined 40 of their congressional colleagues in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. calling out the Trump Administration’s direct attacks on Head Start and highlighting the secretary’s legal obligation to administer the program. In the letter, the lawmakers also demand that HHS immediately release Head Start funding and reverse the mass firing of Head Start staff to ensure high-quality services are available for Americans across the country, including thousands of children and families in Virginia.
    Between January 1 and April 15 in 2024, Virginia Head Start centers received over $16 million in federal funding. During the same period this year, Virginia Head Start centers have received less than $12 million in federal funding—signaling a slow-walking of funds by the Trump Administration that is costing Virginia.
    The senators wrote, “Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year. It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.”
    “Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff,” the senators continued. “Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. Head Start programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.”
    “You even acknowledged the value of Head Start following a recent visit to a Virginia Head Start center,” the senators wrote, contrasting that statement of support with the Trump Administration’s actions. “However, as a result of your actions to withhold and delay funding and undermine the administration of this vital program, Head Start centers are in serious jeopardy and have already had their day to day operations impacted. Programs are increasingly worried that they will not be able to make payroll, pay rent, and remain open to serve the hundreds of thousands of children and families who depend on their services in communities across the nation.”
    Importantly, the senators noted that without funding that has so far not gone out the door, many programs could be forced to close: “Head Start grantees are still waiting on payments and grant renewals from the Office of Head Start, including programs whose grants end on April 30th, 2025. These notices should have gone out by now, yet we are concerned to hear programs report they have received little to no correspondence regarding their grant renewals… Additionally, because we started fiscal year 2025 under a short-term continuing resolution, as is usual, some grantees have only received partial funding for the first few months of the year. But with a full year funding bill in place, these grantees should have received full funding by now, yet some are reporting that they have not received the full amount of their grants and will run out of funds this month or next.”
    “The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low income children and families across this country. There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation,” the senators concluded. “[W]e urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country.”
    In February, Kaine and Warner sent a letter to then-Acting HHS Secretary Dorothy A. Fink, M.D., urging the administration to protect Head Start from the government-wide hiring freeze.
    In addition to Warner and Kaine, the letter was led by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Peter Welch (D-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Gov. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Kennedy:
    We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program. Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year. It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.
    Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff. Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. Head Start programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.
    You even acknowledged the value of Head Start following a recent visit to a Virginia Head Start center, where you said, “I had a very inspiring tour. I saw a devoted staff and a lot of happy children. They are getting the kind of education and socialization they need, and they are also getting a couple of meals a day.”
    However, as a result of your actions to withhold and delay funding and undermine the administration of this vital program, Head Start centers are in serious jeopardy and have already had their day to day operations impacted. Programs are increasingly worried that they will not be able to make payroll, pay rent, and remain open to serve the hundreds of thousands of children and families who depend on their services in communities across the nation.
    Since the very start of this Administration, Head Start programs have been under attack. On January 27th, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo (M-25-13) that suddenly froze the disbursement of grant funding for federal programs and services government-wide, including Head Start. Despite the Administration’s clarification that Head Start programs would not be the target of the funding freeze, many Head Start programs across the country were unable to draw down their grant funds through the Payment Management System (PMS) for weeks. At one point, the National Head Start Association reported 37 programs serving nearly 15,000 children across the country could not access their federal funding. Head Start programs operate with thin margins and on short-term budgets from HHS, and without any communication from the Administration about the status of funding, programs were forced to temporarily close or to lay off staff. In Wisconsin, the National Centers for Learning Excellence, which serves more than 200 children and their families, shut down for a week and laid off staff due to the funding freeze.
    On April 1st, you abruptly closed five of the ten regional offices that help local grantees administer Head Start programs in 22 states. This left hundreds of programs without dedicated points of contact to address mission critical issues like approving grant renewals and modifications, investigating child health and safety incidents, and providing training and technical assistance to ensure high-quality services for children. While some grantees were assigned a new program specialist, we understand many have not been receiving responses to their inquiries. This is on top of the estimated 97 Office of Head Start central office staff that were terminated due to their probationary status and the recent reduction in force. You promised “radical transparency” as Secretary, yet it is unclear how these actions will improve Head Start programs, and you and your staff refuse to respond to basic inquiries and requests for information.
    On March 14th, 2025, the Office of Head Start (OHS) notified all Head Start programs that “the use of federal funding for any training and technical assistance or other program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives” will not be approved and that any questions should be directed to regional offices. Programs have not received any guidance for what would be considered “DEI” but this policy is potentially in direct conflict with statutory and regulatory program requirements, such as providing culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional services for English learners. Many programs cannot direct questions to regional staff, as half of regional offices were abruptly closed, and as unprecedented actions are being taken to delay and withhold funding, Head Start programs have been intentionally left with little to no guidance.
    Head Start programs are now arbitrarily required to provide justifications for each draw down of funds that is necessary to operate their programs, despite already receiving a federal grant award for these purposes. As of April 14th, Head Start programs have reportedly received correspondence from an email address “defendthespend@hhs.gov” requiring programs to submit a “specific description of why the funds are necessary and why they are aligned to the award” before programs can have funding disbursed. It has been reported that political appointees must sign off on every draw down of funds. This creates an illusion of improving oversight but only serves to add unnecessary red tape by requiring the manual sign off on hundreds of thousands of individual actions annually across the Department based on two to three sentence justifications. Already some grantees have reported delays in receiving funds, and have reported that furloughs or closures are imminent if funds are not released. For an administration that purports to value local autonomy and efficiency in federally funded programs, your actions have achieved the exact opposite.
    Finally, Head Start grantees are still waiting on payments and grant renewals from the Office of Head Start, including programs whose grants end on April 30th, 2025. These notices should have gone out by now, yet we are concerned to hear programs report they have received little to no correspondence regarding their grant renewals. Additionally, because we started fiscal year 2025 under a short-term continuing resolution, as is usual, some grantees have only received partial funding for the first few months of the year. But with a full year funding bill in place, these grantees should have received full funding by now, yet some are reporting that they have not received the full amount of their grants and will run out of funds this month or next. On Wednesday, April 16th, the delays in Head Start funding led to the closure of Head Start centers serving more than 400 children in Sunnyside, Washington.
    The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low income children and families across this country. The fiscal year 2025 appropriations act provided $12.3 billion for Head Start, the same as the fiscal year 2024 level. The Head Start Act includes an explicit formula for how appropriated funds should be allocated. There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation. However, this week leaked fiscal year 2026 budget documents indicated the Office of Management and Budget was directing the Department, consistent with the Administration’s proposal to eliminate Head Start in fiscal year 2026, to “ensure to the extent allowable FY2025 funds are available to close out the program.” If this explains any of the delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 funding, we want to be clear, no funds were provided in fiscal year 2025 to “close out the program,” and it would be wholly unacceptable and likely illegal if the Department tries to carry out this directive.
    Finally, the leaked budget documents provided a justification, albeit brief, for eliminating Head Start in fiscal year 2026 that makes this Administration’s priorities clear and puts the Department’s actions over the last several months in context. The Administration argues that eliminating Head Start, “is consistent with the Administration’s goals of returning education to the States and increasing parental choice.” It is shocking to see an argument that eliminating a program that provides comprehensive early childhood care and education to 800,000 children and their families would increase parental choice. It is particularly concerning to see that argument in the context of the significant delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 appropriated funds and what that indicates about the intent behind the Department’s actions. We believe it is obvious that eliminating Head Start would be detrimental to hundreds of thousands of children and families. Similarly, we believe it is obvious that delaying funding like we have seen over the last two months, forcing Head Start programs to close, and leaving families to scramble to find quality, affordable alternatives puts the education and well-being of some of the most vulnerable young children in America at risk. In our view, that is unacceptable.
    Therefore, we urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country.
    Please provide us with a written response to the questions below no later than 10 days from receipt: 
    Will you reinstate the staff who administer Head Start programs and reopen the closed regional offices responsible for overseeing Head Start programs in 22 states?
    When is HHS going to share information on the reorganization plan for the consolidation of the regional offices?
    Please provide the contact information for each program specialist designated to the 22 states who lost their regional office. 
    Who is responsible for ensuring there are no delays or lapses in funding, nor any disruptions to Head Start program operations now that these states do not have a regional office?

    How many employees at the Offices of Head Start have been terminated, including the five regional offices and the central office? 
    Which officials at HHS were involved in the staffing reduction decisions for OHS and what planning, if any, was undertaken prior to these reductions? Please describe the events that unfolded and name each office that was involved in the decision. Further, please name the official(s) who approved the staffing reductions.

    Can you confirm that the Administration will distribute all Head Start funds appropriated by Congress to Head Start programs in FY 25, as required by the Head Start Act?
    Please provide a list of all grantees with 5-year Head Start grant renewals that start between now and the end of the fiscal year: May 1st, June 1st, July 1st, August 1st, and September 1st.
    Will any funding be delayed for grantees that are due to receive their annual funding on May 1st or beyond?

    Why are funding awards delayed for grantees that received partial awards during the first continuing resolution for FY25?
    When can HHS guarantee that all funds will be awarded for partially funded Head Start programs?

    What is the “Tier 2” department for review that is delaying drawn down for Head Start programs in the Payment Management System?
    When should programs expect to receive their funds?
    Please provide all communication that went to Head Start grantees on the new review process.

    What guidance and clarifications have been provided to Head Start grantees on DEI expenditures?
    How is HHS evaluating Head Start programs’ expenditures and grant awards for DEI?
    What justifications are being used to prohibit DEI?

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Hollen, Warren, Kaine Press Hegseth on High Civilian Casualties in Yemen Strikes and Trump Administration’s Dismantling of Safeguards Against Civilian Harm

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) wrote to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, expressing concerns with reports that U.S. strikes against the Houthis at the Ras Isa fuel terminal in Yemen last week killed dozens of civilians as the Trump Administration has rolled back measures and procedures designed to minimize the risk of harm to civilians from U.S. military operations. In their letter, the Senators ask for responses to a series of questions regarding the mitigation measures taken prior to the strikes conducted in Yemen in the past month and the current status of civilian harm mitigation procedures, among others.
    “We write to you concerning reports that U.S. strikes against the Houthis at the Ras Isa fuel terminal in Yemen last week killed dozens of civilians, potentially more than 70. If these reports of civilian casualties are accurate, they should come as no surprise. Using explosive weapons in populated areas – as these intense strikes appear to do – always carries a high risk of civilian harm,” the Senators began.
    “Further, reports suggest that the Trump Administration plans to dismantle civilian harm mitigation policies and procedures at the Pentagon designed to reduce civilian casualties in U.S. operations,” they continued, going on to highlight that the Administration has already taken steps that raise the risk of civilian harm during military operations, such as their dismissal of senior Judge Advocates (JAG) officers and loosening of rules of engagement. “Taken altogether, these moves suggest that the Trump Administration is abandoning the measures necessary to meet its obligations to reducing civilian harm.
    “President Trump has called himself a ‘peacemaker,’ but that claim rings hollow when U.S. military operations kill scores of civilians. The reported high civilian casualty numbers from U.S. strikes in Yemen demonstrate a serious disregard for civilian life, and call into question this Administration’s ability to conduct military operations in accordance with U.S. best practices for civilian harm mitigation and international law,” they stressed.
    “The U.S. military has spent many years working to improve its ability to prevent and mitigate civilian harm without sacrificing lethality. Military leaders agree that ingraining civilian harm mitigation practices within U.S operations leads to better outcomes and that civilian casualties ‘actually undermine the mission that the military has been sent in to do.’ […] Now, we understand that the Administration is considering dismantling these efforts, many of which are congressionally authorized and funded through congressional appropriations, undermining years of hard lessons learned after more than two decades of U.S. wars. We are now seeing the real-life impact of the Administration’s disregard for civilian harm mitigation and international law,” they wrote, going on to list a series of questions for the Administration’s response.
    A copy of the letter, including the questions the Senators ask Secretary Hegseth, is available here and below.
    Dear Secretary Hegseth, 
    We write to you concerning reports that U.S. strikes against the Houthis at the Ras Isa fuel terminal in Yemen last week killed dozens of civilians, potentially more than 70. If these reports of civilian casualties are accurate, they should come as no surprise. Using explosive weapons in populated areas – as these intense strikes appear to do – always carries a high risk of civilian harm. Further, reports suggest that the Trump Administration plans to dismantle civilian harm mitigation policies and procedures at the Pentagon designed to reduce civilian casualties in U.S. operations. And the Trump Administration has already dismissed senior, non-partisan Judge Advocates, or JAG officers, who provide critical legal counsel to U.S. warfighters, especially when it comes to the laws of war and adherence to U.S. civilian harm mitigation policies. The Defense Department also recently loosened the rules of engagement to allow CENTCOM and other combatant commands to conduct strikes without requiring White House sign-off, removing necessary checks and balances on crucial life-and-death decisions. Taken altogether, these moves suggest that the Trump Administration is abandoning the measures necessary to meet its obligations to reducing civilian harm.
    President Trump has called himself a “peacemaker,” but that claim rings hollow when U.S. military operations kill scores of civilians. The reported high civilian casualty numbers from U.S. strikes in Yemen demonstrate a serious disregard for civilian life, and call into question this Administration’s ability to conduct military operations in accordance with U.S. best practices for civilian harm mitigation and international law. 
    On April 17, 2025, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes against the Houthis’ fuel supplies located at a Yemeni port in the Hodeida governorate, stating that “the objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen,” and that “this strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen.” Despite these claims, reports from news organizations and organizations that track civilian harm suggest that U.S. strikes since March 15 have killed more than a hundred civilians. The United Nations Protection Cluster’s Civilian Impact Monitoring Project has also assessed that March 2025 marked the highest monthly casualty count in Yemen in almost two years, tripling the previous month, with a total of 162 civilian casualties.  
    In addition, the strikes have moved beyond targeting Houthi missile launch sites to hitting urban areas. This expansion of target sites, to include civilian infrastructure like ports, exacerbates the risk of civilian harm, all while internal U.S. government assessments suggest that the military campaign against the Houthis has “had limited impact on destroying” the Houthis capabilities.
    The U.S. military has spent many years working to improve its ability to prevent and mitigate civilian harm without sacrificing lethality. Military leaders agree that ingraining civilian harm mitigation practices within U.S operations leads to better outcomes and that civilian casualties “actually undermine the mission that the military has been sent in to do.” This was a lesson the first Trump Administration took to heart, including through the development of the first DoD Instruction on Civilian Harm. These efforts, among others, that started during the first Trump Administration set in motion policies that led to additional civilian harm mitigation policies under the Biden Administration, known as the Civilian Harm Mitigation Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP). Now, we understand that the Administration is considering dismantling these efforts, many of which are congressionally authorized and funded through congressional appropriations, undermining years of hard lessons learned after more than two decades of U.S. wars. We are now seeing the real-life impact of the Administration’s disregard for civilian harm mitigation and international law.
    We request answers to the following questions on the U.S. military campaign in Yemen since March 15, 2025, no later than May 8, 2025:  
    Has the Department of Defense (DoD) assessed the number of noncombatant and combatant casualties in each of its strikes inside Yemen since March 15, 2025? Please provide available data, and if the Department is not making efforts to evaluate these effects of its strikes, please explain why. If any civilian casualty credibility assessment reports have been made, please provide them. 
    What has DoD’s process been for assessing the acceptable civilian casualties for individual strikes inside Yemen, and assessing estimated levels of civilian harm and collateral damage, since March 15, 2025? What steps, if any, were taken to prevent or mitigate anticipated civilian harm?  
    What role have legal advisers, including JAG officers, played in reviewing the legality of U.S. strikes in Yemen since March 15, 2025? What assessment and determination did legal advisers, including JAG officers, make, if any, with regard to the status of the Ras Isa fuel port as a civilian versus a military object prior to its targeting last week? 
    What DoD instructions or orders currently govern Department civilian harm mitigation and response actions? 
    Were the civilian harm mitigation and response experts at CENTCOM and/or at the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence consulted in planning for these strikes?  
    How does the Department plan to engage with the families or communities affected by these strikes, including acknowledging civilian harm and exploring avenues for potential redress? 
    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Helps Lead Legislation to Aid Michigan Small Businesses Impacted by Unseasonably Warm Winters, Low Snowfall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped lead bipartisan legislation to provide financial relief to Michigan small businesses who are economically impacted by unseasonably warm winters and low snowfall totals. The Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act – which he introduced with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) – would allow businesses to qualify for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which aids businesses that have been impacted by extreme weather situations.   
    “Mild winters can be devastating for the businesses and communities across Michigan that depend on winter tourism and recreation to drive their local economies,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan legislation would ensure small businesses are eligible for assistance when unseasonably warm winters impact our state.” 
    “Senator Peters continues to be a true champion for Michigan’s outdoor recreation economy. His support and introduction of the Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act recognizes that ski areas are not just businesses—they’re community hubs, job creators, and engines of winter tourism. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, it’s a relief to know we’ve got someone in Washington who understands the stakes and is working to ensure the industry can bounce back stronger,” said Mike Panich, Executive Director, Michigan Snowsports Industries Association.
    “The people and businesses of the Upper Peninsula are used to tough winters – in fact, with our SISU spirit, we embrace them. But as we learned last year, there are times no matter how resilient we may be that Mother Nature offers us a hard lesson on who is really in charge,” said Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP. “I join with U.P. businesses and institutions in expressing gratitude to Senator Peters for taking to heart the lessons that we learned from the unseasonably warm Winter of 2023 with this legislation so that we are better positioned next time we face such an extreme weather crisis to manage it and mitigate the adverse hardships that U.P. small businesses and our regional economy experienced.”
    “The option for small businesses to access SBA and EIDL support is a vital tool, especially as we face increasingly unpredictable winter weather,” said Susan Estler, CEO of Travel Marquette. “As we have seen in Marquette County, mild winters can impact local businesses, particularly those in the tourism sector. I recently spoke with a small business owner who is struggling to recover from financial shortfalls caused by the past few winters. This bill is a critical resource for businesses, helping them manage weather-related setbacks and remain resilient, ensuring they are ready to serve both locals and visitors.”
    “The UP200 Sled Dog Race draws thousands of tourists to the Upper Peninsula, injecting more than $2 million into our local economy. The increasing instability of winter events, due to weather, has taken a toll on small business in our area that depend on these tourism dollars generated,” said Ross Anthony, Treasurer of the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association. “We were proud to bring the race back to Marquette in 2025, but it was nowhere near enough to erase the loss of tourism from 2023 and 2024. This bill would ensure Marquette businesses can access the financial relief needed to offset those losses in the unfortunate event we have to cancel our event in the future.”
    Currently, EIDLs can only be awarded to businesses impacted by disaster situations currently defined by the Small Business Act – which only includes floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, and landslides. This bill seeks to broaden the definition to make businesses impacted by low snowfall eligible to apply for financial assistance through the SBA.  
    This bill is introduced as Michigan communities have faced record-high temperatures and below average snowfall during recent winter seasons, leading to significant decreases in winter tourism and opportunities for winter recreation. According to the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, data from 30 ski hills across Michigan shows a combined $41 million loss in revenue during the 2024 season. Unseasonably warm weather also contributed to more than 3,400 layoffs for employees that work in ski operations. 
    Mild winters have also led to the cancellation of events that are integral to Michigan’s communities and our local economies – including the UP200 Sled Dog Race in Marquette, which had to be cancelled for two years in a row due to low snowfall throughout the Upper Peninsula.  
    Weather data shows that winter is the fastest warming season for most of the United States, and the number of days below freezing is only expected to decline. To help address this warming trend, the bill would also direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and make recommendations on how winter weather-dependent businesses can adapt their business model and become more resilient against changing weather patterns.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Statement on FBI’s Arrest of a Judge in Wisconsin 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    BURLINGTON, VT—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, issued the following statement in reaction to the FBI’s arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee county circuit court judge: 
    “The FBI cannot be allowed to arrest a judge because she won’t assist President Trump in carrying out his illegal deportation agenda. This is a gross violation of the power of the executive. President Trump is using the once-independent Justice Department to run roughshod over the Judiciary. Every one of my colleagues must stand up against this assault on the rule of law, and call this what it is: a constitutional crisis.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting international language instruction | Appuyer l’enseignement des langues étrangères

    Alberta’s International Language Teacher Bursary is awarded annually to teachers who want to develop their skills by taking a language, culture or teaching summer course outside of Canada. This year, bursaries of $4,200 have been awarded to 10 public school teachers. This money will support teachers participating in language and culture programs in Spain, France, Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico.

    “Learning a new language opens doors to new experiences and opportunities for Alberta students and is a rewarding part of any student’s educational journey. This money is helping teachers develop their language skills and cultural knowledge which will translate directly into tremendously rewarding learning experiences for Alberta students. Congratulations to this year’s recipients.”

    Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

    Alberta’s government established the International Language Teacher Bursary in 2003. The program is funded through the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund. An Alberta Education committee chooses the successful applicants based on defined requirements, including a statement of intent from the applicant about how the summer course will help them improve their language instruction skills. 

    “Alberta School Boards Association welcomes this investment in international language education, which supports the efforts of Alberta’s locally elected school boards to offer rich programming that reflects the diversity of our communities. Our member boards are committed to equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in a global society.” 

    Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association

    This year’s recipients are employed by school boards across the province, including the Calgary Board of Education, Elk Island Public, Lethbridge School Division, Edmonton Public Schools and Red Deer Public Schools. Up to $42,000 was available for the 2025-26 program year.

    Quick facts

    • Ten Albertans received the International Language Teacher Bursary in 2024.
    • In addition to the International Language Teacher Bursary, Alberta Education offers a First Nations, Métis and Inuit Languages Teacher Bursary, which awards bursaries of up to $4,200 and has its own application and selection processes.
    • Certificated French language educators within Alberta can apply for up to $4,000 through the Individual Teacher Bursary to receive funding for eligible courses and professional development within Canada.
    • The Individual Teacher Bursary is funded by the federal government as part of the Canada-Alberta Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction.

    Related information

    • International Language Teacher Bursary
    • First Nations, Métis and Inuit Languages Teacher Bursary
    • Individual Teacher Bursary Program

    Alberta Education remet 42 000 dollars en bourses d’études à des enseignants afin qu’ils puissent acquérir des compétences en langues étrangères qui serviront dans les salles de classe de l’Alberta. 

    La bourse albertaine International Language Teacher Bursary est décernée chaque année à des enseignants qui souhaitent se perfectionner en suivant, pendant l’été, un cours de langue, de culture ou de pédagogie à l’extérieur du Canada. Cette année, des bourses de 4 200 dollars ont été attribuées à dix enseignants des écoles publiques. Ce financement permettra aux enseignants de participer à des programmes de perfectionnement linguistique et culturel en Espagne, en France, en Équateur, au Brésil et au Mexique. 

    « L’apprentissage d’une nouvelle langue offre de nouvelles expériences et possibilités aux élèves albertains, en plus d’être une composante motivante du parcours scolaire de tout élève. Ce financement aide les enseignants à améliorer leurs compétences linguistiques et leurs connaissances culturelles, ce qui se traduira directement en des expériences d’apprentissage extrêmement enrichissantes pour les élèves albertains. Félicitations aux boursiers de cette année. »

    Demetrios Nicolaides, ministre de l’Éducation

    Le gouvernement de l’Alberta a créé la bourse International Language Teacher Bursary en 2003. Ce programme est financé par l’Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund. Un comité d’Alberta Education choisit les boursiers en fonction de critères définis, incluant une déclaration d’intention dans laquelle le candidat décrit la façon dont le cours d’été l’aidera à améliorer ses compétences en enseignement des langues.

    « L’Alberta School Boards Association se réjouit de cet investissement dans l’enseignement des langues étrangères qui vient appuyer les efforts déployés par les conseils scolaires élus localement de l’Alberta pour offrir de riches programmes reflétant la diversité de nos communautés. Les conseils scolaires membres de notre association se sont engagés à doter les élèves des compétences dont ils ont besoin pour réussir dans une société mondiale. »

    Marilyn Dennis, présidente, Alberta School Boards Association 

    Les boursiers de cette année sont employés par des autorités scolaires de partout dans la province, dont le Calgary Board of Education, Elk Island Public, Lethbridge School Division, Edmonton Public Schools et Red Deer Public Schools. Jusqu’à 42 000 dollars en bourses d’études étaient disponibles pour l’année 2025-2026. 

    En bref

    • Dix Albertains et Albertaines ont reçu la bourse International Language Teacher Bursary en 2024.
    • En plus d’offrir la bourse International Language Teacher Bursary, Alberta Education remet des bourses d’une valeur maximale de 4 200 dollars dans le cadre de la First Nations, Métis and Inuit Languages Teacher Bursary (bourse pour les enseignants des langues des Premières Nations, des Métis et des Inuits). Ce programme a ses propres processus de candidature et de sélection.
    • En Alberta, les éducateurs de français qui sont brevetés peuvent obtenir une bourse d’une valeur maximale de 4 000 dollars dans le cadre du Programme de bourse individuelle pour enseignants afin de couvrir les dépenses admissibles associées à des cours et du perfectionnement professionnel offerts au Canada.
    • Le Programme de bourse individuelle pour enseignants est financé par le gouvernement fédéral dans le cadre de l’Entente Canada-Alberta relative à l’enseignement dans la langue de la minorité et à l’enseignement de la langue seconde. 

    Renseignements connexes

    • Programme de bourses pour les enseignants des langues internationales (en anglais seulement)
    • Programme de bourses pour les enseignants des langues des Premières Nations, de Métis et des Inuits (en anglais seulement)
    • Programme de bourse individuelle pour enseignant

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal Statement on Trump Administration Restoring the Lawful Status of Thousands of Student Visa Holders

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Trump administration announced it would reverse course and restore the status of thousands of student visa holders.

    “The Trump Administration’s reversal of unlawful actions to terminate the status of thousands of student visa holders is overdue. While it remains to be seen if all these student visas will be restored, these students should never have had their status terminated to begin with, and the terminations continue to have very serious consequences for students, universities, and the future of our country to attract talent to study here. The terminations have turned university campuses into places of fear rather than learning, and many students are still dealing with the financial and emotional effects of their visa terminations even as they were in the midst of their studies. 

    “Trump’s reversal — in the face of multiple lawsuits and enormous pressure — is a clear admission that these actions against students were never about national security, but rather about using immigration enforcement as a weapon to restrict due process, stifle political dissent, and attack legal immigration. It is also a clear signal that organizing, lawsuits and public pressure are critically important to challenge the Administration’s continuously unlawful actions. It’s time to stop weaponizing enforcement and prioritize the humanity, dignity, and legal rights of all people. That’s both the moral and lawful thing to do, and also what is best for America’s ability to remain a country that attracts talent from all over the world.”

    Issues: Immigration

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Joins Warren, Massachusetts Lawmakers Sounding Alarm on Trump Cuts to National Endowment for the Humanities Staff, Grants

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    “We write to seek answers about why you are crippling an agency that punches so far above its weight and is essential to enabling access to libraries, museums, archives, historic sites and more for Massachusetts residents and Americans in every state.” 

    Lawmakers highlight Massachusetts impacts, including canceled projects which helped state capture and preserve history and culture, promote learning, make humanities more accessible

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joins Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA), along with Representatives Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Bill Keating (MA-09), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Richard Neal (MA-01), and Lori Trahan (MA-03), in sending a letter to Michael McDonald, Acting Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), regarding the impacts of recent staffing cuts and attempts to cancel grants in Massachusetts and across the country.

    During the week of April 1, 2025, following the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) recommendations, a majority of NEH staff were placed on administrative leave and hundreds of grants were canceled. In the following days, state humanities councils and other grant recipients received emails notifying them that their funding would be terminated immediately and that the Trump administration would be “repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the president’s agenda.”

    “We write to seek answers about why you are crippling an agency that punches so far above its weight and is essential to enabling access to libraries, museums, archives, historic sites and more for Massachusetts residents and Americans in every state,” wrote the lawmakers.

    Congressionally appropriated NEH program funds directly benefit local communities. The NEH was founded by Congress in 1965 to “promote progress and scholarship in the humanities and the arts in the United States,” and the agency enables work in the humanities by funding libraries, museums, archives, historic sites, media outlets, research institutions, educators and independent scholars. These cuts will have devastating impacts on cultural institutions and scholarship in Massachusetts and across the country.

    The Trump administration’s actions put tremendous financial strain on researchers, universities, and institutions. According to one institution in Massachusetts, the termination notices sent to individual recipients of NEH grants included language that the individuals will remain “subject to audit.” Grant recipients now face concerns that they will have to repay their funds to NEH at an undetermined time.

    NEH-funded projects in Massachusetts — including research projects to better understand the impact of war on naval veterans and their families, projects to understand the role of historic textile mills in the American industrial revolution, and programs supporting museums’ efforts to digitize, archive, and modernize the products of Massachusetts art and culture — have enriched the state’s ability to capture and preserve history and culture, promote new knowledge and learning, and make the humanities more accessible.

    “These actions at NEH mark another instance of overreach by the Trump administration, causing more destruction and devastation to research institutions and scholars across the country, but providing little in savings,” wrote the lawmakers.

    A copy of the letter is available here.

    Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading voice in Congress speaking out against Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s unprecedented assault on our democracy and federal agencies, and she has been a steadfast advocate for protecting the essential services that federal workers and agencies provide.

    • On April 14, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined the Massachusetts delegation in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy demanding answers on staff cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a critical home energy program supporting vulnerable households.
    • On April 9, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined the Massachusetts delegation in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers after the abrupt shuttering of the entire HHS Regional Office in Boston.
    • On April 9, 2025, Rep. Pressley led lawmakers in sending a letter to Trump’s trade official demanding he resign from holding multiple positions with clear conflicts of interest that would further harm federal workers.
    • On March 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s executive order to end collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
    • On March 21, 2025, Rep. Pressley led Massachusetts lawmakers in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sharply criticizing and demanding answers about the impact of the Musk-Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal workers in Massachusetts.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley spoke out against the U.S. Department of Education’s mass layoffs of over 1,300 workers, which effectively guts the agency.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley voted against Republicans’ shameful government budget bill, which would harm vulnerable families and provide a blank check for Elon Musk and Donald Trump to continue their unprecedented assault on our democracy. She later issued a statement condemning its final passage in the Senate.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined 13 of her colleagues on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers and the immediate release of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, whose illegal abduction is an attack on his constitutional right to free speech and due process.
    • On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley walked out of the House chamber in protest during Donald Trump’s presidential joint address to Congress.
    • On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley welcomed Claire Bergstresser, an Everett constituent, dedicated public servant, AFGE union member, and former HUD worker who was unjustly terminated as part of Musk and Trump’s assault on federal agencies as her guest to the presidential joint address to Congress.
    • On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley led 85 lawmakers in a letter urging the Office of Special Counsel to immediate reinstate and expand protections for all unfairly fired federal workers.
    • On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined over 200 Democrats in filing an amicus brief defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before a U.S. District Court.
    • On February 26, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed what true government efficiency looks like and denounced Elon Musk and Donald Trump for utilizing DOGE to gut the essential services that keep people safe, fed, and housed.
    • On February 25, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley condemned Elon Musk’s abuse of government efficiency through the fraudulent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
    • On February 25, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she railed against Republicans’ cruel budget resolution that would slash Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion.
    • On February 20, 2025, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
    • On February 13, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley emphasized the critical role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in safeguarding consumers and sharply criticized Donald Trump and Elon Musk for halting the critical work of the agency.
    • On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member Maxine Waters, and advocates to protest Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s unlawful takeover of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
    • On February 11, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley criticized the Trump-Musk administration for halting the critical work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with crypto scams on the rise.
    • On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s harmful cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to support hospitals, universities, and research institutions conducting lifesaving research.
    • On February 10, 2025, as Trump and Musk threaten to dismantle the essential work of the U.S. Department of Education, Rep.  Pressley delivered a powerful floor speech to affirm the role of public education in American democracy.
    • On February 6, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful rebuke of Republicans’ efforts to gut diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and eliminate essential services for vulnerable communities.
    • On February 5, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied outside the U.S. Department of Treasury to protest Elon Musk’s unlawful assault on federal agencies and our democracy.
    • On January 30, 2025, Rep. Pressley slammed Donald Trump for blaming the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport, which killed over 60 people, including some families from Massachusetts, on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
    • In January 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s illegal freeze on federal grants and loans and its harmful impact on vulnerable communities.
    • On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech condemning Republicans’ cruel anti-abortion bill that criminalizes providers and denies families care.
    • On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, a bill to repeal an outdated law that has been used to target innocent immigrants without due process rights.
    • On January 22, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s harmful executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: In NYTimes Op-Ed, Pressley, Markey, McGovern: We Visited Rümeysa Öztürk in Detention. What We Saw Was a Warning to Us All.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    “When a government begins to imprison writers for their words, when it abandons legal norms for political convenience, when it cloaks oppression in the language of national security, alarm bells must ring. Loudly.”

    Full NYT Op-Ed

    BOSTON – Today, in a powerful New York Times op-ed, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), along with Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02), discussed their meeting with Rümeysa Öztürk in detention and warned the American people of the dangers posed by the Trump administration’s unlawful attacks on our constitutional rights to freedom of speech and due process. The op-ed follows their recent visit to Louisiana to meet with Ms. Öztürk at the ICE facility where she is being unlawfully detained.

    In the piece, the lawmakers emphasize that her experience – being abducted off the street and detained with no due process, simply for co-authoring an op-ed – is not one in isolation, and has implications for American democracy and everyone who calls this country home. Additionally, the lawmakers renewed their call for the immediate release of Ms. Öztürk, and called for an investigation into the inhumane conditions at the for-profit, privately operated detention center in Basile, Louisiana where she is being held.

    Full text of the op-ed is available here and a short excerpt is below.

    New York Times Op-Ed: We Visited Rümeysa Öztürk in Detention. What We Saw Was a Warning to Us All.
    By Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Senator Ed Markey, and Congressman Jim McGovern
    April 25, 2025

    We visited Ms. Ozturk earlier this week…

    What we found was not just a young woman locked up without charge but also a democracy being put to the test.

    …

    When a government begins to imprison writers for their words, when it abandons legal norms for political convenience, when it cloaks oppression in the language of national security, alarm bells must ring. Loudly.

    …

    The Constitution is only as strong as our willingness to defend it.

    Read the full op-ed on the New York Times website here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Corrects Past Administration’s Manipulation of Legal System that Sought to Force States to Provide Surgery to Transgender Inmates

    Source: US State of California

    In a pair of filings today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the Justice Department undid the past administration’s abuse of the legal system that pushed an agenda driven by politics, not law. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division withdrew an incorrect statement of interest in one case and submitted a new statement of interest in a separate case brought by inmates seeking to force the state to provide — and taxpayers to fund — dangerous, elective surgery as treatment for inmates’ gender dysphoria claims. The Justice Department’s new filings lay bare the past administration’s manipulation of supposed medical guidelines to try to create an inmate’s right to optional surgeries where no such entitlement exists.

    “The prior administration’s arguments in transgender inmate cases were based on junk science. There has never been an Eighth Amendment right for inmates to demand elective and experimental surgeries. States’ limited resources need not be wasted to provide these dubious surgeries to inmates,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The prior administration’s nonsensical reading of the Americans with Disabilities Act was an affront to the very people the statute intended to protect”

    In both Fuller v. Georgia Dep’t. of Corrections and Doe v. Fuller v. Georgia Dep’t. of Corrections, the plaintiffs sought sexual reassignment surgeries at state expense. The prior administration portrayed such claims as necessary medical care for gender dysphoria under the ADA. That portrayal was based on guidelines that were political motivated and based on junk science. The administration has now corrected the record by removing the statement that was filed in Doe and filing a new statement in Fuller that correctly explains the extent of the ADA and the Eighth Amendment.

    For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. Complaints about discriminatory practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division through its internet reporting portal at civilrights.justice.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Foreign National Arrested for Making False Statement During Attempted Firearms Purchases

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Paducah, KY – A federal criminal complaint and arrest warrant was issued this week charging an illegal alien with making false statements during multiple attempts to purchase firearms as well as falsely claiming to be a U.S. Citizen.  

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville, made the announcement.

    According to the complaint, Ulises Macario Gonzaga-Guillen, age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with making multiple false statements during attempts to purchase firearms from licensed dealers between January 15 and February 16, 2025, in McCracken and Marshall Counties, Kentucky. Gonzaga-Guillen, during one of the attempted purchases, also falsely claimed to be a U.S. Citizen. Gonzaga-Guillen was not able to successfully purchase a firearm from any of the firearm dealers involved.  

    This case is being investigated by the ATF Paducah Satellite Office and the HSI Paducah Office.

    The defendant was taken into federal custody this week and will make his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on April 28, 2025. If convicted on the charges in the complaint, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 43 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Hancock, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Partnering with unions to grow apprenticeships

    [. Journeypersons play a pivotal role in upholding and advancing industry standards, and becoming an apprentice is the first step to a skilled trades career. That is why Alberta’s government is investing $15 million over the next three years to create a new grant program that will empower unions to offer apprenticeship training in high demand programs.

    This unprecedented, new grant program will be the first partnership of its kind between Alberta’s government and union partners, reflecting the province’s commitment to supporting working Albertans and meeting the labour market needs of today and the future.

    “Trades unions play an integral role in skilled trades education in Alberta, offering excellent facilities and instruction for union members and the general public alike. By forging new partnerships with unions, we are working together to address rising demand for the skilled tradespeople who build and maintain our province. I look forward to continuing our work with unions to address labour market needs while supporting working Albertans.”

    Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education

    The new funding for union training providers to deliver apprenticeship training is expected to open 650 new apprenticeship seats per year. All apprenticeship seats funded by Advanced Education will be open to the general public who meet the eligibility requirements.

    “Trade unions are essential partners in building a job-ready workforce that drives Alberta’s economy forward. This investment will help more Albertans get the skills they need to succeed in high-demand jobs across the province.”

    Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

    Alberta’s government recognizes the value of apprenticeship education programs and their impact on the province’s economic growth and is addressing workforce needs by making strategic investments that increase apprenticeship seats and programs in high-demand sectors.

    Union training providers offer high-quality training opportunities, often at a lower cost than other providers, including post-secondary institutions. This grant program will ensure taxpayer dollars are used in a way that maximizes value to create as many new apprenticeship seats in high-demand trades as possible.

    “The UA Local 488 extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of Alberta and its leadership for its commitment to strengthening the province’s apprenticeship system. This funding represents a significant step in supporting union training centres as essential partners in developing a skilled and resilient workforce. With this investment, the Alberta Pipe Trades College is well-positioned to expand training capacity and deliver high-quality, industry-driven education to future Alberta tradespeople.”

    Chris Waples, director of education, UA Local 488

    Invitations to provide a proposal for grant funding will be provided to Alberta union training centres that are recognized to deliver apprenticeship training, and/or labour unions directly involved in supporting Alberta’s skilled trades sector.

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

    Quick facts

    • Funding will go towards apprenticeship seats generated from union training providers.
    • Funding is capped at up to $5 million per year, for three years.
    • In April 2024, Alberta’s government announced a pilot funding investment of $350,000 to support the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 955 Trust Fund to deliver training for the Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator – Mobile Crane Operator apprenticeship program.
    • IUOE Local 955 was the first union in Alberta’s history to receive funding in this manner.

    Related information

    • A career to be proud of
    • Become an apprentice in Alberta
    • Tradesecrets – Home

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Newhouse Leads Letter to EPA Urging Commonsense Vehicle Regulations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

    Headline: Newhouse Leads Letter to EPA Urging Commonsense Vehicle Regulations

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) sent a letter to Enivronmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin supporting the agency’s plans to review the previous administration’s tailpipe emissions standards. 

    “The Biden Administration’s EPA forced unfair and impractical tailpipe emissions standards on the automotive industry that would cripple U.S. manufacturing and make vehicles unaffordable for working Americans,” said Rep. Newhouse. “My colleagues and I are standing with Administrator Lee Zeldin and the EPA as they reverse course and implement common-sense standards that support domestic manufacturing and consumer choice in the market.” 

    Rep. Newhouse was joined by Reps. Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Harriet Hageman (WY-At-Large), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Rudy Yakym (IN-02), and Ryan Zinke (MT-01) in sending the letter. 

    Read the full letter here.  

    ###  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene Announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced Erika Ni, a junior from Interlake High School in Bellevue, as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Washington’s 1st Congressional District. Erika’s oil pastel piece, “Embracing the Journey” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. 

    “I’m always amazed by the creativity and skill of the young artists in our district. It’s easy to forget this highly technical piece is not in fact a photograph. Erika’s artwork will represent all of the wonderful talent we have in WA-01 at the U.S. Capitol,” said DelBene.

    Since 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has been an opportunity for members of Congress to celebrate the talents of student artists from across the country. Over 650,000 high school students have participated nationwide.

    “Embracing the Journey” was selected by a panel of judges from the local WA-01 art community.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beyer Introduces Aspirational Half-Earth Resolution in Honor of Earth Day

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), co-chair of the Congressional Endangered Species Caucus, today introduced a resolution in support of Dr. E.O. Wilson’s Half-Earth vision to protect fifty percent of our lands and waters to better support America’s biodiversity and promote a sustainable Earth.  

    “As an avid hiker and climber, I recognize the innate value of connecting to, accessing, and protecting our natural world. We need to be intentional about protecting these special spaces for our future generations so they too can have parks, bees, and wildflowers.” said Rep. Don Beyer. “I’m a strong believer in E.O. Wilson’s life’s work to protect our planet’s biodiversity and believe it’s important for Congress to commit to his vision in order to have a functional planet for future generations.”

    “We are very grateful to Congressman Beyer for his continued support of the Half-Earth resolution,” said Paula J. Ehrlich, CEO and President of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and co-founder of the Half-Earth Project. “Biodiversity holds the world steady. E.O. Wilson envisioned the goal of Half-Earth – protecting half and land and sea – as a hopeful solution for our planet. The Half-Earth resolution provides an extraordinary opportunity to address the extinction crisis and reimagine how we care for the web of life.”

    “To save and recover wildlife, we need to protect the wild places they call home,” said Susan Holmes, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “Congressman Beyer’s Half-Earth resolution shows a commitment to reversing biodiversity loss and keeping our planet healthy for future generations. When we protect nature, we’re also protecting our shared home.”

    “Defenders of Wildlife is proud to endorse Rep. Beyer’s resolution to protect and conserve the lands and waters that are home to America’s unique wildlife,” said Lindsay Rosa, Vice President of Conservation Research and Innovation at Defenders of Wildlife. “Habitat destruction is among the most pressing dangers to our nation’s imperiled species and to the benefits that nature provides us all. With more than one million species at risk of extinction, we must act now to address the severity of this crisis.” 

    The resolution is endorsed by the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, the Endangered Species Coalition, and Defenders of Wildlife.

    Full text of the resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor on Illegal Deportations in Tampa Bay

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

    Statement from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor on Illegal Deportations in Tampa Bay

    Washington, April 25, 2025

    “I am working with the family of my constituent, Frengel Reyes Mota, to help in any way I can. Tearing apart this family is cruel, plain and simple. Courts have ruled that Trump is violating the law, and people are entitled to due process under the Constitution. It is wasteful and costly for Trump to generate such chaos and fail to target criminals.

    “Immigration enforcement must be lawful and humane, not weaponized for political stunts. That means investing in smarter border security, expanding legal pathways, and protecting the rights of asylum seekers and immigrant families who contribute so much to our communities. The American people want a system that reflects our values, not one that rips families apart, violates the U.S. Constitution, and runs counter to human rights.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer warns states could lose federal funds if illegal immigrants allowed access to unemployment benefits

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is urging governors to comply with President Trump’s directives ensuring tax dollars are not spent on encouraging or rewarding illegal immigration. In a letter sent today, the Secretary reminds all states that failing to fulfill existing legal obligations will result in the loss of federal funding through the Title III UI administrative grant.

    “Our nation’s unemployment benefits exist solely for workers who are eligible to receive them,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer wrote. “Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”

    The Secretary’s reminder comes after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration sent a letter last week to state unemployment insurance administrators, urging them to use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE immigration database. Offered at no cost because of an action by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, this system will ensure states can verify the immigration status of individuals who file claims and indicate whether they are U.S. citizens.

    “I am committed to ensuring that the U.S. Department of Labor enforces the law and will personally work to safeguard Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars. I look forward to working with you on this effort,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer concluded in the letter.

    Read the Secretary’s full letter to governors.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor releases new Job Corps Transparency Report

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration today released a detailed report analyzing the financial performance and operational costs of the Job Corps Program, the federally funded residential career training and education program for eligible low-income young adults ages 16 to 24. 

    The 2025 “Job Corps Transparency Report” delivers a granular, data-centric examination of program expenditures and efficiency metrics, aggregating unmanipulated financial data and performance evaluations produced by the department’s national Job Corps Office. This report specifically analyzes the most recently available metrics from program year 2023, including cost per enrollee and per graduate. 

    “Taxpayers deserve to know the facts and outcomes of their multi-billion-dollar investment,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Lori Frazier Bearden. “This report underscores the department’s commitment to program transparency and accountability – both of which are essential for effective oversight, informed policymaking, and maintaining public trust.” 

    The report’s metrics distinguish between two definitions of the term graduate: one reflecting traditional program completion in good standing (Traditional), and another using the statutory criteria from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Sec. 116, Sec. 142, which counts individuals who do not complete the full program. The WIOA definition of graduate is “an enrollee that 1) receives a High School Diploma (HSD) or High School Equivalency (HSE), and/or 2) completes the requirements of a career technical training (CTT) program.”    

    Below is a summary of the overall findings from PY2023: 

    • Average Graduation Rate: 
      • Traditional: 32%
      • WIOA Definition: 38%
    • Average Cost Per Enrollee (Regardless of Length of Stay): $49,769.53 
    • Average Cost Per Student Per Year (Average PY23 Headcount): $80,284.65           
    • Average Total Cost Per Graduate: 
      • Traditional: $187,653
      • WIOA Definition: $155,600
    • Job Corps participants earn $16,695 annually on average, post separation
    • Average of Highest Center Costs per Graduate (Traditional Data):
      • The 10 least efficient programs average $512,800 dollars per graduate
      • The top 50 least efficient programs average $319,085 per graduate
    • Average of Highest Center Costs per Graduate (WIOA Data):
      • The 10 least efficient programs average $385,370 per graduate
      • The top 50 least efficient programs average $252,285 per graduate

    Read the full Job Corps Transparency Report. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul is a Guest on NewsChannel 9

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul appeared as a guest on NewsChannel 9’s “Newsmakers with Andrew Donovan.” The Governor spoke on ongoing Budget negotiations — including her proposals for bell-to-bell distraction-free schools and changes in discovery reform — her efforts to recover and rebuild the correctional system, and Chobani’s $1 billion factory opening in Oneida County. The interview was pre-recorded.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Governor, thanks for doing this again. You must not mind it if we’re at two in a matter of weeks so thank you for doing that.

    Governor Hochul: There’s always important things going on I want to share with your viewers.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: You took a break to get out of Albany when you’ve got a lot of work still there, the State Budget. What’s the status of the State Budget?

    Governor Hochul: I think we’re close to the end. Some of the most important challenging issues were my desire to change the system of discovery, which is evidence that is shared between the prosecutors and the defense. And it’s a little bit complicated, but basically what has been happening under laws that were enacted in 2019 — and I stand behind the original intent behind those laws, but now we have so many cases that are being dismissed, really on technicalities.

    When you think about a victim of a crime, a woman, a victim of domestic violence, finally gets her day in court, she thinks, only to find out the case has been thrown out because of some minor technicality; something that might be related to the case but not relevant to the case. And so we are changing that in a way that still protects the rights of defendants, of course, always, but we have to have fairness for the victims. And so that was a big fight.

    It slowed us down and I knew it would, but I was not going to sign off on a Budget that had that. As well as making sure that people that have mental health problems that are literally living on our streets, who cannot take care of themselves, can get the help they need and so they can be taken to a hospital. They call it involuntary confinement, but it’s just saying, “You don’t have the mental capacity to make that decision for yourself. And we are as a society compassionate, and we’re going to take care of you and make sure you get the help you need.” So those were two big hurdles.

    I also said I wanted to make sure I get a cell phone ban. Basically, I don’t think that kids should be in schools distracted all day when they’re supposed to be learning — playing on their cell phones or watching TikTok video dances. So we are going to be successful on that as well.

    So we’re in the final days of wrapping up the numbers, but I feel confident it’ll be done by the end of this month, if not earlier.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: For whatever reason, every time there’s a news story about crime, I feel like at least one person says it’s the Democrats’ fault — it’s Kathy Hochul’s fault because of bail reform and “Raise the Age.”

    And yes, you were not the Governor when some of those things were enacted. Is this change in discovery your biggest correction yet of some of the perhaps overcorrections made over the past decade?

    Governor Hochul: No, I think the last two budgets where we changed the bail laws where judges now have the discretion to hold people who are really accused of more serious crimes or even hate crimes were not covered under our bail laws. I had to fight hard. I mean, this was one of my more brutal fights, I would have to say, to get the Legislature to really realize that sometimes you go too far in your reforms and it’s hard to say, “What we did needs changes,” but I had to get them to that decision, and we got it done the last year.

    So we have significantly modified the bail laws and you’re seeing changes in our Upstate outcomes. And now discovery was another challenge for our prosecutors, and I’m now fixing that. So it’s a continuum, but also I’ve invested a billion dollars in law enforcement. That is record-breaking, $230 million right here in Syracuse to help our local law enforcement.

    And this whole era of “defund the police,” “disrespect our police,” no. We respect these individuals who put their lives on the line every day. But we also — what does respect mean? It gives them the money and the resources they need.

    So I’m a strong partner of theirs, and so anyone who wants to politicize crimes can look at how Upstate crimes are down about 31 percent since I’ve been Governor. That’s extraordinary. But I’m not done. I’m not going to stop until we make sure that everyone feels safe in their streets, in their homes and their businesses.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: You’re a proud Democrat and the Onondaga County District Attorney is a proud Republican, yet I saw you mention his name, I saw you shake hands after your remarks a few minutes ago upstairs. This discovery issue seems bipartisan, but I wonder is it politically risky to work against the desires of perhaps more liberal people in New York City?

    Governor Hochul: I don’t care about people’s political viewpoints when I’m thinking about the safety of New Yorkers; my number one job is to keep people safe. So politics be damned in this space. And I will always stand up and fight for my residents. And I take this very seriously.

    So working with Republican District Attorneys is natural to make me. Of course, he’s elected, I’m elected, we work together. And I wanted to thank him for the work he did on bringing the prosecutions and not one, but two prison deaths, which were just horrendous. And it took a lot for him to do that and I wanted to commend his courage in finding out the real truth behind what happened.

    Of course I’m aligned with them. I want to make sure our District Attorneys have resources. I’ve been funding them at high levels. But also, yes, I support our defenders as well; the defenders of the people deal with the indigent who need legal services, we provide that as well.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Will a cell phone ban — as you intended, as the legislation has already been written — will that make it through the Budget process?

    Governor Hochul: I believe it will, yes, I feel very confident of that. And that’ll go into effect next fall. It is “bell-to-bell.” We’ll be one of the very few states in the nation that says, “When you get to school, you lock it up; the end of the day you get it back out.”

    And the teachers are ecstatic over this development because, finally, they don’t have to compete when they’re teaching algebra to kids that are more interested in watching or texting their friends or watching videos online. And I think it’s going to have a profound influence on not just the mental health of our kids — because they’re drawn into these dark spaces from the internet and these algorithms, social media algorithms that are pulling into negative images, it has an effect on their psyche, and we’re seeing it now.

    And I want to have the next generation of kids coming through never even knowing you are allowed to have cell phones ever. We’re going to banish that. After school, evening, that’s your free time. But during school, you’re there to learn.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: When I was in high school, cell phones were not allowed out. They were in your pocket but if you were seen, you got in pretty good trouble.

    When you and I were in the studio a few months ago, it didn’t sound like there was much wiggle room on your end for Upstate Hospital to get the $450 million it wants for the emergency room renovations, and you toured the emergency room that day. But the Legislature, both houses of the Legislature, got to the 450 million in their draft Budget. Is there wiggle room now for them to get all of it?

    Governor Hochul: No. The point is when a capital project means you’re going to fund a project that is not done in one year. So we are committed to helping them. $200 million this year and I know if you asked them, they’re very happy to get that commitment. That’s what they need to get it off the ground. The rest can come over time because we don’t need to put it all in our Budget for one year.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: So you’re going to tell the Legislature, “No, not 250 more?”

    Governor Hochul: We don’t need to do that. I have to deal in the realities. I’m trying to put together a Budget that is based on common sense practices. Do we need all that money this year? No, we don’t. So the commitment is there, but I have to manage our finances. And it was $200 million, which is what they’re very happy with.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: You mentioned talking with the Onondaga County District Attorney this morning thanking him for his work prosecuting the prison cases. As you know indictments came this week — now 20 officers across two prisons within walking distance of one another have been indicted. I heard from the DOCCS Commissioner this week about the reviews happening and the look backs at the culture and training. Do you believe it’s a cultural problem within the prison system that so many officers resort to violence?

    Governor Hochul: Yes. There’s something going on that we have to get to the bottom of it. I don’t think it’s just these two prisons, especially in the murder of Mr. Brooks back in December. It seemed like they were very comfortable. The guards taking him into a particular room and making the staff at the infirmary leave and covering up the cameras. It felt like they had done that before, and that is deeply, deeply disturbing to me. I think it’s abhorrent, and we have to stop this.

    Now, there are thousands and thousands of good correction guards who are going in. These corrections officers are going in every day, and these conditions are dangerous; they’re uncertain; the hours are long; they’re struggling; and I admire them with every fiber of my being, and I want to make sure that they know I have such respect for them, especially those who stayed on the job during the prison strike. My gosh, they had tough conditions, and I will always be grateful that they did what was right and did not break the law.

    But with respect to these murders, we have to get to the bottom of this where people feel too comfortable in this environment to cause pain to another individual, one of the people they’re responsible for safeguarding and not to be able to think — you go to a diner and concoct a coverup? And you may have done it before.

    So this is a real challenge. I’m not saying it’s widespread, but I’m saying this may not be the only case where people feel you can cover this up. So I’m getting $400 million to spend and I have cameras in every corner of the prisons. So yes, you are required by law to wear your body cam. If you turn it off, that is an offense as well.

    But also, I want to make sure I have cameras that can never be tampered with so we always have a clear eye of what’s happening. It protects the corrections officers, it protects the incarcerated population as well as those who work in there. So we have a lot of work to do. Yes we do.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: I know the strike is over, but it still seems like a crisis. You have what you mentioned, maybe cultural issues within the use of, before the use of violence. But you have so many officers just unhappy, feeling unsafe to be in those prisons, yet their job is so necessary. We saw that during the strike.

    Governor Hochul: We rely on them so much. We rely on them so, so much.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: How do you solve that problem?

    Governor Hochul: We’re doing a massive recruitment campaign. There’s a lot of people who are burned out, who are retiring; they’re moving on. Those who we had removed because they broke the law and were given four chances to keep their jobs, but they refused to come back in leaving the communities unsafe, leaving the population inside unsafe. And that is a dereliction of duty like I’ve never seen, and it broke the law. So I have to replace them. We are recruiting, we’re trying to get the age changed that you can start being a corrections officer. That’ll help us with recruitment.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Is recruitment enough?

    Governor Hochul: We need new people in there. And the process to become a corrections officer is not a lengthy one. So I want to get a whole new energetic group of people — diverse backgrounds. I want people from all over to be working in these prisons. It is hard sometimes to find people, especially to go into the North Country because —

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Who would want to do it?

    Governor Hochul: You know what, there’s a lot of people that are civic minded, that care about their communities. And some for some, it’s generational. Their father, their grandfather may have been, or their mother might have worked in a prison. And in some communities, especially in the rural areas that I know so well from when I represented them in Congress, the prison is often the largest employer.

    This is an employment opportunity. And otherwise, sometimes small communities don’t have other options, but I value them. I want them to have a positive experience when they go to work every day. And I would say they don’t have that now. And that is part of the culture change that I’m driving.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Do you worry — you talked about what the strike cost taxpayers — do you worry what these prison beatings might cost taxpayers if these families sue?

    Governor Hochul: Yes. I am worried about that. It is a cost that is unnecessary if the people are just doing what’s right and manage the situation without causing harm to an individual. So yes, there’ll be a cost for the State. I have no doubt about it.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: You’ve been a huge advocate for the Micron project. You’ve been involved with it from the beginning. I’ve heard you talk about the dinner discussions early on. The Onondaga County Executive, also a big proponent, has said he’s seen no change on the ground in the work to bring Micron here in the era of President Trump. As we hear the CHIPS Act get trashed in some cases. Have you seen any change from the federal administration in response to the work Micron is trying to do?

    Governor Hochul: No, not at all. We were actually on schedule, we’ll start construction in the fall. This is exciting to me. I can’t wait to be there for the groundbreaking and they’ve been moving on this right along. I just spoke to the CEO of Micron just a couple weeks ago to touch base. Obviously, there’s other worries surrounding not just Micron, but every business, the tariffs, which are having a ripple effect around our economy. But I think this bodes well for building semiconductors in our country.

    So what we’re talking about is making sure that we’re no longer dependent on foreign countries and our geopolitical challenges with other countries, that we could be self-reliant on something as critical as semiconductor chips. So I think there’s even more reason to make sure that this moves ahead, stays on schedule. The environmentals are going to be starting soon, so they are underway and that’s what I spoke to the CEO about. So I feel really good about it. I’m excited. I’ve seen no sign, no sign at all, that anything is off track. I understand people are anxious, but I feel very confident this is going to happen.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Speaking of groundbreakings, it sounds like my home county of Oneida County will have another one soon with the Chobani project that you’ll announce next week. Tell me about how that came to fruition.

    Governor Hochul: Oh, this is another one. I’m a very aggressive recruiter for our state. We’re able to land Fairlife — which is the largest dairy processing facility, and I’m told it was North America, now maybe the world — that is underway just down the road outside of Batavia and Rochester. It’s also so exciting to know that Rome, a city that has a great past on the Erie Canal, is a real economic engine and all of Upstate areas declined. Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, just like we know from living here.

    But this is a great opportunity. A thousand jobs. Chobani’s investing a thousand jobs, and it’s a billion dollar investment. It’ll be the largest natural food processing facility in America. And I had a lot of meetings. I went down to Chobani headquarters to talk to the CEO. Just thank them for all the investments they’ve made thus far.

    But obviously they’re being recruited by other states. They make very attractive offers to try and take them out of our state. So I had to fight back. We’re assisting with financial resources. Part of our program that I started a couple years ago, has been wildly successful, our FAST NY program, but makes sites shovel ready.

    So we’re putting $23 million toward getting the site ready for them. Which helps me when I’m saying, “If you come here, we’ll help you with this. But bring your investments, bring the jobs more than anything.” There’s a lot of uncertainty about jobs overall in this environment of tariffs, but to be able to announce a thousand new jobs coming in this environment is extraordinary. I’m really proud of it.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Governor, thank you for visiting Syracuse again. Thank you for your time.

    Governor Hochul: Always glad to be back. Take care.

    Andrew Donovan, NewsChannel 9: Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Visit to Erie Fire Department, Governor Shapiro Highlights Plan to Increase State Support for Pennsylvania Firefighters

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 24, 2025 – Erie, PA

    In Visit to Erie Fire Department, Governor Shapiro Highlights Plan to Increase State Support for Pennsylvania Firefighters

    Governor Josh Shapiro visited the Erie Fire Department to thank first responders for their work and highlight key proposals in his 2025-26 proposed budget aimed at strengthening fire companies and preventing disasters before they happen. The visit to the Erie Fire Department comes after the Governor has visited with first responders in Harrisburg, Bethlehem, and Mt. Lebanon over the past week.

    In the face of significant danger, Pennsylvania’s professional and volunteer firefighters continue to rise to the challenge and protect our communities, responding to more calls even as their ranks decline. That’s why Governor Shapiro is continuing to advocate for more state support to help firefighters get the equipment, personnel, and resources they need to build safer communities for all Pennsylvanians.

    Governor Shapiro has witnessed firsthand how firefighters run towards danger to keep us safe. Last week, the Governor and the First Family joined Chef Robert Irvine and the Robert Irvine Foundation at Harrisburg Bureau of Fire Station 1 to thank the firefighters who responded to the arson attack at the Governor’s Residence.

    “Last weekend, my family and I saw firsthand the incredible bravery and professionalism of our firefighters and first responders,” said Governor Shapiro. “These heroes run toward danger every single day to protect their communities – and we have a responsibility to support them. That’s why my proposed budget includes real investments: creating a new competitive grant program so fire companies can buy the equipment they need, funding annual cancer screenings for firefighters, and launching a pilot program to help local departments collaborate and share services. I’ve seen the very best of Pennsylvania’s fire service in action, and I’m committed to ensuring the Commonwealth continues to have their backs.”

    Speaker list:
    Chief Leonard Trott, Erie Bureau of Fire
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    Erie Mayor Joe Schember
    Gregg Wells, President, International Association of Firefighters, Erie Local 293
    Bob Brooks, President, Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Shapiro joined the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition (PJC) and bipartisan leaders from the General Assembly for the PJC’s Civic Commemoration of the Holocaust.

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 24, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    Governor Josh Shapiro joined the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition (PJC) and bipartisan leaders from the General Assembly for the PJC’s Civic Commemoration of the Holocaust.

    Governor Josh Shapiro joined the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition (PJC) and bipartisan leaders from the General Assembly for the PJC’s Civic Commemoration of the Holocaust. The annual event for Jewish community leaders, elected officials, and family members of Holocaust survivors pays tribute to the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and other victims of Nazi persecution.

    List of Speakers:
    Jonathan Scott Goldman Chair, Board of Directors Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition
    Rabbi Carl Choper, The Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg
    Devlin Robinson, 37h District; Pennsylvania Senate
    Judith Kraines, Chair, Planning Committee Civic Commemoration of the Holocaust, PA Jewish Coalition
    Judith Schwank, 11th District; Pennsylvania Senate
    Jordan Harris, 186th District; Majority Appropriations Chair Pennsylvania House of Representatives
    Jesse Topper, 78th District Pennsylvania House of Representatives
    Dan Frankel, 23d District Pennsylvania House of Representatives
    Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania
    Esther Bratt; Holocaust Survivor
    Leah Leisawitz; Wyomissing Junior High School Reading
    Ben Smithers, Violin, Harrisburg

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Investing in Workforce Development: Shapiro Administration Highlights $2.4 Million Workforce Development Investment During Roundtable with Boys & Girls Club of Western PA

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 24, 2025 – McKeesport, PA

    Investing in Workforce Development: Shapiro Administration Highlights $2.4 Million Workforce Development Investment During Roundtable with Boys & Girls Club of Western PA

    Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker today visited the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania’s Teen Center in McKeesport to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s $2.4 million investment in L&I’s Schools-to-Work Program (STWP). The grants will support 12 innovative initiatives aimed at creating pathways to family-sustaining careers for high school students.

    Secretary Walker joined a roundtable discussion with students, employers, and community partners focused on youth workforce development in Allegheny County and the surrounding region to learn more about how these grant dollars will be used in Western Pennsylvania.

    Through this investment, Partner4Work received $250,000 to launch Cybersecure Pittsburgh-a new registered pre-apprenticeship program focused on high school juniors and seniors interested in technology careers. Developed in partnership with Urban Pathways Charter School, Phase 4 Learning Center, and the Boys & Girls Club, the program provides a centralized, “one-stop-shop” model that combines innovative classroom instruction with hands-on learning experiences and credentialing opportunities. Cybersecure Pittsburgh aims to equip students with the foundational skills and credentials needed to enter and thrive in the technology industry.

    “The Boys & Girls Club of Western PA and Partner4Work are doing exactly the kind of work we need more of-meeting young people where they are and opening doors to real opportunity,” said Secretary Walker. “Cybersecure Pittsburgh is a model for how community partnerships can help students gain confidence, earn credentials, and step directly into high-growth careers. This is workforce development at its most impactful.”

    Speaker list:
    Secretary of Labor & Industry Nancy Walker
    Rob Cherry, Partner4Work, Chief Executive Officer
    Chris Watts, Boys & Girls Club, Vice President of Teen Programs & Partnerships

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Main Street Matters: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights Investments in Northwestern Pennsylvania Communities

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 25, 2025 – Meadville, PA

    Main Street Matters: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights Investments in Northwestern Pennsylvania Communities

    The historic Main Streets and downtowns of northwestern Pennsylvania are being restored, thanks to support from the Shapiro-Davis Administration, which is providing more than $1 million in state funding for eight projects in Crawford, Erie and Warren counties.

    “Pennsylvania’s historic Main Streets and downtowns are part of what makes the Commonwealth a great place to live, work and visit, said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “Unfortunately, many of them have been neglected for far too long, but with strategic investments, like the ones we’re making in Meadville and Titusville, they can be restored to their former glory for generations to come.”

    Davis stopped by Meadville’s historic Market House today and took a walking tour of the downtown with Mayor Jaime Kinder and Crawford County Commissioner Christopher Seeley.

    List of Speakers:
    Mayor Jaime Kinder
    Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis
    City Mgr. Maryanne Menanno
    Chair Ashley Mattocks-Rose
    Exec. Dir. Andy Walker

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Harrisburg University, Auditor General DeFoor, Members 1st Federal Credit Union Announce Winners of Statewide Student Financial Literacy Competition

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 25, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    Harrisburg University, Auditor General DeFoor, Members 1st Federal Credit Union Announce Winners of Statewide Student Financial Literacy Competition

    Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) Interim President David Schankweiler, Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor and Members 1st Federal Credit Union Vice President of Community and Public Relations Sara Firestone today announced the winners of a statewide financial literacy competition for students in Grades 9-12.

    “Financial literacy is more essential than ever,” said Harrisburg University Interim President, David Schankweiler. “When young people understand how to manage money, they’re better equipped to build strong futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. We’re proud to partner once again with Members 1st Federal Credit Union and the Auditor General’s office in this meaningful initiative. I also want to commend all the students who participated in the competition – you’ve inspired us, and you’ve made Pennsylvania proud.”

    Speakers Include:
    David Schankweiler, Interim President, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
    Timothy L. DeFoor, Pennsylvania Auditor General
    Sara Firestone, Vice President of Community and Public Relations, Members 1st Federal Credit Union
    Honorable mention Alyssa Garber
    Honorable mention Michael Goff
    Third place winner Alexis Powell
    Second place winner Rory Gannon
    First place winner Adaleidy Rojas

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Keynote Speech – Canning House Mexico-UK Summit

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Keynote Speech – Canning House Mexico-UK Summit

    During the Canning House’s Mexico-UK Summit, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mexico, Susannah Goshko, highlight the bilateral opportunity between our countries.

    The UK-Mexico Partnership in 2025 

    Good morning everyone.  It’s great to be here at Canning House’s inaugural Mexico-UK Summit.  Canning House plays a hugely important role in bringing the UK and Mexico closer together.

    I would therefore like to begin by thanking Jeremy Browne and his team for organising this Summit and fostering the valuable exchange of ideas between business, government and academia.

    As many of you will know, I arrived in Mexico at the end of last year: so I am now just a few months into my posting as British Ambassador to Mexico. And what a time to arrive.  A new government in Mexico and a new government in the UK.  A world that is changing more rapidly than any of us could have predicted.  Let me start therefore by talking about the bilateral opportunity, before coming on to how the UK and Mexico can work together on the global stage.

    The relationship between the UK and Mexico dates back over 200 years.  One of the first things I did in my role here was accompany the High Sheriff of Cornwall to Hidalgo where British miners – from Cornwall – first arrived in the 19th century, drawn by the opportunities that Mexico offered.  They brought with them football and Cornish pasties – both of which live on to this day, although the pasties turn out to be a little more picante than we are used to them in Cornwall.

    The first record of a football match being played in Mexico was between those Cornish miners and the Mexicans who lived in Hidalgo.  On that occasion – for perhaps the first and last time – the Brits beat the Mexicans.  And this is a nice anecdote but actually, it’s more than that.  It’s evidence of the culture and history that continue to bind us today.

    In fact, our rich cultural and people-to-people links are one of the most important aspects of this relationship: whether it’s the numerous Mexicans who play in the English Premier League, the more than 3000 Mexican students have been awarded Chevening scholarships since 1983, or the fact that the largest number of Beatlemaniacs in the world are not in fact in the UK but are right here in Mexico.

    But the policy agenda is – perhaps – even more exciting.  When the new government in the UK was elected last summer, it was on the basis of a number of very clear priorities – or missions as the PM has described them.  These include:

    • Reducing barriers to opportunity for all
    • Building a health system fit for the future
    • Making the UK a green energy super power by 2030
    • And kickstarting economic growth.

    I have been struck in my first few months here, how much of that agenda resonates with what the government in Mexico is trying to achieve. In the language we use and in the priorities we choose, there is much alignment between our approaches.

    The growth agenda

    Let me start by talking about economic growth. Growth is at the heart of the UK government’s agenda because – like Mexico – the British government has made important commitments around addressing social inequality.  To meet these ambitious commitments, it will be essential for us both to have thriving economies.

    So all British diplomats have been given clear marching orders: we must do all we can to build economic prosperity for the UK but also for the countries in which we are working. And what does that mean here? Well, trade between the UK and Mexico is good: Our markets are complementary, so we are not in competition with each other, and we have an more or less equally balanced trading relationship.

    But we can afford to be much more ambitious: two way trade is currently worth around £6.1bn a year – as two G20 countries, both committed to open and free trade – this should and could be much higher.  It is in both of our interests to ensure that it is, if we are to build the equitable and prosperous societies we are both seeking.

    The first step on this journey will be Mexican ratification of the UK’s accession to CPTPP which we hope will happen shortly.   This will accelerate growth by deepening British and Mexican participation in our respective supply chains. It will diversify our trade in innovative sectors such as electromobility, health-tech and advanced manufacturing and will provide greater certainty to UK investors in Mexico and Mexican investors wanting to set up and grow their business in the UK.

    At the same time, a new industrial strategy in the UK and Plan Mexico here will drive growth in both our countries in sectors of mutual interest and expertise, among them healthcare and life sciences, financial services, and education. We must grasp this opportunity.

    There is much success to build upon: last year we saw innovative British bank Revolut secure their banking licence in Mexico. Astrazeneca opened their second largest global research plant in Jalisco. Orbia expanded their presence in the UK with an additional £75m investment, creating 100 new jobs.

    These are just a small selection of success stories from the last twelve months.  I am confident that there will be many more to come driven by a determination from both our governments to put sustainable growth at the heart of our plans.

    Climate

    The second area where I see enormous potential is on climate and energy.  I am delighted that Minister for Environment, Alicia Barcena will speak later in the day. Minister Barcena has been a great friend of the UK as well as a champion of our shared commitment to tackling the climate and nature emergency.

    This is one of the most profound threats to face us and future generations. We must work together to ensure a liveable planet for all. Our future prosperity and security depends on what we do now.

    For the British government, combatting climate change and biodiversity loss must be done alongside eradicating social inequality. We believe firmly that this can be achieved without compromising economic growth. In fact, done right, we believe that the energy transition can be an economic advantage.  As testament to this, I offer the fact that in the UK we have reduced emissions by 54% whilst also growing our GDP by 84% on 1990 levels.

    Under the leadership of President Sheinbaum and Prime Minister Starmer we have an unparalleled opportunity to deepen our cooperation in this area.

    When I presented my credentials to the President some two weeks ago, I congratulated her for her leadership on Mexico’s NDC commitment and the newly announced Net Zero goal. The UK stands ready to offer any support that we can in their development and implementation.

    Our vision to do this is one where there’s space for every part of society to contribute and benefit from ambitious climate action. We have, for instance, worked with local communities and civil society in Sonora to pilot solar energy projects, increasing access to electricity and diversifying sources of income for families.

    And our scientific and academic links are also a fundamental asset to tackle climate change. Mexican and British research institutions are working together to deploy solutions to manage sargassum proliferation, which has greatly impacted the tourism industry in Mexico and many Caribbean nations.

    And there’s, of course, the role of private sector. No climate target will ever be met without industries and financiers actively playing a part in addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis. Private investment in innovative technologies such as offshore wind energy will be essential to boost renewable energy generation in Mexico whilst ensuring the protection of energy sovereignty. Many British companies are keen to be part of this journey.

    While the task might feel unsurmountable at times, I am convinced that by working together, Mexico and the UK can bring us closer to building a liveable, more equitable planet for all.

    The Global Context

    Now let me come on and talk a bit about the global context.  Of course, to ensure that prosperous democracies like ours can thrive we need geopolitical stability. Across the world we are living in uncertain times with brutal conflicts still waging in Sudan, the Middle East and Ukraine.

    Mexico’s historic bridging role in multilateral fora means it is uniquely placed to bring countries together in support of our shared values of democracy, sovereignty and a commitment to human rights.

    During my career, I have observed the vast experience and talent of Mexican diplomats in multilateral fora, sharing our concern to protect the institutions that ensure world peace. Their ability to bring together different points of view and chart a path forward that everyone can agree is part of Mexico’s USP: one of my formative memories is of watching a Mexican diplomat rescue a biodiversity negotiation from the brink of collapse at the eleventh hour and find an almost impossible consensus.

    In this increasingly complex world, we need this more than ever. Those countries that share our commitment to the rules based international order must continue working together to ensure that multilateral institutions remain strong and relevant.

    For example, in February, the UK and Mexico united with other nations in the UN to mark the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    The security threats we face have been transformed in the last decade. We are all confronting the unprecedented rate at which threats to information integrity are growing.  Misinformation and disinformation are both more common than ever and increasingly difficult to distinguish from the truth.

    As democratic governments, the UK and Mexico must be proactive about countering this threat. We also have a responsibility to uphold the principles of an open civil society and free media to take on this challenge. I’m proud therefore that here in Mexico we support a vibrant Civil Society Group ‘Las Linternas’ to strengthen their fact checking, identify false stories and build media literacy. Our resilience to these threats domestically depends – like so much else – on our ability to work together.

    Conclusion

    So there is much to do. Perhaps I’ll end where I began: Lord Canning – after whom Canning House is named – was the first British foreign secretary, some 200 years ago, to devote a large proportion of his time and energies to Latin America and to foresee the important political and economic role the region would one day play.

    We are once again at a moment of enormous geopolitical change.  We too should choose to strengthen and trust in this bilateral relationship.  Together I am confident that the UK and Mexico can do brilliant things.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Huffman, Colleagues Oppose Trump’s Crusade Against Free Speech and Religious Freedom

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    Members of Congress Demand Trump Administration End Campaign of Ideological Surveillance

    April 25, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Freethought Caucus Co-Chairs Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) led their colleagues in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Jo Bondi and other agency heads expressing concerns regarding the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias.

    The letter raises concerns that the Task Force threatens religious freedom, suppressesfree speech, purges political opponents, and promotes discrimination under the guise of defending religious liberty – essentially using the eradication of “anti-Christian bias” as a pretext to suppress, intimidate, and purge religious minorities, nonbelievers, LGBTQ+ people, political opponents, and other marginalized communities.

    “Protecting true religious freedom for Christians and everyone else is a core American value. That is why the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, in addition to guaranteeing the free exercise of religion, forbids the government from establishing any religion, favoring one faith over others, or preferring religious belief over non-belief. The premise of your Task Force – President Trump’s claim that government is somehow being “weaponized” against Christians – simply strains credulity. As you are surely aware, Christians comprise 67% of America’s population, 87% of the Congress, and nearly theentire Trump administration. The longstanding social, cultural and political predominance of Christians in this country, including in our government, is beyond serious debate. Yet you are presiding over a powerful group of Christians seemingly bent on providing special protections and favoritism for Christians,”the lawmakers wrote.

    “Under the guise of defending religious liberty, your Task Force is on a collision course with church-state separation and true religious freedom, which includes the right to not be a Christian,” the lawmakers continued. “Our government is not the guardian of Christianity; it is and must always be the neutral guarantor of religious liberty for all. By its exclusive charge to address alleged bias against Christians, your Task Force disregards the problem of religious discrimination and coercion faced by religious minorities and nonreligious individuals while reinforcing a narrative that Christians have special status.”

    “[The] directive for employees to anonymously report colleagues based on subjective criteria and without clear procedural safeguards raises the specter of ideological surveillance. It threatens to suppress open dialogue and fosters a workplace environment where personal beliefs are policed and punished, particularly against those who are not members of the Christian majority. It is reminiscent of the Red Scare and the Lavender Scare that previously swept through federal agencies, and it mirrors the practices of authoritarian regimes that promote fear and suppress individual freedoms. This dystopic secretarial directive flouts our secular Constitution, and it poses a serious threat to true religious liberty,” the lawmakers added.

    This letter follows reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and other agency heads have directed federal employees toanonymously report colleagues for incidents including displaying pride flags or non-Christian symbols, promoting or participating in diversity initiatives, and requestingpreferred pronouns.

    In addition to Reps. Huffman and Raskin, the letter was signed by Congressional Freethought Caucus Members Sean Casten, Pramila Jayapal, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Eleanor Holmes Norton, Emily Randall, Andrea Salinas, and Becca Balint. The Congressional Freethought Caucus is an interfaith group of Members dedicated to advocating for religious freedom, church-state separation, and public policies based on science and reason.

    Read the full letter here.

    ###

    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests illegally present Salvadoran alien in Maryland after detainer not honored by local authorities

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BALTIMORE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested illegal Salvadoran national Brayan Eleazar Angulo-Barrios, 26, in Hyattsville, Maryland, April 22, after the Prince Georges County Department of Corrections failed to honor another ICE immigration detainer.

    Angulo is a validated 18th street gang member and has been convicted of possession of a loaded handgun and possession with intent to distribute.

    “Once again, Prince George’s County — a non-cooperative jurisdiction has chosen to release a criminal alien back into the community, ignoring an ICE detainer and putting public safety at risk,” said ICE Baltimore Deputy Field Office Director Vernon Liggins. “This decision reflects a policy that prioritizes non-cooperation over addressing public safety threats while individuals are in custody with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections. Consequently, ICE is forced to expand our at-large operations within Prince George’s County. Angulo was convicted of serious crimes that threaten the well-being of law-abiding citizens. We’re asking local law enforcement to help us protect our communities by honoring detainers and standing with ICE in prioritizing the safety of American citizens.”

    Angulo entered the United States on an unknown date at an unknown location without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by an immigration officer.

    The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested and charged Angulo Nov. 17, 2021, with possession with intent to distribute and possession of a loaded handgun. The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County convicted Angulo of possession with intent to distribute and possession of a loaded handgun Aug. 18, 2023, and sentenced him to one year in prison with three years’ supervised probation.

    The Maryland State Police arrested and charged Angulo with possessing a loaded handgun in his vehicle July 29, 2022. The District Court for Montgomery County in Silver Spring, Maryland, convicted Angulo of possessing a loaded handgun in his vehicle Nov. 14, 2022, and sentenced him to 110 days in jail.

    The PGCPD arrested and charged Angulo April 18, 2024, with violation of probation.

    ICE lodged an immigration detainer on Angulo with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections April 19, 2024. The PGCDOC declined to honor ICE’s immigration detainer and released Angulo from custody April 23, 2024.

    ICE issued Angulo a final order of removal April 22, and he will remain in ICE custody pending removal from the United States to El Salvador.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBaltimore.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests illegal Guatemalan national charged with assaulting police officer in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    CHELSEA, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national charged with assault and battery on a police officer and assault with a dangerous weapon. Officers with ICE Boston arrested Luis Javier Chavez-Galiego, 20, in Chelsea Feb. 8.

    “Luis Javier Chavez-Galiego illegally came to this country and apparently assaulted members of our Massachusetts community to include an officer of the law,” said ICE Boston Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He represents a threat to our community that ICE Boston will not tolerate. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our public by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders.”

    USBP arrested Chavez after he illegally entered the United States near El Paso, Texas, Feb. 24, 2019. USBP served Chavez with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge.

    The Chelsea, MA District Court arraigned Chavez Sept. 20, 2024, for two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

    The Chelsea District Court arraigned Chavez Feb. 5 for default warrants, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and three counts of assault and battery dangerous weapon – shod foot. Later that day, ICE Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Chavez with the Chelsea District Court; however, the court refused to honor the detainer and released Chavez from custody.  

    Officers from ICE Boston arrested Chavez in Chelsea Feb. 8. Chavez remains in ICE custody.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: WEEK 14 WINS: President Trump Drives Economic Growth and Strengthens National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    This week, President Donald J. Trump and his administration delivered another series of bold victories for the American people, advancing economic prosperity, enhancing national security, and restoring common sense to government. From unleashing American energy dominance to cracking down on illicit foreign activities, the Trump Administration continues its relentless pursuit of policies that prioritize American workers, families, and communities.
    Here is a non-comprehensive list of wins in week 14:
    President Trump’s unrelenting commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing delivered more results, driving job creation and economic growth nationwide.
    Roche, a Swiss drug and diagnostics company, announced a $50 billion investment in its U.S.-based manufacturing and R&D, which is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs.
    Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a $3 billion agreement with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies to produce drugs at its North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    NorthMark Strategies, a multi-strategy investment firm, announced a $2.8 billion investment to build a supercomputing facility in South Carolina.
    Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., announced a $2 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and innovation.
    Chobani announced a $1.2 billion investment to build its third U.S. dairy processing plant in New York, which is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs.
    Fiserv, Inc. announced a $175 million investment to open a new strategic fintech hub in Kansas, which is expected to create 2,000 new high-paying jobs.
    Toyota Motor Corporation announced an $88 million investment to boost hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia factory, securing employment for the factory’s 2,000 workers.
    Hyundai Motor Group secured an equity investment and agreement from Posco Holdings, South Korea’s top steel maker, for the automaker’s planned steel plant in Louisiana.
    Hitachi Energy announced a $22.5 million investment to expand its facilities in Virginia, which is expected to add 120 new jobs.
    Cyclic Materials, a Canadian advanced recycling company for rare earth elements, announced a $20 million investment in its first U.S.-based commercial facility, located in Mesa, Arizona.
    GM announced it will increase production at its Ohio transmission facility.
    Coinbase announced plans to add more than 130 new jobs and open a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

    President Trump continued to secure our border and rid our communities of illegal immigrant criminals.
    The Swanton sector of the U.S.-Canada border — previously overrun by illegal immigrants — saw illegal border crossings decline from 1,109 in March 2024 to just 54 in March 2025.
    New York Post: Northern border sector previously overrun by illegal migrants sees dramatic drop in crossings: ‘We haven’t seen anyone since November’

    The Washington Times: Under Trump, border catch-and-release has dropped 99.99% from worst Biden month
    CBS: ICE partnerships with local law enforcement triple as Trump continues deportation crackdown
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation apprehended Harpreet Singh, an alleged member of a foreign terrorist gang who was planning multiple attacks on law enforcement in the U.S. and India.
    Five suspected Tren de Aragua gang members were arrested in Fresno County, California.

    President Trump continued to pursue peace through strength around the world.
    The Trump Administration has directed attacks that have killed at least 74 terrorists seeking to attack the U.S. so far.

    The Trump Administration forged ahead on its unprecedented effort to secure American energy dominance.
    The Department of the Interior announced it will accelerate the onerous permitting process for energy and critical minerals, slashing approval times from years to just 28 days, at most.
    Chevron announced a massive oil and natural gas project in the Gulf of America, with 75,000 gross barrels of oil expected to be produced daily.

    The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from medications and the nation’s food supply by the end of 2026.
    President Trump took a series of executive actions to enhance educational and workforce opportunities for the American people.
    President Trump signed an executive order modernizing American workforce programs to prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future.
    Association of Equipment Manufacturers: “Our industry faces a persistent and growing shortage of skilled workers, and this action reflects the leadership needed to build a strong pipeline of talent for the jobs of the future. By aligning workforce programs with the realities of today’s labor market, the administration is taking a smart, strategic step to bolster U.S. manufacturing. We support the President’s continued focus on reshoring American manufacturing and ensuring our workforce is filled with the brightest and best talent in the world.”

    President Trump signed an executive order creating new educational and workforce development opportunities in artificial intelligence technology for America’s youth.
    President Trump signed an executive order revoking flawed Obama-Biden guidance that pressured schools to impose discipline based on “racial equity” and gives teachers the ability to ensure order in their classrooms.

    President Trump took action to further reform and enhance higher education in America.
    President Trump signed an executive order overhauling the nation’s higher education accreditation system to ensure colleges and universities deliver high-quality, high-value education free from unlawful discrimination and ideological bias.
    President Trump signed an executive order enhancing the capacity of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities to deliver high-quality education and innovation.
    President Trump signed an executive order requiring higher education institutions to promptly disclose foreign gifts and funding.

    President Trump signed a landmark executive order eliminating the use of so-called “disparate-impact liability,” which undermines civil rights by mandating discrimination to achieve predetermined, race-oriented outcomes.
    President Trump ordered an investigation into illegal “straw donor” and foreign contributions in American elections.
    President Trump signed an executive order strengthening probationary periods in the federal service — ensuring a merit-based federal workforce that serves the American people.
    President Trump signed an executive order to develop domestic capabilities for exploration, characterization, collection, and processing of critical deep seabed minerals.
    President Trump announced he will personally fund the installation of two beautiful 100-foot flagpoles flying the American flag on the North Lawn of the White House.
    Small business sentiment remained near its historic high in March, according to a new survey from the Job Creators Network Foundation.
    The Department of State launched an unprecedented reorganization to reverse decades of bloat and bureaucracy that rendered it unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission.
    The Department of Justice launched the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias as part of President Trump’s directive to end unlawful anti-Christian discrimination by the federal government.
    The Department of Education announced it will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans after a five-year pause, ending the Biden-era practice of zero-interest, zero-accountability student borrowing.
    The Department of the Interior officially unveiled the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge, honoring the memory of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was savagely murdered by illegal immigrants in Texas.
    Secretary of the Navy John Phelan rescinded the Biden-era Navy Climate Action 2030 program, which prioritized ideologically motivated regulations over the Navy’s core mission of warfighting.
    The Department of Education returned oversight of higher education foreign funding disclosures to the Office of General Counsel, making clear that the Trump Administration will prioritize enforcement of federal law.
    The Department of Education initiated an investigation and records request into University of California, Berkeley, after a review of the university’s foreign funding disclosures found they may be incomplete or inaccurate.
    The Department of the Treasury sanctioned an Iranian liquefied petroleum gas magnate and his network as part of President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign.
    The Department of Agriculture announced $340.6 million in disaster assistance for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities impacted by natural disasters across the country.
    The Department of the Interior disbursed $13 million to revitalize coal communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: American Businesses Rally Behind President Trump’s Tariffs to Save Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    President Donald J. Trump’s decisive trade policies are igniting a resurgence in American manufacturing — earning fervent support from family-owned businesses and others nationwide who have suffered from decades of unfair trade practices. From steel forges to moldmakers, their voices echo a powerful truth: these policies aren’t just protecting jobs — they’re reviving the heart of American industry.
    Here’s what they’re saying:
    Walker Forge, a third-generation family-owned business in Clintonville, Wisconsin, manufactures forgings out of steel for a variety of industries, including the defense industry.
    Will Walker (President): “This is the first time in generations that we have a President who puts American manufacturing first. That’s what these tariffs do — put America first. The tariffs send a clear message that companies cannot undercut our U.S. industrial base anymore.”
    Franchino Mold & Engineering, based in Lansing, Michigan, designs, engineers, builds, maintains, and repairs plastic injection molds.
    Mike Hetherington (President): “I represent Franchino Mold & Engineering, and we are proud to be celebrating 70 years as a U.S. moldmaker this year. I find it extremely unfair that I can buy a complete injection mold from China for less than it costs me to purchase the raw materials to build it here in the United States. We are held to a high standard for labor, safety, quality, and environmental standards, which we proudly meet while competing against companies in China that don’t play by the same rules. They benefit from heavy government subsidies, lax labor standards, and artificially low prices that make it impossible for U.S. moldmakers to compete with China on price. Tariffs help level the playing field for U.S. moldmakers and force companies to look to U.S. moldmakers to supply them with products that meet their cost, quality and delivery needs. We are not asking for protection — we are asking for fairness!”
    ELLWOOD, a 115-year-old family-owned business in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, manufactures quality metals and custom engineered components for the world’s most demanding applications ranging from our nation’s defense to aerospace.
    Ben Huffman (President and CEO): “ELLWOOD supports President Trump’s efforts to reshape the global trading system to a fair system. The current unbalanced system puts U.S. manufacturing at a significant disadvantage. Unfair, country-subsidized trading practices that are occurring all over the globe continue to do significant harm to ELLWOOD and the historically damaging trade practices must be reversed.”
    Dyersville Die Cast, based in Dyersville, Iowa, specializes in custom aluminum and zinc die cast manufacturing and secondary services, such as CNC machining and powder coat paint.
    Robert Willits (President): “I have been in my role for over 24 years — and during that time, I have witnessed many events that have convinced me that President Trump is 100% correct on tariffs. I fully support his fight to protect American manufacturers. God bless President Trump for keeping his promises.”
    TK Mold & Engineering, Inc., based in Romeo, Michigan, builds prototype and production molds for the consumer goods and automotive industries.
    Tom Barr (President): “TK Mold & Engineering, Inc., is proud to be situated in the heart of America’s automotive sector. Thanks to recent tariff policies, we’re seeing a renewed interest in U.S.-based manufacturing. In just the past three days, we’ve received three requests for quotes specifically aimed at reshoring mold and molding production back to the United States. These tariffs are creating real opportunities for American businesses like ours by encouraging companies to bring work back home. We’re grateful for policies that support Main Street and help revitalize essential trades like moldmaking.”
    Industrial Molds, Inc., a family-owned business in Rockford, Illinois, is a tool and die shop with 52 employees.
    Andy Peterson (CEO): “The implementation of tariffs has caused our customers to completely rethink their supply chains and source more work domestically. This has completely changed our forecast for the year to the better and we are looking to add more employees quickly.”
    Legacy Precision Molds, Inc., based in Grandville, Michigan, specializes in the design and manufacturing of tight-tolerance plastic injection molds.  
    Tyler VanRee (Vice President): “The recent tariffs have had a noticeable and positive impact on our business. We’ve seen a significant increase in quote activity, have been awarded new work, and are seeing growing interest from companies exploring reshoring opportunities. At their current levels, the tariffs are driving real momentum toward U.S.-based manufacturing. We appreciate the administration’s commitment to strengthening American industry and we encourage them to continue to explore long-term solutions to help strengthen and rebuild American manufacturing again.”
    Campbell Press Repair, based in Lansing, Michigan, is a second-generation family business servicing the metal forging and stamping industries with repair, rebuilding work on heavy machinery, modernization, automation, and new equipment, with 28 highly-talented employees.
    Pete Campbell (President): “Who knew about the tariff imbalances before President Trump brought them to light? As a small businessman competing in a world market, these things matter.”
    Westminster Tool, Inc., based in Plainfield, Connecticut, is a plastic injection mold manufacturer that specializes in complex medical and surgical devices.
    Hillary Thomas (Vice President): “The manufacturing tariffs imposed by President Trump and his administration have benefited our business, similar to the wide-scale tariff effort in 2018. Following the recent announcement, our quote requests rose 25% in one month. These tariffs, particularly against China and other international competitors, help level the global manufacturing playing field for the moldmaking industry. We strongly support and encourage maintaining international tariffs that promote manufacturing here in the country.”
    Metallus, Inc., based in Canton, Ohio, is a leading U.S. manufacturer of high-performance specialty metals made from recycled scrap metal for the industrial, automotive, aerospace, and defense and energy markets.
    Michael S. Williams (President and CEO): “We support the enforcement and expansion of 232 tariffs on steel products, as they align with our long-standing commitment to fair trade and addressing market imbalances. As a domestic steel producer, we view tariffs as a victory for both Metallus and the broader American steel industry.”
    Twin Cities Die Casting, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a 106-year-old, employee-owned die casting company with three locations in the Midwest and 175 employees.
    Todd Olson (CEO): “Our industry — and our company, specifically — has been greatly impacted by the increase in foreign competition, much of it with unfair support of other countries, over the last ten years. While the U.S. die casting market has grown over that time period, the U.S. industry has shrunk and production in low-cost countries has grown immensely.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 26, 2025
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