NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gen. Guetlein, SDA Director Tournear to Visit Grand Forks Air Force Base, Cavalier Space Force Station

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    ***Click here to download audio.***

    BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced Space Development Agency (SDA) Director Derek Tournear and General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force, will join him in visiting the University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Cavalier Space Force Station.

    “The buildup of ground-based capabilities at Grand Forks Air Force Base and the warfighting support offered by Cavalier Space Force Station are critical to our national security and security around the world,” said Cramer. “The University of North Dakota’s ability to educate students and prepare them for these rewarding jobs in the military, and to support our military, are really another competitive advantage our state has when it comes to attracting cutting-edge defense projects. Dr. Tournear and General Guetlein’s firsthand look at these evolving assets, and staying up with them, really keeps our capabilities in focus.”

    “The greater Grand Forks community has been extremely welcoming to Team SDA as we prepare for operations of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and strengthen our relationships in the region,” said SDA Director Derek Tournear. “The SDA Operations Center-North has been completed and will be fully operational in time to support the operations of our first Tranche 1 satellites that will launch later this summer. Additionally, our new Technology Acceleration Center is progressing. Once complete it will serve as a satellite support facility to onboard future tranches and as an operating location for future advanced satellite capabilities.” 

    “We are thrilled for this opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the U.S. Space Force and the Space Development Agency,” said UND President Andy Armacost. “As a University, one of our missions is to support these tremendous organizations by producing a highly educated workforce and creating innovations through research that enhance their missions.  We want to thank Senator Cramer for making it possible for Director Tournear and General Guetlein to tour our campus and to see first-hand what the University of North Dakota has to offer.”

    The group will host a media availability on Monday, April 21 at 4:15 p.m. CT in the Robin Hall Atrium, 4275 University Ave, Grand Forks, ND 58202.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Classifies Q’Apel Medical Inc.’s Worldwide Medical Device Recall and Discontinuation of its 072 Aspiration System (Hippo) as Class I

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    April 18, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    April 18, 2025
    Product Type:
    Medical Devices
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Distal Tip Design outside scope of 510k clearance

    Company Name:
    Q’Apel Medical, Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Q’Apel Medical

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    072 Aspiration System

    Company Announcement
    Fremont, CA – April 18, 2025 – On April 7, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA” or “the agency”), classified Q’Apel Medical, Inc.’s (“Q’Apel” or “the company”) voluntary recall of 1,617 units of its 072 Aspiration System (also known under the product name “Hippo”, which includes “Cheetah”; collectively, the “product”) as Class I.
    On February 26, 2025, the company initiated a discontinuation and recall of 1,617 units of its 072 Aspiration System product. The recall was initiated because the company received a Warning Letter from FDA that raised questions about whether the features and characteristics of the distal tip of the Hippo aspiration catheter were within the scope of its 510(k) clearance. Rather than pursue a new regulatory pathway, the company chose to voluntarily remove all affected product lots and discontinue the 072 Aspiration System line as part of its strategic shift toward newer technologies
    Q’Apel has submitted three Medical Device Reportable events for the Hippo product to date; these adverse events include a reported tip detachment, retrieved without patient injury; a vessel rupture; and a vasospasm. Based on the company’s investigation of these events, factors other than the device’s distal tip likely contributed to the reported adverse events.
    Notably, each of these event types is a known risk associated with use of any aspiration catheter and is not unique to the Hippo product. The tip of any aspiration catheter used during a thrombectomy could potentially cause vasospasm and/or vascular injury. In particular, if the tip of an aspiration catheter triggers irritation of the vessel wall, it may manifest as vasospasm, which may be self-limiting or may require treatment (e.g., vasodilatation). Vascular injury may result in a non-flow limiting dissection that requires no intervention and causes no permanent morbidity, a flow-limiting dissection that requires intervention and may be associated with morbidity, or in the extreme case, vessel perforation or rupture which requires intervention and likely results in morbidity or even mortality. If unretrieved, a detached tip of a catheter could result in serious adverse events such as blockage of blood vessels, ischemia of end organs, and death.
    The product was distributed in the United States, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
    The following product configurations have been removed and discontinued:

    072 Aspiration System (Hippo with Cheetah Delivery Tool) with Aspiration Tubing; Catalog Number: APT6072-132; Unique Device Identifier: 00857545008127; Lots: FG241008C-03, FG240916C-04, FG240905C-04
    072 Aspiration System (Hippo with Cheetah Delivery Tool); Catalog Number: AP6072-132; Unique Device Identifier: 00857545008097; Lots: FG241206A-03, FG240917A-01
    072 Aspiration Tubing; Catalog Number: APT-95; Unique Device Identifier: 00857545008103; Lot: FG241206A-04

    Actions to be taken by user:
    The Hippo product configurations described above have been discontinued in all markets. The company has proactively notified all customers and distributors and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Consignees of the product should immediately return any available product inventory to the company. If consignees have distributed the product to others, contact Q’Apel so that the company can notify them of this action and retrieve any remaining product.
    For questions or assistance with product return, please contact:Q’Apel Medical Inc. – Customer Service Phone: 510-738-6255Email: orders@qapelmedical.comHours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT
    Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

    About Q’Apel Medical
    Q’Apel Medical is revolutionizing neurovascular interventions. Inspired by the evolving needs of our customers, our novel approach allows us to solve clinical challenges where others fall short. We are up for the task, the more complex the better. Our team thrives on creating high quality uniquely engineered products, designed in partnership with neurovascular specialists, that address what is needed right now, yet with the versatility to focus on what is coming next. For more information, visit www.qapelmedical.com.

    Company Contact Information

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Visits With Yakama Nation Members, Observes Dipnet Fishing on the Klickitat River

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Senator Murray has been raising the alarm on Trump administration’s plans to slash critical funding for salmon recovery efforts

    ***PHOTOS, B-ROLL HERE**

    Lyle, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited Klickitat Falls to observe Yakama Nation members dipnet fishing on the Klickitat River and meet with Tribal leaders and members. Senator Murray spoke with Chairman Gerald Lewis others about the importance of salmon recovery efforts in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, as well as forestry management and other issues. Forest management and wildfire prevention in particular have become a major cause for concern for the Yakama Nation in recent weeks, as the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts and freezes directly affect their ability to manage their lands or respond to fires on adjoining federal lands.

    Senator Murray has also been raising the alarm and demanding answers on the Trump administration’s plans to shutter the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) office in Toppenish, which the Yakama Nation relies on for everything from timber sales to Indian Child Welfare Act cases.

    “It was a real honor to visit with the Yakama Nation today and observe dipnet fishing, a practice handed down over generations,” said Senator Murray. “The Yakama Nation have been stewards of this land since time immemorial, and I’m proud to be their partner at the federal level in fighting to save our salmon, manage our forests responsibly, and make progress on so many other issues. Over the past few years, we’ve made historic investments in salmon recovery through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act—but now the Trump administration’s reckless cuts and illegal funding freezes are putting that progress at risk.”

    “I’ve spoken with many Tribes, including the Yakama Nation, who are already seeing the consequences of the Trump administration’s mass firings and hiring freezes at important federal agencies they rely on—and that were already painfully understaffed. There’s no way around it—Trump’s gutting of the federal workforce and deep funding cuts will seriously hamper the administration of programs and services that Tribes rely on, and that the federal government has trust and treaty obligations to provide,” Murray continued. “I take seriously my responsibility to be a voice for our Tribes in the U.S. Senate—and I’ll continue using every tool at my disposal in Congress to fight back and hold this administration accountable.”

    As a voice in the U.S. Senate for Washington state’s Tribal governments and communities, Senator Murray has long worked to make sure our nation lives up to its promises to support Tribal infrastructure, health care, education, housing, natural resources management, and more. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Senator Murray was instrumental in passing as then-Assistant Majority Leader provided more than $13 billion to directly support Tribal communities and makes Tribes eligible to apply for or request billions in discretionary, formula, and other funding to deploy record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitation systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good paying jobs in every Tribal community. In total, this funding represents the single largest investment in Tribal infrastructure ever.

    Senator Murray has also been a champion for protecting and strengthening critical salmon and fish populations throughout her time in the Senate. Senator Murray secured a historic $2.85 billion investment in salmon and ecosystem restoration programs—including $400 million for a new community-based restoration program focused on removing fish passage barriers in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—and in the Inflation Reduction Act, Murray secured hundreds of millions for Washington state priorities including $15 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, $3 million to support facilities at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, $27 million for Pacific salmon research, and more. Last Congress, as then-Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray protected critical funding for salmon recovery and fishery projects in the Fiscal Year 2024 government spending bills she negotiated and passed into law, including securing: $50 million in the construction of the Howard Hanson Dam Fish Passage facility; $75 million for the Pacific Salmon account at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, $54 million for the EPA’s Puget Sound Geographic Program, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Visits Gilbert Orchards in Yakima to Hear from Growers About How Chaotic Trade Policy is Affecting Their Bottom Lines

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Yakima, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited Gilbert Orchards, where she met with Owner Sean Gilbert, Orchard Manager Donny Schlect, Northwest Horticultural Council President Mark Powers, and Steve Smith, Vice President of Marketing for the Washington Fruit Growers, to hear about how President Trump’s trade war is affecting their businesses and the tree fruit industry in Washington state.

    Gilbert Orchards is a family-owned growing operation that has been in the Yakima Valley for over 125 years, primarily growing apples, pears, and cherries. During the visit, Senator Murray toured the packing facility and heard concerns from Gilbert Orchards and other tree fruit growers about how an escalating trade war and the potential for steep retaliatory tariffs from other nations could hurt their bottom lines and be detrimental for farmers across Washington state. Washington’s tree fruit industry has historically borne the brunt of retaliatory measures for trade and tariffs.

    “It was really important to me to hear from local tree fruit growers in Yakima today about how this administration’s trade war is affecting them, and how I can best advocate for them in the other Washington,” said Senator Murray. “Farmers thrive when they can sell their products domestically and internationally—but right now, President Trump is cutting off markets our farmers sell to while increasing their costs. We can help our farmers by opening up more markets for them to sell their products in—not shutting them down. I’ll continue working to end this senseless trade war and help farmers across Washington state succeed.”

    “It was good to have Senator Murray visit us today. It’s important for our Members of Congress to understand that Washington state farmers rely on access to global markets and as much certainty around trade policy as possible,” said Northwest Horticultural Council President Mark Powers.

    40 percent of jobs in Washington state are tied to international commerce. Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—all of which risk losing vital export markets if retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners including Canada take effect. Additionally, more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington state export goods and will be unlikely to be able to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs. Trump’s tariffs during his first term were extremely costly for Washington state—for example, India imposed a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, causing Washington apple shipments to India to fall by 99 percent and growers to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Reno Small Business, Rosen Calls on Trump to Reverse Devastating Trump Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    RENO, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) visited Orucase, a local outdoor recreation small business in Reno, to discuss how President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs are harming Nevada’s economy. In Nevada, 99 percent of all businesses are small businesses, and Trump’s tariffs are threatening their ability to stay afloat.
    “President Trump’s reckless across-the-board tariffs are devastating Nevada small businesses — which make up the backbone of our state’s economy,” said Senator Rosen. “Today, I visited Orucase, a local small business that is in the crosshairs of this reckless trade war, to highlight how much small businesses are already being hurt from these tariffs. I will continue fighting back against these reckless policies in the Senate.”
    “This tariff policy is not theoretical for us, it’s an existential threat,” said Isaac Howe, co-founder and owner of Orucase. “These duties will force us to raise retail prices, which will make it more difficult to operate and cost customers more. I’m grateful to Senator Rosen for her willingness to advocate for Nevada businesses like ours.”
    In the Senate, Senator Rosen has been fighting back against President Trump’s reckless tariffs and the destructive impacts they’re having on Nevada’s economy. She recently led Senate colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration reverse course on tariffs and provide relief for small businesses. Senator Rosen also helped pass a resolution in the Senate to overturn Trump’s tariffs on Canada.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Demand Records from DOJ IG on J6 Confidential Human Sources

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
    WASHINGTON – On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) Michael Horowitz highlighting the IG’s failure to respond to the senators’ previous requests about the government’s use of confidential human sources (CHS) and undercover agents on January 6, 2021 (J6).
    On Dec. 16, 2024, the senators wrote to IG Horowitz requesting information based on the IG’s review of DOJ’s use of CHSs on J6. Specifically, the senators wanted to know the extent DOJ components, like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), had tasked and untasked CHSs in the area of the Capitol Building on J6.
    On April 7, 2025, IG Horowitz responded, noting that “ATF, DEA, USMS, and BOP did not have any tasked CHSs in Washington, D.C. on January 6 in connection with the events of January 6.”
    However, IG Horowitz could not make a similar assertion regarding whether untasked CHSs from DOJ components, other than the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), were in the D.C. area on J6 and connected to events that day. “[U]nlike the FBI, we have no information at this time as to whether the ATF, DEA, USMS, or BOP conducted a post-January 6 canvass to determine if any of their CHSs traveled on their own initiative (untasked) to D.C. in connection with the January 6 events,” IG Horowitz wrote.
    In addition, IG Horowitz’s response failed to adequately address whether DOJ components had employees or contractors wearing civilian clothing in the Washington, D.C. area and around the Capitol Building on J6.
    “We also reiterate other requests from our December 16, 2024, letter that are still outstanding,” the senators wrote.  
    “For example, in our letter we asked whether your office obtained, during the course of its investigation into this matter, all communications, including text messages, between and among all DOJ component agency handlers and the CHSs/undercover agents. Your April 7, 2025, response confirmed that your office ‘did not request all of the text messages for all of the 26 CHSs and their handlers.’ Your April 7, 2025, response also noted that your office obtained classified communications; however, it failed to answer whether it obtained all classified communications,” the senators added.
    Read more about the letter on Fox News.
    Full text of the letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Johnson, Baldwin Renew Bipartisan Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) announced they renewed their agreement establishing the bipartisan Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission to provide recommendations for nominations during the 119th Congress for U.S. Attorneys and federal judicial positions. Currently, there are vacancies in the U.S. Attorney positions for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin. Additionally, U.S. Circuit Court Justice Diane Sykes recently announced she will go into senior status on October 1, 2025, necessitating a nomination for consideration by the Wisconsin Senators to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

    “The goal for all officers of the court, especially judges, should be the equal application of law. Our judicial commission has worked in the past, and it can work in the future, if everyone concentrates on finding individuals who will apply the law and not alter it to fit their ideological or policy preferences. I look forward to working with the commission to find individuals to recommend to President Trump who will provide that type of justice for the citizens of Wisconsin,” said Sen. Johnson.

    “I am proud to work with Senator Johnson this Congress to select qualified, impartial candidates to serve our state and faithfully apply the law. I have full confidence our bipartisan nominating commission will do its job well of rigorously vetting and selecting candidates with the character, expertise, and experience required to fairly deliver justice for our constituents,” said Sen. Baldwin. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Introduces Bills to Establish Smithsonian Museums Recognizing Accomplishments of Women and Latinos

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senator Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, helped introduce bipartisan legislation to build two new Smithsonian museums on the National Mall that recognize the accomplishments of women and Latinos.

    “Women and Latinos have done so much for our nation, and those contributions – our story, the American story – deserve to be told and honored,” said Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure the accomplishments of the Latinos and women who have truly made America great can be showcased in their very own Smithsonian museums.”

    Senators Cortez Masto, Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif) are leading the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act. Senators Cortez Masto, Padilla, Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) are leading the National Museum of the American Latino Act.

    The first and only Latina elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Cortez Masto has been a strong advocate for women and the Latino community. She passed into law her bipartisan legislation to authorize a series of U.S. quarters to honoring women’s history and suffrage, which featured Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz, among other prominent women. She has pushed legislation to promote women and underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. And she regularly supports legislation to advance women and Latinas’ professional opportunities, such as federal funding for Minority-Serving Institutions, including the four Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Nevada.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Vegemite

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 18, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario

    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for enforcing Canada’s food laws including the Food and Drug Regulations and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. These regulations apply to a broad range of food products, including fortified foods like the food spread, Vegemite.

    It is our inspectors’ job to uphold these regulations, which are in place to protect consumers.

    Recently, the CFIA conducted a planned inspection of a licensed importer to verify compliance with Canadian regulations. During the course of this inspection, it was found that the Vegemite product being sold did not comply with Canadian regulations around vitamin fortification as well as the requirements for information on consumer prepackaged food to be in both official languages. As a result, the importer was informed of the non-compliance and voluntarily removed the product from its menu and retail offerings.

    Since then, the CFIA has requested a health risk assessment from Health Canada. This science-based assessment has determined that the level of risk to human health from the added vitamins present in the product is low when consumed in suggested serving sizes. As such, the CFIA will work with the importer to allow the product to be sold in the short-term, including revised labelling, while we collaborate with Health Canada, the manufacturer, and the importer, to find a longer-term plan for Vegemite sales across Canada.

    The Government of Canada remains committed to food safety while supporting fair and reasonable access to culturally significant products.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 250 Years Later: Paul Revere’s Ride

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere set out on a midnight ride that would help ignite the American Revolution.

    Two hundred and fifty years later, we remember his courage—and the enduring spirit of liberty that defines our nation.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esobPRrC3rU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso, Lummis, Hageman Celebrate Cutting Edge  C-130J Housing in Wyoming 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) applauded the announcement by the Trump administration that the Wyoming Air National Guard Base has been selected as the preferred and final location for the Air National Guard’s C-130J Main Operating Base (MOB) 11. This critical investment will allow for the complete recapitalization of one squadron, replacing eight aging C-130H aircraft with the modern C-130J Super Hercules fleet. 

    “The Trump administration rightfully selected the Wyoming National Guard base in Cheyenne to be the new home of the C-130J aircraft,” said Barrasso. “The C-130J air tanker is one of the best tools we have to quickly and efficiently suppress wildfires at home and support airlift operations around the globe. With the ongoing threat of wildfires across the Rocky Mountain West, having access to these planes in Wyoming is more critical than ever.” 

    “This is a transformative moment for Wyoming’s military presence and our state’s contribution to our national security,” said Lummis. “The arrival of these cutting-edge aircrafts will significantly enhance our Air National Guard’s capabilities while securing high-skilled jobs and economic activity in our community for decades to come. I am grateful to the Trump administration for recognizing Wyoming’s strategic importance and the exceptional readiness of our Guard members to operate this advanced fleet.” 

    “This is a major win for Wyoming,” said Hageman. “Housing the C-130J fleet in Cheyenne reinforces Wyoming’s role as a strategic hub for military readiness and strengthens our firefighting capabilities. I’m grateful to President Trump for securing this investment in our state’s future, our service members, and our ability to respond to both foreign threats and domestic emergencies.”

    The Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne was selected from among four candidate locations that were previously considered but not selected in earlier rounds of C-130J basing decisions. Other candidates included New Castle Air National Guard Base in Delaware, Nevada Air National Guard Base at Reno-Tahoe, and Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Missouri.

    The C-130J Super Hercules represents a significant technological advancement over the legacy C-130H model, with improved performance, fuel efficiency, cargo capacity, and avionics. The aircraft will enhance the Wyoming Air National Guard’s ability to support both military operations and domestic emergency response missions like aerial firefighting.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Demands Answers From HHS On Mass Firings At HRSA That Imperil Primary Care and Maternal Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    New York Has Over 4,300 HRSA Health Care And Service Delivery Sites

    So Far In FY2025, HRSA Has Awarded Over $256 Million In Funding To Health Programs And Facilities In New York

    Firings Include Workers Who Oversee The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, Which Gillibrand Helped Establish in 2022

    U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) led nine of their colleagues in sending a letter demanding answers from Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on the abrupt and unprecedented mass firing of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) employees. HRSA is the primary federal agency tasked with improving access to health care for vulnerable populations, including uninsured and underinsured children and families and individuals living in rural communities.

    New York has over 4,300 HRSA Health Care and Service Delivery Sites, which are facilities that are funded by or participate in HRSA programs. So far in FY2025, HRSA has awarded over $256 million in funding to these facilities and other health programs across New York State. These grants help fund health care facilities in rural areas; support programs that help patients living with HIV/AIDS, substance use disorder, maternal health complications, and cancer; and bolster health care workforce training programs across the state. Firing HRSA employees imperils their ability to provide care to New Yorkers and potentially puts this funding in jeopardy.

    These firings also include layoffs of HRSA workers who run the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which provides free, 24/7 support to pregnant and postpartum women facing mental health challenges. Senator Gillibrand helped establish the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline in 2022. Since its launch, the hotline has received more than 54,000 calls and texts — a large part of which have been from postpartum moms reporting depression, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. Maternal mental health issues are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. By firing the individuals who keep the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline operational, HHS is jeopardizing the lives of American moms.

    “HRSA employees help struggling mothers, vulnerable children, uninsured patients, and individuals who live in rural areas access critical health care,” said Senator Gillibrand. “By indiscriminately firing these employees, the Trump administration is jeopardizing access to these vital services and threatening programs that help keep New Yorkers healthy. This is unacceptable, particularly at a time when our country is facing a health care workforce crisis. I am proud to work with my fellow senators to demand answers about these egregious firings at HHS, and I will not rest until our concerns are remedied.”

    In addition to Sens. Gillibrand and Blunt Rochester, the letter was also signed by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

    The full letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write concerning the abrupt and unprecedented mass firing of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) employees who serve vulnerable populations including children, seniors, uninsured Americans, and rural communities. Reportedly, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) used spreadsheets to slash entire divisions without fully understanding the critical functions that many of the former employees performed. Therefore, we request detailed information about who was fired, their specific job functions, and the measures you will implement to ensure that at-risk Americans do not suffer due to your Reduction in Force (RIF).

    HRSA is the primary agency tasked with improving access to health care for vulnerable populations, including the un- and underinsured, children, and families. On March 27, 2025, HHS announced a rushed and ill-conceived RIF in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order 14210, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.” This is on top of the firing of seven percent of HRSA staff that occurred on February 14, 2025. These egregious staffing cuts have particularly decimated the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), which not only runs counter to the administration’s goal of elevating preventative care and reducing the prevalence of chronic disease but comes at a time when the United States ranks last in maternal health outcomes relative to other high-income countries.

    The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reportedly fired 40 percent of the Bureau of Primary Health Care, which oversees the Health Center Program. This program effectively closes health care access gaps by providing high quality, affordable primary medical, dental, mental health care, and low-cost prescription drugs. Health centers provide care to over 32.5 million patients at 15,000 clinics across every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Basin. Health centers typically provide a wider array of lifesaving health care services for diverse populations impacted by barriers to care, serving one in five rural residents, one in three living in poverty, and over 400,000 veterans. Of the 32.5 million patients served by health centers, almost one-third are children, and 11 percent are seniors. A strong health center network is integral to increasing primary care access for people at every stage of life.  

    Through the Health Center Program, HRSA not only finances critical health care services, but safeguards patients from low-quality, inaccessible care. HRSA ensures that health centers comply with the highest health care standards to support improved clinical outcomes, improved access to services, and proper financial management. As a result of HHS’s actions, the ability of health centers to carry-out their critical mission of providing safe and accessible care is now in jeopardy, particularly at a time when the U.S. is facing a primary care workforce crisis.

    Combined with the Health Center Program, HRSA administered health workforce programs through the Bureau of Health Workforce are our largest defense against nationwide workforce shortages that are driving preventable deaths. HRSA is critical to adequately staffing health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) with physicians, nurses, dentists, and mental health providers. As an increasing number of rural hospitals close- leaving many Americans without reasonable access to emergency, obstetric, primary, or specialty care- the country cannot afford to lose any investment in the health care workforce.

    HHS has also terminated 20% of the employees at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. This bureau oversees important programs that support children and pregnant women, such as the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant and the Healthy Start Program. These initiatives help reduce infant deaths, provide wrap-around services not covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and reach families before, during, and after pregnancy. In 2023, the Title V MCH Services Block Grant helped provide services to an estimated 59 million people. This included 94% of all pregnant women, 98% of infants, and 59% of children nationwide, including children with special health care needs. Although your administration claims to support families, mothers, and children, you are actively undermining the health and wellbeing of these vulnerable groups.

    At your direction, HHS has reportedly fired workers who oversee the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which offers free and confidential support to the very large proportion of expectant and new mothers experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety, and mothers who simply need a listening ear during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. From October to December 2024, the hotline received 7,500 calls and texts— a majority of which were from postpartum parents, reporting depression, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. Maternal mental health issues are the leading cause of maternal death in the United States. These firings could disrupt an essential support pathway for saving the lives of American moms. 

    We remain concerned that these indiscriminate firings have destabilized HRSA and reduced the ability of the agency to provide critical, quality services to the vulnerable populations at the core of its mission. We request a full account of the status of HRSA’s workforce and the impact these firings will have on the American people. Please respond to the following questions and requests for information by no later than Monday, April 21st at 5 p.m.: 

    1. Please provide the total number of people terminated or put on administrative leave for all of HRSA, and specifically from each of the following offices as a result of EO 14210. Please provide a complete breakdown of position, GS level, and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. This accounting should include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status.
      1. Maternal and Child Health Bureau
      2. Bureau of Primary Health Care
      3. Bureau of Health Workforce
      4. HIV/AIDS Bureau
      5. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
      6. Provider Relief Bureau
    2. Please provide the total number of people terminated or put on administrative leave, who accepted the deferred resignation program offer, or accepted the VERA/VSIP offer between January 18, 2025 and April 1, 2025 for all of HRSA and specifically from each of the following divisions. Please provide a complete breakdown of position, GS level, and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. This accounting should include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status.
    1. Maternal and Child Health Bureau
    2. Bureau of Primary Health Care
    3. Bureau of Health Workforce
    4. HIV/AIDS Bureau
    5. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
    6. Office of Women’s Health
    1. How many people who were terminated or put on administrative leave were the primary or secondary contact for grantees?
    2. What methods and frequency of communication are being used to inform grant recipients about their new points of contact? Have you confirmed that each grantee received notice of the change?
    3. How many people involved with operations or compliance with the following grants or contracts were terminated or put on administrative leave?
      1. Section 330 grants
      2. Early childhood development grants
      3. Cancer screenings grants
      4. School-based health center grants
      5. Maternal health hotline
      6. Home visiting program
      7. Title V Maternal Health Block Grant
      8. Healthy Start
    4. Have grantees been able to draw down funding at the same rate they were able to at this time last year? Please describe the cause of any delays in funding reimbursements experienced by grantees.
    5. Have HRSA project officers or related personnel been instructed to withhold information from grant recipients regarding the continued availability of previously awarded support under EO 14210?
    6. What instructions or communication have been provided to HRSA employees internally regarding program termination and staff reductions related to EO 14210?
    7. What instructions have been given to remaining staff about how to absorb workloads of terminated employees?
    8. What safeguards are in place to ensure that essential functions of HRSA are not harmed as a result of the RIF and proposed restructure of HHS??
    9. How does terminating grants under EO 14210 align with HRSA’s mission to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations and all Americans?
    10. Will you commit that, despite these terminations, HRSA will make all funding opportunity announcements for congressionally appropriated funding for Fiscal Year 2025 available immediately to allow communities the time necessary to develop robust proposals and that HRSA will award all congressionally appropriated funding by September 30th?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Easter 2025: “America is a nation of believers.”

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    “As we approach this joyous Easter Sunday, I want to wish Christians everywhere a happy, and beautiful, and blessed holiday. America is a nation of believers. We need God. We want God. And with His help, we will make our nation stronger…” –President Donald J. Trump

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s–7aZlXkZM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: The Story of America, an Introduction

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LORpUiPlm3s

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: “The Shot Heard Round the World:” The Battles of Lexington and Concord

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CawTnediEuU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Blackburn Introduce Bill to Prevent Human Trafficking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    The Combatting Trafficking in Transportation Act would support public awareness campaign on the risk and signs of trafficking along the Interstate Highway System

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act, which would provide federal funding to states post human trafficking awareness signage at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate System, helping educate the public and better support survivors of human trafficking.

    “We must do everything in our power to stop human trafficking, and public awareness campaigns are a proven, effective tool to combat this issue,” said Klobuchar. “That is why we are introducing bipartisan legislation to provide more information about signs of trafficking and how to help victims. This bill will give law enforcement crucial information to take on criminals and get more victims to safety.”

    “As human traffickers move their victims across the country, they travel on the same highways and visit the same rest stops and gas stations as everyone else, which creates multiple opportunities to identify these victims,” said Blackburn. “This bipartisan legislation would give all states the flexibility to take advantage of signage campaigns that have been proven effective to rescue more men, women, and children from this heinous crime.”

    In 2023 alone, there were nearly 17,000 trafficking victims in the United States. By making information about human trafficking available at these locations, we can increase reporting of suspicious behavior and direct victims to resources like the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

    The Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act would: 

    • Amend the list of eligible projects under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the RAISE Discretionary Grant Program to include the procurement and installation of human trafficking awareness signage at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate System; and 

    • Add a 16th seat to the Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking specifically for a representative from state departments of transportation. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter: Idaho Launches Summer Operation to Protect Children Online

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Idaho Launches Summer Operation to Protect Children Online

    Dear Friends,
    This week, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Idaho State Capitol to help launch Operation Safe Online Summer,a new statewide initiative led by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The operation will intensify efforts to identify and arrest online child predators during the summer months and highlights our continued commitment to protecting Idaho’s children from exploitation.
    The kickoff event brought together law enforcement officers, prosecutors, legislators, and victim witness coordinators to recognize outstanding ICAC-affiliated partners and reinforce Idaho’s ongoing mission to protect children from online exploitation.
    The newly launched Operation Safe Online Summer follows a national model similar to previous initiatives like Operation Broken Heart and will include enhanced investigative coordination, arrests, and community education on internet safety.
    During the event, we also highlighted key legislative advancements, including Idaho’s new law criminalizing AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery (Idaho House Bill 46, 2024)—a forward-looking statute that gives prosecutors new tools to combat evolving digital threats.
    ICAC leadership recognized several agencies and individuals for exemplary contributions to Idaho’s ICAC efforts:

    Detective Christian Teague, Madison County Sheriff’s Office
    Representatives Bruce Skaug and Dori Healey
    Canyon County Sheriff’s Office
    Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office
    Coeur d’Alene Police Department
    Idaho Falls Police Department
    Owyhee County Prosecutor’s Office

    We also celebrated the addition of Badger, Idaho’s newest Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 and certified therapy dog. Trained to detect concealed digital evidence, Badger expands Idaho’s capabilities in locating illicit materials hidden on small devices. You can read more about Badger here.
    Our office has made the fight against online child exploitation a top priority. Through enhanced enforcement, new legislation, interagency collaboration, and public awareness, Idaho is taking decisive action to protect children. Operation Safe Online Summer reinforces that commitment with increased vigilance during the months when children are most vulnerable online.
    Since becoming Attorney General, we’ve expanded and restructured ICAC—resulting in more arrests last year (55) than in the previous three years combined. I’m proud of our ICAC team, our law enforcement partners, and every victim advocate committed to protecting children in Idaho.
    Anyone with information about the exploitation of children is urged to contact their local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at (208) 947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST. To learn more about the Idaho ICAC Task Force and access online safety resources, visit ICACIdaho.org.
    Best regards,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Omar Lead the Democratic Women’s Caucus in urging Chavez-DeRemer to Stand with Women Workers and Protect Women’s Bureau at DOL

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members Ilhan Omar (MN-05) Ranking Member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee & Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Servicewomen, Women Veterans, and Military Families Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) led 48 DWC members in a letter to U.S Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging her to stand with women workers by protecting and strengthening the Women’s Bureau at the DOL. In particular, the Members call on Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to preserve current staffing and strengthen the Bureau’s capacity to fulfill its mandate: advancing the rights and economic opportunity of women workers, as Congress intended.

    The Women’s Bureau has formulated standards and policies to improve the welfare, working conditions, and opportunities of working women since Congress established the Bureau in 1920. It has fulfilled that mission through research, policy, and grants—improving outcomes for women across the workforce. In particular, it administers the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Technical Assistance (WANTO) Grant Program, which helps recruit, train, and retain women in high-wage, high-skill jobs where they are historically underrepresented, such as in the skilled trades and technical fields, and manages the National Database of Child Care Prices.

    In their letter, Members explained the importance of the Women’s Bureau, especially at the current moment of increased economic challenges for women and families, and as Trump claims to prioritize American jobs: 

    “Women gained only 43 percent of new jobs in February, a decline from 54 percent in 2023. And  the gender wage gap has widened for the first time in two decades. These numbers are not just statistics; they reflect growing economic headwinds for women and families that must be addressed. Weakening the Bureau by reducing its already limited staffing or closing regional  offices would severely undermine its ability to address these persistent and growing economic disparities.”

    The Members continued:

    “If the Trump administration is serious about bringing more jobs to America, it must ensure that women can access those jobs. That means investing in initiatives that address the structural  barriers women face in the workforce—barriers the Women’s Bureau was built to dismantle. We urge you to preserve current staffing and strengthen the Bureau’s capacity to fulfill its mandate, as Congress intended. The choice before you is clear—and we urge you to stand with women workers.”

    The full letter can be accessed here.

    In addition to leads Ilhan Omar, Suzanne Bonamici, and Chrissy Houlahan, the letter was signed by Alma Adams, Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Julia Brownley, Shontel Brown, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Jasmine Crockett, Danny Davis, Diana DeGette, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Lois Frankel, Sylvia Garcia, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Marcy Kaptur, Summer Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, LaMonica McIver, Kelly Morrison, Eleanor Norton, Brittany Pettersen, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Mary Gay Scanlon, Janice Schakowsky, Hillary Scholten, Terri Sewell, Mikie Sherrill, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Emilia Sykes, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Norma Torres, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Nellie Pou.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hirono, Omar Lead Colleagues in Condemning Trump’s Illegal Invocation of Alien Enemies Act, Demanding Answers About Deportees

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    Lawmakers: “The government should not be able to falsely accuse individuals in the United States, including U.S. citizens, of gang membership and send them to foreign prisons without any judicial review or remedy.”

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN)  and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led 13 of their colleagues in a letter to President Trump condemning his unlawful invocation of the Alien Enemies Actof 1798. The letter follows the Supreme Court’s recent decision to only allow Trump to continue rapid deportations under the statute if individuals are given notice and an opportunity to challenge the deportation. Senator Hirono and Representative Omar also lead the introduction of the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, legislation that would repeal the antiquated Alien Enemies Act. 

    “We write regarding your unlawful invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, resulting in noncitizens being deported without any due process, not to mention violating the requirement that the statute be invoked only in response to an act of war, predatory incursion, or invasion by a foreign government,” begin the lawmakers. “Our immigration laws can already hold gang members accountable and provide for their deportation. The government should not be able to falsely accuse individuals in the United States, including U.S. citizens, of gang membership and send them to foreign prisons without any judicial review or remedy.”

    In 1798, President John Adams signed the “Alien and Sedition Acts” which was comprised of four bills: The Naturalization Act; the Alien Friends Act; the Sedition Act; and the Alien Enemies Act. Today, the Aliens Enemies Act (AEA) is the only one that remains in effect. The AEA allows the president to target foreign nationals of a specific country to be “apprehended, restrained, secured and removed” without due process during wartime. 

    The Act has only been invoked three times in American history: the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. In their letter, the lawmakers assert that Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang—does not qualify as an arm of the Venezuelan government.

    “By claiming a foreign ‘invasion’ or ‘incursion,’ you are clearly attempting to suspend due process for noncitizens and speed up your mass deportation campaign,” the lawmakers continued. “Circumventing immigration law, and its requirement of verifiable evidence, will result in people with no gang affiliation being incorrectly targeted and deported.”

    The lawmakers also emphasized that the Trump Administration’s choice of deportation sites will likely subject people to human rights abuses as El Salvador’s prisons are notorious for their inhumane conditions, including denial of medical care, lack of food, and outright torture. 

    “Over 260 people have died in those prisons in the last two and a half years, including some with signs of serious physical abuse,” wrote the lawmakers. “We should not subject individuals to mistreatment and more, much less individuals who have had no due process and have not been found guilty of any crimes.”

    In their letter, the lawmakers also demand that the Trump Administration provide regular updates about the people who have already been deported, as well as information about deportees including their names, nationalities, ages, the number of individuals under the age of 18, and what evidence was used to determine whether an individual was a member of Tren de Aragua. 

    “Invoking the Alien Enemies Act does not make Americans safer,” concluded the lawmakers. “It endangers all of us, by removing due process protections and ignoring the plain text of the statute.” 

    In the Senate, this letter was also signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT). 

    In the House, this letter was also signed by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Greg Casar (D-TX).  

    The full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear President Trump:

    We write regarding your unlawful invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, resulting in noncitizens being deported without any due process, not to mention violating the requirement that the statute be invoked only in response to an act of war, predatory incursion, or invasion by a foreign government. Our immigration laws can already hold gang members accountable and provide for their deportation. The government should not be able to falsely accuse individuals in the United States, including U.S. citizens, of gang membership and send them to foreign prisons without any judicial review or remedy. The Supreme Court, when confronted with the manner in which you conducted the removals, unanimously rejected the implementation and its corresponding lack of notice and opportunity to challenge individuals’ removals. Moreover, deporting these individuals to Salvadorian prisons will also subject them to inhumane conditions, further exacerbating the legal issues in invoking the Alien Enemies Act.

    The Alien Enemies Act was passed as part of the infamous Alien and Sedition Acts, and it was used during World War II to detain tens of thousands of innocent Japanese, German, and Italian individuals based on nothing but their ethnicity. This wartime use of the Alien Enemies Act served as a precursor to Executive Order 9066, resulting in the incarceration of 111,000 Japanese Americans. Those who were caught up in that xenophobic panic, as well as organizations like the Japanese American National Museum, have condemned your recent invocation of the act.

    We reiterate that the plain language of the law limits the president’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to two enumerated situations: times of declared war, and times of invasion or “predatory incursion” by a foreign nation or government. The Act has only been invoked three times in American history: the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. A Venezuelan gang does not qualify as an arm of the Venezuelan government.

    By claiming a foreign “invasion” or “incursion,” you are clearly attempting to suspend due process for noncitizens and speed up your mass deportation campaign. Circumventing immigration law, and its requirement of verifiable evidence, will result in people with no gang affiliation being incorrectly targeted and deported. Multiple individuals who were subjected to the Alien Enemies Act had ongoing cases arguing that they were not members of Tren de Aragua. An attorney for one individual says that her client was mislabeled as a member of the gang due to a tattoo supporting the Spanish soccer team Real Madrid and for flashing the popular hand symbol for “rock and roll.” Another individual is a tattoo artist. A third individual was a make-up artist who was seeking asylum due to his sexual orientation.

    Aside from these foregoing concerns, your choice of deportation sites will likely subject people to human rights abuses. El Salvador’s prisons are notorious for their inhumane conditions, including denial of medical care, lack of food, and outright torture. Over 260 people have died in those prisons in the last two and a half years, including some with signs of serious physical abuse. An Amnesty International UK report accused the Salvadorian authorities of a “systematic policy of torture towards all those detained.” The specific prison that will house the deported individuals, the Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT), has been described as a place “to dispose of people without formally applying the death penalty.” According to a Times reporter who watched the individuals be transferred to CECOT, the “intake began with slaps.” When detainees fell due to how quickly they were being moved, they were kicked, slapped, and shoved. One person asked for his mom and cried. He was slapped again. We should not subject individuals to mistreatment and more, much less individuals who have had no due process and have not been found guilty of any crimes.

    At this point, we request that you provide us with information and regular updates on the following:

    1. The names, nationalities, and ages of the people sent to El Salvador to be imprisoned in CECOT, including the number of individuals under the age of 18;
    2. What evidence was used to determine that each individual was a member of Tren de Aragua;
    3. The overall estimated costs and sources of funding associated with detaining and deporting these individuals; and
    4. The procedures for individuals to challenge your administration’s determination that they are a member of Tren de Aragua, either here in the United States or in El Salvador, including how much time you provide to individuals to mount a legal challenge.

    In closing, invoking the Alien Enemies Act does not make Americans safer. It endangers all of us, by removing due process protections and ignoring the plain text of the statute. We urge you to abandon this decision.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Nigeria

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 18, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. These reforms have put Nigeria in a better position to navigate the external environment.
    • The macroeconomic outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.
    • Macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, reduce inflation, and support private sector-led growth.

    An International Monetary Fund team, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF mission chief for Nigeria, visited Lagos and Abuja on April 2–15 to hold discussions for the 2025 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria. The team met with Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso, senior government and central bank officials, the Ministry of the Environment, the private sector, academia, labor unions, and civil society. At the end of the visit, Mr. Axel Schimmelpfennig, issued the following statement:

    “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies were removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved. Gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians as poverty and food insecurity remain high.

    ”The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy. The reforms since 2023 have put the Nigerian economy in a better position to navigate this external environment. Looking ahead, macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, while creating enabling conditions for private sector-led growth.

    “The authorities communicated to the mission that they will implement the 2025 budget in a manner that is responsive to the decline in international oil prices. A neutral fiscal stance would support monetary policy to bring down inflation. To safeguard key spending priorities, it is imperative that fiscal savings from the fuel subsidy removal are channeled to the budget. In particular, adjustments should protect critical, growth-enhancing investment, while accelerating and broadening the delivery of cash transfers under the World Bank-supported program to provide relief to those experiencing food insecurity.

    “A tight monetary policy stance is required to firmly guide inflation down. The Monetary Policy Committee’s data-dependent approach has served Nigeria well and will help navigate elevated macroeconomic uncertainty. Announcing a disinflation path to serve as an intermediate target can help anchor inflation expectations.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Statement on Mozambique

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 18, 2025/APO Group/ —

    An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mr. Pablo Lopez Murphy, visited Maputo from February 19 to March 4, 2025, to discuss policy implementation under the ECF arrangement. Discussions related to the program reviews continued virtually in the subsequent weeks.

    Following these discussions, the Mozambican authorities and IMF staff have reached an understanding not to proceed with the remaining Reviews under the ECF-supported arrangement. To better align IMF support with the new government’s priorities and vision, the Mozambican authorities have requested the initiation of discussions for a new IMF program. Discussions with IMF staff will begin in the period ahead.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Introduces Bill to Stand Up for Wisconsin Workers Impacted by Harmful Trade Policies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues introduced a bill to stand back up a successful program that supports American workers who have lost their jobs or suffered reduced hours or wages due to harmful trade policies. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Reauthorization Act of 2025 would bring back the TAA Program, which expired in 2022 and offers a range of services to support displaced workers, including access to skills training, job search and relocation assistance, and extended income support.
    “For years, I’ve fought bad trade deals that were a race to the bottom, shipped Wisconsin jobs overseas, and hollowed out our communities. When Wisconsin workers bear the brunt of unfair trade policies, we have to ensure they have the tools and support that they need to get back on their feet and back in the workforce,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to fight for our workers and ensure they have a helping hand when they are the ones to pay the price from bad trade deals – because at the end of the day, it’s our workers who make our Made in Wisconsin economy move forward.”
    Since its creation in 1974, more than 5 million Americans have benefitted from the TAA Program, with more than 75 percent of participants successfully finding new jobs within six months. Since the program expired, nearly 200,000 workers – including more than 3,200 in Wisconsin – who may qualify for assistance have been unable to receive TAA given the lapse in authorization.   
    The TAA Reauthorization Act of 2025 would reauthorize the TAA Program through 2031 to help ensure American workers have access to the resources they need to transition to new employment opportunities at the same level or higher than their previous job.
    The TAA Reauthorization Act of 2025 is supported by the United Auto Workers (UAW), United Steel Workers (USW), AFL-CIO, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).  
    This bill is led by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and also co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Demand Answers on Trump DHS Attempt to Enter Los Angeles Elementary Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Demand Answers on Trump DHS Attempt to Enter Los Angeles Elementary Schools

    After meeting with Homeland Security Investigations last week, Senators express serious concerns about fear caused by HSI’s school visit, push for no further visits without a warrant
    LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) demanded additional answers from the Trump Administration regarding last week’s attempt by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) elementary schools to question students. Their letter follows a meeting with HSI leadership and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials last week that raised additional questions on how and why these visits to LAUSD elementary schools were conducted. The Senators expressed serious concern about the erosion of public trust in the local community and called for assurances that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.
    In the Senators’ meeting last week with HSI and ICE officials, HSI claimed that they went to LAUSD schools to conduct a “welfare check” on formerly unaccompanied children. Padilla and Schiff questioned why HSI did not coordinate with the California Department of Social Services or the schools if they believed these children were at risk, and pressed HSI leadership not to undertake any further “welfare checks” without a warrant.
    “We are deeply concerned that HSI officers attempted to question several children, between first and sixth grade, during the school day apparently without contacting or coordinating in advance with the schools, parents or guardians, or state or local child welfare agencies,” wrote the Senators. “Though the agents were purportedly there to conduct a ‘welfare check’ on the children, their actions instead terrorized hundreds of thousands of students across Los Angeles and undermine public trust. We urge you to ensure that HSI does not conduct any additional ‘welfare checks’ on school premises and that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.”
    “These types of ‘welfare checks’ scare children and their family members, rather than promote their safety,” continued the Senators. “If ICE and HSI want to ensure unaccompanied children’s welfare, these agencies should urge the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House to restore legal and social services for these children, rather than terrorizing them and their classmates at school.”
    While trying to enter these schools, HSI agents reportedly falsely told staff that they had gotten prior permission from the students’ families to talk to them. The Senators asked for a review of the agents’ alleged conduct, including why they reportedly felt compelled to deceitfully claim they had permission to speak with students.
    Additionally, the Senators demanded a full briefing on the nature, scale, and purpose of these “welfare checks,” the policies and protocols involved, and whether steps were taken to consult with victim services, experts, and children’s attorneys before these visits. They also asked for information on whether ICE has conducted subsequent immigration enforcement in California or across the country during these “welfare checks.”
    In a joint statement last week, Padilla and Schiff expressed their outrage at HSI agents’ attempts to enter LAUSD elementary schools.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Acting Executive Associate Director Hammer,
    Thank you for taking the time to speak with us last week. We write to express our continued outrage with the conduct of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents who attempted to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) elementary schools earlier this month. We are deeply concerned that HSI officers attempted to question several children, between first and sixth grade, during the school day apparently without contacting or coordinating in advance with the schools, parents or guardians, or state or local child welfare agencies. Though the agents were purportedly there to conduct a “welfare check” on the children, their actions instead terrorized hundreds of thousands of students across Los Angeles and undermine public trust. We urge you to ensure that HSI does not conduct any additional “welfare checks” on school premises and that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.
    We understand from our conversation with you that the stated purpose of HSI agents at the school was not to conduct immigration enforcement, but instead to undertake a “welfare check” on formerly unaccompanied children. We do not understand why, if you obtained evidence that led you to believe that these children were in danger, your agency has not made a referral to the California Department of Social Services and did not coordinate with the school in advance of the “welfare check” regarding potential child welfare or trafficking concerns.
    When we spoke, we informed you that reports indicated that, while attempting to enter the schools, HSI officers falsely told school staff that they received permission from the families to speak with their children. You informed us that you were unfamiliar with those details and would look into the matter. We would like to understand what steps you are taking to review and address your agents’ conduct, including determining why they said they received permission to speak with children from their families when that was not the case.
    We also request that you provide us with a full briefing on the nature, scale, and objectives of, and policies and protocols surrounding these “welfare checks,” including whether there was any officer training, coordination with victim services, or consultation with experts about conducting these visits with a victim-centered approach, as well as whether ICE is contacting children’s attorneys of record prior to conducting “welfare checks” of represented children. We further request information on what, if any, enforcement actions against formerly unaccompanied children and/or their sponsors ICE has performed in connection with the “welfare checks” both in California and nationally, including any initiation of removal proceedings, detentions, or removals.
    These types of “welfare checks” scare children and their family members, rather than promote their safety. If ICE and HSI want to ensure unaccompanied children’s welfare, these agencies should urge the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House to restore legal and social services for these children, rather than terrorizing them and their classmates at school.
    We ask that you respond to our questions by May 2, 2025. We urge you to end any efforts to conduct “welfare checks” on school premises and to ensure that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

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