NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Update on Measles situation in Alberta

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Takes Action to Protect Free Speech

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other attorneys general today took legal action to stop the Trump administration’s “Ideological Deportation Policy,” a sweeping and alarming effort to arrest, detain, and deport noncitizens for exercising their right to free speech. In an amicus brief filed in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio, the attorneys general urge the Court to block enforcement of the administration’s policy, which targets individuals, many of them students and scholars, for immigration enforcement based on their beliefs. The attorneys general argue this policy is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and is inflicting lasting harm on academic institutions, students, and state economies.

    “Our democracy depends on the freedom to think, to speak, and to learn without fear,” said Attorney General James. “No one should face detention or deportation for exercising their right to free speech – not in New York, or in any other state in our nation. This policy is a dangerous overreach, and I will not allow fear and censorship to replace freedom and opportunity. My office is standing firmly against any effort to weaponize immigration to silence free speech and dissent.”

    In the brief, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the Trump administration is weaponizing immigration enforcement to punish individuals for expressing their political views, in clear violation of the First Amendment’s free speech protections. The attorneys general assert that this targeted censorship, which has reportedly resulted in more than 800 visa cancellations in recent weeks, undermines academic freedom, suppresses classroom conversation, and sends a chilling message to students and faculty nationwide. The attorneys general highlight disturbing examples of federal overreach, including the arrest of a Tufts University PhD student by masked, plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after she co-authored an op-ed in a campus newspaper – a case that has created widespread fear among international students at institutions across the country.

    The attorneys general argue that the federal government’s aggressive enforcement tactics, including sudden raids, public arrests by undercover officers, and swift out-of-state transfers, serve no legitimate public safety or national security purpose. Instead, they simply serve to intimidate noncitizens into silence, violating constitutional rights and using fear as a tool of enforcement.

    Attorney General James and the coalition warn of the devastating impact this policy has on higher education. Colleges and universities rely on the open exchange of ideas to foster learning and innovation, and international students and scholars are central to that mission. In New York and across the country, noncitizens bring vital perspectives, conduct groundbreaking research, and contribute significantly to economic growth. Their forced departure threatens both institutional excellence and state economies.

    In New York, the effects are already being felt. The State University of New York (SUNY) system has already experienced a sharp decline in international applications, visa approvals, and continued enrollment. Moreover, faculty and students are canceling academic travel, forgoing research funding, and reconsidering their futures in the country out of fear of deportation or reentry denial. The federal government’s policy is also having a chilling effect on academic speech, particularly on global and political issues, and threatening programs, finances, and international partnerships.

    The policy’s consequences extend beyond academia. The attorneys general argue that when noncitizens fear they could be deported for their beliefs, they are less likely to report crimes, seek healthcare, or participate in civic and religious life – threatening public safety, public health, and religious freedom. Economically, the policy discourages global talent from coming to or remaining in the United States, jeopardizing industries that rely on international workers and students.

    Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the Court to halt this policy immediately, which they argue is making states less safe, less democratic, and less free.

    Joining Attorney General James in this brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Colleagues Demand Reversal of Chaotic and Destructive Tariffs that Could Devastate U.S. Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    04.11.25

    Cantwell, Colleagues Demand Reversal of Chaotic and Destructive Tariffs that Could Devastate U.S. Small Businesses

    In letter to Commerce Secretary Lutnick, Senators say Trump’s 10% tariff on all nations will “upend the global trade system that small businesses rely on to bring their goods to market”; Last Thursday, Cantwell introduced a bipartisan bill that would reassert Congress’ role in setting & overseeing U.S. trade policy

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined 12 of her Senate colleagues in a letter demanding that Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and President Donald Trump immediately reverse course on the sweeping tariffs that are devastating small businesses across the nation.  Cantwell previously chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

    The senators emphasized how these new taxes on imported goods are raising prices for hardworking Americans and creating additional challenges for small businesses at a time when high costs are already making it difficult for them to operate.

    Sen. Cantwell recently introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025, which would reassert Congress’ role in setting and overseeing U.S. trade policy. It has gained the endorsement of national small business groups like the Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority.

    “Most small businesses operate on razor thin margins, so any increase in costs could be devastating for both day-to-day operations and business’ long-term success,” wrote the senators. “Now is the time to invest in our small businesses to ensure they have the resources necessary to navigate today’s high-cost environment. Across-the-board tariffs will have the opposite effect, squeezing small firms that lack the capital and resources to mitigate the worst effects of President Trump’s new trade barriers.”

    “From hospitality to retail to manufacturing, President Trump’s sweeping tariffs have the potential to upend decades of economic interdependence that allowed our nation’s small businesses to thrive. They must be reconsidered. To that end, we respectfully ask that you work with the President to reverse course on the 10 percent tariffs on all countries,” they continued.

    Washington state is home to 644,868 small businesses, which together employ more than 1.4 million people, accounting for 49% of all of the state’s workers.

    In addition to Sen. Cantwell, the letter was signed by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Warner (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Gary Peters (D-MI).

    A link to the letter is HERE.

    On April 3, Sen. Cantwell introduced a bipartisan bill to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy, and reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs.

    READ MORE: The Wall Street Journal: Senators Move to Rein In Trump’s Power on Tariffs

    HEAR MORE: NPR: Sen. Maria Cantwell says there is bipartisan support to rein in Trump’s tariffs

    WATCH MORE: Forbes: ‘I Don’t Know What You Think’: Maria Cantwell Laces Into US Trade Rep Over Trump’s Tariffs

    The bill has since picked up 12 additional cosponsors – an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats – and been endorsed by multiple major U.S. business organizations, including the National Retail Federation, which is the largest retail trade association in the world.

    In addition, a bipartisan group in the House of Representatives has introduced a companion version of Sen. Cantwell’s legislation, which also is cosponsored by equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats.

    The bill restores Congress’ authority and responsibility over tariffs as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution by placing the following limits on the president’s power to impose tariffs:

    • To enact a new tariff, the president must notify Congress of the imposition of (or increase in) the tariff within 48 hours.
      • The Congressional notification must include an explanation of the president’s reasoning for imposing or raising the tariff, and
      • Provide analysis of potential impact on American businesses and consumers.
    • Within 60 days, Congress must pass a joint resolution of approval on the new tariff, otherwise all new tariffs on imports expire after that deadline.
    • Under the bill, Congress has the ability to end tariffs at any time by passing a resolution of disapproval.
    • Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are excluded.

    The full bill text is available HERE.

    For the past three months, President Trump has been sowing economic chaos across the country with unpredictable and ever-changing tariff announcements. His back-and-forth announcements and actions, which have whipsawed American businesses and consumers, as well as close neighbors and allies, include:

    • On January 31 — citing punishment for failing to crack down on fentanyl trafficking — the Trump administration announced plans to impose a 25% tax on many goods imported into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tax on goods imported from China, then abruptly postponed those tariffs.
    • In February, he doubled down, announcing an additional 25% tax on all steel and aluminum imports.
    • At 12:01 a.m. ET on March 4, President Trump’s long-promised 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% tariff increase on goods from China took effect, causing stock prices in the United States to plummet.
    • Then, on March 5, he announced that automobiles from Canada and Mexico would be exempt from his tariffs for one month.
    • The morning of March 6, he announced that he would suspend the tariffs for some products from Mexico. Then, later that same afternoon, he announced he was suspending most new tariffs on products from both Mexico and Canada until April 2.
    • On March 11, Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum – increasing them to 50% – before reversing himself later the same day.
    • On March 13, he threatened 200% tariffs on alcoholic products from the European Union, including all wine and Champagne.
    • On March 27, he announced plans to impose a 25% tax on all imported sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans, and light trucks, as well as some auto parts, beginning on April 2.
    • On March 29, President Trump said, “I couldn’t care less,” if automakers raise the price of cars in response to his tariffs.
    • On April 2, he announced a “National Economic Emergency,” and signed an executive order declaring a 10% minimum baseline tariff on all countries as well as additional tariffs on nearly 60 countries.
    • On April 7, he threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on China.
    • On April 9, he announced a rollback of his April 2 tariffs down to the 10% baseline across the board, with the exception of China, which he increased to 125%.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Stefanik Joined Fox News The Story to Discuss Safeguarding American Elections and Joining President Trump in Holding Columbia University Accountable

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

    ICYMI: Stefanik Joined Fox News The Story to Discuss Safeguarding American Elections and Joining President Trump in Holding Columbia University Accountable | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jim Costa Votes Against Republicans’ Reckless Budget Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa released the following statement after he voted against Congressional Republicans’ reckless budget resolution, H.Con.Res 14, which would establish the congressional budget for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2025.“In less than 100 days, President Trump and Republicans have created economic chaos. Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs, crashing the stock market, and squeezing the pocketbooks of Americans. Now, Republicans are gutting Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical lifelines with the biggest cuts in history. I voted against this reckless budget resolution because turning our backs on America’s safety isn’t leadership, it’s cruelty. I won’t stop fighting back.” said Congressman Costa.BACKGROUNDCongressional Republicans passed a budget resolution that unlocks the next step in the budget reconciliation process and will allow committees in both the House and the Senate to begin drafting legislation to meet their targets, but Republicans long ago leaked their menu of options.

    Energy and Commerce Committee to cut at least $880 billion, which will lead to deep cuts to Medicaid – impacting 456,532 Medicaid enrollees in Costa’s district, and over 1.8 million enrollees in the San Joaquin Valley. 
    Agriculture Committee to cut at least $230 billion from nutrition assistance, which would cause over 131,000 people in Costa’s district to lose SNAP/food stamps. 
    Oversight and Reform Committee to cut at least $50 billion, which would endanger government employee retirement benefits and further cut the federal workforce. 
    Education and Workforce Committee to cut at least $330 billion targeting student loan programs, income-driven repayment, Pell grants, and school meals. 
    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to claw back $10 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, preventing further investments in the San Joaquin Valley and California.  

    This also instructs the House Ways and Means Committee to approve tax cuts of $4.5 trillion over 10 years, while raising the deficit without accountability.
    The Yale Budget Lab found that the bottom 40 percent of Americans would see their costs go up and 70 percent of the benefits from the Republican budget would go to the richest 5 percent.  According to data from the House Budget Democrats, over 1.8 million people across the San Joaquin Valley depend on Medicaid – that’s larger than the state of West Virginia’s entire population.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: REP. FRENCH HILL SUPPORTS CRITICAL BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL ADVANCING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PRO-GROWTH REFORMS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

    RELEASE: REP. FRENCH HILL SUPPORTS CRITICAL BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL ADVANCING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PRO-GROWTH REFORMS

    WASHINGTON, D.C., April 11, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, after the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 216-214, the FY25 Concurrent Budget Resolution as amended by the U.S. Senate, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement:

    “The budget resolution passed by the House yesterday marks a turning point after years of failed policies by the Biden-Harris Administration. It is a serious effort by Republicans to return America to fiscally responsible solutions and sound economic policies that promote growth and lay the foundation to make permanent President Trump’s tax cuts that benefit working families, small businesses, and the middle class. 

    “I commend and look forward to working with House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington and my Republican colleagues to implement President Trump’s economic vision — a vision grounded in lower inflation, higher wages, more jobs, and renewed prosperity for all Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SHARES UPDATE ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSED FEES AT U.S. PORTS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

    For Immediate Release                                          Contact: Tionee Scotland

    April 11, 2025                                                           202-808-6129

    PRESS RELEASE

    CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SHARES UPDATE ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSED FEES AT U.S. PORTS

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett shared the following update regarding President Trump’s executive order on the maritime industry:

    “This week, President Trump announced an executive order which doubles down on previous tariff directives and provides a structure to move ahead with the administration’s Section 301 tariff actions which will impose significant port fees on maritime transport operators with fleets comprised of Chinese-built vessels. If the order comes into full effect, it will result in significant port fees on maritime transport operators servicing the United States Virgin Islands. The order also directs the U.S. Trade Representative to consider imposing fees on Chinese-built cranes and other cargo-handling equipment, an action which could affect almost every port in America.

    “These actions will cause increased shipping costs, shipping delays and, in some cases, the wholesale termination of service by cargo carriers to impacted locations throughout the coast of the United States and especially places like the Virgin Islands.

    “I am particularly concerned for coastal and island communities, including the Virgin Islands, where the imposition of these punitive measures will skyrocket costs of food and other everyday items that must be imported by the maritime industry.

    “My team and I have been highly engaged with the Virgin Islands maritime industry, as well as stakeholders, including meeting with the ambassadors to the Caribbean nations, to track the implications of President Trump’s executive order on ship owners, operators, and builders.

    “Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to question US Trade Relations Ambassador Jameison Greer during a Ways & Means Committee hearing and urged the ambassador to consider the practical impacts of tariff actions on the US outlying areas and ultimately reconsider these actions. Our communities would bear tremendous undue cost, which makes clear the need for an exemption. I am also leading a letter to USTR Ambassador Greer and the Administration to make the case for this exemption and underscore the impact of these fees on the Virgin Islands, which will permeate through the Caribbean region.

    “Under the order, transport operators with fleets comprised of Chinese-built vessels will be charged up to $1.5 million per vessel entrance to an American port, as well as an ‘additional fee’ of up to $1 million per vessel entrance to an American port if the number of foreign-built vessels in the operator’s fleet is equal to or greater than 25 percent. Even vessels under the U.S. flag, operated and owned by a U.S. entity that are Chinese-built would be subject to the fees in USTR’s proposal. We continue to urge the Trump Administration to heed the feedback of elected officials, the maritime industry, and stakeholders even amidst the imposition of these actions that will have radically negative consequences for our corner of the American experience.

    “I will continue to collaborate in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues, stakeholders, and the Virgin Islands community to advance the interests of the Virgin Islands.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Missouri Gang Member Indicted for Murder in Aid of Racketeering and Other Crimes Including Three Murders

    Source: US State of California

    A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Missouri returned an indictment on Wednesday charging Travis Santel Jones, 21, of St. Louis, Missouri, with one count of murder in aid of racketeering, RICO conspiracy, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and causing death with a firearm, all related to Jones’s alleged part in the Cochran Crips, a violent street gang based in St. Louis. Two victims were gunned down in the street and one victim was killed at his own home.

    “There is no place in our communities for groups that terrorize their neighbors,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This indictment alleges violent criminal acts and the tragic loss of three lives, all at the hands of a dangerous gang member. The Department of Justice’s Criminal Division will continue to pursue justice for these victims and for the people of St. Louis.”

    “The alleged activity here is exactly the type of case that the Violent Crime Initiative was designed to tackle — complex criminal conspiracies involving drugs and years of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming for the Eastern District of Missouri. “There are severe federal consequences for anyone who is tempted to kill and maim to peddle poison.”

    “For years, FBI St. Louis has been investigating violent crimes and drug trafficking by Cochran Crips gang members. In 2020, our office surged resources to assist the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department after two innocent Saint Louis University students were gunned down simply because their vehicle was misidentified by the gang,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not stop until we bring all those involved in the murders to justice.”

    “Violence has no place in our community, and this indictment sends a clear message: we will always be a voice for victims, and we will not stop pursuing justice until there is accountability,” said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Tracy. “I am proud of the dedication by our investigators on this case, and we will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners to keep our neighborhoods safe and take dangerous criminals off our streets.”

    According to court documents, Jones conspired with other Cochran Crips members to commit multiple acts of murder and multiple drug trafficking offenses. Specifically, it is alleged in July 2020, Jones and other members were driving the streets of St. Louis, armed with multiple firearms, looking for “get backs” (retaliation) against a rival gang. While searching for rival gang members, Jones and others allegedly killed two innocent people whom they mistakenly believed to be rivals. After allegedly shooting and killing the victims, Jones and other Cochran Crips allegedly sped away, fleeing the scene and endangering other motorists on the road. Just a day after the murders, it is alleged that Cochran Crips gang members glorified the murders in a rap song.

    In 2022, Jones allegedly murdered another Cochran Crips member when the gang believed that the victim had disrespected a fellow gang member. The gang members are alleged to have obtained a car, armed themselves with multiple firearms, drove to the victim’s home, and murdered him.

    If convicted of murder in aid of racketeering, Jones faces a mandatory minimum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty. All other charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.  

    The FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Jared A. Hernandez and Matthew Mattis of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nino Przulj for the Eastern District of Missouri are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative in St. Louis conducted in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Missouri and local, state, and federal law enforcement. The joint effort addresses violent crime by employing, where appropriate, federal laws to prosecute gang members and their associates in St. Louis.

    This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two Members of a Transnational Money Laundering Organization Sentenced for Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds

    Source: US State of California

    A Georgia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to launder millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of foreign drug trafficking organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (the Jalisco cartel). On Dec. 4, 2024, his co-conspirator was sentenced to 90 months in prison for his role in the money laundering scheme.

    According to court documents, Li Pei Tan, 47, of Buford, Georgia, and Chaojie Chen, 41, a Chinese national who resided in Chicago, worked for an organization that laundered millions of dollars in proceeds related to the importation and distribution of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico. Tan, Chen, and their co-conspirators traveled throughout the United States to collect proceeds of fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, among other drugs. The defendants communicated and coordinated with co-conspirators in China and other foreign countries to arrange the laundering of these proceeds through financial transactions that were designed to conceal the illicit source of the drug money, including through a sophisticated trade-based money laundering scheme involving purchasing bulk electronics in the United States and shipping them to co-conspirators in China.

    On multiple occasions prior to Chen’s May 2024 arrest, law enforcement seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in bulk cash drug proceeds from Chen at locations across the United States. Tan was intercepted by law enforcement in South Carolina while attempting to transport over $197,000 in drug proceeds.

    According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Drug Threat Assessment, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are at the heart of the fentanyl crisis in the United States.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Special Agent in Charge Louis A. D’Ambrosio of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Special Operations Division made the announcement.

    The DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit investigated the case, with assistance from the DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit and the DEA’s offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina.

    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, 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).

    Trial Attorney Mary K. Daly of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter: How Idaho is Taking Legal Action Against Illegal Immigration

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Dear Friends,
    Illegal immigration isn’t just a problem for South Texas, Arizona, or California. It’s a national crisis—and Idaho is feeling the impact. Trafficking routes stretch from both the southern and northern borders into every region of the country, and our communities are not immune.
    Here in Idaho, we’ve seen the consequences of the last four years: cartel-linked drug operations, the exploitation of minors through human trafficking, and illegal labor that drives down wages and strains schools, hospitals, and law enforcement. These aren’t distant policy debates—they are real threats to the safety of Idaho families, the economy, and our state sovereignty.
    As your Attorney General, I want to speak plainly about what my office is doing, what state law gives us the authority to do, and why understanding those boundaries is essential to having a serious conversation about public safety and immigration enforcement.
    Under current Idaho law, the Attorney General does not have general authority to investigate or prosecute immigration-related crimes. Unlike local prosecutors and sheriffs, whose jurisdiction is county-based, my office may only act where specific authority has been granted by state law.
    For example, the Legislature has authorized my office to investigate internet crimes against children statewide under Idaho Code section 67-1410. But state law does not currently authorize my office to investigate or prosecute most crimes like human trafficking or crimes included in the Idaho ICE Act. This isn’t a matter of discretion—it’s the legal framework we’re required to follow.
    That distinction matters. While we partner closely with local and federal law enforcement whenever possible, our jurisdiction is defined by the authority granted to us in state law. Until that law changes, we will continue to use every legal tool available and authorized to protect Idahoans.
    And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
    Over the past two years, my office has joined multiple lawsuits to stop the Biden Administration’s unlawful immigration policies. We partnered with Texas in defending its sovereign right to secure its own border. And just this week, I joined a coalition of states in an amicus brief defending the Trump Administration’s authority to enforce federal immigration law and block sanctuary policies in states like Illinois.
    At the same time, we’re actively defending Idaho’s legislative efforts to safeguard public safety. That includes House Bill 83, recently enacted to strengthen our state’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Predictably, the ACLU filed suit almost immediately after the bill was signed into law. This week, my office appeared in federal court to defend the law and Idaho’s authority to play a meaningful role in enforcing immigration policy. While the court issued a narrow temporary restraining order blocking two provisions—those that would create state-level offenses for unlawful entry or re-entry into the U.S. when tied to a separate criminal investigation or detention—it allowed the rest of the law to temporarily take effect immediately while we await the judge’s full decision. That’s a significant step forward in Idaho’s ongoing effort to work alongside federal partners to protect our state.
    With a new administration in Washington ready to restore the rule of law and national security, Idaho has a partner in the federal government willing to enforce immigration policy instead of undermining it. My office is engaged, coordinated, and committed to using every authority granted to us under Idaho law to defend our state’s sovereignty and protect our communities.
    Best regards,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Surpasses $12 Billion in Compensation to Crime Victims Since 2000

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    To commemorate the 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Department of Justice reaffirms its steadfast commitment to compensate crime victims with federally forfeited assets. The Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program has surpassed $12 billion in compensation to crime victims.

    In fiscal year 2024 and the beginning of fiscal year 2025 alone, more than $735.3 million has been returned to victims of human trafficking; romance, investment, and healthcare fraud; business email compromise and government imposter schemes; drug diversion; and cryptocurrency-related thefts and frauds.

    “This extraordinary milestone demonstrates the effectiveness of the Asset Forfeiture Program in taking the profit out of crime and compensating victims,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While the Criminal Division is deeply proud of these efforts, we recognize that crime victims often lose much more than money. We hope that victims, from exploited children to older Americans targeted by sophisticated criminal schemes, can move forward in their recovery through this compensation. This milestone was made possible by the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, which manages the Asset Forfeiture Program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and the many federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have dedicated their time and resources to these investigations.”  

    Recent cases in which victims were compensated for their losses with forfeited assets in 2024 or 2025 include:

    $4.3 Billion to Victims of Bernie Madoff

    United States v. Bernard L. Madoff (Southern District of New York)

    In December 2024, the Justice Department announced that the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) would make its 10th and final distribution of over $131.4 million to victims of the Bernard L. Madoff fraud scheme. These funds were forfeited by the U.S. government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS) fraud scheme. Through its 10 distributions, MVF paid over $4.3 billion from forfeited funds to 40,930 victims in 127 countries for losses they suffered from the collapse of BLMIS, bringing recovery for victims to nearly 94% of their fraud loss. According to court documents and information presented in related proceedings, for decades, Madoff used his position as chairman of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, the investment advisory business he founded in 1960, to steal billions from his clients. On March 12, 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family, and select members of his inner circle.

    $420 Million to Victims of Fraud Schemes Facilitated by Western Union

    United States v. The Western Union Company (Middle District of Pennsylvania)

    In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States. Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud.  Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of the international consumer fraud scheme through the remission process. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission. To date, the Criminal Division has disbursed more than $420 million to approximately 175,000 victims.

    $8 Million Returned to Victims of Email Business Compromise Scams

    United States v. Olalekan Jacob Ponle (Northern District of Illinois)

    Olalekan Jacob Ponle worked with co-schemers to engage in numerous business email compromise schemes. The co-schemers used phishing links to gain unauthorized access to email accounts and then created false instructions directing employees of the victim companies to wire money to bank accounts opened by money mules at Ponle’s direction. After unwitting employees wired money, in some cases millions of dollars, to the bank accounts, Ponle instructed the money mules to convert the proceeds to Bitcoin and send them to him. As a result of Ponle’s scheme, victim companies suffered more than $8.03 million in actual losses. The government seized the Bitcoin, obtained a final order of forfeiture, liquidated the cryptocurrency, and used the proceeds to compensate the victims of Ponle’s fraud.

    $5.6 Million to the Small Business Administration

    United States v. Aydin Kalantarov, et al. (Northern District of Ohio)

    According to court documents, from May 2020 through October 2020, Aydin Kalantarov, along with his two brothers, Zaur Kalantarli and Ali Kalantarli, conspired to defraud the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) of nearly $7 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). As part of the scheme the brothers created 70 fictious Ohio corporations with agriculture sounding names. Once the fictitious corporations were created, the brothers submitted fraudulent EIDL loan applications to the SBA claiming that their business was adversely affected by the pandemic. The SBA funded 47 of the applications for a total of approximately $7 million. $5.6 million in forfeited funds was transferred to the clerk of the court for payment to the SBA.

    $2.28 Million Returned to Victims of Two Business Email Compromise Schemes

    United States v. Contents of TD Bank Account, Account Ending 7684, Held in the Name of O’Shane K. Malcolm, et al. (District of Connecticut)

    United States v. Contents of Truist Bank Account Ending 5792, Held in The Name of Quest Freight LLC (District of Connecticut)

    In the first scam, criminal actors compromised an email account associated with a member of the management team of a city’s Board of Education.  In June 2023, these actors created a fake email account that mimicked the email of a bus company that held a contract with the Board of Education for bussing. Using the fake bus company email address, the criminal actors then were able to change the bus company’s payment information from the real bus company to an account held by the criminal actors, and the city sent approximately $5.9 million dollars to the account.  The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,187,691 of the stolen money, which was returned to the city through remission.

    The second forfeiture action involved a healthcare company that was a victim of a business email compromise (BEC) attack.  In April 2023, the company’s yearly medical malpractice insurance payment was set to be paid.  Shortly before the due date, the company received a fraudulent email, purportedly from its malpractice insurance company, with new wire instructions.  The company sent approximately $1,652,254 via a wire transfer using the newly provided instructions. The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,100,694 remaining in the account, which was returned to the healthcare company through remissions.

    $328,500 to an Elderly Victim of a Computer Support Scam

    United States v. Discovery Bank Account Ending in 2237 (District of Connecticut)

    According to court documents, in February 2024, an elderly woman who was tricked by a computer support scheme that mimicked Microsoft customer support transferred approximately $550,000 to the scammers in two wire transfers. Within two days of the transfers, the victim and a family member reported the incident to a local police department, who then partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to investigate the crime. Fortunately, one of the wire transfers, in the amount of $221,000, was reversed by the bank and returned to the victim. HSI traced the remaining money, totaling approximately $328,573, and seized it. The U.S. Attorney’s Office then filed a civil asset forfeiture action to forfeit the money to the government, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI then worked with the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section to return the money to the victim.

    $6.4 Million to the Internal Revenue Service

    United States v. Michael Little (Middle District of Florida)

    From 2019 to 2021, Michael Little filed a series of false tax returns claiming massive, bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and in the names of co-conspirators and identity theft victims. As a result of this scheme, Little and his co-conspirators obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators also conspired to launder their ill-gotten gains and used significant portions of the fraudulent tax refunds to purchase real estate and other assets.  Over $6.4 million in forfeited funds were transferred to the clerk of court for payment to the IRS.

    $52,000 to a Survivor of Human Trafficking

    United States v. Thuy Tien Luong (Western District of North Carolina)

    Thuy Tien Luong was convicted of forced labor and ordered to serve 15 years in prison for compelling the labor of one of her nail technicians at a salon she owned and operated. From October 2016 to June 2018, Luong forced the survivor’s labor by, among other things, physically assaulting the survivor, threatening to ruin the survivor’s reputation with her family, and falsely claiming that the survivor owed Luong a fictitious debt. In addition to resulting in the return of funds seized from Luong to the Clerk of Court to pay the survivor, the case also resulted in the return to the survivor of a seized bracelet that Luong had held as “payment” towards the survivor’s fictitious debt.

    $6.3 Million Returned to Estate Victims of an Embezzlement Scheme

    United States v. Richard J. Sherwood, et al. (Northern District of New York)

    Starting in 2006, Richard J. Sherwood and Thomas K. Lagan provided estate planning and related legal services to Capital Region philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman, and to Pauline’s sister, Anne Urban, all of Niskayuna, New York.  They were advising the Bruggemans when, in 2006, the Bruggemans signed wills directing that all their assets go to churches, civic organizations, a local hospital, and a local university scholarship fund, aside from bequests to Urban and Julia Rentz, Pauline’s sisters.

    Warren Bruggeman died in April 2009, and Pauline died in August 2011. In each pleading guilty, Sherwood and Lagan admitted that they conspired to steal, and did steal, millions of dollars from Pauline Bruggeman’s estate as well as from the estate of Urban, who died in 2013. The co-conspirators admitted that they stole $11,831,563 and Sherwood also admitted that he transferred to himself the Bruggeman family camp located on Galway Lake, in Saratoga County.

    For additional information about the Department of Justice’s victim compensation program, please visit: Criminal Division | Victims.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Foreign Nationals With Prior Convictions For Illegally Reentering The United States

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – Mexican and Salvadorian nationals residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances Thursday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

    David Cristales-Machado, 35, and Juan Manuel Lopez-Mendez, 35, are both charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for April 24, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J Albregts.

    According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Cristales-Machado, a citizen and national of El Salvador, and Lopez-Mendez, a citizen and national of Mexico, were both previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

    On March 22, 2025, Cristales-Machado was remanded to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from the Clark County Detention Center, based on an ICE detainer after he had twice been arrested and convicted of carry a concealed weapon without permit. Cristales-Machado had previously been deported on or about October 8, 2014. Cristales-Machado has three prior felony convictions: two for attempt possession of a stolen vehicle, and one attempt burglary.

    On March 28, 2025, Lopez-Mendez was remanded to the custody of ICE, from the Clark County Detention Center, based on an ICE detainer after he been arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. Lopez-Mendez had previously been deported to Mexico on July 12, 2018. Lopez-Mendez has two prior felony convictions: one for transport of a controlled substance, and another for attempt possession of a stolen vehicle.

    If convicted, Cristales-Machado faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

    If convicted, Lopez-Mendez faces a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

    United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.

    The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

    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.

    A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 116 Border-Related Cases This Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 116 border-related cases this week, including charges of transportation of illegal aliens, bringing in aliens for financial gain, receipt of bribes by public official, reentering the U.S. after deportation, deported alien found in the United States, and importation of controlled substances.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).

    In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.

    A sample of border-related arrests this week, includes:

    • On April 10, six Mexican nationals were arrested and charged with various immigration crimes. According to complaints, they were apprehended by Border Patrol agents while attempting to illegally enter the U.S. about three miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. While an agent turned his attention to two other suspected illegal border crossers, the six defendants absconded after being placed in handcuffs. Jose Lastra Palafox, Pedro Orlando Aguilar-Vazquez, Javier Eduardo Jimenez Gonzalez, Jose Javier Solis Jardon, Joel Alonso Soria-Garcia, and Lazaro Velazquez Morales were later recaptured.
    • On April 6, Jose Manuel Guzman, a United States citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, he was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers when a drug detection dog alerted to his vehicle as he attempted to cross the border at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Officers found 115 packages of methamphetamine weighing 125 pounds, concealed in the quarter panels, gas tank and doors of the vehicle, the complaint said.
    • On April 7, Raul Vallejo-Isordia, Victor Manuel Quintero Sanez, Noe Avila, Jose Juan Cisneros-Cisneros and Valentin Gonzalez-Elizalde – all Mexican nationals – were arrested and charged with Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain and Attempted Entry after Deportation. According to a complaint, the defendants were taken into custody in connection with the smuggling of 17 undocumented immigrants who were intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard 12 miles west of Point Loma.
    • Also on April 7, Dennis Geovanny Marquez-Cordova of Honduras was arrested and charged with Deported Alien Found in the United States. According to a complaint, the defendant had been previously deported.

    Federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.

    The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Federal Prison for Smuggling and Labor Trafficking Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 71, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 51 months of imprisonment for her involvement in a scheme to smuggle aliens into the U.S., harbor them at Hartford area residences, force them to work, and threaten to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest, and other living expenses.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed several Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford.  The investigation revealed that victims typically arranged with Sanchez and others in Connecticut and Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S.  In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico.  They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.

    After the victims arrived in Connecticut, they were told that they would have to pay approximately $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay Sanchez and her co-coconspirators for rent, food, gas and utilities.  Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area.  In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform housework and yardwork without compensation and without having their debt reduced.

    Victims were rarely provided with an accounting of their debt.  If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that Sanchez and her co-conspirators expected, they were sometimes threatened, including with threats to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments.

    To date, investigators have identified 19 victims of this scheme. Multiple victims were minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian.

    Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023.  On October 24, 2024, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage and induce, bring in, transport, and harbor aliens.

    Judge Dooley ordered Sanchez to pay restitution of $574,608.

    Sanchez faces immigration when she completes her prison term.

    This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Key West Man Pleads Guilty in D.C. to Smuggling Firearms from Florida to Haiti

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

               WASHINGTON – Jean Wiltene Eugene, 57, of Key West, Florida, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to one count of smuggling for his role in a gun running operation that illegally exported firearms to Haiti.

               The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Justin Fleck of the Miami Field Office. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22.

               According to court documents, Eugene is a U.S. citizen who was born in Haiti and resides in Key West, Florida. On or about September 23, 2021, Eugene knowingly exported more than two firearms from the United States to Haiti without having first obtained the required license from the Bureau of Industry and Security, located in the District of Columbia. Any person who exports a firearm without proper authorization may be fined up to $1 million and imprisoned for up to 20 years.

               According to court records, Eugene arranged to ship vehicles to Haiti through a Florida-based export company. Eugene signed the company’s terms and conditions of shipments, which required the shipper to affirm that the vehicles did not contain any firearms or ammunition. In a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Eugene admitted that, in 2020 and 2021, he shipped two vehicles to Haiti with firearms hidden inside. Eugene stated that he placed food and other items around the bins holding the firearms so border authorities would not find the weapons.

               In a later interview with federal agents Eugene stated that nine firearms he purchased in Key West under his name were currently located at his gas station in Haiti and that none of those firearms remained in the United States. He admitted that he knew it was illegal to ship weapons to Haiti when confronted by the federal agents.

               Pursuant to an active arrest warrant, Eugene was arrested at a traffic stop on May 4, 2024, in Key West.

               This case is being investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Paschall and Trial Attorney Beau Barnes of the National Security Division.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $5.7 million for generators in Vermilion, St. Helena, St. John the Baptist Parishes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $5,658,060 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for generators in Vermilion, St. Helena and St. John the Baptist Parishes.

    “Louisianians work hard to make their communities more resilient and prepare for the next storm. This $5.7 million will make sure Vermilion, St. Helena and St. John the Baptist Parishes are equipped with back-up power to better withstand severe weather,” said Kennedy.

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $2,330,986 to Vermilion Parish for the installation of five permanent natural gas generators.
    • $1,725,750 to St. John the Baptist Parish for the installation of two permanent industrial generators.
    • $1,315,800 to St. Helena Parish for the installation of 11 permanent industrial generators.
    • $116,549 to Vermilion Parish for management costs associated with generator purchase and installation.
    • $95,875 to St. John the Baptist Parish for management costs associated with generator purchase and installation.
    • $73,100 to St. Helena Parish for management costs associated with generator purchase and installation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Capito introduce Safe SHORES Act to reauthorize Recovery Housing Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced legislation to help individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) access stable housing. 

    The Safe and Secure Housing for Opioid Recovery and Enduring Stability (Safe SHORES) Act of 2025 would reauthorize the Recovery Housing Program (RHP), first enacted as part of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. The RHP provides funding to states to acquire, build, or rehabilitate transitional housing for those in recovery from substance abuse. The program has successfully grown our national recovery housing network and empowered more Americans to reclaim their lives through supportive services. The RHP’s authorization expired in 2023. The Safe SHORES Act was originally introduced last year. 

    “For Americans traveling the road of recovery, safe and secure housing can be the difference between success and relapse,” said Senator Coons. “The Safe SHORES Act will strengthen a crucial program in the fight against the opioid epidemic and ensure that more Americans recovering from addiction can focus on recovery instead of where they’ll sleep tonight. I’m proud to work on this bill with Senator Capito. It will save lives and protect families across the country.”

    “Access to safe and secure housing is crucial for those on the path to recovery, and we’ve seen this firsthand in West Virginia. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Safe SHORES Act, which will give state recovery housing programs the resources they need to continue their life-saving work,” said Senator Capito.

    The Safe SHORES Act of 2025 will extend, expand, and improve the RHP to serve more Americans. Specifically, the bill would:

    • Increase authorized funding to at least $50 million per year
    • Give states and grantees increased flexibility to distribute funds as they need and allow grantees to cover last mile costs
    • Encourage states to award grants to facilities that participate in best practices that meet state standards of accreditation, have robust workforce development and emotional support programs, and encourage assistance to grantees navigating complex local zoning and administrative requirements
    • Require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to produce an annual performance report outlining the distribution of RHP awards and project developments

    Passing Safe SHORES will help the United States continue to address the worst drug epidemic in its history. In 2022, more than 76% of the nearly 108,000 drug overdose deaths involved opioids. In Delaware, more than 500 individuals died from an accidental overdose and more than 140,000 Delaware adults are living with a substance use disorder.

    The legislation is endorsed by the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, National Alliance for Recovery Residences, National Rural Health Association, and the Bipartisan Policy Center Action. 

    “The opioid crisis has hit hard in rural communities across the nation,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, the National Rural Health Association. “The Recovery Housing Program offers welcome relief for these communities and allows them the capacity to provide safety and sanctuary for individuals on their journey to recovery. The National Rural Health Association commends Senators Coons and Capito for championing the reauthorization of this critical program through legislation in the Safe SHORES Act.”

    “The Safe SHORES Act of 2024 is essential for our community here in Delaware,” said Domenica Personti, CEO, Impact Life. “By providing critical support to recovery housing facilities, this bill will help us address the opioid epidemic head-on and ensure that individuals in recovery have the resources they need to rebuild their lives.”

    “People in recovery from SUD have a difficult enough time without having to navigate roadblocks to one of their most basic needs, housing,” said Don Keister, President and Founder, atTAcK addiction.

    Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    A one-pager on the bill is available here.

    The text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Risch introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to counter states that wrongfully detain Americans abroad

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, which would create new tools for the U.S. government to deter states from wrongfully detaining Americans abroad and support wrongful detainees upon their return home. The bill would create a U.S. State Department designation entitled the “State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention” to hold foreign governments accountable for wrongfully detaining Americans abroad; enhance awareness of travel advisories for Americans traveling to high-risk countries; and establish an advisory council on wrongful detention made up of survivors, family members, and experts to make policy recommendations to the executive branch.

    “I will always fight for American hostages and wrongful detainees—securing their release and making their re-entry as easy as possible for them and their families,” said Senator Coons. “As we continue to fight to return Americans who are unjustly held overseas, we must also protect Americans from being taken by our adversaries in the first place to be used as political leverage. I’m proud to reintroduce the Countering Wrongful Detention Act with my friend Senator Risch to build on our legislative success last year fighting hostage diplomacy, and I’ll keep working until this entire bill becomes law.”

    “President Trump is working to restore America as a leader on the world stage and ensure we are respected around the globe. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act will add firepower to his efforts by hitting countries that wrongfully detain American citizens with strong repercussions, including the potential of sanctions,” said Chairman Risch. “We stand with those Americans who were and are wrongfully detained, and we will work to ensure that they are freed and that no other American has to endure this injustice again.”

    Background:

    The Countering Wrongful Detention Act seeks to deter and prevent wrongful detention of Americans overseas by:

    • Creating the State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention designation for countries or entities who engage in this abhorrent practice, which would allow the secretary of State to impose a range of penalties on states that wrongfully detain Americans
    • Requiring airlines operating in the United States to disclose travel advisory information to consumers traveling to high-risk countries, particularly countries that the Department of State has issued indicators concerning risks of wrongful detention, kidnapping, or hostage taking

    The act would also refine existing processes and provide additional resources to hostages and wrongful detainees and their families by:

    • Establishing an Advisory Council on Hostage Taking and Unlawful or Wrongful Detention

    Senator Coons is also Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus. He has worked tirelessly to advance legislation to help American hostages and their families, including:

    The full text of the bill is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrests illegal Guatemalan national convicted of endangering Connecticut child

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HARTFORD, Conn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national charged with three counts of risk of injury to a child and disorderly conduct. Officers with ICE Boston arrested Carlos Antonio Zepeda-Ruiz in Hartford Feb. 27.

    “Carlos Antonio Zepeda-Ruiz apparently endangered the safety of a Connecticut child and presents a threat to the residents of Connecticut,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We will not allow criminal aliens to endanger the safety of our communities. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien threats from New England.”

    Zepeda applied for entry into the United States at the San Ysidro West Port of Entry July 14, 2023, using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “CBP One” immigration processing application. CBP issued Zepeda a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge and paroled him into the United States.

    Officers from the Bridgeport Police Department arrested Zepeda July 23, 2024, and charged him with three counts of risk of injury to a child and disorderly conduct.

    Officers with ICE Boston arrested Zepeda in Hartford Feb. 27.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Honored to Welcome HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to FDA Campus

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    April 11, 2025

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today welcomed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to its headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, a visit that included remarks to FDA employees, meetings with agency leadership, and a tour of several medical device innovation laboratories on the FDA’s White Oak campus.
    The visit, which comes just days after Martin A. Makary, M.D. was sworn in as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, indicates the high priority that the Secretary has placed on the public health work of the FDA.
    During his remarks to FDA staff, Secretary Kennedy charged employees with the responsibility of responding to and ending the chronic health care crisis plaguing our nation’s children. “I really want to empower you,” Secretary Kennedy said. He noted that public health needs “an inspired and engaged workforce. And you’re the leaders in that workforce.”
    In introducing Secretary Kennedy, Commissioner Makary thanked the Secretary for the confidence “you and the President have placed on me to lead this essential public health agency.” He pledged to build on the agency’s “long and distinguished history” to forge a new and even more effective path for public health by “applying the gold standard of scientific research” to help us find new cures for diseases and ending the “epidemic of chronic illness we face in our nation today.”
    The tour included visits to several laboratories that are part of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. The first stop of the tour was at the Home as a Health Care Hub, an FDA initiative to help foster person-centered, innovative medical devices for use in the home, a critical component of the future delivery of health care. He also participated in a virtual reality demonstration of the tool that simulates the patient experience managing diabetes with devices in the home. Among others are a laboratory that focuses on 3-D printing and Additive Manufacturing, a technology that enables manufacturers and designers to create devices matched to a patient’s anatomy, or for very complex internal structures, and to make changes easily without the need to set up additional equipment or tools. The Secretary also visited a cardiovascular lab, in which he saw cardiovascular device performance simulation and other advanced testing methodologies and computational models developed by FDA scientists being used by medical device innovators in the development and assessment of their technology across different clinical conditions, resulting in reduced risk and accelerated innovation. 
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    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Media:
    202-690-6343

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    Content current as of:
    04/11/2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AFSCME’s Saunders: Forcing Social Security beneficiaries to use X is Elon Musk’s latest money-making scheme

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after it was reported that the Social Security Administration is moving all public communications to Elon Musk’s X:

    “Retirees, disabled individuals and the millions of beneficiaries who rely on Social Security should not need an X account to receive updates on the program. Moving all Social Security communications to Elon Musk’s personal social media platform is a blatant effort to gain more users and pad X’s profits. This move should ring alarm bells everywhere. Social Security belongs to the hardworking taxpayers who have paid into the program, not an unelected billionaire like Musk.

    “This administration has made their desire to gut and then privatize Social Security clear. Shuttering the program’s regional offices and moving all communications to a single, unaccountable, insecure, for-profit social media company is just the next step in their scheme to enrich billionaires with our tax dollars.

    “This is exactly why we need to keep Musk and his DOGE cronies out of the Social Security Administration, and we’re not going to give up this fight.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein On FEMA Decision To Deny North Carolina’s Request For 100 Percent Match Extension

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein On FEMA Decision To Deny North Carolina’s Request For 100 Percent Match Extension

    Governor Stein On FEMA Decision To Deny North Carolina’s Request For 100 Percent Match Extension
    lsaito

    Newland, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein released the following statement on FEMA’s decision to deny North Carolina’s request for an extension on the 100 percent match for Helene disaster recovery.

    “Today, I learned that FEMA refused our request to extend its 100% reimbursement period for another 180 days. I got this news while I was in Newland with families who lost their homes in the storm. The need in western North Carolina remains immense — people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored. I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMA’s bad decision, even for 90 days. Six months later, the people of western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done.”

    Apr 11, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Members of a Transnational Money Laundering Organization Sentenced for Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Georgia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to launder millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of foreign drug trafficking organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (the Jalisco cartel). On Dec. 4, 2024, his co-conspirator was sentenced to 90 months in prison for his role in the money laundering scheme.

    According to court documents, Li Pei Tan, 47, of Buford, Georgia, and Chaojie Chen, 41, a Chinese national who resided in Chicago, worked for an organization that laundered millions of dollars in proceeds related to the importation and distribution of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico. Tan, Chen, and their co-conspirators traveled throughout the United States to collect proceeds of fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, among other drugs. The defendants communicated and coordinated with co-conspirators in China and other foreign countries to arrange the laundering of these proceeds through financial transactions that were designed to conceal the illicit source of the drug money, including through a sophisticated trade-based money laundering scheme involving purchasing bulk electronics in the United States and shipping them to co-conspirators in China.

    On multiple occasions prior to Chen’s May 2024 arrest, law enforcement seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in bulk cash drug proceeds from Chen at locations across the United States. Tan was intercepted by law enforcement in South Carolina while attempting to transport over $197,000 in drug proceeds.

    According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Drug Threat Assessment, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are at the heart of the fentanyl crisis in the United States.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Special Agent in Charge Louis A. D’Ambrosio of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Special Operations Division made the announcement.

    The DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit investigated the case, with assistance from the DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit and the DEA’s offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina.

    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, 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).

    Trial Attorney Mary K. Daly of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Homeland Security Ranking Members Magaziner, Thompson Write DHS & FBI on Trump Administration Weakening Domestic Terrorism Programs

    Source: US Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, joined Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel regarding reports that DHS and FBI are scaling back efforts to counter domestic terrorism, including by firing personnel and canceling programs dedicated to addressing this deadly threat.

    Since 2010, there have been over 200 domestic terrorism plots and attacks, with more than 154 people killed. And between 2016 and 2021, FBI’s domestic terrorism cases have increased by nearly fivefold – up to 2,700 pending investigations at the end of FY 2022.

    “Given the continued increase in domestic terrorism cases, we are baffled by the Trump administration’s recent actions, including the termination of 30 percent of DHS’s terrorism prevention personnel, transfer of FBI agents and intelligence analysts out of the Domestic Terrorism Operations Section, and cancellation of a national domestic terrorism incident database,” the Ranking Members wrote in the letter.

    Canceling the Terrorism and Targeted Violence database is particularly concerning as compiling this data is required by law. Federal and local law enforcement have used this information to assist them in thwarting nearly 80 percent of domestic terrorism and targeted violence plots targeting schools. 

    “[D]ata and intelligence should drive policy decisions, and the data and intelligence from your agencies is clear – domestic terrorism is a grave threat to Americans’ safety. Yet, your policy decisions indicate that you have decided to ignore the threat – risking American lives – in fear of running afoul of President Trump’s executive orders to disregard racism and racial inequities in America, which experts have warned fuel domestic terrorism,” the Ranking Members added.

    The full text of the letter is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Carter, Harshbarger Are Holding Ticket Scalpers Accountable

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced the bipartisan Mitigating Automated Internet Networks (MAIN) Event Ticketing Act, which will protect consumers from online scammers and bots in the online ticket marketplace. The MAIN Event Ticketing Act boosts enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, a law prohibiting ticket scalpers from using software to purchase high volumes of tickets.

     

    “I am proud to lead this bill, which is a crucial step toward restoring fairness and transparency in the online ticket marketplace,” said Rep. Carter. “In Louisiana, the birthplace of American Music, this is especially important. By cracking down on bots and improving the enforcement of existing laws, this bipartisan legislation prioritizes fans, ensuring they have a fair chance to experience the live events they love without being priced out or misled by deceitful actors. I am honored to stand with Rep. Harshbarger, along with many artists, venues, and industry leaders, to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of live entertainment.”

     

    “If there’s one thing that can bring us all together, it’s music and entertainment,” said Rep. Harshbarger.“This is especially true for East Tennessee, as we’re home to music legends like Dolly Parton and Morgan Wallen. Whether it’s attending a concert or a stand-up show, we all love spending time with friends and family to enjoy live entertainment. What no one loves is trying to buy a ticket to see your favorite performer—only to find that scalpers have scooped up most of the tickets and are reselling them at exorbitant prices.”

     

    The companion MAIN Event Ticketing Act was introduced by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in February 2025.

     

    Background

     

    The MAIN Event Ticketing Act:

     

    • Establishes reporting requirements for online ticket sellers to notify of successful bot attacks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC);
    • Creates a complaint database so consumers can share their experiences with the FTC, which must then share that information with state attorneys general;
    • Enacts data security requirements for online ticket sellers and mandates information sharing between the FTC and law enforcement; and
    • Requires a report to Congress on BOTs enforcement.

     

    This legislation is endorsed by the Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, Live Nation Entertainment, and the National Independent Venue Association.

     

    Full bill text can be found here.

     

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Davis and Congresswoman Kiggans Introduce the Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced H.R. 2707, Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act, to ensure the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services develops a long-term stockpiling strategy that leverages the Strategic National Stockpile to enhance national preparedness.

    “By stockpiling Anthrax medical countermeasures, we are ensuring that we have the lifesaving tools necessary to protect and treat poisonings in the event of future attacks,” said Congressman Davis. “We must do everything to protect our servicemembers and the American people from terrorism.”

    “Anthrax poses a deadly threat to the warfighter – it is imperative for American national security and military readiness to ensure preparedness for this biological threat. We continue to have grave concerns about our adversaries’ work on Anthrax. Recent national intelligence and treaty compliance estimates acknowledge man-made biological threat concerns posed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This legislation provides a key step to ensuring preparedness for the threat of Anthrax,” said David Lasseter, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction.

    “H.R. 2707 is a tremendous step forward in ensuring that the Strategic National Stockpile is prepared for the threat of Anthrax. The Stockpile has been chronically challenged with severe, long-term funding shortfalls and under-resourcing. This has created a preparedness concern across the spectrum of biological and chemical threats, including Anthrax,” said Greg Burel, recently retired director of the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile.

    Background

    Anthrax remains among the deadliest and easiest to produce biological weapons, 25 years after the Anthrax attacks on Congress in 2001. The ongoing threat of Anthrax to the warfighter and civilians persists. Planned reductions or eliminations of Anthrax medical countermeasures, including antitoxins, may greatly exacerbate vulnerability for this threat. 

    To protect servicemembers and the American people, the legislation would require the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs and counterparts on the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) to develop a modernized ten-year strategy for ensuring sustained stockpiling of FDA-approved or cleared anthrax countermeasures, including the replenishment, consistent with requirement levels, of such Anthrax therapeutics stockpiled in the Strategic National Stockpile and by the Secretary of Defense. These countermeasures include those stockpiled for treatment of civilians, servicemembers and dependents on military installations. 

    Officials assigned in the Department of Defense would provide an annual report on the threat of Anthrax to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, including obligations towards this ten-year strategy, and research and development investments, including those that may address multi-drug resistant Anthrax.

    Congressman Don Davis serves as the vice ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressmen Don Davis and Juan Ciscomani Introduce Veterans Employment Readiness Yield (VERY) Act

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Don Davis (NC-01) and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) introduced H.R. 2625, the Veterans Employment Readiness Yield (VERY) Act. The bill aims to address a long standing stigma that some veterans have expressed concerns regarding their interactions with the VA.

    “We must ensure that our disabled veterans feel represented and heard,” said Congressman Davis. “The VERY Act makes changes to let our disabled vets know that they are receiving the respect and dignity they have rightfully earned.”

    The change comes because veterans have overwhelmingly expressed their view that the word “handicap” is outdated and does not adequately represent veterans.  

    Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Congress has moved to modernize our lexicon so that every disabled veteran feels comfortable using VA services.

    The Veterans Employment Readiness Yield (VERY) Act, will make a technical fix to the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program that would replace “employment handicap” with “employment barrier” and the term “serious employment handicap” with “serious employment barrier” while leaving the definitions unchanged. The terms “employment handicap” and “serious employment handicap” are used to describe servicemembers and veterans eligible for and entitled to certain benefits and services. However, the word “handicap” is outdated, has a negative connotation in the disability community, and does not adequately represent veterans. Updating terminology will allow for improved efficiency and encourage disabled veterans to use the VRE program. 

    “Our veterans risked life and limb in service of our country,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “When they return home, they deserve our utmost gratitude and respect, especially when it comes to accessing the benefits and treatments they receive at the VA. Minor fixes like the one outlined in the VERY Act may feel small to the average civilian but can make all the difference to our men and women who served.”

    “The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program plays a critical role in helping disabled veterans find meaningful employment that meets their needs,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Updating program language to improve clarity and impact reinforces the message that the VA is ready and able to help eligible veterans overcome barriers to employment.”

    Those who have suffered the mental and physical consequences of service have given life and limb to preserve our most cherished freedoms. When interfacing with the VA, we must ensure they feel represented and heard. VA services must not only remain available, they must be accessible to all of our heroes who once wore the uniform of our nation. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan bill in November 2024 and the introduced legislation is identical. No veteran, whether they served as Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve personnel, should have to fight for their lives after fighting so hard on behalf of our nation.

    Congressman Don Davis serves as the vice ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: De La Cruz on President Trump’s Work to Secure Water for South Texas

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)

    De La Cruz on President Trump’s Work to Secure Water for South Texas

    WASHINGTON, April 11, 2025

    Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s work to hold the Mexican government accountable for the over one million acre-feet of water they owe South Texas.  

    Read De La Cruz’s post here or below.

    “Thank you, President Trump, for holding the Mexican government accountable for the water they owe South Texans. As one of the largest agricultural producing states, any impact on Texas ag will impact our entire country. I will always fight for South Texas farmers and producers to secure the critical water resources we are owed.”

    Read President Trump’s post here or below.

    “Mexico OWES Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their Treaty obligation. This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly. Last year, the only Sugar Mill in Texas CLOSED, because Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas Farmers. Ted Cruz has been leading the fight to get South Texas the water it is owed, but Sleepy Joe refused to lift a finger to help the Farmers. THAT ENDS NOW! I will make sure Mexico doesn’t violate our Treaties and doesn’t hurt our Texas Farmers. Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty. My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas Farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!”

    Background: 

    Since entering Congress, Rep. De La Cruz has been a leader on this issue and prioritized ensuring Texas farmers and producers receive the over one million acre-feet of water they are still owed under the 1944 Water Treaty.

    This Congress, she has introduced H.Res. 71 to condemn the Government of Mexico for failing to fulfill its water deliveries on an annual basis and sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to request Mexico be held accountable as a part of the ongoing trade negotiations. Additionally, she led a letter to President Trump in December requesting assistance in holding Mexico accountable for owed water deliveries.

    Earlier this year, alongside U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Congresswoman De La Cruz announced she helped secure $280 million in aid funds that will be deployed by the USDA to South Texas farmers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Co-Sponsors Bills Aimed at Protecting Communities from Gun Violence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    April 11, 2025

    Legislation would save lives while safeguarding Americans’ constitutional right to own firearms

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he is co-sponsoring two bills that would protect schools and communities from mass gun violence while underscoring Americans’ constitutional right to own firearms for legitimate self-defense, hunting, and sporting purposes.

    “The Second Amendment’s  right to bear arms doesn’t preclude common-sense gun laws regulating high capacity assault weapons designed solely for mass casualties and warfare,” Wyden said. “Our children, our families, our communities deserve action and I won’t sit idly by while needless gun violence continues to terrorize students and shatter American lives. Our kids deserve a life free from fear of gun violence—we all do.”  

    The Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act would regulate gas-operated semi-automatic firearms while underscoring the vital importance of Americans’ access to shotguns, rifles, and handguns.

    The bipartisan Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act seeks to prohibit the sale of bump stocks and other devices or modifications that allow semi-automatic firearms to increase their rate of fire and effectively operate as fully automatic weapons. 

    In addition to Wyden, the GOSAFE Act was co-led by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and co-sponsored 

    by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

    The BUMP Act, co-led by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev), was co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), in addition to Wyden.

    Text of the GOSAFE Act is here.

    Text of the BUMP Act is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Salinas, Pingree, Tokuda Lead Colleagues in Slamming Trump Administration for Censoring Agricultural Research Crucial to Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    April 11, 2025

    Leaked Agricultural Research Service memo contains a sweeping list of banned words, including “climate,” “affordable housing,” and “safe drinking water.”

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and Jill Tokuda, D-Hawai’i, warned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Donald Trump’s politically motivated list of banned words – including “climate,” “affordable housing,” and “safe drinking water” — in research agreements being considered for federal funding would harm rural communities facing wildfires, drought, food insecurity, among other environmental agricultural challenges.

    In the letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the lawmakers emphasized, “The exclusion of these terms from consideration for funding opportunities demonstrates an intentional effort to hinder, distort, and improperly steer federal scientific work in the name of political expediency, and the American people deserve far better than that.”

    The USDA has operated more than 600 research projects with a $1.7 billion budget. Banning terms like “runoff” or “soil pollution” from playing a role in funding these agricultural and environmental projects would stall opportunities to advance the agency’s core mission to carry out scientific work that bolsters lives, careers, and the overall wellbeing of communities across rural America. As Oregon’s climate changes, farmers are being exposed to emerging pest and disease threats, which could wipe out entire crops or even threaten human health. Climate change is a scientifically established threat to agricultural productivity, food security, and rural economies.

    The lawmakers continued, “The American people deserve transparency and integrity from federal research agencies, not political interference and outright censorship. The farmers and ranchers who rely on sound science to navigate environmental and economic challenges should not have their livelihoods undercut by unscientific, bureaucratic gatekeeping. Critical research proposals to reduce pollution, increase irrigation efficiency, or address emerging pest and disease threats should not be denied solely because they used a word that Donald Trump does not like.”

    Joining Wyden, the letter is cosigned in the Senate by Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

    Joining Salinas, Pingree, and Tokuda, the letter is cosigned in the House by Representatives Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., Ed Case, D-Hawai’i, Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., Angie Craig, D-Minn., Jim Costa, D-Calif., Shomari Figures, D-Ala., Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., Jared Huffman, D-Calif., Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Eleanor Norton, D-D.C., Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Terri Sewell, D-Ala., Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

    Wyden demands immediate answers clarifying the implications of this politically motivated censorship to the following questions no later than April 18, 2025:

    1. Has the USDA conducted any review to determine whether this policy violates federal transparency laws, scientific integrity policies, or anti-discrimination statutes? If so, please share the documentation. If not, please explain why a review has not been done.
    2. The USDA has confirmed the existence of the ARS memo that has been publicly reported. Please provide any other lists of key words that the USDA is using to evaluate federal agreements, contracts, grants, loans, and other programs.
    3. For each list provided under question 2, please explain the purpose of each list, including any relevant laws, regulations, Executive Orders, or memoranda that the USDA is seeking to comply with.
    4. What safeguards have you put in place to ensure that these restrictions do not lead to biased or politically motivated decision-making at the expense of merit, scientific integrity, and public welfare?
    5. Have these restrictions resulted in the rejection of agreements that would have directly benefited farmers, food supply security, or rural economies? If so, what processes does the USDA have in place to allow for the appeal of decisions and evaluations made based off key word lists for federal agreements, contracts, grants, loans, or other programs? Provide an itemized list of all agreements under all impacted programs that were rejected because they included one or more of these banned terms, as outlined in the directive, as well as a full justification for each rejection.
    1. In the case of the ARS banned word list, if an ongoing research agreement is focused on biofuels, for example, the ARS website lists 29 research projects containing the word biofuel.[3] Will funding for these projects be revoked? Will ongoing research be halted? Will USDA require projects to rephrase their contracts? If a project cannot be rephrased without using a banned word, will the contract be terminated?
    2. What are the consequences for researchers or other agency employees who identify serious risks related to any of these banned terms, such as, for example, the expanded range of certain pests and diseases due to changing climate conditions, or nitrate contamination in the drinking water supply from fertilizer runoff?
      1. Will research proposals and agreements to address these critical issues – and others that include banned terms – be considered under this policy?
      2. If so, through what process are they getting around the banned terms list, and how is that decided? If not, how do you justify such negligence?
      3. Are career scientists, policy experts, and agency staff being pressured to remove or avoid these terms in their work? If not, explain how USDA plans to enforce these restrictions. If so, how does that not constitute political coercion?
    3. Does the USDA deny that climate change, pollution, and the accessibility of federal funding impact the safety and security of the American food supply? If so, provide your justification. If not, then why are these issues being censored?
    4. Will you release all internal communications regarding the creation, justification, and enforcement of this policy to ensure full transparency? If so, when? If not, why?

    This year, Wyden led colleagues in demanding a halt to the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to roll back decades of scientific findings on greenhouse gases. In February, Wyden called on the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to reverse harmful firings at the USDA that have harmed Oregon farmers and families.

    The text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –