Category: Justice

MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 900 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the First week in April as part of Operation Take Back America.

Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

Headline: U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 900 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the First week in April as part of Operation Take Back America.

Since the inauguration of President Trump, the Department of Justice is playing a critical role in Operation Take back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from 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).

MIL OSI USA News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Indictment Charges Stamford Men with Trafficking Fentanyl

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging TASEAN LEMAR BROWN, 35, and STANLEY CHARLES, 44, both of Stamford, with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

The indictment was returned on April 3, 2025, and Brown and Charles were arrested yesterday. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven, entered pleas of not guilty to the charge, and were ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Brown and Charles were using the U.S. Mail to traffic fentanyl into Connecticut and distribute it in southwestern Connecticut. The investigation included the seizure of two parcels that Brown mailed to Charles from California and Arizona, the first containing approximately one kilogram of fentanyl powder, and the second containing approximately three kilograms of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.

If convicted of the charge in the indictment, Brown and Charles each face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Connecticut State Police, and the Stamford, Greenwich, Bridgeport, Danbury, Stratford, and Norwalk Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

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

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Ethete man sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for abusive sexual contact as the U.S. Attorney’s Office recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office uses the week to educate the public about victimization and its effects on individuals, families, friends, and communities. As the week kicked off across the nation, the District of Wyoming sentenced a case that recognized the accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement and reflected on how far it has come.

Dwayne Wahtomy Jr., age 47, of Ethete, Wyoming, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with 10 years of supervised release for the abusive sexual contact of a child by force. According to court documents, the victim disclosed that she had been sexually abused by the defendant when she was a minor. The defendant also threatened the victim to keep her silent.

During the investigation and prosecution of the case, the victim exercised several of her statutory victim’s rights. She was notified of all hearings, was notified of the defendant’s custody status, consulted with the prosecutor about a plea offer, and provided a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing. Wahtomy was indicted on Sept. 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on Jan. 15. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on April 7 in Cheyenne. The BIA investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

In 1988, the Office of Victims of Crimes (OVC) was established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA). According to OVC, around 5 million people become victims of violent crimes annually, including rape, domestic violence, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and more. Being a victim of these traumatic crimes can, in most cases, create long-lasting impacts on someone and can sometimes create secondary problems like loss of relationships, mental health issues, physical problems, and a negative impact on occupational and societal function. Because of the prevalence and effects of crimes and victims of crimes, communities and governments have a responsibility to come up with ways to support these victims.

The Victim Witness Program for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Wyoming, provides federal crime victims and witnesses with information, services, and support during federal prosecutions. The office is committed to ensuring that victims and witnesses of crime are treated fairly throughout their contact with the federal criminal justice system. For more information, visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wy/victim-witness-program

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

Case No. 24-CR-00153

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Ohio County Man Admits to Firearms Charge

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jakob Barnes, age 39, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to the unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Barnes is prohibited from having firearms because of a prior felony conviction. During a drug-related robbery investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Barnes’ apartment on Wheeling Island and seized two firearms and ammunition.

Barnes is facing up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Three Plead Guilty to Drug and Money Laundering Conspiracy Charges

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BOSTON – Three men pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston in connection with their participation in a North Shore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine and laundered the proceeds.

Lawrence Michael Nagle, Jr., 34, of Saugus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams of more of methamphetamine; five counts of possession with intent to distribute various weights of fentanyl, methamphetamine and oxycodone; one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; and one count of money laundering conspiracy U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Aug. 5, 2025.

Gino Castillo, 34, of Salem, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2025.

Samuel Saillant, 38, of Lynn, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit money laundering. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2025.

Nagle, Jr., Castillo and Saillant were among 27 individuals charged, beginning in October 2022, in connection with a wide-ranging conspiracy to traffic counterfeit prescription pills. Nagle, Jr. was charged by complaint in October 2022 and later indicted. Castillo and Saillant were charged by indictment on April 24, 2024. All 27 individuals have pleaded guilty.

The DTO, led by Nagle, Jr. and his brother, Christopher Nagle, distributed counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, among other drugs, to individuals in the Lynn area. In January 2022, a search of Christopher Nagle’s apartment recovered more than 74,000 counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, weighing more than 24 kilograms. On Oct. 25, 2022, a search of Nagle, Jr.’s home in Saugus and two homes he used to store narcotics—one of which was inhabited by Castillo—resulted in the seizure of more than 7.8 kilograms of fentanyl and more than 650 grams of methamphetamine. In addition, two Glock firearms and ammunition were recovered from Nagle, Jr.’s house in close proximity to oxycodone pills. At the time, Nagle, Jr. was a felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Nagle, Jr. purchased the home in Saugus in August 2020 with the cash proceeds of his drug trafficking activities. Saillant was Nagle’s real estate agent in connection with the purchase. On the morning of Aug. 21, 2020, Nagle, Jr., Saillant and a coconspirator traveled to banks and money-transmitting services in the Lynn area to exchange Nagle’s drug money for money orders and cashier’s checks. Saillant attended a property closing later that day at which the money orders and cashier’s checks were used to fund the downpayment on the house.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Beverly, Everett, Peabody, Revere, Salem, Saugus and Swampscott Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys K. Nathaniel Yeager, Samuel R. Feldman and John O. Wray of the Criminal Division and Alexandra Amrhein of the Asset Forfeiture Unit prosecuted the case.

This case 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 https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mike Levin, Rep. George Whitesides, Sen. Alex Padilla Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral CA Delegation Push to Preserve ARCHES Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

April 08, 2025

The network of hydrogen hubs promotes American energy independence, lowers costs for consumers, and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs across California

Washington, D.C.– Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27), and Senator Alex Padilla led a bipartisan, bicameral delegation of members of Congress to urge the Department of Energy (DOE) to preserve funding for hydrogen production hubs, specifically California’s Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES).

In a letter to the DOE, the members write:

“As bipartisan members of the California delegation, we write with concern about reports that the U.S. Department of Energy is planning to cancel the hydrogen hub award commitment made to California’s Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES)… As California’s Hydrogen Hub, ARCHES anticipates the creation of 220,000 good paying jobs, from research and development (R&D) to manufacturing and maintenance of renewable hydrogen systems. This, in turn, promotes public-private partnerships to expand our STEM workforce.”

The letter followed reports that the Department of Energy is considering cutting funding for the development of four hydrogen production hubs. The City of Lancaster, in Rep. Whitesides’ district, was the first city to join ARCHES, alongside industry, government and academic stakeholders from across California. Their Element Resources project in Lancaster was predicted to generate over 200 construction jobs in the area.

“ARCHES is at the forefront of energy development in our state, and it is helping to create good paying jobs and lower energy costs,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “I’m proud to join my California colleagues in a bipartisan fashion to defend this project. We stand united in our efforts to protect energy projects that create jobs, lower costs, and promote energy innovation.”

“The bipartisan support for ARCHES shown in this letter underscores its importance to California and the nation,” said Rep. George Whitesides. “I’m proud to represent Lancaster, the first city to join ARCHES, and support this effort to bring many well-paid jobs to our area and California, while lowering our energy costs. I urge the DOE to support this crucial program and preserve its funding, therefore expanding our workforce and economic opportunity.”

“Kickstarting the market for hydrogen power across California will accelerate the creation of good-paying jobs while investing in key sectors across our economy,” said Senator Padilla. “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that California’s ARCHES hydrogen hub is essential for lowering fuel costs and promoting American energy dominance and security. I will continue working hard to protect the resources I secured for ARCHES and other critical hydrogen hubs through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

In 2023, the Department of Energy awarded the ARCHES network an initial grant under the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program. As part of the H2Hubs, seven recipients were funded to establish a national hydrogen network. With this and private and state matching funds, ARCHES is projected to create over 200,000 jobs in California and generate more than $2.95 billion annually in economic value from 2030.

The full letter can be viewed here.

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MIL OSI USA News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces First 15 Communities to Achieve Missouri Blue Shield Designations
Source: US State of Missouri

APRIL 9, 2025

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced 15 Missouri counties, cities, and towns as the first to have earned Missouri Blue Shield designations. To achieve this designation, Missouri communities must demonstrate their commitment to enhancing public safety, strengthening support for law enforcement, and building sustainable public safety partnerships.

The Blue Shield Program, as outlined in Executive Order 25-03, is part of the Governor’s Safer Missouriinitiative announced on his first day in office. Achieving the Blue Shield designation allows communities to access state grants for law enforcement training and equipment as Governor Kehoe continues to work with the General Assembly to make $10 million in grant funding available for this program.

The first 15 communities include: Jefferson County, Arnold, Warrensburg, Carter County, Miller County, Sedalia, Kennett, Branson, Desloge, Johnson County, Cole County, Grandview, Vinita Park, Greenwood, and Town and Country.

“We are proud to see Missouri communities committed to supporting our administration’s top priority – improving public safety and building strong partnerships between citizens and law enforcement,” Governor Kehoe said. “We have a number of applications from additional communities that are still under review, and we encourage even more communities to apply.”

The Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) is administering the Blue Shield Program. Applications continue to be accepted and should be submitted by an official from the jurisdiction seeking the Blue Shield designation in coordination with the jurisdiction’s chief law enforcement officer. Applications and all supporting materials should be submitted online at this link.

DPS will review applications and make determinations and notifications for Blue Shield designations for counties, cities, and towns within two weeks of application submission. DPS encourages communities to apply early, because if grant funding is approved by the General Assembly, the department will begin accepting grant applications in July, when the fiscal year 2026 funding becomes available. Questions on the application process can be directed to Courtney Kawelaske, Courtney.Kawelaske@dps.mo.gov.

Among the Blue Shield designation eligibility criteria are:
- Passage of a resolution demonstrating a commitment to public safety, including to reduce violent crime within the jurisdiction;
- Extraordinary investments in public safety funding;
- Community policing initiatives or local partnerships to invest in and/or improve public safety;
- Law enforcement officer recruitment and retention program;
- Demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crime or innovative programs that attempt to reduce crime;
- Participates in regional anti-crime task forces, or a commitment to be a willing partner with these in the future; and
- Compliance with Missouri crime reporting and traffic stop data requirements and other related statutes.
Blue Shield counties, cities, and towns must maintain their commitments each year to retain the Blue Shield designation via annual reporting on their ongoing efforts to support public safety to DPS. Once local governments are approved for a Blue Shield designation, they will receive a public relations toolkit to showcase their community’s commitment to public safety.

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MIL OSI USA News –
April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Two Cuban Nationals Plead Guilty to Alien Smuggling Charges

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MIAMI – Two Cuban nationals have been adjudicated guilty on alien smuggling charges by a federal district judge in Miami.

According to court documents and statements made in court hearings, on Oct. 24, 2024, Yordany Capote-Leon, 31 and Yuniel Cabrera Piloto 44, departed from the United States to Bahamian waters on a cuddy cabin style boat. While in Bahamian waters, Capote-Leon and Piloto loaded 18 individuals onto the boat and proceeded back toward the United States. The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Manowar observed the suspicious activity and followed the boat back to the United States.

Once the boat crossed back into United States waters, off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers onboard a CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) vessel approached the go-fast boat and ordered the drivers to stop. Capote-Leon and Piloto ignored the orders and kept going. The boat finally stopped after warning shots were deployed. All the individuals encountered aboard the boat were transferred to the USCG Cutter Manowar. Once aboard the cutter, law enforcement determined that the 18 individuals onboard, besides Capote-Leon and Piloto, were Ecuadorian nationals who did not have authorization to enter the United States. Law enforcement also determined that three of the illegal aliens encountered, Jorge Fabian Albarrasin Cabrera, Marcelo Patricio Pesantez-Merchan and Juan Carlos Villa Arpi, had been previously removed from the United States.

Capote-Leon, Piloto, Cabrera, Merchan and Arpi were transferred ashore to face charges. All defendants have pleaded guilty. The rest of the aliens were repatriated to the Bahamas.

On March 4, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore sentenced Capote-Leon to 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

On March 6, Piloto entered a guilty plea before magistrate judge Ellen F. D’Angelo, who issued a report recommending that the plea be accepted. On April 4, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore adopted the report and recommendations and adjudicated defendant guilty.

Piloto is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8 at 2:00 p.m. in Miami. He faces up to 10 years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

HSI Miami investigated the case with assistance from CBP and USCG, 7th Coast Guard District. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl is prosecuting the case.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-10027.

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MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Two Individuals Charged with Illegal Re-Entry

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Two individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury in separate cases this week for illegally re-entering the United States after they were previously deported.

Mexican National Indicted for Illegal Reentry

According to an indictment returned this week, Fernando Herrera-Cruz, who was previously removed from the United States on March 30, 2022, was charged with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. He has never applied to the Attorney General of the United States and/or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for permission to reenter the United States. On March 18, 2025, he was found voluntarily back in the United States in Camden County, Missouri, when he was arrest for driving without a valid driver’s license following a single vehicle accident.

El Salvadoran National Charged in Indictment

In addition, Guadalupe De Jesus Aldana Sandoval a/k/a “Edgar Navarro Melendez”, who was previously removed from the United States on November 13. 2009, was charged with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. He has never applied to the Attorney General of the United States and/or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for permission to reenter the United States. On March 25, 2025, he was found voluntarily back in the United States when he was located in Pettis County, Missouri.

The charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

These cases were investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations.

Operation Take Back America

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Five Members of a Sureños-affiliated Transnational Criminal Organization Charged in Narcotics Trafficking Conspiracy Scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal grand jury recently returned a nine-count indictment against five members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) affiliated with the Sureños, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

According to court documents, the defendants intentionally conspired with each other to acquire and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Lead and organized by Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, the “Diaz-Aguilar DTO” has been operating and distributing controlled substances throughout Minnesota since at least 2024. During a multi-month investigation, law enforcement seized large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl from various individuals associated with the Diaz-Aguilar-DTO. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that the Diaz-Aguilar DTO is associated with and supplied by one or more transnational criminal organizations trafficking narcotics from Mexico.

The following individuals have been indicted for the following crimes:

Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, 32, a Mexican national residing in New Prague, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Juan Martin Elvira, Jr., 36, of Rochester, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Edward Gonzalez, 29, of Hastings, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Eric Anthony Rodriguez, 46, of St. Paul, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

One other member of the conspiracy remains at large and is pending arrest.

“The Sureños and other drug cartels are dangerous criminal organizations that are fueling the drug crisis in America,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Cartel-backed drug dealers are on notice. Do not bring your poison to Minnesota. If you do, you will see federal charges and federal prison time.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael B. Coburn is prosecuting the case.

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

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Mexican citizen and felon imprisoned for smuggling illegal aliens

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

McALLEN, Texas – A 32-year-old Mexican man who illegally resided in Roma has been ordered to federal prison for human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Allan Eduardo Mar-Uballe pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Mar-Uballe to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 3 years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, Mar-Uballe is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. Mar-Uballe has prior convictions for illegal reentry into the United States, assault on a federal officer and possession of a controlled substance.

“Mr. Mar-Uballe’s prior convictions obviously did not dissuade him from engaging in dangerous criminal activity,” said Ganjei. “His actions put the lives of law enforcement, innocent motorists, and every person in his vehicle at risk that day. Hopefully his new stay in federal prison will give him time to learn the lessons his earlier convictions didn’t teach him.”

On Oct. 22, 2024, Mar-Uballe was driving a Ford Expedition with the back seats and seatbelts removed near Roma. Inside the vehicle were 18 illegal aliens, including two unaccompanied minors.

Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle, but Mar-Uballe evaded at a high rate of speed and drove erratically through the streets of Roma, disregarding stop signs and other vehicles, before crashing into a ditch. Several inside the vehicle sustained injuries.

Mar-Uballe and the others were all determined to be in the United States illegally and from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.

Mar-Uballe will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 900 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the First week in April as part of Operation Take Back America.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Since the inauguration of President Trump, the Department of Justice is playing a critical role in Operation Take back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from 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).

Last week, the U.S. Attorneys for Arizona, Central California, Southern California, New Mexico, Southern Texas, and Western Texas charged more than 900 defendants with criminal violations of U.S. immigration laws.

The Southern District of Texas filed 225 cases in relation to immigration and border security. Of those cases, 70 face allegations of illegally reentering the country with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, violent and/or sexual crimes and prior immigration offenses, among others. A total of 144 people face charges of illegally entering the country, nine cases involve various instances of human smuggling with others relating to firearms and assault of a federal officer.

The Western District of Texas filed 259 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases. Among the new cases, Mexican national Miguel Angel Torres-Segura resided illegally in San Antonio and was arrested March 28 for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. A criminal complaint alleges that Torres-Segura participated in a human smuggling organization (HSO) that transported illegal aliens using tractor trailers, carrying out at least 19 human smuggling events and leading to the apprehension of more than 900 aliens between May 2021 and June 2022. Torres-Segura allegedly communicated with high-level leaders and organizers and assisted the HSO by transporting aliens and preparing tractor trailers for transport. Torres-Segura has multiple convictions, including two illegal entries in 2009 and 2010 and an illegal re-entry in 2011. He was convicted again for illegal re-entry on March 26 following an October 2024 arrest and has now been charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.

The District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 204 defendants. Specifically, the United States filed 83 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 107 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States also filed 13 cases against 14 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. Among those convicted was Ivan Mauricio Hernandez-Mosqueda, a Mexican national, who was sentenced to 46 months in prison after smuggling more 100 illegal aliens to the United States. Many of the illegal aliens were coached by Hernandez-Mosqueda to illegally enter the United States and claim asylum under false pretenses.

The Southern District of California filed 97 border-related cases last 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. Among those charged was Francisco Anguiano Rios, a Mexican national, who was arrested and charged with importation of a controlled substance after Customs and Border Protection officers found 209 packages containing 547 pounds of cocaine concealed in the fuel tank of the tractor trailer Rios was driving as it attempted to cross the border at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

The Central District of California filed criminal charges against 24 defendants who allegedly were found in the U.S. following removal, the Justice Department announced today. Among these defendants included criminals who previously were convicted of felonies prior to their removal from the United States, including one previously convicted of narcotics crimes involving methamphetamine and cocaine. The crime of being found in the United States following removal carries a base sentence of up to two years in federal prison. Defendants who were removed after being convicted of a felony face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and defendants removed after being convicted of an aggravated felony face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

The District of New Mexico brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 56 individuals were charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326), 11 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324), and 32 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325). Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions, with some of those convictions being for aggravated felonies, including convictions for solicitation of a child to engage in sexual conduct, leaving the scene of an accident with fatality, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

We are grateful for the hard work of our border prosecutors in bringing these cases and helping to make our border safe again.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s Press Encounter on Gaza [scroll down for Arabic]

Source: United Nations secretary general

More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza.

No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies.

As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened.

Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop.

Certain truths are clear since the atrocious October 7 terror attacks by Hamas.

Above all, we know ceasefires work.

The ceasefire allowed for the release of hostages.

The ceasefire ensured the distribution of lifesaving aid.

The ceasefire proved that the humanitarian community can deliver.

For weeks — guns fell silent, obstacles were removed, looting ended – and we were able to deliver lifesaving supplies to virtually every part of the Gaza Strip.

That all ended with the shattering of the ceasefire.

Hope sank for Palestinian families in Gaza and families of hostages in Israel – and I was reminded yesterday when I met again with hostage families.

That is why I have consistently been pushing for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and full humanitarian access.

In times like this, we must be crystal clear …. clear about the situation.

With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled.

And as the heads of UN humanitarian organizations declared in a joint statement yesterday: “assertions that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza are far from the reality on the ground, and commodities are running extremely low”.

We must also be clear about the obligations.

As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law – including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Article 55, paragraph 1, of the Fourth Geneva Convention provides that “the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring food and medical supplies of the population”.

Article 56, paragraph 1, of the Fourth Geneva Convention provides that “the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining…the medical and hospital establishments and services, public health and hygiene in the occupied territory”.

It further states that medical personnel of all categories shall be allowed to carry out their duties.

And Article 59, paragraph 1, of the Fourth Geneva Convention provides that “if the whole or part of the population of an occupied territory is inadequately supplied, the Occupying Power shall agree to relief schemes on behalf of the said population, and shall facilitate them by all means at its disposal”.

None of that is happening today.

No humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza.

Meanwhile, at the crossing points, food, medicine and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is stuck.

International Humanitarian Law also includes the obligation to respect humanitarian relief personnel.

I want to say a special word about those humanitarian heroes in Gaza. They are under fire and yet doing all they can to follow the path they chose – to help people.

UN agencies and our partners are ready and determined to deliver.

But the Israeli authorities newly proposed “authorization mechanisms” for aid delivery risk further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour.

Let me be clear: We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.

Unimpeded humanitarian access must be guaranteed.

And humanitarian personnel must be given the protection that they are accorded under international law.

The inviolability of United Nations premises and assets must be respected.

I call once again for an independent investigation into the killing of humanitarians – including UN personnel.

We must stick to our core principles. Member States of the United Nations must adhere to their obligations under international law. And there must be justice and accountability when they do not.

The world may be running out of words to describe the situation in Gaza, but we will never run away from the truth.

The current path is a dead end – totally intolerable in the eyes of international law and history.

And the risk of the occupied West Bank transforming into another Gaza makes it even worse.

It is time to end the dehumanization, protect civilians, release the hostages, ensure lifesaving aid, and renew the ceasefire.

Thank you.

            لقد مر أكثر من شهر كامل ولم تدخل إلى غزة قطرة واحدة من المساعدات.

لا طعام، ولا وقود، ولا دواء، ولا إمدادات تجارية.

            وبإغلاق باب المساعدات، أعيد فتح أبواب الفواجع.

            غزة اليوم ساحة قتل – والمدنيون في دوامة موت لا تنتهي.

            وبعض الحقائق واضحة منذ الهجمات الإرهابية الفظيعة التي نفذتها حماس في 7 تشرين الأول/أكتوبر.

            أولا وقبل كل شيء، نحن نعلم أن وقف إطلاق النار ناجع.

            فوقف إطلاق النار سمح بإطلاق سراح الرهائن.

            ووقف إطلاق النار ضمن توزيع المساعدات المنقذة للحياة.

            ووقف إطلاق النار أثبت أن مجتمع العمل الإنساني قادر على الوفاء بالتزاماته.

            فعلى مدار أسابيع – سكتت أصوات البنادق، ورُفعت الحواجز، وانتهت أعمال النهب – وتمكّنا من إيصال الإمدادات المنقذة للحياة إلى كل جزء من قطاع غزة تقريبا.

            ثم ما أن انهار وقف إطلاق النار حتى انتهى كل ذلك.

            وتبدد ما كان من أمل لدى العائلات الفلسطينية في غزة وعائلات الرهائن في إسرائيل – وقد تأكد ذاك لي بالشكل الملموس أمس عندما التقيت مرة أخرى بأسَر رهائن.

            هذا هو السبب الذي ظل يدفعني إلى الإلحاح على الإفراج الفوري وغير المشروط عن جميع الرهائن، وإلى وقف دائم لإطلاق النار، وإيصال المساعدات الإنسانية بشكل كامل.

            في أوقات مثل هذه، يجب أن نتحلى بالصراحة التامة …. صراحة بشأن الوضع الراهن.

            ففي ظل إغلاق نقاط العبور إلى غزة ومنع مرور المساعدات، حلت الكارثة مكان الأمن ولم تعد لنا قدرة على إيصال المساعدات.

            وكما أعلن رؤساء المنظمات الإنسانية التابعة للأمم المتحدة في بيان مشترك يوم أمس: ”إن التصريحات التي تقول إن هناك الآن ما يكفي من الغذاء لإطعام جميع الفلسطينيين في غزة بعيدة كل البعد عن الواقع على الأرض، وإن الكمية المتاحة من السلع الأساسية تنخفض بحدة“.

            ويجب أن نكون واضحين أيضا بشأن الالتزامات.

            فإسرائيل، بوصفها السلطة القائمة بالاحتلال، تقع عليها التزامات لا لبس فيها بموجب القانون الدولي – بما في ذلك القانون الدولي الإنساني والقانون الدولي لحقوق الإنسان.

            حيث إن الفقرة 1 من المادة 55 من اتفاقية جنيف الرابعة تنص على أنه ”من واجب دولة الاحتلال ضمان حصول السكان على المؤن الغذائية والإمدادات الطبية“.

            وتنص الفقرة 1 من المادة 56 من اتفاقية جنيف الرابعة على أنه ”من واجب دولة الاحتلال أن تعمل […] على صیانة المنشآت والخدمات الطبیة والمستشفیات وكذلك الصحة العامة والشروط الصحیة في الأراضي المحتلة“.

            وتنص كذلك على أن يُسمح لأفراد الخدمات الطبية بكل فئاتهم بأداء مهامهم.

            وتنص الفقرة 1 من المادة 59 من اتفاقية جنيف الرابعة على أنه ”إذا كان كل سكان الأراضي المحتلة أو قسم منهم تنقصهم المؤن الكافية، وجب على دولة الاحتلال أن تسمح بعمليات الإغاثة لمصلحة هؤلاء السكان وتوفر لها التسهيلات بقدر ما تسمح به وسائلها“.

            لا شيء من ذلك يحدث اليوم.

            فليس ثمة إمكانية لإدخال أي إمدادات إنسانية إلى غزة.

            وفي الوقت نفسه، تتراكم عند نقاط العبور المواد الغذائية والأدوية ومستلزمات الإيواء، وتظل المعدات الحيوية عالقة هناك.

            وينص القانون الدولي الإنساني أيضا على الالتزام باحترام موظفي الإغاثة الإنسانية.

            وأود هنا أن أقول كلمة خاصة في حق هؤلاء الأبطال الذين يعملون في مجال الإغاثة الإنسانية في غزة. فهُم يعملون تحت نيران البنادق ومع ذلك يبذلون كل ما في وسعهم ليواصلوا الطريق الذي اختاروه – طريق إغاثة الناس.

            إن وكالات الأمم المتحدة وشركاءَنا مستعدون وعازمون على الوفاء بالتزاماتنا.

            ولكن السلطات الإسرائيلية خرجت في الآونة الأخيرة بـ ”آليات ترخيص“ لإيصال المساعدات من شأنها أن تشدد التحكم في المساعدات وتكبلها بقسوة حتى آخر سعرة حرارية وآخر ذرة دقيق.

            ولْأكن واضحا هنا: نحن لن نشارك في أي ترتيبات لا تحترم المبادئ الإنسانية احتراماً كاملاً: أي مبادئ الإنسانية والنزاهة والاستقلالية والحياد.
            يجب إفساح المجال لإيصال المساعدات الإنسانية دون عوائق.

            ويجب أن يُمنح العاملون في تقديم المساعدة الإنسانية الحمايةَ المكفولة لهم بموجب القانون الدولي.
            ويجب أن تُحتَرم حرمةُ مباني الأمم المتحدة وأصولِها.

            وأدعو هنا مرة أخرى إلى إجراء تحقيق مستقل في مقتل العاملين في تقديم المساعدة الإنسانية – بمن فيهم موظفو الأمم المتحدة.

            ويجب أن نتمسك بمبادئنا الأساسية. فالدول الأعضاء في الأمم المتحدة يجب عليها أن تتقيد بالالتزامات التي يلقيها القانون الدولي على عاتقها. ويجب أن تأخذ العدالةُ والمحاسبةُ مجراها عندما لا تتقيّد بتلك الالتزامات.

            قد يعجز العالم عن إيجاد كلمات يصف بها ما يجري في غزة، ولكن أبدا لن نهرب من وجه الحقيقة.

            فالوضع الحالي إنما يسير في طريق مسدود – في حالة لا يمكن البتة تقبلها في حكم القانون الدولي وسجل التاريخ.

            ولن يزداد الأمر إلا سوءا في ظل احتمال تحوُّل الضفة الغربية المحتلة إلى غزة أخرى.

            لقد حان الوقت لإنهاء تجريد المدنيين من إنسانيتهم ولحماية المدنيين وإطلاق سراح الرهائن وضمان تقديم المساعدات المنقذة للحياة وتجديد وقف إطلاق النار.

            شكراً لكم.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: 2025 IAM Executive Council and International Officer Elections: Summary of Nominations and Full Nominations by Local

Source: US GOIAM Union

As previously reported, IAM Union members have nominated and elected the incumbent Executive Council members and international officers to a new four-year term, beginning July 1, 2025. Therefore, there are no runoff elections for international officer elections.

Click here for a summary of nominations.

Click here for the full nominations by local.

ELECTED EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS

International President
Brian Bryant (Local S6)

General Secretary-Treasurer
Dora Cervantes (Local 2198)

Canadian General Vice President
David Chartrand, Canadian General Vice President (Local 712)*

U.S. General Vice Presidents
David Sullivan, General Vice President (Local S6)
Richie Johnsen, General Vice President (Local 1781)
Craig Martin, General Vice President (Local 470)
Jody Bennett, General Vice President (Local 2771)
Sam Cicinelli, General Vice President (Local 701)
Robert “Bobby” Martinez, General Vice President (Local 933)

Law Committee
Eric Johnston (Local 235)
Ryan Haehnlein (Local 701)
Teressa Peart (Local 774)
Olu Ajetomobi (Local 1781)
Sal Vasquez (Local 311)

Delegates to the AFL-CIO
E. Michael Vartabedian (Local 264)
Sharon Sugiyama (Local 2339G)
Richard Jackson (Local 751A)

Delegate to the Canadian Labour Congress
Christy Slauenwhite (Local 764)*

*Elected solely by IAM members in Canada.

Nominations were held on Jan. 18, 2025, at every IAM Local throughout the United States and Canada. No candidates other than those elected received enough nominations to hold a full election.

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MIL OSI USA News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Kansas Doctor Admits Accepting Kickbacks to Commit Health Care Fraud

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

ST. LOUIS – A medical doctor from the Kansas City, Kansas area on Friday admitted accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks to order medically unnecessary health care for thousands of patients.

Dr. Scott Taggart Roethle, 47, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of health care fraud. He admitted that from 2017 until 2020, he conspired with health care companies and others to order medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, pain creams and genetic tests for thousands of patients in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.

Dr. Roethle contracted with multiple health care companies as a telemedicine doctor. Using electronic portals to review patient information and documents, Dr. Roethle ordered health care services for patients without evaluating them or their actual medical needs. He did not have a prior doctor-patient relationship with the telemedicine patients and admitted providing no follow-up care after ordering the health care services.

Dr. Roethle was typically paid about $30 for each of his fraudulent orders. He admitted receiving payments of $674,000 from five companies. He also admitted that Medicare paid out at least $1.5 million while relying on his fraudulent orders. At the time of Dr. Roethle’s sentencing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will argue that the total loss due to the health care fraud is between $7 million and $9.5 million.

Dr. Roethle was licensed to practice in 22 states during the time of his crime and worked primarily as an anesthesiologist.

The trial of Dr. Roethle, of Leawood, was scheduled to begin Monday. His sentencing is set for July 17.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman and Justin Ladendorf are prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Deer Lake — Deer Lake RCMP arrests two people for impaired driving

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Over the weekend, Deer Lake RCMP stopped two drivers, a 40-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman for impaired driving violations.

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, at approximately 3:00pm, Deer Lake RCMP responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver. Officers located the described vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, a 40-year-old man, showed signs of impairment and was driving while prohibited, stemming from a recent court conviction for impaired driving. The man was arrested and transported to the Deer Lake RCMP detachment where he provided breath samples that were above the legal limit. He is set to appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of impaired operation and driving while prohibited. His vehicle was impounded.

Later that day, at around 4:15 p.m., Deer Lake RCMP responded to a report of a collision between two vehicles on the Trans-Canada Highway near Pynn’s Brook. Police attended the scene and spoke with a female driver, who displayed signs of drug impairment. She was subsequently arrested and a demand was made for blood samples. Police are awaiting lab results from these samples to determine whether charges of impaired operation are appropriate. The investigation is continuing.

Impaired operation of any motor vehicle is a choice that unnecessarily places the driver and all others who share the roadway at an increased level of risk. If you suspect an individual is driving while impaired, please immediately call your local police or 911 to make a report.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Lawrence Man Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl.

George Jimenez, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 41 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2024, Jimenez pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jimenez was initially charged by criminal complaint in October 2023.

On Sept. 27, 2022, Jimenez sold 99 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Methuen which was captured on video by a recording device. The video depicted Jimenez meeting the cooperating witness between two buildings. Jimenez made a quick hand-to-hand transaction with the cooperating witness, providing the witness with the drugs ordered in exchange for $1,500.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

This case 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 https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Illinois Man Sentenced for Stolen Firearm

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Illinois man was sentenced today for possession of a stolen firearm.

Steven Ray Dennis, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 120 months in federal prison without parole.

On July 7, 2020, Dennis pleaded guilty to a Superseding Information, admitting that he possessed a stolen firearm. According to his plea agreement, an officer with the Columbia, Mo. Police Department had been notified by private security for a local bar that a man in a Chicago Bulls hat and jacket was going to his vehicle to get a firearm. The officer located Dennis, who matched that description, but when asked if he had any guns on him, Dennis began to run. He was arrested after a brief foot chase during which he discarded his hat and jacket. When officers located the Chicago Bulls jacket, it contained a .32 caliber revolver in the pocket. The revolver was stolen and loaded with five rounds of ammunition. Dennis also had prior felony convictions.

Although Dennis pleaded guilty in 2020, government court filings indicated that he subsequently failed to report and was a fugitive until he was arrested in the Chicago area in January 2025.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo. Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Repeat alien smuggler sent to prison

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

McALLEN, Texas – A 32-year-old Roma resident has been sentenced for his involvement in alien smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Felipe Montez pleaded guilty Jan. 23.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Montez to serve 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Montez had four prior state arrests for human smuggling within the seven months preceding his federal arrest in December 2024. Several of these prior smuggling attempts involved fleeing from law enforcement. Two resulted in injury to illegal aliens present in his vehicle. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Montez’s dangerous activities.

“If you smuggle, assist, or attempt to bring people into this country illegally, you are going to serve federal time,” said Ganjei. “The Department of Justice is going to be relentless in its pursuit of those that make their money violating our nation’s immigration laws.”

On Dec. 23, 2024, Montez attempted to transport seven illegal aliens.

He was driving a vehicle waiting by the Rio Grande River near Escobares as the individuals ran from the river towards him.

Upon the sight of law enforcement, they all attempted to flee, but authorities apprehended them.

Further investigation revealed Montez was involved in four previous alien smuggling events which involved attempts to evade law enforcement. All five occurred in the area of Roma.

Montez’s smugglings attempts have involved a total of 41 illegal aliens.

He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety and Roma Police Department conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Wasserman Schultz Leads House Dems to Demand DHS Restore Oversight Offices, Overhaul Inhumane Detention Conditions

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

The Members wrote that, “people detained at Krome have faced alarming conditions, including prolonged confinement in unsanitary environments, lack of medical care, overcrowding, and mistreatment by staff. At least three deaths have occurred in ICE custody and several detained men and women and their families have alleged serious abuses. Immigration advocates have called it an ‘international human rights disaster.’ One detainee labeled Krome ‘a concentration camp.’”

Washington DC – Today, U.S Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) led 48 other House members who wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to demand an immediate restoration of Congressionally-mandated oversight agencies, and called for an immediate end to the immoral mistreatment of detained individuals. Closure and mass firings at oversight offices within the Department of Homeland Security have coincided with allegations of inhumane conditions and abuses, especially inside Krome Detention Center in South Florida.

The Members wrote that, “people detained at Krome have faced alarming conditions, including prolonged confinement in unsanitary environments, lack of medical care, overcrowding, and mistreatment by staff. At least three deaths have occurred in ICE custody and several detained men and women and their families have alleged serious abuses. Immigration advocates have called it an ‘international human rights disaster.’ One detainee labeled Krome ‘a concentration camp.’”

Wasserman Schultz was joined by fellow Florida Reps. Kathy Castor, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Maxwell Frost, Darren Soto, and Frederica Wilson. Among the other Members signing the letter were U.S. Reps.: Yassamin Ansari; Nanette Barragán; Suzanne Bonamici; André Carson; Troy Carter; Judy Chu; Yvette Clarke; Jason Crow; Danny Davis; Diana DeGette; Veronica Escobar; Adriano Espaillat; Laura Friedman; Jesús García; Robert Garcia; Daniel Goldman; Pablo Hernández; Jonathan Jackson; Pramila Jayapal; Henry Johnson; Robin Kelly; Ro Khanna; Rick Larsen; George Latimer; Betty McCollum; James McGovern; Grace Meng; Seth Moulton; Eleanor Holmes Norton; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Ilhan Omar; Brittany Pettersen; Mark Pocan; Brad Sherman; Marilyn Strickland; Shri Thanedar; Bennie Thompson; Rashida Tlaib; Paul Tonko; Norma Torres; Gabe Vasquez; Marc Veasey; Nydia Velázquez. No Republican House Members signed this letter.

The Wasserman Schultz-led letter is supported by several immigration and human rights advocacy groups, including the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans for Immigrant Justice (AIJ), National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT), Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, National Immigration Project, and the National Immigrant Justice Center.

Wasserman Schultz has led Congressional Democrats in the fight to restore Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Venezuelans, and she’s challenged the Trump Administration’s efforts to deport parole recipients from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Wasserman Schultz also sponsored the legal statute guaranteeing Members of Congress access to detention facilities, and has consistently called out the Trump Administration’s failure to prioritize criminals and neglect of migrant detainees.

Read the final signed letter here or below:

The Honorable Kristi Noem

Secretary of Homeland Security

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE

Washington, D.C. 20528

Secretary Noem:

We write to express our outrage regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to shut down key oversight offices responsible for ensuring civil rights and humane treatment of migrants in detention. The closure of these offices raises serious questions about DHS’s transparency and compliance with the law, particularly as reports continue to surface detailing inhumane conditions at facilities like Krome Detention Center in Florida. We demand immediate action to restore oversight and halt the immoral mistreatment of detained individuals.

Recent reporting from the Miami Herald indicates that people detained at Krome have faced alarming conditions, including prolonged confinement in unsanitary environments, lack of medical care, overcrowding, and mistreatment by staff. At least three deaths have occurred in ICE custody and several detained men and women and their families have alleged serious abuses. Immigration advocates have called it an “international human rights disaster.” One detainee labeled Krome “a concentration camp.”

Krome is overcrowded far beyond its capacity Advocates have alleged that ICE is underreporting the detained population in public data. As the Administration seeks to unlawfully terminate the legal status of over 1 million TPS and humanitarian parole recipients—all of whom were vetted by DHS upon entry or after applying for protections—conditions will likely worsen.

Rather than acting in response to dozens of complaints, reports, and lawsuits regarding inhumane conditions and civil rights violations at ICE detention facilities, the Administration has opted to cut off personnel and expertise tasked with ensuring medical, hygiene, mental health, and due process standards. On March 21, DHS effectively closed several oversight offices, the USCIS Ombudsman, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), and the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO). This will have impacts far beyond detention: it will cut off avenues for the public to file complaints about DHS policies and practices from airport screenings to

ICE raids against schools, hospitals, and religious centers.

The elimination of oversight mechanisms leaves individuals detained at Krome and around the country without recourse, undermines transparency, and erodes public trust in the Department’s ability to uphold basic human rights and responsibly manage billions of taxpayer dollars. This decision is particularly troubling given previous findings of abuse and neglect in DHS facilities, which underscore the necessity of independent oversight.

DHS has an obligation to ensure that all individuals in its custody are treated with dignity in accordance with the law and that federal spending on private contracts receives appropriate oversight and monitoring. The removal of essential oversight functions—whose activities are mandated by Congress—defies this obligation and places vulnerable populations at even greater risk of abuse. Given these concerns, we request answers to the following questions:

1.         What was the justification for shutting down oversight offices within DHS that Congress has tasked with ensuring humane conditions and compliance with civil rights laws at DHS detention facilities?

2.         What specific legal authority has DHS claimed in effectively shutting down internal oversight functions and withholding information from Congress and the public?

3.         How will funds appropriated by Congress for these offices be utilized going forward?

4.         What steps, if any, has DHS taken to ensure accountability and oversight in the absence of these offices, particularly in detention contracts with private prison companies?

5.         How does DHS plan to address the specific issues reported at Krome, including allegations of prolonged solitary confinement, overcrowding, physical abuse, and denial of medical treatment? Have additional medical staff or other personnel been surged to the facility considering reported overcrowding?

6.         What actions have been taken by DHS or ICE officials to guarantee access to detained persons for their family members and legal counsel?

7.         Has DHS conducted any internal reviews on the impact of reduced oversight on the conditions within detention centers? If so, what were the findings?

We demand you reverse this decision and provide Congress with a detailed plan for how DHS will restore humane conditions for detained migrants and provide transparency in detention operations. We look forward to your prompt response to these critical questions to ensure that the Trump Administration’s immigration policy does not devolve further into callous cruelty.

Sincerely,

####

Wasserman Schultz lidera a los demócratas de la Cámara de Representantes para exigir que el DHS restablezca las oficinas de supervisión y revise las condiciones inhumanas de detención.

Washington DC – Hoy, la representante estadounidense Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) encabezó a otros 48 miembros de la Cámara de Representantes que escribieron a la secretaria de Seguridad Nacional, Kristi Noem, para exigir el restablecimiento inmediato de las agencias de supervisión establecidas por el Congreso y el fin inmediato del maltrato inmoral a las personas detenidas. El cierre y los despidos masivos de las oficinas de supervisión del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional han coincidido con denuncias de condiciones inhumanas y abusos, especialmente en el Centro de Detención Krome, en el sur de Florida.

Los miembros escribieron que “las personas detenidas en Krome han enfrentado condiciones alarmantes, incluyendo confinamiento prolongado en entornos insalubres, falta de atención médica, hacinamiento y maltrato por parte del personal. Al menos tres muertes han ocurrido bajo custodia de ICE, varios hombres y mujeres detenidos y sus familias han denunciado graves abusos. Defensores de los derechos de los inmigrantes lo han calificado de “desastre internacional de derechos humanos”. Un detenido calificó a Krome de “campo de concentración”.

Wasserman Schultz estuvo acompañada por otros representantes de Florida: Kathy Castor, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Maxwell Frost, Darren Soto, and Frederica Wilson. Entre otros miembros que firmaron la carta se encontraban representantes de EE. UU.: Yassamin Ansari; Nanette Barragán; Suzanne Bonamici; André Carson; Troy Carter; Judy Chu; Yvette Clarke; Jason Crow; Danny Davis; Diana DeGette; Veronica Escobar; Adriano Espaillat; Laura Friedman; Jesús García; Robert Garcia; Daniel Goldman; Pablo Hernández; Jonathan Jackson; Pramila Jayapal; Henry Johnson; Robin Kelly; Ro Khanna; Rick Larsen; George Latimer; Betty McCollum; James McGovern; Grace Meng; Seth Moulton; Eleanor Holmes Norton; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Ilhan Omar; Brittany Pettersen; Mark Pocan; Brad Sherman; Marilyn Strickland; Shri Thanedar; Bennie Thompson; Rashida Tlaib; Paul Tonko; Norma Torres; Gabe Vasquez; Marc Veasey; Nydia Velázquez. Ningún miembro republicano de la Cámara de Representantes firmó esta carta.

La carta, dirigida por Wasserman Schultz, cuenta con el apoyo de varios grupos de defensa de la inmigración y los derechos humanos, entre ellos el Centro Nacional de Derecho de Inmigración, la Coalición de Inmigrantes de Florida, la Unión Americana de Libertades Civiles, Americanos por Justicia Immigrante, la Campaña Religiosa Nacional Contra la Tortura, la Red de Defensa de los Inmigrantes de las Montañas Rocosas, el Proyecto Nacional de Inmigración y el Centro Nacional de Justicia para Inmigrantes.

Wasserman Schultz ha liderado a los demócratas del Congreso en la lucha por restaurar el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para haitianos y venezolanos, y ha desafiado los esfuerzos de la Administración Trump para deportar a beneficiarios de libertad condicional de Cuba, Haití, Nicaragua y Venezuela. Wasserman Schultz también impulsó el estatuto legal que garantiza a los miembros del Congreso el acceso a los centros de detención, y ha denunciado constantemente la falta de prioridad de la Administración Trump para los delincuentes y la negligencia hacia los detenidos migrantes.

Lea la carta final firmada aquí o abajo:

La Honorable Kristi Noem

Secretaria de Seguridad Nacional

Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de los Estados Unidos

2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE

Washington, D.C. 20528

Secretaria Noem:

Escribimos para expresar nuestra indignación por la decisión del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) de cerrar oficinas clave de supervisión, responsables de garantizar los derechos civiles y el trato humano a los migrantes detenidos. El cierre de estas oficinas plantea serias dudas sobre la transparencia y el cumplimiento de la ley por parte del DHS, en particular ante la continua aparición de informes que detallan condiciones inhumanas en centros como el Centro de Detención Krome en Florida. Exigimos medidas inmediatas para restablecer la supervisión y poner fin al maltrato inmoral de las personas detenidas.

Informes recientes del Miami Herald indican que las personas detenidas en Krome han enfrentado condiciones alarmantes, incluyendo confinamiento prolongado en entornos insalubres, falta de atención médica, hacinamiento y maltrato por parte del personal. Al menos tres personas han fallecido bajo custodia del ICE y varios hombres y mujeres detenidos, junto con sus familias, han denunciado graves abusos. Defensores de los derechos de los inmigrantes lo han calificado de “desastre internacional para los derechos humanos”. Un detenido calificó a Krome de “campo de concentración”.

Krome está sobrepoblado, superando con creces su capacidad. Defensores de derechos han alegado que el ICE no reporta la población detenida en los datos públicos. A medida que el gobierno intenta cancelar ilegalmente el estatus legal de más de un millón de beneficiarios del TPS y de la libertad condicional humanitaria —todos ellos examinados por el DHS al ingresar o después de solicitar protección—, es probable que las condiciones empeoren.

En lugar de actuar en respuesta a las decenas de quejas, informes y demandas sobre las condiciones inhumanas y las violaciones de los derechos civiles en los centros de detención del ICE, el Gobierno ha optado por recortar el personal y los expertos encargados de garantizar los estándares médicos, de higiene, de salud mental y del debido proceso. El 21 de marzo, el DHS cerró varias oficinas de supervisión: el Defensor del Pueblo de USCIS, la Oficina para los Derechos Civiles y las Libertades Civiles (CRCL) y el Defensor del Pueblo para la Detención de Inmigrantes (OIDO). Esto tendrá consecuencias mucho más allá de la detención: eliminará las vías para que el público presente quejas sobre las políticas y prácticas del DHS, desde los controles en aeropuertos hasta las redadas del ICE en escuelas, hospitales y centros religiosos.

La eliminación de los mecanismos de supervisión deja a las personas detenidas en Krome y en todo el país sin recursos, socava la transparencia y erosiona la confianza pública en la capacidad del Departamento para defender los derechos humanos fundamentales y gestionar responsablemente miles de millones de dólares de los contribuyentes. Esta decisión es particularmente preocupante, dados los hallazgos previos de abuso y negligencia en las instalaciones del DHS, que subrayan la necesidad de una supervisión independiente.

El DHS tiene la obligación de garantizar que todas las personas bajo su custodia reciban un trato digno conforme a la ley y que el gasto federal en contratos privados reciba la supervisión y el monitoreo adecuados. La eliminación de las funciones esenciales de supervisión — cuyas actividades son exigidas por el Congreso — contraviene esta obligación y expone a las poblaciones vulnerables a un riesgo aún mayor de abuso. Dadas estas preocupaciones, solicitamos respuestas a las siguientes preguntas:

¿Cuál fue la justificación para cerrar las oficinas de supervisión dentro del DHS a las que el Congreso encargó garantizar las condiciones humanas y el cumplimiento de las leyes de derechos civiles en los centros de detención del DHS?

¿Qué autoridad legal específica ha reivindicado el DHS para cerrar efectivamente las funciones de supervisión interna y retener información al Congreso y al público?

¿Cómo se utilizarán en el futuro los fondos asignados por el Congreso para estas oficinas?

¿Qué medidas, si las hubiera, ha adoptado el DHS para garantizar la rendición de cuentas y la supervisión en ausencia de estas oficinas, en los contratos de detención con empresas penitenciarias privadas?

¿Cómo planea el DHS abordar los problemas específicos reportados en Krome, incluyendo las acusaciones de aislamiento prolongado, hacinamiento, abuso físico y denegación de tratamiento médico? ¿Se ha incrementado el personal médico u otro personal en las instalaciones considerando el hacinamiento reportado?

¿Qué acciones han tomado los funcionarios del DHS o del ICE para garantizar el acceso de sus familiares y abogados a las personas detenidas?

¿Ha realizado el DHS alguna revisión interna sobre el impacto de la reducción de la supervisión en las condiciones dentro de los centros de detención? De ser así, ¿cuáles fueron las conclusiones?

Exigimos que revoque esta decisión y proporcione al Congreso un plan detallado sobre cómo el DHS restaurará las condiciones humanas para los migrantes detenidos y garantizará la transparencia en las operaciones de detención. Esperamos su pronta respuesta a estas preguntas cruciales para garantizar que la política migratoria de la Administración Trump no se convierta en una crueldad aún mayor.

Atentamente,

####

MIL OSI USA News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden Reintroduce Legislation to Guarantee Legal Representation for Unaccompanied Children in Immigration Proceedings
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

April 08, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in reintroducing the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025, legislation to provide unaccompanied children with legal representation in court when they appear in proceedings before an immigration judge. This comes as the Trump Administration attempts to terminate the contract that provides legal services for approximately 26,000 unaccompanied children who appear in immigration court.

“President Trump’s inhumane immigration policies are putting kids in danger by forcing unaccompanied children to represent themselves in court,” said Merkley. “It’s unimaginably cruel, and we must fight to ensure every child has a fair chance to accurately present their case for legal protection in our country.”

“No kid should ever have to represent themself in court – period,” said Wyden. “It should go without saying that courts are meant to be navigated by the attorneys who understand America’s complex legal system. The Trump administration’s decision to gut legal representation for unaccompanied kids is not only immoral but also blatantly illegal. Forcing unaccompanied babies, toddlers, and youth to go without representation will leave kids vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking. Congress must ensure children have real legal counsel and protect them from harm.”

Nearly half of all unaccompanied children represent themselves during legal proceedings and it is extremely difficult for children to successfully navigate the U.S. immigration system without an attorney—unrepresented children appear alone in immigration court to face a judge and an adversarial government attorney seeking their removal from the United States. Immigration judges are nearly 100 times less likely to grant relief to unaccompanied children without counsel compared to those with counsel. The federal government provides legal representation to some unaccompanied minors in accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, which created special protections for children who arrive in the U.S. without a parent or a legal guardian. Now, the Trump Administration is working to terminate those services completely.

Specifically, the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act:
1. Requires that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide counsel to noncitizen unaccompanied children appearing before the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or a state court, unless the child has obtained counsel at their own expense;
2. Extends the government’s duty to ensure counsel for unaccompanied children to the end of the immigration proceedings, even if the child turns 18 during proceedings;
3. Ensures that children are informed of their right to representation within 72 hours of entering HHS custody and creates infrastructure to identify, recruit, and train pro bono lawyers to provide representation;
4. Allows unaccompanied children to reopen their case if HHS fails to provide counsel;
5. Requires the government and stakeholders to create guidelines and duties for counsel representing unaccompanied children, largely based on American Bar Association recommendations;
6. Clarifies that the government may, at its choosing, also provide counsel to other individuals in immigration court;
7. Requires noncitizens, and their attorneys, to receive a complete copy of the noncitizen’s immigration file at least 10 days before the removal proceedings;
8. Guarantees access to counsel for all noncitizens detained in DHS facilities; and
9. Requires a report on children’s access to counsel.
The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act was led by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono. In addition to Merkley and Wyden, this bill is cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Full text of the bill can be found by clicking here.
MIL OSI USA News –
April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why tax literacy should be a national priority in Canada

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Esteban Vallejo Toledo, PhD Student in Law and Society, University of Victoria

The last time Canada’s political parties campaigned during a tax season was more than a decade ago. This year, taxes are a hot topic, and for good reason. Shortly after the federal election was called, the political parties began rolling out promises of tax cuts to win over voters.

At the same time, although Canada’s consumer carbon tax was scapped last month, debates about the industrial carbon tax are likely to continue.

As the election campaign continues and political parties make more tax-related promises, approximately 3,520 tax clinics and 18,090 volunteers are doing their best to help people file their taxes until April 30. Some of the volunteers are struggling to help as many people as possible.

No candidate has talked about a tax issue that is essential for life in free and democratic societies: tax literacy. If Canada is to maintain an informed, financially responsible and democratic society, tax literacy must become part of the national conversation.

A longstanding idea with modern relevance

The notion of tax literacy has been gaining traction in recent years, but it’s far from a new idea.

One of the earliest advocates for tax literacy and education was Charles Montesquieu, a French judge and political philosopher of the Enlightenment.

Portrait of Charles Montesquieu by an anonymous artist.
(Wikimedia Commons)

In his 1748 book The Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu argued for tax literacy and education for two key reasons.

First, he was convinced that knowledge about taxation was necessary to defend oneself against the corruption and abuse that characterized private tax collectors, known at the time as tax farmers.

Second, he believed education in democratic societies could enhance people’s sense of responsibility for public affairs and help hold authorities accountable for their actions. In his view, tax literacy and education were instrumental in how societies organized themselves for the common good.

More than 275 years later, Montesquieu’s argument remains just as relevant.

Tax literacy is neglected in Canada

In Canada, tax literacy continues to be neglected despite efforts by tax agencies like Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec to promote it.

There are important reasons to treat tax literacy as a national priority. It helps people understand and navigate federal, provincial and municipal taxes, recognize the social importance of taxation and responsibly exercise their rights. It also allows people to manage their financial affairs according to the law.

Tax literacy is also instrumental in contesting economic populism, a political approach that claims to represent the interests of “ordinary people” against perceived elites, often by oversimplifying complex issues like taxation.

It also helps counter the spread of of disinformation, misinformation and malinformation about taxes in the media, online and on social networks.

Read more:
The Canada Carbon Rebate is still widely misunderstood — here’s why

In Canada, recent examples include misleading claims that Canada has the highest taxes in the world, mischaracterizations of climate tax policies, flawed analyses of the carbon rebate’s cost and other misconceptions about the carbon rebate.

Tax literacy vs. financial literacy

While Canada has done considerable work to further financial literacy since 2001, tax literacy has received far less attention from both authorities and scholars.

In fact, only two peer-reviewed studies have examined tax literacy in Canada. Published in 2016 and 2020, these studies analyze tax literacy within the context of financial literacy and mostly in relation to the income tax.

Similar to financial literacy, the authors of these studies define tax literacy as “having the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible tax decisions.”

Canada’s federal and provincial governments, as well as non-profit organizations and tax preparers, tend to use a benefit-based narrative to promote tax literacy and encourage tax compliance.

This narrative frames filing income taxes as positive because it allows people to receive direct payments from the government. In Canada, the income tax system is closely linked to the social support system that benefits everyone, particularly low-income people for whom filing taxes is the primary way to access benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST Credit and the Canada Workers Benefit.

The missing fiscal dimension

While the benefit-based approach aligns with international standards and has clear advantages, it also has drawbacks.

Most notably, it overlooks the fiscal dimension of tax literacy. This dimension highlights the role taxes play in raising revenue to support government programs, promoting collective well-being, regulating economic activity, addressing social inequalities, strengthening democratic institutions and advancing social goals like environmental protection.

Taxes are far more than mandatory payments to government. Recognizing this enables citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes and hold governments accountable.

Read more:
10 things everyone should know about taxation

The fiscal dimension also broadens public understanding beyond the income tax. On one hand, it helps people interact with tax authorities beyond the CRA, including those administered by provinces, municipalities and First Nations.

On the other hand, it helps citizens better understand public budgets and recognize that while income tax is an important source of revenue, it is not the only one.

The fiscal dimension also challenges harmful narratives that attempt to create social divisions by using the terms “taxpayer” and “taxpayer money.” It also counters the spread of wrongful stereotypes of Indigenous people. These narratives are often used in populist rhetoric to undermine democracy by excluding marginalized groups.

What needs to happen now

Tax literacy must become a national priority in Canada, and public institutions must lead this process. To move in this direction, Canada’s public institutions should:

1) Adopt a holistic approach to tax literacy that includes both the fiscal and financial dimensions.

2) Address misinformation and discrimination experienced by Indigenous people regarding tax exemptions. This is essential to honouring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

3) Offer long-term partnerships and support to teachers and educational institutions to integrate tax literacy into schools.

4) Lead the production of education resources to ensure a holistic approach. Education resources produced or sponsored by the private sector tend to focus on individual responsibility and frame financial choices in moral terms without considering broader social contexts.

5) Ensure tax literacy initiatives serve not only children and youth but adults as well, in line with UNESCO’s vision of education as a lifelong right.

6) Ensure adult tax literacy resources follow the recommendations of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). They should be thorough but easy to understand, offered in multiple formats, concise and supplemented by additional resources. Public authorites should expand podcasts, learning platforms and tax initiatives.

The history of taxes in Canada has been one of important developments but also of social and economic conflicts, wrongful discrimination and colonial racism. It must not also become a history of populism and missed opportunities.

Now is the time for Canada to write a different chapter. By advancing tax literacy, both authorities and society as a whole can strengthen democracy and build a more informed public.

Esteban Vallejo Toledo receives funding from the Law Commission of Canada Emerging Scholars Program. He has previously received funding from SSHRC, LFBC, and UVic.

– ref. Why tax literacy should be a national priority in Canada – https://theconversation.com/why-tax-literacy-should-be-a-national-priority-in-canada-252722

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and OSCE partners present the Democracy Defenders Award to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

UK and OSCE partners present the Democracy Defenders Award to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association

Minister of State Stephen Doughty congratulates the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association for its efforts to protect democracy and human rights for Georgians.
Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, said:

“I congratulate the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) on winning the prestigious Democracy Defender Award gifted by the UK and seven OSCE partners. The GYLA is providing essential support to human rights activists and civil society organisations in Georgia who are coming under increasing pressure from repressive legislation.

“After months of democratic backsliding, arbitrary arrests, and the use of excessive force against protestors, politicians and journalists, Georgian Dream has shown no indication they will return to their European path and uphold the democratic wishes of its own electorate.

“I urge the Georgian authorities to reverse this isolationist behaviour, and I thank the GYLA for their important work protecting the fundamental rights of Georgian people.”

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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Updates to this page

Published 8 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: ATF Announces 2025 Raven’s Challenge Interoperability Explosives Exercises
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) in partnership with the U.S. Army, announce the locations for the 2025 Raven’s Challenge Interoperability Exercises.

The event trains explosives-expert participants on preparing for and countering the threat of improvised explosive devices. The training occurs at multiple locations throughout the U.S.
- April 13 – 18, Volunteer Training Site, Tunnel Hill, Georgia
- May 18 – 23, Camp Gruber, Braggs, Oklahoma
- June 8 – 13, Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- July 13 – 18, Camp Dawson, Kingswood, West Virginia
Raven’s Challenge started in 2004 as an ATF-led training exercise for military explosives ordinance disposal teams and civilian public safety bomb squads in the Pacific Northwest. The exercise grew into the largest explosives disposal public safety training exercise in the world. Last year’s challenge had more than 900 participants and included training staff from the U.S. and 18 countries.

“This training is vital in strengthening partnerships between multiple organizations allowing us to protect the public from these evolving threats,” said Greg Smith, Law Enforcement Training Specialist and ATF Raven’s Challenge Program Manager. “Our training team continues to lean forward and remains focused on providing realistic scenarios in operational environments.”

Raven’s Challenge includes participants from all U.S. military branches, local and state bomb squads, and teams from the Department of Justice. International participation has increased to include countries from Europe and north Africa.

The training emphasizes the U.S. military’s explosives ordnance disposal role in Defense Support of Civil Authorities and their interoperability with public safety bomb squads in support of homeland defense.

Raven’s Challenge is funded by the U.S. Army and executed by ATF and partner agencies including the U.S. Army, the FBI, and local and state law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

ATF provides training facilities and the expertise of its training staff in delivering life-saving advanced explosives and arson training for our nation’s explosives handlers, bomb technicians and certified fire investigators.

NCETR manages ATF’s key explosives, fire, and response operations at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. NCETR consists of the Explosives Enforcement and Training Division, Explosives Research and Development Division, and the Fire Investigation and Arson Enforcement Division. Other components include the National Canine Division located in Front Royal, Virginia. The main NCETR facility and explosives ranges in Huntsville make this center a unique resource in the fight against violent crime.

For more information and videos, visit Raven’s Challenge Interoperability Exercise.

MIL Security OSI –
April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Atlanta announces results of multiagency operations across Georgia
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ATLANTA — U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement announced April 4 the results of interagency enforcement operations targeting illegal aliens present in Georgia.

Since Jan. 22, federal agents have arrested about 1,500 illegal aliens statewide, through a targeted enforcement effort aimed at protecting public safety and upholding the rule of law. These arrests were made possible through strong collaboration among federal agencies including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the United States Marshalls Service.

Since March 24, agents and officers have made over 150 arrests for criminal and civil immigration violations across Georgia with a focus on gangs, drug trafficking, violent crimes, organized crime, and other public safety threats. During these actions, agents seized narcotics, firearms, and bulk currency drug proceeds from illegal aliens. ICE Homeland Security Investigations simultaneously led a large-scale labor trafficking operation which resulted in the rescue of trafficking victims and criminal arrests. These arrests are a crucial part of ICE’s ongoing commitment to identifying and removing aliens who pose a risk to public safety and communities across the state of Georgia and the United States.

Key Highlights of the Operation:
- ICE assisted the Cobb County Police Department with the arrest of a Honduran national, who is illegally in the United States, for the alleged murder and rape of an unidentified female. The subject was previously ordered removed by an immigration judge in July of 2023.
- During an ICE, ATF, and DEA operation, law enforcement arrested four individuals and seized 13 firearms. One of the subjects arrested is in the United States illegally and was in possession of a firearm.
- During an ICE, DEA, ATF, and FBI operation, law enforcement arrested 13 illegal aliens and seized two firearms and approximately $170,000 in cash. One subject will be charged with possession of a firearm.
- ICE, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigations, and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, arrested the owner of a flooring manufacturing company and the owner’s nephew during a labor trafficking operation in Cartersville, Georgia. In total, eight search warrants were executed, and more than 60 victims were rescued. The victims were allegedly brought to the United States and forced to live in deplorable housing conditions and work long hours under poor conditions for unfair wages.
“HSI remains unwavering in its mission to protect the safety and security of our communities,” said ICE HSI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank, which covers Georgia and Alabama. “The individuals arrested in these operations are not only in the U.S. illegally but have also been involved in activities that harm American citizens and residents. Through these operations, we are sending a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated, regardless of immigration status.”

Many of those arrested were previously convicted of serious crimes such as assault, drug distribution, weapons offenses, child exploitation, and other felonies. These individuals were apprehended through coordinated efforts with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

In addition to its criminal enforcement operations, ICE, alongside its federal, state, and local partners, continues to focus on dismantling human trafficking networks, disrupting smuggling operations, and working to combat transnational criminal organizations. The agency’s focus on criminal illegal aliens aligns with its commitment to enhancing national security and public safety.

ICE encourages the public to report suspicious activity to the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.

For more information about HSI’s work, please follow us on X: @HSIAtlanta.

MIL OSI USA News –
April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Labrador Announces Conviction of Bonneville County Man Charged with Child Enticement

Source: US State of Idaho

[BOISE] – Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that a jury found Anthony Calderon, 27, guilty of enticing a child using the internet. District Judge Alan Stephens presided over the trial which took place on March 31st and April 1, 2025.
During the trial, the jury heard evidence that in August 2023 a 10-year-old female in Attleboro, Massachusetts had a conversation on Snapchat with an adult male going by the name “Alex Davis.” The adult male posing as Davis asked the victim to engage in and watch lewd acts via FaceTime.
“Our Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit has a very clear mission – to remove child predators from our communities, and to protect vulnerable children from being victimized and exploited,” said Attorney General Labrador. “I’m grateful for the diligence of the investigators and prosecutors, for the service of the jury, and for the courage of the victim and her family to come forward and speak out.”
The victim’s mother reported the conversation to the Attleboro Police Department. Detective Katelyn Hart tracked the individual known as “Alex Davis” to Bonneville County and referred the investigation to Detective Jared Mendenhall with the Idaho Falls Police Department. Detective Mendenhall connected the account used by “Alex Davis” to Anthony Calderon via the Snapchat account, email addresses, IP addresses, and the IMEI number from a cellphone used by Calderon while at work.
After his arrest, Calderon admitted on jail telephone calls that he had a sexual conversation with a minor but claimed he did it out of boredom rather than for arousal. He also assured a family member that he never used his real name or real pictures.
At trial, the now 12-year-old victim shared her story with the jury. She testified that she had put her age in her screen name on Snapchat to “keep the creeps away.” After a two-day trial, the jury found Calderon guilty of enticing a child using the internet. Calderon faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison, a $50,000 fine, or both.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen, joined by Deputy Attorney General James Haws. Sentencing is scheduled for May 28, 2025.
Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
The Attorney General’s ICAC Unit works with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and prosecute individuals who use the internet to criminally exploit children.
Parents, educators and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Bill Essayli Announces Criminal Task Force to Investigate Fraud and Corruption Involving Homelessness Funds

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

LOS ANGELES – United States Attorney Bill Essayli today announced the formation of the Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force, which will investigate fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption involving funds allocated toward the eradication of homelessness within the seven-county jurisdiction of the Central District of California.

This task force will be comprised of federal prosecutors from the Major Frauds Section, the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, and the Civil Division’s Civil Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Assisting the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be the FBI, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), and IRS Criminal Investigation.

The Central District of California is comprised of approximately 20 million residents within the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

Los Angeles County alone contains a homeless population of more than 75,000, of which more than 45,000 are within the city limits of Los Angeles. The total homeless population of the remaining six counties of the district exceeds 20,000.

Despite voter-approved initiatives and billions of dollars spent on tackling this issue, homelessness remains a crisis, especially in Los Angeles County. Last month, a court-ordered audit found that homelessness services provided by the city and county of Los Angeles were “disjointed” and contained “poor data quality and integration” and lacked financial controls to monitor contracts for compliance and performance.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government sent $100 million in emergency aid to Los Angeles County to address homelessness. Last month, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded more than $200 million to address homelessness in Los Angeles.

“California has spent more than $24 billion over the past five years to address homelessness,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “But officials have been unable to account for all the expenditures and outcomes, and the homeless crisis has only gotten worse. Taxpayers deserve answers for where and how their hard-earned money has been spent. If state and local officials cannot provide proper oversight and accountability, we will do it for them. If we discover any federal laws were violated, we will make arrests.”

Partnering with federal law enforcement agencies, the Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force will investigate crimes related to the misappropriation of federal tax dollars intended to alleviate homelessness in the Central District of California. The task force will prioritize a review of federal, state, and local programs receiving federal grants and funding. The task force will also investigate fraud schemes involving the theft of private donations intended to provide support and services for the homeless population.

“Any exploitation of the homelessness crisis via the theft of funds intended to improve conditions cannot and will not be tolerated,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI is proud to join the newly formed task force and will continue to investigate fraudulent schemes and corrupt officials who misappropriate government funding or private donations intended to aid those in need.”

“The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General is proud to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners as part of the Homeless Fraud and Corruption Task Force,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Lawler with HUD-OIG. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to protecting vulnerable communities, ensuring accountability, and promoting integrity in programs intended to serve those most in need.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation is uniquely poised to track any funds granted through various federal programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of IRS Criminal Investigation in Los Angeles. “We look forward to working with our federal partners to ensure taxpayer and donor funds are spent in accordance with their original intended purposes.”

MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former Blackberry Volunteer Fire Chief Sentenced for COVID-19 Fraud

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The former Fire Chief of the Blackberry Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) in Pike County, Christopher Chapman, 36, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell to 12 months in prison, for theft of public funds.

In 2021, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, to support communities and local governments that were struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government distributed emergency funding to local governments to maintain vital local services. In Spring 2022, Pike County local government authorized the distribution of $50,000 of these funds through grants that were allocated for the purchase of turnout gear for fire and rescue, along with equipment and building maintenance. Chapman applied for these grants on behalf of BVFD, and the local government awarded the full amount of the grants.

According to his plea agreement, on April 11, 2022, Chapman created a company named Rural Public Safety Equipment, LLC. (RPSE), as the sole organizer and member, and registered it with the West Virginia Secretary of State. Chapman then informed members of the BVFD that he could obtain fire safety equipment at cost from a safety equipment company, and he failed to disclose that he was the owner of the company. The fire department pre-paid and ordered $76,854.50 worth of fire and safety equipment from RPSE. Instead of using the prepayments from BVFD to fulfill the orders, Chapman never fulfilled any fire and safety equipment orders, spent all the money on his own personal use, and withdrew $61,500 in cash from the RPSE bank account.

Under federal law, Chapman must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years. Chapman was also ordered to pay $76,854.50 in restitution.

Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Bruce Roberts, Interim Executive Director, Kentucky Fire Commission, jointly announced the sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky Fire Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Dunn-Pirio is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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MIL Security OSI –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Reintroducing Legislation to Expand Telehealth Access

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined a bipartisan group of 60 senators in reintroducing the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act. The CONNECT for Health Act will expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, make COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permanent, improve health outcomes and make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors. Current flexibilities are set to expire on September 30 unless Congress extends them.
“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in our health care infrastructure while also demonstrating how telehealth can be an effective way to provide care to patients,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation would expand telehealth services and help make certain that Kansans, especially those in rural communities, continue to have access to the health care services they need.”
In addition to Sen. Moran, the bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Angus King (I-Maine.), Jim Justice (R-W.V.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.).
Telehealth provides essential access to care with nearly a quarter of Americans accessing telehealth in a month, according to the most recent available data.
The CONNECT for Health Act would:
Permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to the location of the patient, including homes
Permanently allow health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services
Allow more eligible health care professionals to utilize telehealth services
Remove unnecessary in-person visit requirement for telemental health services
Allow for the waiver of telehealth restrictions during public health emergencies
Require more published data to learn more about how telehealth is being used, impacts of quality of care and how it can be improved to support patients and health care providers.
The CONNECT for Health Act was first introduced in 2016 and is considered the most comprehensive legislation on telehealth in Congress. Since 2016, several provisions of the bill have been enacted into law or adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including provisions to remove restrictions on telehealth services for mental health, stroke care and home dialysis.
Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Mike Thompson (D- Calif.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.).
The CONNECT for Health Act has the support of more than 150 organizations including the American Medical Association, AARP, American Hospital Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Association of Rural Health Clinics and American Telemedicine Association.
Click HERE for the full text of the bill.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senators Budd, Grassley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Clarify the Scope of Judicial Relief

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in introducing the Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025. The bill would limit federal court orders to parties directly before the court—ending the practice of universal injunctions and clarifying the constitutional role of the judicial branch.
“District judges are not policymakers and have no authority to set national policy. The Constitution intentionally separates powers among three equal branches of government, but some district judges have overstepped, infringing on the executive branch with nationwide orders. These activist judges are undermining our nation’s constitutional balance of power, and we must put an end to this dangerous act of overreach. I am proud to join Senator Grassley and several of my Senate Republican colleagues to introduce the Judicial Relief Clarification Act to address improper judicial interference with the executive branch,” said Senator Budd.
Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) joined Senators Budd and Grassley in introducing the bill.
Read the full bill text HERE.
Background
Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution limits courts to deciding cases or controversies. Nevertheless, it has become increasingly common for federal judges to issue sweeping “universal injunctions” that apply even to people who are not before the court. Universal injunctions defy two centuries of historic precedent. Scholars have found no clear record of such an order before 1963 – they have only become common in the last decade. In the first two months of President Trump’s second term, district court judges have issued more universal injunctions against his policies than the Biden administration experienced in four years.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 9, 2025