Midwest
Illegal migrants in Nebraska town bringing 'stress' to schools, public safety
Fremont, Nebraska, City Council member Paul Von Behren shared with Fox & Friends First on Wednesday how the effects of illegal immigration have impacted his community. While far from the southern border, Fremont is debating the influx of migrants, especially those who are working in meat-processing plants in the town.
“I think the primary draw is the cheap labor they provide. They’re basically less educated, less skilled than the average American worker. We’re primarily a meat processing town, so by and large our businesses like to have them here to provide cheap labor, simply,” said Von Behren.
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Von Behren also discussed the impact of illegal immigration on crime in Fremont.
“From Fremont, from a public safety standpoint, we’ve had at least three arrests for child rape by known illegals,” the city council member said. “Even in our traffic stats, our DUIs, our no-license, no-insurance, 75 percent of those have been illegals.”
“We’re seeing a lot of stress, frankly, on our schools and public safety and actually it’s beginning to drive taxes up,” he continued.
“The exact costs are difficult [to quantify] but the [increase in] taxes primarily are from all the housing pressure they put on us,” Von Behren said, referring to the increase in illegal migrants in Fremont. “Property taxes in Fremont have been going up at least twice the rate of incomes for the last 15 years. In the last 5 years, those taxes have gone up an additional 25 percent.”
PROTESTERS ATTEMPT TO STOP REMOVAL OF HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS FROM PUBLIC-FUNDED HOUSING
Von Behren was also questioned about President-elect Trump’s plans to deport illegal migrants upon entering office.
“It’s not so much a matter of supporting deportation,” Von Behren said. “It’s a matter of supporting federal law. These people broke the federal law with their first step into this nation by being illegal. It doesn’t matter whether it’s race, it doesn’t matter whether it’s any other factor, they’re here illegally and anyone illegally here deserves to be imported.”
In the weeks before Trump assumes office on Jan. 20, some voters in states like New York have been polled about the president-elect’s deportation plans.
The Siena College New York State Poll found that 54% of respondents say the state should support any Trump administration efforts to deport migrants living illegally in the state, compared to 35% of respondents who oppose the plans.
Fox News’ Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
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Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions announces 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker Nominee for making a difference in their community
DETROIT – Today, Alycia Meriweather has been announced as the Detroit Lions 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker – an annual award given to local leaders who are making a difference in their community across the NFL’s Inspire Change initiatives four pillars of education, economic advancement, police-community relations or criminal justice reform.
Meriweather is the Deputy Superintendent of External Partnerships and Innovation for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and has been making a difference in the community for over 20 years.
As a Detroit native, she has dedicated her life and profession to education. Her career at DPSCD has included the positions of lead teacher, Executive Director for the Office of Science Education, the Director of the Detroit Mathematics and Science Center, Executive Director for the Office of Curriculum, and Interim Superintendent. With each role, she combines a deep understanding of traditional education with creative approaches to meet the diverse needs of students and teachers.
In 2023, Meriweather partnered with the Detroit Lions to organize a CPR/AED training for 400 DPSCD faculty members at Ford Field and provide 30 training kits to DPSCD facilities for continuous training of staff and students. She also coordinated DPSCD’s involvement in the 2024 NFL Draft, giving over 2,000 local students unique opportunities throughout the week in Detroit.
Through mentorship, Meriweather has inspired lifelong resilience and success in her students, often going above and beyond, including taking students into her home for periods of time while their families worked through housing and financial problems.
Meriweather will be recognized at the Detroit Lions Inspire Change game on Dec. 15 for her extraordinary work in pursuit of social justice. She will also receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to a non-profit organization of her choice.
“We are proud to announce Alycia Meriweather as the Detroit Lions 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker,” said Detroit Lions Vice President of Detroit Lions Foundation and Community Relations Roxanne Caine. “Throughout her career, she has been an invaluable partner to our club. Her passion and dedication to promoting equitable education and creating unique learning experiences for Detroit teachers and students perfectly embodies the spirit of the Inspire Change Changemaker award.”
“It is an incredible honor to be selected by the Detroit Lions as their Inspire Change Changemaker of the year,” said Meriweather. “I represent all of the Changemakers in the Detroit Public Schools Community District – our students, teachers, parents, staff and administrators who work hard every day to create better opportunities and outcomes for young people in the City of Detroit.”
“This year’s Changemakers have shown exceptional commitment and fervor in championing social justice,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Their remarkable stories and commitment to giving back should inspire all of us to do more. The NFL and its clubs are proud to congratulate and thank these individuals for their unwavering dedication to making a difference.”
For more information on Inspire Change and the Changemaker Award, visit NFL.com/Changemakers.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Panthers rout Green Bay, Stillwell scores 24
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Jamichael Stillwell had 24 points in Milwaukee’s 88-67 victory over Green Bay on Wednesday night.
Stillwell also contributed 19 rebounds for the Panthers (7-4, 2-0 Horizon League). Kentrell Pullian scored 18 points and added eight rebounds. Erik Pratt had 12 points and shot 4 for 7, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc.
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The Phoenix (2-9, 0-3) were led in scoring by Anthony Roy, who finished with 20 points. Marcus Hall added 18 points and six rebounds for Green Bay. Isaiah Miranda also had 10 points and two blocks. The loss was the Phoenix’s sixth straight.
Minneapolis, MN
Biden Pardons 3 MN Prisoners In Largest-Ever Clemency
MINNESOTA — President Joe Biden on Thursday commuted the sentences of 1,500 Americans who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and pardoned more than three dozen other people, including three from Minnesota.
The sweeping action was the largest act of clemency in a single day and includes 39 pardons for non-violent crimes, including drug offenses, for people who had “turned their lives around,” the White House said.
Those granted clemency had been serving longer sentences than would have been imposed under more recent laws and practices and were placed on home confinement during the pandemic, and are people who have successfully reintegrated into their communities, Biden said. The full list of those granted clemency can be found here.
Individuals from Minnesota who were pardoned include:
Lashawn Marrvinia Walker – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Lashawn Marrvinia Walker is a 51-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to non-violent drug offenses in her 20s. Ms. Walker received early termination of her probationary sentence for her exemplary probation record. Since then, Ms. Walker has worked in the healthcare field, is an engaged parent, and regularly assists others in her community, including during the holidays when she helps serve dinner at a retirement home. People in her community describe Ms. Walker as caring, good-hearted, and responsible. They also note her willingness to meaningfully help others.
Kelsie Lynn Becklin – Falcon Heights, Minnesota
Kelsie Lynn Becklin is a 38-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to a non-violent offense at the age of 21. After successfully serving her sentence, Ms. Becklin has furthered her education and recently completed a Ph.D. program. In addition to her graduate program research and academic writing, Ms. Becklin mentors previously incarcerated individuals who also seek to pursue higher education. She is also an active volunteer in her community. Friends and professors attest to her work ethic, dedication, and genuine care for others.
Sarah Jean Carlson – Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Sarah Jean Carlson is a 49-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to a non-violent offense. She received early termination of her probationary sentence. Since then, she has furthered her education and worked in addiction counseling at a faith-based rehabilitation center. Ms. Carlson also volunteers in her local community and at her church. Community members emphasize that Ms. Carlson goes above and beyond to help as many people in crisis as possible.
The commutations are for people who have served out home sentences for at least one year after they were released from prison. Prisons were uniquely bad for spreading the virus and some inmates were released in part to stop the spread. At one point, 1 in 5 prisoners had COVID-19, according to a tally kept by The Associated Press.
Biden, whose single term in the White House is drawing to an end, said in a statement that his administration will review other clemency petitions in the weeks ahead.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said. “As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses.”
Clemency is the term for the power the president has to pardon, in which a person is relieved of guilt and punishment, or to commute a sentence, which reduces or eliminates the punishment but doesn’t exonerate the wrongdoing.
It is customary for an outgoing president to use the executive power to wipe away records and end prison terms. Even before Thursday’s announcement, Biden has granted more clemency requests than any other president at this point in his first term in recent history, the White House said. The second largest single-day act of clemency was by Barack Obama, with 330, shortly before leaving office in 2017.
Biden’s earlier actions include categorical pardons to people convicted under federal law of simple marijuana violations and former LGBTQ+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation.
Biden continues to face criticism for the blanket pardon earlier this month for his son, Hunter, despite previous pledges not to do so. The president’s action spared the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions.
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