Connect with us

Florida

Florida judge blocks quick migrant release policy, raising concerns about overcrowding

Published

on

Florida judge blocks quick migrant release policy, raising concerns about overcrowding


El Paso, Texas — A federal judge in Florida on Thursday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from continuing a migrant release policy designed to alleviate overcrowding at immigration holding facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The ruling came just hours before the Title 42 border restrictions expired at 11:59 p.m. EDT Thursday, raising concerns about severe overcrowding in already over-capacity Border Patrol migrant facilities.

U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell ordered the Biden administration to halt the quick migrant release policy at the same it discontinued the Title 42 pandemic-era order, granting a request by Republican officials in Florida.

U.S. - Mexico Border migrants
Migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. from Mexico are detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border on May 6, 2023, in San Luis, Arizona. 

Advertisement

Getty Images


In March, Wetherell also blocked a similar Biden administration migrant release policy in a ruling on a lawsuit brought by the Florida attorney general.

Florida is arguing that this new policy is also illegal. 

Wetherell’s latest order will expire in 14 days in order to give the Biden administration time to seek an emergency stay on the ruling. Another hearing in the case is scheduled for May 19.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) criticized Thursday’s ruling but said the agency would comply with it.

Advertisement

“This is a harmful ruling that will result in unsafe overcrowding at CBP facilities and undercut our ability to efficiently process and remove migrants, and risks creating dangerous conditions for border patrol agents and migrants,” CBP said in a statement.  

In a filing opposing the request by Florida, the Biden administration said the number of migrants stuck in Border Patrol custody could soar to 45,000 by the end of the month if the expedited releases were blocked in court. On Thursday, Border Patrol had nearly 25,000 migrants in its custody, despite only having the capacity to hold several thousand individuals in stations, processing centers and tents.

The ruling raises the prospect of even higher numbers of migrants being stranded in Border Patrol custody in dangerously overcrowded conditions amid a spike in migrant arrivals.

In the lead-up to the expiration of Title 42, daily migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border have reached record levels, with border officials averaging roughly 10,000 apprehensions per day.

Earlier on Thursday, Border Patrol Raul Ortiz told CBS News that another 60,000 migrants were waiting on the Mexican side of the border, hoping to enter the U.S.

Advertisement

The memo at the center of Thursday’s ruling allows Border Patrol to conduct expedited releases of some migrants without giving them court notices as part of an effort to reduce overcrowding in detention facilities.

Migrants who are found to not be a risk to public safety or national security could be considered for this quick release under the humanitarian parole authority. Those released under this policy, which has been used before during spikes in migrant crossings, will be instructed to check in at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices across the country so they can receive a court notice there.

In an interview Thursday, Ortiz, the Border Patrol chief, said the expedited release policy was helping his agency reduce overcrowding, noting that some border sectors were “over capacity.”

“We’re working closely with our NGO partners, our communities to make sure that we release those migrants after they’ve been vetted and cleared, and they pose no significant threat to the community,” he said.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Florida

Florida AG sues FEMA over ‘damning’ revelations agency deliberately ignored homes of Trump supporters: ‘Swift legal action’

Published

on

Florida AG sues FEMA over ‘damning’ revelations agency deliberately ignored homes of Trump supporters: ‘Swift legal action’


FEMA’s disaster of its own making keeps getting worse.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, claiming they “conspired to interfere with the civil rights of Trump voters” in the state by withholding aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The bombshell lawsuit follows alarming revelations its workers were given orders to avoid dozens of homes of Trump supporters in Lake Placid in a shocking display of political favoritism.

The scandal came to light after FEMA fired agency supervisor Marn’i Washington, who later claimed that systemic discrimination at the disaster relief agency was “colossal” both in Florida and beyond and alleged she’s been made a “scapegoat” by the agency.

Advertisement
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing several current and former FEMA officials over their avoidance of homes belonging to Trump supporters, a lawsuit which Gov. Ron DeSantis threw his full support behind. Getty Images

“Hurricane season is not over, and the federal agency in charge of emergency response is embroiled in scandal – caught withholding aid from storm victims in Florida who support President Trump,” Moody said in a press release announcing the suits.

“I am taking swift legal action to find out how far this political discrimination reaches and to make sure all Americans who fall victim to devastating storms are served, regardless of their political affiliation.”

Highlands County, where Lake Placid is located, went 70% for President-elect Trump in the election.

A FEMA official backed up Washington’s claims, telling The Post the agency’s practice of skipping Trump-supporting houses — or avoiding “white or conservative-dominated” disaster zones altogether — is an open secret at the agency that has been going on for years.

Field agents were told to avoid storm-battered homes with Trump signage in their yards, which one fired worker admitted was part of a “colossal” systemic campaign of discrimination. AP

In her announcement of Washington’s termination, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell, who is named as a litigant in the legal action, called the directive to skip homes based on political affiliation violated the agency’s “core values and principles,” and vowed to do everything she could to ensure it never happens again.

Advertisement

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, incensed by FEMA playing politics with disaster victims in the state, also blasted the federal agency in announcing his support for the legal action.

“It’s unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Trump, and especially egregious in the aftermath of a hurricane,” the governor said in a press release.

Congressional Republicans have vowed to investigate whether the agency abdicated its duty to the American people. ZUMA Press

“I’m supportive of this legal action by the Attorney General’s Office, and I have instructed state agencies to likewise take any action necessary to investigate and ensure those who engaged in this behavior are held accountable.”

Congressional Republicans said they plan to launch multiple investigations into whether FEMA abdicated its duty to the American people.

“This will be investigated,” promised North Carolina GOP Sen. Ted Budd on Tuesday in an X post.

Advertisement

“Anyone who abuses the power of the federal government to hurt North Carolinians in need will be held accountable,” Budd added. “I will personally see to it.”

AG Moody’s complaint outlines what the office calls “the terrible facts of the civil rights violations” in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October.

The legal document names both Washington and Criswell, and is seeking both nominal and punitive damages on behalf of affected Florida homeowners, includin legal fees.

A FEMA spokesperson told the Post Thursday that the agency “does not comment on pending litigation” and included a link to the agency’s website on employee conduct.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

How Florida Gators Attack LSU Defense

Published

on

How Florida Gators Attack LSU Defense


Both LSU (6-3) and the Florida Gators (4-5) look worse for wear. After each suffered humiliating losses, the two SEC teams must rebound quickly. The game on Saturday means more to Florida. With three games remaining, they need two wins for bowl eligibility.

 A win in The Swamp against a reeling LSU team is critical for the Gators to earn a bowl invite. For the Tigers, while they will make a bowl game, the level they became accustomed to will fall short. With three losses, the Tigers’ college playoff hopes dissipated into Baton Rouge night. 

Now, with so much on the line, how does Florida attack LSU’s defense? 

Feed Baugh

Advertisement

LSU’s defense crumbles against the run. In fact, they rank 74th in FBS against the run at 150.8 yards-per-game, which screams for a steady number of carries for Jadan Baugh. Now, it’s his time to start taking over and splitting carries is not the way. 

Allowing Baugh to punish the Tigers benefits the offense. With DJ Lagway’s availability up in the air, why not alleviate the stress on the quarterback by force-feeding the running back. LSU tires and you will see arm tackles and lazy attempts that will open creases and daylight. Even using Baugh in a wildcat formation could work. Billy Napier mentioned it during media availability. 

“Look, it’s a wrinkle.  It worked Saturday,” said Napier. “ You know, obviously each week is a little bit different depending on who is available for the game.  We got some of that built. Built some systems for that.  Always available.”

Find Swinton Often

Without a doubt, Bradyn Swinton plays like LSU’s best defender, or at least their most productive. Instead of purposefully veering away from him, Florida needs to run directly at him. First, it shows a fearlessness that also displays confidence in the run game to take anyone on, regardless of stats or hype. 

Advertisement

Next, it forces anyone else to make the play. This is not your uncle’s LSU defense, stocked with first-round picks. Furthermore, on passing downs, let Swinton through on screens as he will over pursue, allowing the back to build steam while running to daylight.

Air It Out

As mentioned, this is not a typical LSU defense. DBU looks like a boarded-up school on the side of the highway. This incarnation looks active but lacks the ball skills of their predecessors. As a result, letting a vertical route go will not bite the Gators. With all of the speed that Florida can still deploy, let the horses run. Make LSU play full-field defense. It prevents camping and sitting on routes. Fortune favors the bold and the vertical passing game holds the ticket.

Bottom Line

Granted, LSU remains a Top 25 team. Yet, that defense routinely fails to show up when it matters most. Plus, the deflating loss to Alabama could see the team spiral downward. With nothing presumably to play for in regards to a playoff spot, you could see a defensive letdown. 

Advertisement

Teams fold when a season goal falls through. Florida, with a bowl invite within reach, needs to play the last three games with their hair on fire.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

South Florida weather for Wednesday 11/13/24 11PM

Published

on

South Florida weather for Wednesday 11/13/24 11PM


South Florida weather for Wednesday 11/13/24 11PM – CBS Miami

Watch CBS News


CBS News Miami’s chief meteorologist Ivan Cabrera’s weather outlook for South Florida.

Advertisement

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending