DHS to Implement Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule Nationwide

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) will implement the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds
final rule (“Final Rule”) on Feb. 24, 2020 nationwide, including in
Illinois, following another judicial victory lifting the injunction in
that state.

In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Feb. 21, 2020 decision to stay
the statewide injunction preventing implementation of the Final Rule
issued by U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois,
USCIS will now apply the Final Rule to all applications and petitions
postmarked (or submitted electronically) on or after Feb. 24, 2020. For
applications and petitions that are sent by commercial courier (e.g.,
UPS/FedEx/DHL), the postmark date is the date reflected on the courier
receipt.   

The Final Rule, published on Aug. 14, 2019 and originally scheduled
to go into effect on Oct. 15, 2019, prescribes how the Department of
Homeland Security will determine whether an alien is inadmissible, and
ineligible to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident in
the United States because the alien is likely at any time in the future
to become a public charge pursuant to section 212(a)(4) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act.

The Final Rule also addresses USCIS’ authority to issue public charge
bonds in the context of applications for adjustment of status. Finally,
the Final Rule includes a requirement that aliens seeking an extension
of nonimmigrant stay or change of nonimmigrant status demonstrate that
they have not received public benefits over the designated threshold
since obtaining the nonimmigrant status they seek to extend or change.

City Council approved the Application to the FY20 State Homeland Security Grant Program-LETPA for Police

The city council approved the proposed resolution authorizes the City to submit a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Homeland Security Grants Division’s State Homeland Security Program – LETPA Projects on behalf of the Police Department. Federal funding for these projects comes from the Homeland Security Act of 2002 through the US Department of Homeland Security. The purpose of this program is to support state and local efforts to prevent terrorism and other catastrophic events and prepare for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of Texas citizens. Per the 911 Act, at least 25% of the combined Homeland Security Grant Program funding must be used for Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA).    

If approved, the City Manager will submit an application for an amount not to exceed $121,500 for the purchase of night vision goggles for nine members of Baytown PD's SWAT Team. This specialized equipment will be used to sustain and enhance the interdiction, disruption and terrorist threat/incident response capabilities of this Type I team.  

There is no local match required; however, the City agrees that in the event of loss or misuse of the CJD funds, the City will return such funds to the CJD. The City Manager will serve as the authorizing official with the authority to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the City. The projected period of performance is 12-months beginning between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021.

Item	Unit Cost	Quantity	Totals
Night Vision Goggles, mount, power pack, laser designator	$13,500.00	9	$121,500.00
Project Total:			$121,500.00

House Homeland Advances Three American Security Agenda Bills

WASHINGTON – Today the House Homeland Security Committee advanced three bills that are a part of Committee Republicans’ American Security Agenda: Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Innovation Subcommittee Ranking Member John Katko’s (R-NY) H.R. 5811, the TSA Personnel Workplace Improvement Act of 2020, Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Debbie Lesko’s (R-Ariz.) H.R. 5828, the DHS Illicit Cross-Border Tunnel Defense Act and Oversight, Management and Accountability Subcommittee Ranking Member Dan Crenshaw’s (R-Texas) H.R. 5804, the DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act.
 
“The work Reps. Katko, Lesko and Crenshaw are doing is very important. I appreciate them leading the way by introducing and advocating for these bills that will make a difference.”- Ranking Member Mike Rogers (R-Ala.).
 
“I would like to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers for supporting my legislation, the TSA Workplace Improvement Act of 2020, and am pleased it passed the Committee on Homeland Security with bipartisan support today,” said Rep. Katko. “I am committed to working in a bipartisan manner to improve workplace conditions and support parents working for the TSA. By improving paid parental leave standards and providing access to adequate lactation facilities for nursing mothers, my legislation will ensure working parents will continue to have the necessary accommodations and protections to continue safely working for the TSA. Along with Chairman Correa’s legislation to support childcare for parents serving as TSA agents, I believe we will be taking a meaningful step to improve workplace conditions for TSA employees.”
 
“Transnational criminal organizations are constantly looking for ways to exploit our southern border to smuggle drugs into the U.S., including through million dollar tunnels underneath our international border with Mexico,” said Rep. Lesko. “Just a few weeks ago, the longest illicit cross-border tunnel on record was discovered with a rail cart system, forced air ventilation, high voltage electrical cables, and even an elevator. We must be able to remediate tunnels as soon as we find them, which is why I am grateful for my colleagues support today, and I look forward to a full vote by the House of Representatives soon.”
 
“The bipartisan DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act will expand on the successes of the Blue Campaign, which is being effectively implemented to combat human trafficking,” said Rep. Crenshaw. “This bill bolsters the campaign by directing an advisory board to examine best practices for boosting awareness and education of human trafficking, so that we can better address this atrocity. I want to especially thank Representatives Val Demings, Sylvia Garcia, and Ranking Member Rogers in joining me on this important bill to address the scourge of human trafficking. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advance this legislation through the House.”
 
Background: The American Security Agenda is a comprehensive legislative effort from Homeland Security Republicans to combat new and evolving threats to our homeland. The agenda is grounded on three pillars: granting DHS the authority it needs to stay ahead of emerging threats; providing DHS and its state, local, and private sector partners with the resources they need to build and maintain a robust capacity to deter acts of terrorism; and reforming DHS structure and management to ensure it properly positioned to combat the constantly evolving threat to the homeland.

Thompson Inquires on New Border Patrol Chief’s Involvement in Racist Social Media Groups

Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Mark Morgan, Acting Commissioner of

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), regarding the appointment of Rodney S. Scott as the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.  According to media reports, Mr. Scott engaged with at least one social media site in which CBP personnel communicated vulgar and discriminatory comments.  In the letter, Chairman Thompson requests all investigatory materials completed to determine Mr. Scott’s involvement in these social media groups – including if any disciplinary action was taken.