White House Immigratio​n Update! Julie Rodriguez

We have some exciting news! Recently, President Obama held a news conference to answer questions about his plan for the next four years. When asked about the need to fix our broken immigration system, the President stated that he is very confident that we can get commonsense immigration reform done:

“So we need to seize the moment. And my expectation is, is that we get a bill introduced and we begin the process in Congress very soon after my inauguration. And in fact, some conversations I think are already beginning to take place among senators and congressmen and my staff about what would this look like.”

President Barack Obama gives a press conference in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 14, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

Click here to watch a video of the President’s news conference. Click here to read the complete press release.

30 New Citizens Naturalized on the “Today Show”
Friday November 16, 2012
On Friday, November 16, USCIS welcomed 30 new citizens during a special naturalization ceremony televised live on the Today Show in Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. USCIS Director Mayorkas provided the call of countries and Secretary Napolitano administered the oath ceremony. These new citizens and their families were joined by Lee Greenwood, whose song “God Bless the U.S.A.” gives voice to the hope and promise of the American dream, and is played at naturalization ceremonies across the country. To watch this special ceremony, click here.

On November 16, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released updated statistics regarding implementation of the first three months of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process which allows certain people who were brought to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines to request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. The data shows that USCIS has accepted 298,834 requests for processing, and that 53,273 requests have been approved. USCIS also provided updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Korean, Tagalog, and Portuguese, and Form I-9 Guidance for Employers. To learn more about this process visit the USCIS website.

In this newsletter, you will read about the President’s nomination of two Latinos for U.S. District Court judgeships and find agency updates on the ICE ERO’s Community Detainee Hotline and a newly-established Detainee Intercultural Center. In addition, you also find updates on upcoming stakeholder events including USCIS Intergovernmental Affairs Quarterly Meeting, National Spanish-language Engagement, and Asylum Division Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting.

Julie Chávez Rodriguez
Associate Director
White House | Office of Public Engagement
jrodriguez@who.eop.gov

Administration Announcements & Agency Updates

President Obama Nominates Two Latinos to U.S. District Courts
November 14, 2012
On November 14, President Obama nominated seven individuals for U.S. District Court judgeships, including two Latinos: U.S. Attorney Kenneth John Gonzales and Judge Analisa Torres. When making the announcement, President Obama stated “These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system. They also represent my continued commitment to ensure that the judiciary resembles the nation it serves.” To learn more about these judicial nominees, click here.

ERO launches second phase of Community and Detainee Helpline
November 14, 2012
Recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) launched the second phase of its ICE Community and Detainee Helpline (CDH). Detainees from ERO Atlanta, Baltimore, Miami, New Orleans and Washington will be able to directly contact the Public Advocate Office by telephone through toll-free telephone systems in the facilities. This expanded service streamlines the means by which detainees can access assistance. To learn more, click here.

Detainee Intercultural Center is a place for spiritual reflection
November 8, 2012
The newly-established Detainee Intercultural Center at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) El Paso Processing Center in Texas is a place where men and women in ICE custody can reflect, meditate and worship. “The new Detainee Intercultural Center, not only serves the spiritual needs of people in our custody, but it’s part of ICE’s larger effort to reform the immigration detention system as a whole,” said ICE Field Office Director Adrian Macias. To read more, click here.

Adult College Completion Tool Kit
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), 2012, 69 pp.
This publication contains ”a wealth of resources and tools” to help undereducated adults transition to postsecondary education. In producing the Tool Kit, OVAE seeks to advance President Obama’s goal for the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. The primary audience for the Tool Kit are administrators of state literacy programs and adult education practitioners. The publication outlines effective strategies for college transition and organizes them into three categories: facilitating access to college, ensuring quality of instruction, and promoting college completion. Sidebars give examples of effective programs. An appendix contains links to, and descriptions of, more than 50 resources discussed in the report, many of them developed with OVAE funding. The Tool Kit also includes handouts for four target student populations: adult basic education students, incarcerated individuals, veterans, and high-skilled immigrants.

Upcoming Events

Intergovernmental Affairs Quarterly Meeting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites interested parties to participate in the next Intergovernmental Affairs quarterly teleconference to be held Tuesday, November 27, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Eastern). USCIS will provide updates on SAVE, E-Verify, Transformation, Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Syria, and other areas of interest. If you are interested in attending, click here.

National Spanish-language Engagement – A Conversation with USCIS
On Wednesday, December 5, 2012, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern), USCIS will conduct a national Spanish-language Enlace session as part of an ongoing series of quarterly public engagements. This free session is an opportunity for individuals who speak Spanish to engage with us in their native language. To learn more, click here.

Asylum Division Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting
USCIS Asylum Division will host its quarterly stakeholder meeting on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 2:00 pm (Eastern) in the White Oak Conference Room at 20 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The purpose of this engagement is for individuals to ask questions and raise issues regarding USCIS asylum operations. If you wish to attend, you must respond to Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov no later than Tuesday, December 4th, 2012. For more information, click here.

Increasing Taxes on Middle-Cla​ss Families Will Hurt Consumer Spending

 

As we move into the holiday shopping season, the National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisers just released a new report, The Middle-Class Tax Cuts’ Impact on Consumer Spending and Retailers.

If Congress doesn’t act, middle-class families will see their income taxes go up on January 1st. The typical middle-class family will see their taxes go up by $2,200 next year, burdening businesses and retailers across the nation.

Find out more about the report on middle-class tax cuts and retail and consumer spending.

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:Fighting Human Trafficking in Cambodia
On each leg of his trip to Southeast Asia this week, President Obama raised with foreign leaders one of his priority human rights issues: ending human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery.White House Announces Judges for Equal Futures App Challenge
The new Equal Futures Partnership launched an app challenge earlier this year to create an app that promotes civic education and/or inspires girls to serve as leaders in our democracy. We are pleased to announce the leaders that have signed on to act as judges.

Open Today: Summer 2013 White House Internship Program Application
White House Interns begin the Internship Program with a passion for public service, and during their time at the White House, they find ways to couple that passion with new skills so that they’re better equipped to serve after their internships are done.

the Progress Report : Republicans, Voter Suppression,FOX,Abortions

 | By ThinkProgress War Room

Today’s Top Three

The Progress Report will return in December. Until then, make sure you don’t miss these three important posts on ThinkProgress today:

1. Florida Republicans Admit Voter Suppression Was The Goal Of New Election Laws

2. Fox News Abruptly Ends Interview After Guest Calls Out The Network For Hyping Benghazi Scandal

3. Arizona Government Designs Website To Manipulate Women Out Of Having Abortions

Sierra Club …

 

	Attend A Beyond Coal Photo Lecture And Help Protect The Climate! Photograph Credit: David T. Hanson You’re invited to a Beyond Coal photo lecture and clean energy discussion. RSVP now! Join us for an evening with award-winning photographer David T. Hanson to see the impacts of Puget Sound Energy‘s coal-fired power plant – the Colstrip Generating Facility in southeast Montana. Hanson’s photographs dramatically evoke a story of the local impacts of our coal-fired electricity.1 These startling photographs have been exhibited at the New York Museum of Modern art, and were published as a book in 2010. Following Hanson’s presentation, there will be a discussion of alternatives to PSE‘s dirty Colstrip plant and ways local residents can help support the growing movement to end our reliance on coal. Learn how you can get involved to make this critical transition off of coal. RSVP now! BEYOND COAL PHOTO LECTURES Bellevue — Wednesday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 (map) Bainbridge Island — Friday, December 7, at 7:00 p.m. IslandWood Conference Center, 4450 Blakely Avenue NE, Bainbridge Isle, WA 98110 (map) RSVP: http://action.sierraclub.org/photolectures NOTE: There is limited seating for the event, so please RSVP to reserve your seat. Questions: Contact Seth Ballhorn at seth.ballhorn@sierraclub.org This event will be a great opportunity to learn how you can get involved in a local campaign to confront our growing climate crisis. Join us and help build the movement to protect our region and the climate. RSVP now!  Thanks for all you do for the environment, Seth Ballhorn Beyond Coal Campaign Sierra Club P.S. Events are always more fun with friends. After you RSVP, please forward this email or share it on your social networks using the handy buttons below:

Congressional Budget Office

H.R. 4194, a bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Alexander Creek, Alaska, is and shall be recognized as an eligible Native village under that Act, and for other purposes

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on August 1, 2012

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4194 would cost $30 million over the 2013-2022 period. Because those costs would increase direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the legislation would not affect revenues or spending subject to appropriation.

S.1910, Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2011

As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on May 16, 2012

S. 1910 would make same-sex domestic partners of certain federal employees (including certain employees of the District of Columbia who were first employed by the District before October 1, 1987) eligible to receive the same employment benefits as married spouses of federal employees. Benefits that would affect the federal budget include health insurance, survivor annuities, compensation for work-related injuries, and travel and relocation benefits.

S. 3340, Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services Act of 2012

As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on September 12, 2012

S. 3340 would extend mental health services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to family members of active-duty servicemembers, enhance programs for homeless veterans, and make other changes to veterans’ health care, compensation and burial benefits. In total, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would have a discretionary cost of $310 million over the 2013-2017 period, assuming appropriation of the specified and estimated amounts.

Today: Sizing up Sandy webinar, 7:00 p.m. (EST) UCS

Webinar Reminder
Tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. (EST): Sizing up Sandy

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow evening for our webinar discussion on lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy.

Webinar: Sizing up Sandy
When: Tomorrow, November 27, 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Register Today
After the largest Atlantic hurricane on record affected U.S. states from southern Florida to northern Maine and as far west as Wisconsin, analysts from the Union of Concerned Scientists wrote a series of blog posts on topics from the relationship between the storm and climate change, to the economic costs and health impacts, to how we can prepare ourselves and our infrastructure to be more resilient.

The webinar will be moderated by UCS climate scientist Brenda Ekwurzel and will feature:

• Todd Sanford, climate scientist – resilient ecosystems
• Rachel Cleetus, senior climate economist – health and economic impacts
• Laura Wisland, senior energy analyst – resilient energy systems
• Calen May-Tobin, climate policy analyst/advocate – mapping and good information
• Marchant Wentworth, Washington representative – political landscape and opportunities

Please register for the webinar today. You may submit questions on the registration page for the UCS experts to address during the webinar. There will also be opportunities to ask questions during the webinar itself.

We look forward to your participation tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Jean Sideris
Outreach Coordinator

the daily share : Congress, Fox and Hillary Clinton

 

It’s Your Fault, Mr. President, That This Couple Just Got Engaged

 

This Is NOT The Response Fox News Expected When This Interview Started

 

An Important Message That This Broken Congress Needs To Hear From Us NOW

 

Hillary Clinton Urges Women Not To Take Any Sh_t

Judy Waxman, National Women’s Law Center

 

Our Military Women Deserve Better                     Tell Congress to end the outrageous abortion coverage ban for servicewomen and military dependents who have been raped or endured incest.                     Unconscionable — that’s the only way to describe an extreme policy that denies servicewomen and military dependents coverage for abortion services if they become pregnant as the result of rape. To add insult to injury, their civilian counterparts who also get their health insurance through the federal government do not face the same cruel policy. Do your duty: tell your Members of Congress to end the outrageous abortion coverage ban for servicewomen and military dependents who have been raped or endured incest. Congress will soon finalize the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Thanks to Senator Shaheen, they’ll have the opportunity to pass a version of the bill which removes this abhorrent ban, but some anti-choice Members of Congress who are willing to play politics with the women that serve this nation are standing in the way of ending this unjust ban. This policy is simply wrong. We need your voice to end it today: tell Congress to end the abortion coverage ban for servicewomen and military dependents who become pregnant due to rape or incest. Thank you for continuing to protect women’s reproductive health. Sincerely,     Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law Center   P.S. Your support allows us to continue to fight for women’s health, as well as work on many other critical issues. Please consider making a generous donation today.

CONGRESS: The Republican led House : the Senate, led by Dem

The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET November 27, 2012

• Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
• The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
• We hope to consider the Disabilities Treaty (Executive Calendar #6, Treaty Document 112-7) during tomorrow’s session.

2:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the motion to proceed to Executive Session for the consideration of Treaty 112-7, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Agreed to: 61-36

The Senate is in Executive Session considering Treaty 112-7, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with debate only until 6:30pm. The time until 5pm is equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider Treaty Document #112-7, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Agreed to: 61-36

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.3642, the Theft of Trade Secrets Clarification Act of 2012.

Adopted S.Res.602, designating 2012-2013 as the “Year of the Korean War Veteran” and recognizing the 60^th anniversary of the Korean War.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3637, FDIC TAG Extension bill. (Reid)

———————————————————————————-

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00p.mET on November 27, 2012.

2:00:07 P.M.		<ACTION_DESCRIPTION>The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:19 P.M.		<ACTION_DESCRIPTION>The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:00:42 P.M.		<TODAY’S class=hiddenGrammarError title=”Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives” href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaplain_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives&#8221; pre=”prayer ” target=”_blank” rel=”wikipedia” House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:22 P.M.		<The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:25 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:54 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 6063.
2:03:27 P.M.		a communication from The Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Velazquez notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena for documents issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings in connection with civil litigation currently pending before that court and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena is inconsistent with the privileges and precedents of the House.
2:03:44 P.M.		<ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:10:31 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 P.M. today.
4:34:56 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 27.
4:35:11 P.M.		will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:35:18 P.M.	H.R. 6025	<>Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 6025 — “To provide for annual reports on the status of operational control of the international land and maritime borders of the United States and unlawful entries, and for other purposes.”
4:35:30 P.M.	H.R. 6025	<Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:35:33 P.M.	H.R. 6025	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6025.
4:42:19 P.M.	H.R. 6025	motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:42:22 P.M.	H.R. 6025	<>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:42:40 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5913 — “To create an independent advisory panel to comprehensively assess the management structure and capabilities related to the Department of Homeland Security and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the Department.”
4:42:48 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:42:51 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<>DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5913.
4:53:46 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:53:49 P.M.	H.R. 5913	>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:54:18 P.M.	H.R. 915	Mr. McCaul moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
4:54:35 P.M.	H.R. 915	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 915.
5:07:00 P.M.	H.R. 915	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:07:31 P.M.	H.R. 5997	<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5997 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify authority under existing grant guidance authorizing use of Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities.”
5:07:42 P.M.	H.R. 5997	<Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:07:43 P.M.	H.R. 5997	<DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5997.
5:15:47 P.M.	H.R. 5997	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:16:17 P.M.	H.R. 6328	<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6328 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed clothing recovered at airport security checkpoints to local veterans organizations and other local charitable organizations, and for other purposes.”
5:16:25 P.M.	H.R. 6328	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:16:27 P.M.	H.R. 6328	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6328.
5:22:59 P.M.	H.R. 6328	<On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:23:02 P.M.	H.R. 6328	<Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:23:30 P.M.		Mr. Bilirakis asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, it adjourn to meet at noon on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
5:25:37 P.M.		The House received a communication from Representative Jackson (IL) wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
5:26:46 P.M.		<ACTION_DESCRIPTION>ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of Rule XX, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Jackson, the whole number of the House is 433.
5:27:46 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:16 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 27.
6:31:24 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:58 P.M.	H.R. 5997	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5997 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify authority under existing grant guidance authorizing use of Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities.”
6:57:12 P.M.	H.R. 5997	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 – 1 (Roll no. 609).
6:57:14 P.M.	H.R. 5997	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:07:00 P.M.	H.R. 915	<On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 – 4 (Roll no. 610).
7:07:01 P.M.	H.R. 915	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:11:28 P.M.		The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
9:44:01 P.M.		<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Lungren, Daniel E. moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:44:14 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:44:15 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 28, 2012.