Texas Governor Rick Perry...illegal immigrant surge a crisis! President Obama neglecting his duty to Nation!

I expect that when the Governor of Texas appeared on a major network this week to discuss what he described as a troubling surge of illegal immigrants on the Texas border of epic proportions, that it was quite an eye-opener for many U.S. viewers sitting comfortably at home in their armchairs in the dark.

Don't feel badly, folks!

According to the Governor, the President is unaware of the escalating crisis, too!

Governor Perry lamented the fact that Barack Obama appeared in the city of El Paso just two weeks ago, and took the bold-faced stance that the Texas border was secure.

It's not!

If you caught the news reports filtering in from the Texas border live - where law enforcement agencies were vigorously patrolling the border to apprehend illegals attempting to cross under the cover of darkness - it would have been abundantly clear to any fool that the illegal immigrant problem has reached a fever pitch.

While some may be under the impression that immigrants who enter the country in a clandestine fashion are simply humble Mexicans illegals seeking a better life - Governor Perry alleged in no uncertain terms - that the massive nightly crossings also consist of foreigners who are enemies of the State - some with ties to Al Qaeda - for example.

In addition, Perry alleged that drug cartels are - not only moving drugs across the remote border (with lethal chemicals that are poisoning our youth) - but have also set up distribution centers in El Paso, Dallas, and other U.S. Cities just a hop-and-a-skip away from Mexico.

The Governor also pointed an accusing finger at the President for failure to provide funding to curb the escalating siege on the nation which poses a threat to the very fabric of American Life.

 For example, grants from the Federal Government have been cut, so Law Enforcement (ICE, the local Sheriffs, and Homeland Security) have insufficient funds to battle the illegals who may be entering the country to set up cells (with the express intention of eventually attacking this country "from within").

Perry is under the impression that President Barack Obama doesn't care about the problem, for some inexplicable reason, or perhaps has a secret agenda in mind.

With his bid for a second term on the horizon, is the subject too volatile to broach at this juncture in his Presidency?

Some hint that there are powerful influences at work in the corridors of power in Washington.

Are Mexican lobbyists influencing the Government behind-the-scenes?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Immigration & Customs Enforcement...arrests fashion counterfeiters! San Francisco raids...

Vera Wang designs vulnerable to counterfeits!

Shortly after Bill Clinton walked daughter Chelsea down the aisle on his arm at her high-profile wedding over the weekend in Rhinebeck (NY), local news anchors reported on the stunning wedding gown designed by leading fashion designer, Vera Wang.

In follow-up newsbites, young brides-to-be were invited to stay tuned, to learn how they could "whip" up the same pricey "look" for their own special occasion at the altar to fall within their budget constraints.

You betcha!

Right now, in back-door shops around the country, a host of dress designers are probably tossing together wedding gowns that echo the exquisite gown worn by Chelsea at a fraction of the cost.

It's called a "knock-off - and the practice of copy-catting - is a prevelant trend in the highly-competitive fashion industry.

But, when a clothing manufacturer steals a design outright and stamps it with a designer's label (without permission or license) - of Vera Wang, for example - that is a fraudulent act which prompts Law Enforcement to sit up and take notice.

In fact, on Tuesday, prosecutors announced that they just conducted a sweep and have charged operators of eight boutiques in the Bay area, for allegedly turning out designer fakes which were actually cut-and-seamed together in China.

According to the US attorney for Northern California and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the twenty-five count indictment is part of the largest federal enforcement action ever taken against West Coast retailers suspected of selling counterfeit designer apparel and accessories.

And, the government takes these matters seriously for good reason.
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"Trademark infringement and intellectual property crime not only cost this country much needed jobs and business revenues, but the illegal importation of substandard products can also pose a serious threat to consumers' health and safety," an official noted in a terse press release on the heels of the arrests.

The accused knock-off artists were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the U.S., and trafficking in counterfeit (fake) goods.

"To consumers who think designer knock-offs are a harmless way to beat the system and get a great deal, 'buyer beware','" said ICE Director John Morton.

"The investigation has led to the seizure of nearly 100 million dollars worth of counterfeit merchandise [based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) had the products been legitimate]," a statement said.

The luxury-brand fakes were packaged under known product names such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Nike, Armani, and Coach.

Tourists may have been hood-winked by the clever fakes that show up on retail shelves in the form of tony handbags, luxurious scarves, designer sunglasses, butter-smooth leather wallets, and snazzy eye-catching watches.

http://www.julilanaayrs.com

Arizona Immigration Law...News alert! Judge enforces "hold" on provisions!

On the eve when a controversial Immigration Reform Law was about to go into effect in Arizona - a Judge presiding over the proceedings - handed down a ruling a short while ago that effectively blocks a handful of sections of the Act from being enforced in response to outcries from Immigrant Rights Advocates.

To some legal eagles, the ruling amounts to an outright victory for opponents to the landmark reform bill, who took the position that the passing of the legislation would lead to racial profiling in the mean streets of Arizona.

In addition, many were up-in-arms over one section of the Bill which would have empowered Law Enforcement to check for legal Immigrant  status once an individual had been flagged down for a legitimate violation - such as a broken tail-light on their vehicle - believe it or not.

After I witnessed an event by the side of the highway in Las Vegas just last week, it became evident to me that if given too much leeway, Law Enforcement Officers may abuse their authority.

Post:  07/04/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/07/arizona-immigration-lawnevada-highway.html

Post: 07/07/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/07/arizona-immigration-lawjustice-dept.html

In particular, Civil Rights groups were seeing red over provisions that would have required motorists from foreign countries to carry proof of their legal right to be in the country which some thought harkened back to the era of Hitler and the Nazi's when citizens were stopped at whim for a look-see at their "papers".

In addition, the prudent Jurist gave a thumbs down in respect to a provision that would have disallowed undocumented workers from soliciting work in public places.

However, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton did not toss the baby out with the bath water.

Some aspects  of the law will go into effect on Thursday, while others have been placed on hold, until the courts have the opportunity to resolve the legality (and constitutionality) of the more pressing issues.

Senator Brewer (Arizona) - the driving force behind the controversial Immigration Reform Bill - remain undaunted in the wake of the news from the Federal Courthouse.

"It's a temporary bump in the road, we will move forward, and I'm sure that after consultation with our counsel we will appeal," Brewer told the Associated Press.

"The bottom line is we've known all along that it is the responsibility of the Feds and they haven't done their job so we were going to help them do that."

Protestors in the streets were quick to chant their two cents worth in the open streets outside the courthouse after the ruling was announced.

"Migrants, hang on, the people are rising up!"

Huh?

In essence, the Government seeks to overturn the law on a couple of legitimate grounds.

For starters, the Barack administration felt that Arizona was intruding on their exclusive turf - and for obvious reasons - the actions of the Arizona upstarts needed to be nipped in the bud.

Lawyers also argued that letting the Arizona law stand would create a patchwork of immigration laws nationwide that would needlessly complicate political and social ties with foreign nations such as Mexico.

On the other hand, Brewer's lawyers have stated for the record that Arizona shouldn't have to suffer from America's broken immigration system when it has 15,000 police officers who can arrest illegal immigrants.

The old truism comes to mind.

"When you want something done, you have to do it yourself."

Senator Brewer and citizens of Arizona have attempted to do just that and got a slap in the face for their bold-faced efforts.

Shame!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Criminal Records..."Secure Communities" illegals database launch slips under Nevada radar!

In spite of all the brouhaha over the Arizona Immigration Reform Bill targeting illegals - and the flood of ugly protests in its wake - a Federal database that uses fingerprints to feret out legal status and criminal history was given the green light.

The U.S. Department of Immigration "tool" sifts through data to identify high-risk illegal immigrants who may have been convicted of serious crimes such as rape, kidnapping, and drug trafficking (for starters).

The high-tech program - aptly titled "Secure Communities" (sounds like a sequel to the TV MOW "Stepford Wives" doesn't it?) was pressed into service in Washoe County with little fanfare this past week.

How did the Latino Eagle-eye miss that one?

For now, the Nevada community is the first to facilitate the resource, with Clark County stepping up-to-the-bat by 2013.

Normally, in the past - when a suspect was apprehended and charged - their fingerprints would automatically be sent to the FBI  where sophisticated network computers would match their  criminal records and those held at the Department of Homeland Security.

The program differs from Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act - in that - fingerprints of every suspect will be checked and not just those that were manually inputted based on red flags generated subjectively by law enforcement officers (such as potentially damaging comments made by a suspect in the throes of arrest) according to an ICE spokesperson.

Essentially, the intelligent Secure Communities software will work in tandem with - and bolster - Section 287(g).

Some critics have been quite vocal about the potential dangers.

According to legal scholars, fingerprint databases that probe too far, have the ability to run afoul of an individual's Fourth Amendment Rights - and subsequently - equal protection under the law.

If it is any consolation, supporters of the spanking-new information gatherer, argue strenuously that the ambitious program isn't subject to racial profiling or immigration status.

Why mention it, then?

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Immigrants...population declines! Crack-down on illegals working...

According to a study conducted by the University of Southern California, the Immigrant population has declined over the past three years.

The foreign-born population (legal and illegal) was estimated at 26.6 percent this year.

The figure is down from a period in 2007 when the numbers peaked at 27.4 percent.

When translated into actual residents (and not percentages) the figures are quite telling.

Foreign-born residents are hovering in numbers at approximately 9.9 million, while the total population in California is currently 37.2 million.

Researchers have noted that this trend in a decrease in foreign-born population is across the country, and does not apply strictly to California.

The USC study, which draws on up-to-date Census Bureau data, reported that all six counties that make up Southern California were majority foreign-born in 1980.

In 2008, there was a noticeable change, however, in that all six  counties were majority native except for two of the large counties (Los Angeles & San Diego).

For obvious reasons, those pushing for tougher immigration laws are elated.

“The crack-down on illegal immigration is working.”

 
http://www.thetattler.biz/

Sarah Palin...racked up big bucks on shopping spree! Repubs paid through nose...

Republicans had designs on Palin!

She's gonna put us in the poor house!

When the scandal brought last year about Sarah Palin's celebrated make-over (courtesy of the party) - it was assumed that a fashion expert keen on the Republican "image" - rustled up a few select wardrobe pieces for the campaign trail (at which point the parcels were summarily delivered to her Hotet suite in NYC).

On the contrary!

According to John McCain's campaign Manager - Steve Schmidt - Palin was under the impression she was given carte blanche to zip around town to all the toniest boutiques and simply charge away at whim without any budget constraints.

"If Palin's spending on clothes had been  accurately reported during the campaign, the country would have been in an uproar," he sniped in so many words.

At a recent chi chi soiree at the Cut steakhouse( Beverly Hills Wilshire Hotel)  - where celebrated guests included Dolly Parton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Willie Brown and New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd - everyone was all ears when he spilled the beans on Palin on the heels of spiteful comments she made in her book about McCain's right-hand man.

According to Schmidt, her account of things was 100 percent fiction!

Maybe the former ice Queen should be penning dime-store novellas and purple prose?

"She would go into a store, buy everything in sight, and have the bill sent to the Republican National Committee.

"I stopped counting at $250,000.00."

If the clothes were "borrowed" (as the party claimed in their defense) - and turned over to a "charity" -  then some lucky street folks are looking pretty spiffy on the mean streets of the city these days, eh?

Lush scandal kept under wraps!

http://www.julianayrs.com

President Obama...gives nod to extending provisions of Patriot Act?

Barack Obama announced recently his intention to take a closer look at the Patriot Act and some of its defining salient points.

On the surface, the Obama administration appears to stand behind three provisions of the Act (installed in the wake of 911 when the country was at risk to terrorist attacks) which are due to expire at the end of the year.

Of particular interest to lawmakers and Civil Rights groups is the government's current legal right to access business records, monitor suspected rogue terrorists operating out of cells in the United States, and engage in surreptitious wire tapes of a dubious (and possibly illegal) nature.

Critics charge that the Patriot Act, in a nutshell, gives the intelligence community in the Government arena too much authority to snoop into the private lives of  U.S. Citizens.

At issue is the rule of  law and accountability.

The Justice Department has acknowledged the administration's desire to extend the three-year provisions aforementioned.

In spite of this hard stance, though, the president and government handlers have hinted that they may consider granting additional privacy protection if said provisions do not weaken the effectiveness of the Partriot Act.

Get those petitions out to Washington, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Homeland Security...U.S. Immigration & Naturalization. I fought Uncle Sam & won! Nasty nightmare ends...

Department of Injustice is more like it!

Readers of my daily blog may recall that a few months ago, I posted a blistering expose on Homeland Security & U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service.

In that compelling report, I noted that the INS lost Immigrant paperwork, and stalled and delayed the approval process for thousands of immigrants seeking legal status in the U.S.

Thereafter, when complaints were filed with Government Officials - the staff at local offices and at headquarters in Washington (D.C.) not only engaged in cover-ups - but retaliated against the complainants by denying their petitions waiting for a proper legal review.

Post: 06/12/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/06/immigrationpending-lawsuits-for.html

I expect that many Americans thought the allegations were wild, fabricated, or at least sensationalized a tad.

On the contrary, I was one of the "victims", so I knew from whence I spoke.

True, I cleverly penned the post without divulging my own personal struggles with the all-powerful Government Agencies involved.

I did so in a clandestine effort to avoid further recrimination (or deportation) from the INS and Homeland Security 'til a thorough investigation by the authorities could pave the way to Justice.

For me, it was a four-year nightmare!

During that time frame, I battled local officials who "lost" my paperwork in the Los Angeles Regional office and suffered through extreme hardships as I vowed to right the wrongs emanating from the main processing center back east where a nasty piece of work (Head of the Department) denied my petition when he learned that I filed a complaint with the Director of the INS in Washington, D.C.

But, the stressful battle did not end there.

When Michael Chertoff failed to take action, or even give me the courtesy of a reply, eventually the whole enchilada ended up in President Bush's lap in the Oval Office.

Indeed!

At this juncture, upper-level INS Officials, and corrupt cronies of the Secretary of Homeland Security - Michael Chertoff - buttoned down the hatches and the cover-ups surged forward.

Oh, and there was one tussle with ICE, in which I was bodily injured by two strapping officers, and required emergency hospitalization.

After that, I essentially ended up in a no-man's land, in static limbo at the INS Benefits Center, for a couple of years.

Then, there was a curious turn-of-events this week.

When I innocently cruised over to pick up my mail, I spied an envelope from the INS in my box.

Eureka!

The notice was issued to inform me that my petition for a renewal of my legal status in the United States was approved!

Today, a second envelope arrived from the heartland, with my spanking new Alien Registration card snugly inside.

"Welcome to the United States," a glossy pamphlet screamed out as it fell on the counter in front of me.

The four-year ordeal was over!

And now, I intend to tell the shocking tale in the next day or two in a post I'll publish at this blog site.

I trust that when I do, the disturbing conduct of INS Staff and the deceitful illegal machinations of their superiors at Homeland Security and in the White House - George W. Bush, too - will result in a cry for reform.

And, that the revelations, will ultimately hasten along justice for all other immigrants currently suffering through the abyss that is the INS, which I have just been rescued from.

Come back, and read all about it, eh?

Would you trust this man?

http://www.julianayrs.com

McDonald's...hiring illegal immigrants?

Yesterday, a couple of patrons at McDonald's were having difficulty communicating with an employee at the fast-food outlet, when a problem arose in the throes of chowing down on their Egg McMuffins.

It appears to be a simple matter for counter staff to key in the number assigned to an order, punch in the cost, and provide change that has been calculated by the computer.

But, beyond that limited realm of contact, it appears that employees have difficulty actually engaging in any two-way conversations when necessary.

In fact, a worker yesterday could not speak or comprehend English at all.

Basically, he shrugged at the patrons when they approached him for assistance, because he could not fathom what it was they wanted of him!

I thought that when potential immigrants applied for legal status, they are required to display a knowledge of U.S. History - and demonstrate, in particular - a facility for the prevailing language?

In this instant case - is one to assume that the employee in question is an illegal immigrant - since he does not appear to speak English?

Just asking!