Latest news with #ATD
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE moves to shackle some 180,000 immigrants with GPS ankle monitors
ICE moves to shackle some 180,000 immigrants with GPS ankle monitors U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has directed personnel to sharply increase the number of immigrants they shackle with GPS-enabled ankle monitors, as the Trump administration widens surveillance of people it is targeting for deportation, according to an internal ICE document reviewed by The Washington Post. In a June 9 memo, ICE ordered staff to place ankle monitors on all people enrolled in the agency's Alternatives to Detention program 'whenever possible.' About 183,000 adult migrants are enrolled in ATD and had previously consented to some form of tracking or mandatory check-ins while they waited for their immigration cases to be resolved. Currently, just 24,000 of these individuals wear ankle monitors. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. One exception would be pregnant women, who would be required to wear wrist-worn tracking devices, Dawnisha M. Helland, an acting assistant director in the management of non-detained immigrants, wrote in the letter. 'If the alien is not being arrested at the time of reporting, escalate their supervision level to GPS ankle monitors whenever possible and increase reporting requirements,' Helland wrote. The new ankle monitor guidance, which has not been previously reported, marks a significant expansion of a 20-year-old surveillance practice steeped in controversy. While tracking devices are cheaper and arguably more humane than detention, immigrants and their advocates have long criticized the government's use of the bulky black ankle bands, which they say are physically uncomfortable, impose a social stigma and invade the privacy of the people wearing them, many of whom have no criminal record or history of missed court appointments. 'This will be a tool used to extend the reach of the government from just the folks it can manage to put in physical detention to an additional hundreds of thousands more that it can surveil,' said Laura Rivera, a senior staff attorney at Just Futures, a nonprofit group that has done research on ICE tracking technologies. 'It's designed to turn their own communities and homes into digital cages.' In an interview, ICE spokeswoman Emily Covington did not comment on the memo but said that the administration is using ankle monitors as an 'enforcement tool' to ensure compliance with immigration laws and that 'more accountability shouldn't come as a surprise.' She said ICE still makes decisions on a case-by-case basis and officers still have discretion over which participants require tracking technology. The expansion will drive business to Geo Group, the Boca Raton, Florida-based private prison conglomerate that previously employed at least two of Trump's top immigration officials and donated over $1.5 million to the president's 2024 campaign and inaugural committee. The tracking program is entirely run by BI Inc., a subsidiary of Geo that got its start in the 1970s by selling a device farmers used to monitor their cattle. However, in one sign of ICE's widening ambitions, agency officials recently began looking for additional technology vendors because BI's capacity may not be able to meet the agency's full needs, said a person briefed on the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose them. Geo did not respond to numerous requests for comment. An ICE spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the agency has a long-standing relationship with Geo and is 'leveraging existing vendors who have proven track records.' The new policy has taken many by surprise. One day last week, about 50 migrants huddled in a room at an ICE field office in Chantilly, Virginia, waiting to be outfitted with tracking devices. 'Everybody in here needs to either wear hardware or be detained,' one ICE official said, according to Megan Brody, an immigration attorney who was there with her client. Paola, 29, was told to report to BI's office in Manassas, Virginia, last month, where one of the contractor's employees told her she had to wear an ankle monitor due to 'new laws,' she said. Paola, a mother of two who said she fled Honduras four years ago because of an abusive husband, said she has attended all of her court appearances and complied with her mandatory mobile app check-ins for the time she's spent waiting for her asylum case to be processed. 'Maybe they've taken these drastic steps because many people don't show up to court or change addresses without reporting,' said Paola, who spoke to The Post on the condition that only her middle name be used because she is afraid of retribution by government officials. 'But some of us do everything right and still get treated the same.' ICE requires most undocumented immigrants to attend court hearings or periodically check in at field offices while their cases are being processed, though the frequency varies depending on a range of factors. An analysis of federal data by the American Immigration Council, an immigrant rights group, found that 83 percent of non-detained immigrants with completed or pending removal cases attended all of their court hearings from 2008 to 2018. A small portion of immigrants who are awaiting final resolution on their immigration proceedings are enrolled in ATD, which requires them to wear a tracking device or perform virtual check-ins using an app, as well as meeting in person with case managers in their home or a BI office. Enrollments in ATD peaked at 378,000 during the surge in border crossings under President Joe Biden and have declined since then. ICE says it considers a range of factors when deciding whether and how to track each immigrant - including criminal history, compliance history, caregiver concerns and medical concerns - but usually does not explain why any individual is put into ATD. Since the program launched in 2004, some participants have claimed they were unfairly subjected to surveillance despite complying diligently with the terms of their release and posing no threat to their communities. 'There were individuals that should have not been in the program and should have been released on their own recognizance,' said Hector Equihua, who worked as a San Diego-based case manager at BI for two years ending in 2018 and learned about the lives of the participants he oversaw from their case files, phone calls and in-person visits with them. Of the people the government monitors under ADT, the vast majority, or 84 percent, are required only to check in virtually to a mobile app called SmartLINK, which uses facial recognition to confirm their identity and GPS to confirm their location at the time of their check-in, according to BI's website and ICE data as of July 12. Ankle bracelets are used on just 13 percent of ATD participants but have been the only immigrant-monitoring technology to grow in use under the Trump administration, adding 4,165 new people since January. Wearing one of the devices, which are made at BI's factory in Boulder, Colorado, is like having a deck of playing cards strapped to your ankle. At six ounces, it's about the same weight as an iPhone. The devices are prone to glitches, have poor battery life, and sometimes leave bruises or rashes on the people who wear them, according to interviews with former BI employees and ATD participants. Michael Langa, a South African immigrant who had to wear an ankle bracelet for eight months in 2019 after he overstayed his visa, said the metal band also came with a psychological burden. 'It makes you feel like you are really a bad person,' Langa said. 'It really gets into your psyche and really damages your soul.' He said his case is still active but he no longer wears a tracking device. All of the people wearing ankle monitors are assigned a BI case manager and given a geographic area they cannot leave, which could be as small as a few-mile radius or as wide as several states. Case managers get an alert any time the person leaves this area, if the device is tampered with or if its battery runs out, at which point the case managers typically call the participant and warn them they may be violating the terms of their release. They may also escalate the matter to ICE. In the past, people who complied with the program were generally moved to less restrictive tracking and less frequent check-ins, a federal watchdog found in 2022. Now, according to interviews with some immigrants and their lawyers, the Trump administration appears to be reversing that policy: Participants who are fully compliant are being moved to more restrictive forms of tracking with little explanation. 'Why are people any more of a flight risk now?' asked Annelise Araujo, a Boston immigration attorney who says she represents several people who were outfitted with ankle monitors. 'People who have lived in the same community, in the same home, in the same job for 20 years?' Geo Group, ICE's largest contractor, is already benefiting from Trump's immigration crackdown. ICE has signed contracts to expand or reopen several Geo detention centers and to fund deportation flights on Geo's air carrier. This month, the agency issued BI a one-year extension on its immigrant-monitoring contract - bypassing a planned competitive bidding process that was expected to open the program to multiple new vendors. Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, previously earned consulting fees working for the division of Geo that oversees immigrant monitoring, part of a pattern of revolving-door arrangements that includes several former ICE officials who obtained jobs in the detention industry, The Post reported earlier this year. A White House spokeswoman said Homan recuses himself from all discussions of government contracts. Geo told investors it has ramped up production of ankle monitors and is prepared to potentially track millions of immigrants. 'We have taken several important steps to be prepared to meet that opportunity, and we are very well positioned,' David Donahue, Geo's chief executive, said on a call with analysts in May. Because each ATD participant generates about $3.70 in revenue per day, a rapid expansion could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue per year, said Joe Gomes, a financial analyst at Noble Capital Markets. An ICE spokeswoman said Congress did not allocate any money for ATD in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, though the text of the bill says it does include funding for 'information technology investments to support enforcement and removal operations.' Despite Geo's preparations, there are questions about whether the company can meet the ballooning demand. For years, BI has limited its need for manufacturing by recycling old ankle monitors from one participant to the next, according to former employees. Much of its supply of the devices is old and in poor condition. In addition to rapidly producing new devices, BI would have to quickly increase its staff of case managers, or employees tasked with ensuring immigrants are complying with ATD. With each case manager already overseeing as many as 300 participants at once, they are already stretched thin, with little time to attend to individual requests, according to a 2022 investigation by the Guardian. Perhaps because of these constraints, ICE recently asked Geo to hire one or more subcontractors to help scale up the monitoring program, according to the person briefed on the agency's discussions. ATD may grow to include a variety of tracking devices and software tools other than ankle monitors, depending on what technologies ICE can purchase in a short time frame, the person said. Covington, the ICE spokeswoman, declined to comment on any plans to expand the program. When Paola, the Honduran mother of two, got home from the BI office in June, her 6-year-old son asked her about the black box he noticed strapped around her ankle. She told him it was nothing serious - knowing she couldn't tell him the truth. If she loses her asylum case, she knows, the ankle monitor 'makes it easier for them to find me and deport me.' - - - Marianne LeVine, Ence Morse and Aaron Schaffer contributed to this report. Related Content Hulk Hogan was a well-known Trump supporter. Their ties go back 40 years. Mendelson reaches deal with Commanders on RFK site amid growing pressure Amy Sherald cancels major Smithsonian show over 'censorship' Solve the daily Crossword
Business Insider
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
TD Securities Remains a Buy on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (ATD)
TD Securities analyst maintained a Buy rating on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (ATD – Research Report) today and set a price target of C$82.00. The company's shares closed today at C$67.64. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc has an analyst consensus of Strong Buy, with a price target consensus of C$82.82, a 22.44% upside from current levels. In a report released today, CIBC also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a C$84.00 price target. ATD market cap is currently C$65.24B and has a P/E ratio of 18.18.
Mid East Info
20-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
ATD Middle East 2025 concludes with a clear message: Don't fear AI, train with it
Global Talent Leaders chart the future of learning at the Conference in Abu Dhabi. AI, design thinking, and skills-first models take center stage in the region's premier L&D gathering Abu Dhabi, UAE – 20th June 2025 – The 9th Annual ATD Middle East Conference concluded on 18th June at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl, drawing over 400 senior HR and L&D professionals from around the world for two days of insightful dialogue, immersive learning, and future-ready collaboration. Hosted by the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in partnership with QnA International and with the support of Cultural and Destination Partner, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, this year's edition brought the theme, 'Experience First: The New Era of Talent Development,' to life by spotlighting human-centered learning, AI integration, and bold talent strategies for a hybrid workforce. The Guest of Honor Address, by Hamad Mohammed Alsudain, Acting Support Services Executive Director, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, UAE, welcomed the diverse leaders to Abu Dhabi for the much-anticipated conference. The conference featured key insights from global thought leaders in talent development. Dr. Wei Wang, Senior Global Director at the Association for Talent Development, USA, presented groundbreaking research on emerging trends, ranging from AI and personalization to the evolving role of L&D professionals. Dr. Wang shared the latest ATD research, highlighting how AI is transforming the talent development landscape. She revealed that AI has boosted productivity (59%), training efficiency (51%), and creativity or innovation (47%), while also improving access to learning and skill application on the job. Top AI use cases include language translation and content creation (50%), as well as measuring learning impact (21%). Dan Pontefract, 5 Times Award Winning Author and Leadership Strategist, Canada, encouraged delegates to see AI as an ally rather than a threat. 'It will only replace you if you treat it like an enemy,' he emphasized during his keynote on building resilient, adaptive workforces. Meanwhile, John Atwood, Sr. Learning and Development Manager, Google, USA, shared how the tech giant is equipping technical leaders to lead human-AI teams through ethical decision-making, responsible implementation, and scalable upskilling strategies. Regional voices also took center stage with impactful case studies from the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi to STC from Saudi Arabia. Ahmed Hamad Al-Hammad, Acting Head of Human Resources and Transformation from Kuwait Finance House (KFH), discussed experience as a model that supports national competencies by showcasing its most prominent projects and programs in the field of human resources. Abu Dhabi's top CEO Coach, David Ribott, shared that succession isn't just about readiness. It's about responsibility. About shaping cultures and transitions that don't just maintain momentum, but evolve it. Hilal Al Jadidi, Chief People & Change Officer, Omran Group, Oman, illustrated how leadership programs aligned with Oman's tourism strategy are driving measurable impact and alignment in everyday work. Peter Gater, Senior Consultant, TAAEEN, UAE, introduced design thinking as a powerful method for developing cross-generational, learner-centric programs. Hanan Nagi, Founder and CEO of HNI, UAE, boldly challenged one of the most sacred tenets of personal development — the idea that self-belief must come first, with honest decisions, courageous ambition, humble planning, and a commitment to grow together, even when belief feels uncertain. Sue Lam, VP of People Insights, Strategy & Culture, The Coca-Cola Company, USA, explored how AI is transforming performance-based learning journeys. Sue shared practical tips and examples of apps that they are using in their business. Sarah Daly, Director of Ed-Tech at LEORON Institute, led an exceptional seminar session on Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) and their role in building data-driven L&D strategies, and how LXPs go beyond traditional LMS models to deliver impact at scale. Gold sponsors of this year HNI, Boost and TAAEEN along with over 30 sponsors and exhibitors and a rich agenda of keynotes, panels, and hands-on workshops, the 2025 conference firmly cemented ATD Middle East's status as the region's leading L&D platform. 'As ATD celebrates 80 years of global impact, the momentum in the Middle East is undeniable,' said Dr. Wei Wang, Senior Global Director at the Association for Talent Development, USA. 'This year's conference reflected a shared readiness to explore boldly, learn deeply, and build not just future-ready but future-defining workforces.' Sidh N.C., Director of QnA International, added, 'ATD Middle East 2025 was not just about ideas—it was about implementation. What we witnessed over these two days was a unified commitment to advancing learning ecosystems built on technology, empathy, and purpose. From AI-powered insights to culturally driven learning models, the region's L&D leaders are clearly stepping into a transformative era, and we are proud to be the platform that helps bring their vision to life.' About ATD: The Association for Talent Development (ATD) is the world's largest professional membership organization supporting those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees, improve performance, and help to achieve results for the organizations they serve. ATD's members come from more than 100 countries and work in public and private organizations in every industry sector. About QnA International: QnA International LLC is a leading global B2B event organizer, continuously innovating the knowledge and events business for over a decade. With a growing portfolio of conferences, summits, and training, ranging from Trade Finance to Travel & Tourism, Technology, Supply Chain Finance, Destination Weddings, and Human Resources, QnA International caters to a wide range of industries, in correlation with the present and future demands of the global economy. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the company organizes B2B events around the world including expertise in delivering world-class events in destinations like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Mexico, India, Greece, Thailand, Georgia, and Indonesia.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kalamazoo Valley Community College joins Achieving the Dream Network to advance student success and community impact
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is pleased to announce that it has joined the network of Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility. KALAMAZOO, Mich., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Kalamazoo Valley Community College is pleased to announce that it has joined the network of Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility. As one of nine institutions joining the organization as part of its 2025 cohort, Kalamazoo Valley Community College will enter into ATD's Foundations of Transformation core engagement, an intensive three-year program designed to build essential institutional capacities and accelerate student success. Grounded in ATD's Community Vibrancy Framework, the engagement will help the colleges strengthen critical capacities with the ultimate goal of supporting the transformation of these institutions as they seek to become inclusive, equitable hubs of economic mobility and regional vitality. "Joining ATD represents a transformative opportunity to accelerate our vision of creating innovative and equitable opportunities for all students, said L. Marshall Washington, Ph. D., college president. "We're ready to deepen our data-informed approach and build institutional capacity that empowers every student to learn, grow, and thrive." Teams from the cohort colleges will convene at ATD's Kickoff Institute, an annual event to welcome incoming Network colleges, which will be held this year from June 25 to 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Kickoff will set the stage for the colleges' partnerships with ATD and introduce them to the organization's Institutional Capacity Framework, a comprehensive assessment built on essential capacities that help colleges develop a student-centered culture and enhance student success. "We are honored to welcome these nine colleges into the ATD Network," said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. "By joining Foundations of Transformation, these institutions are taking an ambitious step to redesign systems, structures, and cultures to support their students more holistically. Their commitment signals not only a deep investment in student success but also in the long-term resilience and vibrancy of the communities they serve. ATD looks forward to walking alongside these colleges as they forge a bold path forward." Established in 1966, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a comprehensive, fully accredited, public, two-year college with enrollment of about 9,000 students in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With four campuses, Kalamazoo Valley offers certificate programs in more than 50 areas of study and associate degrees in 60 others. In addition to associate degree and certificate programs in business, health care, human and public service, technical occupations and industry, the college also provides a quality experience for students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions following graduation. Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, the organization provides institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. ATD calls this Whole College Transformation. Its vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically vibrant communities. ATD knows that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers. Follow ATD on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn. To learn more, visit the Achieving the Dream (ATD) website: Media Contact Alisha Siebers, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 269.488.4821, asiebers@ View original content: SOURCE Kalamazoo Valley Community College Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Best $7,000 TFSA Investments for Canadian Investors
Written by Joey Frenette at The Motley Fool Canada It's the big question on the minds of many new TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) investors at any given time: what's the best investment to make in today's climate? Indeed, Trump tariff turmoil paved the way for a rather treacherous first half of the year. But with things settling down ahead of summer, investors may have the opportunity to take their time as they examine the broad slate of deals to be had today without having to be panicked over the non-stop negative headlines we saw just over two months ago. Of course, there could be more in the way of negative surprises with tariffs in the second half. However, with China and the U.S. negotiating, it may be unwise to rule out positive surprises as well. In this piece, we'll check out a name that I think is more of a deep-value play going into July. For TFSA investors who are still searching for a name to put their latest TFSA contribution (of $7,000) to work, the following name, I think, could be worth adding to your summer watchlist. As always, do your own research and analysis before putting a sum as substantial as $7,000 on one stock at any given moment. If you're a big investor who's already diversified, the following name may be worth a big bet. However, if you're a beginner investor, I'd argue that spreading your first $7,000 across a slate of names (or exchange-traded funds) would be best. Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) shares stand out as an intriguing pick-up for TFSA investors looking for value, long-term growth, and dividend raises. The convenience retailer has been stuck in the penalty box for about a year now, and I think it's about to skate out of it sometime soon, especially if we get a resolution with the potential deal to buy 7 & i Holdings (that's the parent firm of 7-Eleven). Over the past few weeks, we've had quite a few updates on the proposed deal. We've heard of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) being signed as a signal that a deal could be close, as well as news of shareholders' support to fend off a Couche-Tard takeover. Indeed, things seem to be changing by the month. I have no idea if a deal's still likely at this juncture. Personally, I think it's best to trust the firm's managers as they take their time to make their move. Whichever move it'll be, it's one I, as a shareholder, am supportive of. In any case, I think ATD stock is too cheap to ignore, as too much focus has been placed on the proposed deal, with a bit less attention given to the actual growth opportunity at hand. If Couche-Tard can't have its way with 7 & i Holdings's managers, the company has more than enough cash to take advantage of all sorts of deals. Indeed, the robust balance sheet leaves Couche's value-minded managers in a strong position as they aim to secure some attractive deals to fuel that impressive merger and acquisition-driven long-term growth engine. With a management team that's not afraid to go the extra mile on due diligence, I'd be inclined to buy the stock after any period of seasonal weakness. As the stock recovers from a brief drop into a bear market (a more than 21% fall from peak to trough), I think it could be time to start doing some buying. It's a TFSA mainstay, in my opinion, and it's likely headed higher as the 7 & i saga (hopefully) nears its end in the second half of 2025. The post The Best $7,000 TFSA Investments for Canadian Investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Made in Canada: 5 Homegrown Stocks Ready for the 'Buy Local' Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS] Market Volatility Toolkit Best Canadian Stocks to Buy in 2025 Beginner Investors: 4 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for 2025 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Joey Frenette has positions in Alimentation Couche-Tard. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alimentation Couche-Tard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
