Latest news with #DTOs
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's in Canada's Immigration Bill, Why It's Causing Worry
The Bridge to Canada sign is pictured on May 9. 2025. Credit - Jim West—Getty Images Canada's new bill—The Strong Borders Act—proposes a sweeping shift in immigration that, among other items, expands the Canadian Coast Guard's authority to conduct security patrols, restricts asylum access, and attempts to deal with the flow of fentanyl into the country. 'The Bill will strengthen our laws and keep Canadians safe by ensuring law enforcement has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering,' the bill states. Introduced on June 3 by Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, the 127-page measure proposes a shift in how the government interacts with the U.S.-Canada border. The bill comes after President Donald Trump voiced concerns about what he referred to as cross-border fentanyl traffic and irregular migration, when he imposed tariffs on Canada during his Feb. 1 Executive Order titled 'Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border.' Trump argued that 'Canada has played a central role' in the 'challenges' against 'illicit drugs' entering the country, alleging there is 'a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada' and that Canada must 'do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.' Here's what you need to know about Canada's Strong Borders Act. Canada's new immigration bill seeks to impact various areas—from asylum rules to search and seizure, to giving police more power to control and monitor the U.S. border. The new bill would allow Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail and would also remove barriers to allow law enforcement to open mail during an investigation—attempting to curb fentanyl movement by what authorities say is performed by organized crime groups. It would expand the power of the Canadian Coast Guard to 'conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and share information and intelligence for security purposes,' by amending the Oceans Act, creating a new role for the department. It also would expand the ability for Canadian intelligence agencies to share information with U.S. intelligence. Related to organized crime, the bill proposes additional restrictions on transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by any one individual into another's account. The process of gaining access to asylum would also change, as the bill looks to bar asylum seekers who have been in the country for over a year, retroactively applying to anyone who arrived after June 24, 2020. It would further allow the government the ability to pause the acceptance of new applications and 'cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents' immediately. The proposal has been met with strong opposition from immigration and human rights advocates in Canada, who argue it could restrict civil liberties and violate international refugee obligations. Jenny Wai Ching Kwan, a Canadian politician who serves at the member of Parliament for Vancouver East, issued a warning about the measure, stating that it should be 'alarming' to Canadians. 'Looking at [the bill], particularly with respect to the immigration provisions, it is very concerning to me that the government will now be breaching, I think, people's civil liberties, I think violating people's due process and taking away people's basic rights right now,' Kwan told reporters. 'What we're looking at is the government giving broad, sweeping authority within the government to cancel applications, to withdraw applications, to suspend applications, even those that are already in the inventory that is under process.' She also shared concerns about citizens' privacy, and the lack of apparent appeals processes in relation to the new sweeping immigration law. Canadian migrant justice group Migrant Rights Network also 'condemns' the bill, stating that it would 'drastically restrict refugee protections and allow for mass deportations and immigration exclusion.' They argue that the 'unchecked power' enabled through this bill could allow for migrant groups to have their immigration status revoked 'en masse.' 'Prime Minister [Mark] Carney campaigned on being different from Donald Trump, yet his very first bill is a shameful capitulation to racism and xenophobia, which abandons Canada's legal and moral obligations to refugees and migrants,' said Migrant Rights Network spokesperson Syed Hussan in a statement. 'With over 3,000 study and work permits already expiring daily because of [Former Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau's immigration cuts, this Bill will only worsen a humanitarian catastrophe. This bill is immoral, it is illegal, and it will be stopped.' Speaking with reporters on Friday, Canadian Council of Refugees co-executive director Gauri Sreenivasan stated that the bill mirrors U.S. immigration policy and could 'force many people who have no choice because they are under threat in their country or in the U.S. to live underground without status.' Kelly Sundberg, a former officer with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), also spoke out against the bill, admitting they're 'not optimistic' about it. 'I think all [the bill] does is try to appease the Trump Administration. But I'd like to see legislation that's designed to keep Canadians safe,' Sundberg said during an interview with CTV News. 'So does this legislation improve our border security, improve our immigration integrity, and improve the public safety of Canadians? No, it does not. It doesn't even come close.' Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Magazine
What's in Canada's Immigration Bill—and Why It's Facing Backlash
Canada's new bill— The Strong Borders Act —proposes a sweeping shift in immigration that, among other items, expands the Canadian Coast Guard's authority to conduct security patrols, restricts asylum access, and attempts to deal with the flow of fentanyl into the country. 'The Bill will strengthen our laws and keep Canadians safe by ensuring law enforcement has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering,' the bill states. Introduced on June 3 by Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, the 127-page measure proposes a shift in how the government interacts with the U.S.-Canada border. The bill comes after President Donald Trump voiced concerns about what he referred to as cross-border fentanyl traffic and irregular migration, when he imposed tariffs on Canada during his Feb. 1 Executive Order titled 'Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border.' Trump argued that 'Canada has played a central role' in the 'challenges' against 'illicit drugs' entering the country, alleging there is 'a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada' and that Canada must 'do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.' Here's what you need to know about Canada's Strong Borders Act. What is in Canada's immigration bill? Canada's new immigration bill seeks to impact various areas—from asylum rules to search and seizure, to giving police more power to control and monitor the U.S. border. The new bill would allow Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail and would also remove barriers to allow law enforcement to open mail during an investigation—attempting to curb fentanyl movement by what authorities say is performed by organized crime groups. It would expand the power of the Canadian Coast Guard to 'conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and share information and intelligence for security purposes,' by amending the Oceans Act, creating a new role for the department. It also would expand the ability for Canadian intelligence agencies to share information with U.S. intelligence. Related to organized crime, the bill proposes additional restrictions on transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by any one individual into another's account. The process of gaining access to asylum would also change, as the bill looks to bar asylum seekers who have been in the country for over a year, retroactively applying to anyone who arrived after June 24, 2020. It would further allow the government the ability to pause the acceptance of new applications and 'cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents' immediately. Why is the bill facing backlash? The proposal has been met with strong opposition from immigration and human rights advocates in Canada, who argue it could restrict civil liberties and violate international refugee obligations. Jenny Wai Ching Kwan, a Canadian politician who serves at the member of Parliament for Vancouver East, issued a warning about the measure, stating that it should be 'alarming' to Canadians. 'Looking at [the bill], particularly with respect to the immigration provisions, it is very concerning to me that the government will now be breaching, I think, people's civil liberties, I think violating people's due process and taking away people's basic rights right now,' Kwan told reporters. 'What we're looking at is the government giving broad, sweeping authority within the government to cancel applications, to withdraw applications, to suspend applications, even those that are already in the inventory that is under process.' She also shared concerns about citizens' privacy, and the lack of apparent appeals processes in relation to the new sweeping immigration law. Canadian migrant justice group Migrant Rights Network also 'condemns' the bill, stating that it would 'drastically restrict refugee protections and allow for mass deportations and immigration exclusion.' They argue that the 'unchecked power' enabled through this bill could allow for migrant groups to have their immigration status revoked 'en masse.' 'Prime Minister [Mark] Carney campaigned on being different from Donald Trump, yet his very first bill is a shameful capitulation to racism and xenophobia, which abandons Canada's legal and moral obligations to refugees and migrants,' said Migrant Rights Network spokesperson Syed Hussan in a statement. 'With over 3,000 study and work permits already expiring daily because of [Former Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau's immigration cuts, this Bill will only worsen a humanitarian catastrophe. This bill is immoral, it is illegal, and it will be stopped.' Speaking with reporters on Friday, Canadian Council of Refugees co-executive director Gauri Sreenivasan stated that the bill mirrors U.S. immigration policy and could 'force many people who have no choice because they are under threat in their country or in the U.S. to live underground without status.' Kelly Sundberg, a former officer with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), also spoke out against the bill, admitting they're 'not optimistic' about it. 'I think all [the bill] does is try to appease the Trump Administration. But I'd like to see legislation that's designed to keep Canadians safe,' Sundberg said during an interview with CTV News. 'So does this legislation improve our border security, improve our immigration integrity, and improve the public safety of Canadians? No, it does not. It doesn't even come close.'
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Inspect vehicle fitness centres applied for ATS conversion: HC
1 2 Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court Tuesday directed the state transport department to ensure the inspection of vehicle fitness centres that applied for conversion into Automated Testing Stations (ATS) within 30 days and to expedite decisions on their pending applications. The order came in response to a petition filed by private fitness centre owners challenging the state govt's decision to close all 83 fitness centres operating in Rajasthan from April closure followed directions from the ministry of road transport and highways, which asked states to conduct vehicle fitness tests only at automated centres to minimise human intervention and manipulation. The petitioners argued that 30 of the 83 fitness centres already applied for conversion to ATS and invested significantly to upgrade their facilities with automated testing equipment. They contended that the govt failed to decide on these applications or issue guidelines and instead abruptly closed the centres without any formal order. They said their centres were operating under all govt guidelines issued in Kumar Sogarwal, counsel for the petitioners, informed the court that the fitness centres also sought an order preventing RTOs and DTOs from conducting manual vehicle inspections while their ATS applications were pending. The petitioners pointed out that the ministry of road transport and highways directed states to speed up the approval and operationalisation of ATS and phase out manual testing. Despite this, from April 1, their authorisations were withdrawn even though many had valid permissions to run fitness centres until June and Oct 2025.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
DOJ: 16 indicted in San Diego for allegedly distributing meth, fentanyl, heroin across US
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Department of Justice reports over a dozen people were indicted in federal court in San Diego for allegedly distributing meth, fentanyl and heroin across the United States, resulting in the seizure of over 120 pounds of drugs. The U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California, reports four indictments were unsealed in federal court on Thursday, charging 16 people in San Diego County with distributing large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin, and laundering the drug-trafficking proceeds. DOJ: 22 charged for role in drug trafficking organization linked to Beltran Leyva Cartel More than 115 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials worked together on Wednesday to arrest 10 people and execute three search warrants in the Nestor, Palm City, and Encanto neighborhoods in the City of San Diego. As of Friday, six defendants were still being searched for by law enforcement. According to the DOJ in Southern California, throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized the following: 26.8 kilograms of powdered fentanyl 5.7 kilograms of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl (estimated to be 57,000 pills) 25.7 kilograms of methamphetamine 1.5 kilograms of cocaine 1.1 kilograms of heroin ketamine MDMA more than $40,000 in U.S. currency a Maserati Ghibili 9 firearms, including an AK-47 According to the indictments, the defendants are accused of distributing the drugs throughout the country, including in Ohio and Kansas, on behalf of a San Diego County-based drug trafficking organization. The investigation also uncovered the use of shell companies to gather and launder the proceeds of the drug trafficking enterprise from other states, including Colorado, Minnesota and Nebraska. 'Dangerous' drug trafficking ring shut down in Southern California The charges are the result of a 16-month investigation that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, undercover agents, and confidential sources, according to the DOJ. 'The indictments unsealed today paint a picture of an organization responsible for trafficking dangerous drugs into our communities – drugs that are killing Americans daily,' said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. 'These indictments should send a clear signal to drug trafficking organizations that where there's money, there's a trail, and IRS-CI is the best in the world at finding and following those trails. We are proud to partner with fellow law enforcement agencies to flush out DTOs that put our communities at risk.' The DEA, Oceanside Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, San Diego Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Carlsbad Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management collaborated on this investigation. This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, and the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This program equipped the US military to take down drug traffickers
The link between terrorism and drug trafficking organizations, or DTOs, is now at the forefront of public debate due to President Donald Trump's recent designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. His suggestion to deploy U.S. Special Forces to dismantle cartels has met with speculation. In fact, U.S. Special Forces and federal law enforcement agents have cooperated successfully against international DTOs in the past — and their sacrifices are unfortunately being forgotten. The 9/11 terrorist attacks brought attention to something overlooked for many years — the connection between terrorist activities and international drug trafficking. As the Global War on Terror developed, it became clear that Afghanistan-based drug traffickers were supporting the Islamic terrorist organizations through the opium and hashish trade. With Afghanistan producing more than 80% of the world's illicit opium, Islamic terrorists relied on drug trafficking to fund weapons, supplies and recruit fighters. The strong connection between drugs and terror prompted a 2010 report from the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control to state that 'the Taliban operates as a drug cartel and … the drug trade in Afghanistan must be addressed with the same level of resolve as the insurgency.' The U.S. military faced a truly complex problem. Transnational criminal DTOs are well-armed, well-funded and often receive support from state actors, and operate with organization and command structures that can mirror military forces. Some drug lords, such as Burma's Khun Sa, have wielded private militia groups. However, the criminal nature of DTOs makes them different from military forces. Dismantling them successfully requires not only military-level strength but law enforcement expertise. This became evident in Afghanistan as military forces encountered clandestine drug processing labs throughout the country. This led to a close and successful partnership between the Pentagon and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Although newer and smaller than other three-letter agencies, the DEA is second to none in the expertise it commands in detecting and dismantling drug cartels and thwarting complex illegal drug-related operations. As a single mission agency, the DEA's core focus is to identify and eliminate the most nefarious criminal networks. The level of criminal violence and deceit that that DEA agents tackle regularly would appall members of the public, yet many of their successes will forever be unknown. In the wake of 9/11, the U.S. government invited all federal agencies to participate in the Global War on Terror by allocating resources and developing a strategy to assist with eradicating global threats. This resulted in the creation of DEA's Kabul Country Office, which at its height consisted of 50 special agents and intelligence analysts who set out to identify and target the most notorious drug traffickers in the region. Those efforts revealed that most of these traffickers were connected to the same terrorist groups that the Defense Department was anxiously targeting. In 2004, the U.S. military and the DEA expanded their cooperation with the successful creation of the DEA's Foreign-deployed Advisory Support Team, or FAST. This saw elite SOCOM units paired with a highly trained and select group of top-notch criminal investigators from DEA with superb tactical acumen. This joint venture was aimed at dismantling narco-terrorist groups in remote areas where deeply rooted criminal activity and related extreme violence existed — including not only in Afghanistan but in other regions such as Central and South America. SOCOM units including the U.S. Army Green Berets, the U.S. Navy SEALs, the U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), the 160th Special Operations Aviation Unit (SOAR) — better known as the Night Stalkers — and international coalition forces worked closely and successfully with FAST agents to thwart transnational criminal groups. While SOCOM units focused on accomplishing military objectives and took on violent narco-terrorists, law enforcement agents trained and mentored local counterparts on evidence collection, processing of evidence, informant handling, arrests and interpreting intelligence to uncover additional criminal activity. This mutual support accomplished much. In Afghanistan in 2008, U.S. Special Forces and FAST agents seized over 262 metric tons of hashish in Operation Albatross from a Taliban 'superlab.' From May to June 2011, Special Forces units and FAST agents coordinated Operation Khafa Kardan, a 30-day mission in which 90 law enforcement operations took place alongside U.S. military missions, resulting in the seizure of 12,766 kilograms of opium, 127 kilograms of heroin, 25,666 precursor chemicals in addition to an estimated 50 pounds of homemade explosives plus IEDs and weapons. These examples barely scratch the surface of what was achieved. Great sacrifices were made to accomplish these missions. On Oct. 26, 2009, seven U.S. military service members were killed alongside three DEA agents in a helicopter crash in western Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Charles Cleveland of SOCOM designated the incident as a combat-related loss. The U.S. soldiers included Chief Warrant Officer Michael P. Montgomery, Chief Warrant Officer Niall Lyons, Staff Sgt. Shawn McNabb, Sgt. Josue Hernandez-Chavez and Sgt. Nikolas Mueller of SOAR, and Staff Sgt. Keith R. Bishop and Sgt. 1st Class David E. Metzger of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). The three DEA agents who lost their lives were Special Agents Chad Michael, Forrest Leamon and Michael Weston. SA Michael had previously worked with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, while SA Weston and SA Leamon were U.S. military veterans. SA Weston had served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, and SA Leamon had served in the U.S. Navy. Relics of the fallen DEA agents' personal effects, including a charred uniform patch and melted firearm fragments, were recovered from the smoldering 2009 helicopter crash at great personal risk. These hallowed items were mounted in a shadowbox at FAST headquarters to honor the memory of the fallen. The names of all 10 men who lost their lives together in devotion to a common cause are inscribed on a single gravestone at Arlington National Cemetery. Despite its far-reaching successes, the FAST program was disbanded in March 2017 under the tenure of DEA's Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2015. The shadowbox containing the Afghanistan crash relics from the fallen—displayed reverently in FAST headquarters as a memorial—was unceremoniously removed from display and warehoused by DEA after the program ended with brutal disregard. The sacrifices made by US Special Forces and law enforcement agents in combating narco-terrorists are undimmed in what they achieved together and in the memory they left in the hearts of their comrades, who still recall them vividly and honor them. Although its achievements have faded from view in recent years, the FAST program created a successful blueprint for how the US military can successfully tackle violent threats posed by transnational criminal organizations alongside federal law enforcement—a blueprint that is highly relevant today.
