Latest news with #Krikorian
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigration expert warns Chinese illegal aliens using Canadian city as gateway to US
An immigration expert says that the flow of Chinese illegal aliens into the United States could largely be supported by the Chinese community in a western Canadian city and that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is likely using known Canadian smuggling routes to sneak operatives into the U.S. As southern border crossings have ground to a virtual halt, the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, Mark Krikorian, shared his thoughts on the continuing flow of Chinese illegal aliens from the north. "It would be logical if they're trying to come across the northern border instead," he told Fox News Digital. "And there are lots of Chinese people in Vancouver. I mean there's this very large Chinese population, Hong Kong population, etc." Us Northern Border Faces Great Lakes Threat From 'Bad Actors' Pressing Waterfront Weaknesses: Expert Krikorian said the Chinese population in Vancouver is not so much "teeming with spies" as it is a tool that serves as cover for potential Chinese bad actors looking to cross into the U.S. "Whether they're regular criminals or whether they're People's Liberation Army operatives, or who knows what, a Chinese community gives them a medium through which to move where they're not alien," he said. Read On The Fox News App "It's kind of like one of Mao's sayings," Krikorian said. "'The people are like the sea and the revolutionaries are like the fish.' In other words, they use the people as the sea through which [the revolutionaries] swim." Chinese National Smuggled Illegal Immigrants To American Territory As Us Sees Influx From Adversary According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the number of Chinese nationals caught crossing into the U.S. via the northern border so far in fiscal 2025 is 4,042. The total in fiscal 2024 was 12,414. The fiscal year closes at the end of September, meaning that the U.S. is on pace for fewer crossings by Chinese nationals this year than last. "It would make perfect sense that they (the CCP) would use preexisting Chinese communities and networks as the medium through which they get into Canada and then [it's] kind of a jumping off point to get into the United States," Krikorian said. Krikorian said potential Chinese illegal aliens enter Canada in various ways, including through student visas and tourist visas, which allow them to be in proximity to the U.S. border in the first place. He also said he believes smuggling routes are well known to Chinese officials and that the smuggling is facilitated by local CCP allies. China Expands Influence Near Wealthy Florida Enclave As Migrants From Communist Country Flood Into Us "A lot of them must be hiring smugglers just because if you don't know the ropes, how do you know where to go and who to talk to and what part of the border to sneak across?" he said. "It's harder than it looks." Krikorian said he does not believe there is currently a grand conspiracy to send groups of Chinese spies into the U.S. via the northern border, especially because of the Trump administration's stricter policies on border security. An operation like that, he said, would more likely occur with more relaxed border policies like the ones during the Biden administration and that the CCP is patient and calculated enough to simply wait until America's borders are open again. However, he said it was unfathomable to think that China would give up on exploiting America's border weaknesses or using preexisting smuggling routes they have used in the past. "I think the main thing is just people coming for dishwashing jobs, like regular illegal aliens," he said. "But if there's a flow like that, the People's Liberation Army is not stupid. They're going to salt it with people they're going to want to use in the future, whether it's saboteurs or spies or what have you. "Does anybody think the Chinese Communist Party is stupid enough not to have taken advantage of this opportunity Biden gave them? No."Original article source: Immigration expert warns Chinese illegal aliens using Canadian city as gateway to US
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US northern border sees Romanian illegal immigrant influx as expert predicts what could be driving them
According to one immigration expert, relaxed Canadian visa requirements could be causing an uptick in Romanian illegal immigrants crossing the border to the United States. "First of all, the reason they're coming from Canada is that Canada lifted visa requirements for Romanians in 2017, I believe," Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, told Fox News Digital. "So it's a lot simpler to get to Canada than it is to here if you're a Romanian. And so then you sneak over the border. And why don't you stay in Canada instead of come here? I don't know." U.S. Customs and Border Protection data from the Houlton Sector in Maine shows Romanians made up less than 1% of border crossings in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024, that number increased to nearly 12%. Out of 344 illegal crossings in the sector, 40 people were identified as Romanian nationals. 3 Illegal Immigrants Charged After Fiery Texas Crash Leaves 1 Dead The Houlton Sector is located in northeast Maine, bordering New Brunswick, Canada. Krikorian suggested that Romanians might be trying to link up with family members in large cities. I-95 runs directly through Houlton, which may make it simpler for migrants to travel south and connect with relatives. Read On The Fox News App He explained that the majority of Romanians who leave their country flee to Italy and, to a lesser extent, Germany and other European Union countries. Still, more enterprising migrants might continue to the United States. "Italy is one of the big destinations for many Romanians," Krikorian said. "But there are going to be people who want to come here. I mean, the United States is better off than Italy, too. There's more opportunities here." Democrat Mayor Blasted For Vowing To Make Major City 'Safe Haven' For Illegal Immigrants But with changing visa requirements for Romanians wishing to enter the U.S., Krikorian expects illegal immigration numbers among Romanians to decline beginning at the end of this month. Romanian nationals will become eligible for the Visa Waiver Program at the end of March. The program allows citizens from participating countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, whether for tourism or business. Immigration Is Driving Trump's Popularity, Says Matthew Continetti Krikorian said that as a result, the number of illegal Romanian immigrants will drop, but the number of legal Romanian entrants will rise, some of whom will overstay their visas. "So illegal immigration of Romanians will just switch, will transform from border jumpers to visa over-stayers," he article source: US northern border sees Romanian illegal immigrant influx as expert predicts what could be driving them
Fox News
25-03-2025
- Business
- Fox News
US northern border sees Romanian illegal immigrant influx as expert predicts what could be driving them
According to one immigration expert, relaxed Canadian visa requirements could be causing an uptick in Romanian illegal immigrants crossing the border to the United States. "First of all, the reason they're coming from Canada is that Canada lifted visa requirements for Romanians in 2017, I believe," Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, told Fox News Digital. "So it's a lot simpler to get to Canada than it is to here if you're a Romanian. And so then you sneak over the border. And why don't you stay in Canada instead of come here? I don't know." U.S. Customs and Border Protection data from the Houlton Sector in Maine shows Romanians made up less than 1% of border crossings in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024, that number increased to nearly 12%. Out of 344 illegal crossings in the sector, 40 people were identified as Romanian nationals. The Houlton Sector is located in northeast Maine, bordering New Brunswick, Canada. Krikorian suggested that Romanians might be trying to link up with family members in large cities. I-95 runs directly through Houlton, which may make it simpler for migrants to travel south and connect with relatives. He explained that the majority of Romanians who leave their country flee to Italy and, to a lesser extent, Germany and other European Union countries. Still, more enterprising migrants might continue to the United States. "Italy is one of the big destinations for many Romanians," Krikorian said. "But there are going to be people who want to come here. I mean, the United States is better off than Italy, too. There's more opportunities here." But with changing visa requirements for Romanians wishing to enter the U.S., Krikorian expects illegal immigration numbers among Romanians to decline beginning at the end of this month. Romanian nationals will become eligible for the Visa Waiver Program at the end of March. The program allows citizens from participating countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, whether for tourism or business. Krikorian said that as a result, the number of illegal Romanian immigrants will drop, but the number of legal Romanian entrants will rise, some of whom will overstay their visas. "So illegal immigration of Romanians will just switch, will transform from border jumpers to visa over-stayers," he said.
Reuters
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Washington Spirit GM Mark Krikorian steps down
March 24 - Mark Krikorian has stepped down as the president of soccer operations and general manager of the Washington Spirit. The move coincides with the expiration of his three-year contract. Krikorian said he informed club owner Michele Kang over the winter that he made the "difficult decision" to leave his role. "When I came here in the spring of 2022, I wanted to help establish the Spirit as a perennial contender in the NWSL and one of the best clubs in the world," he said. "I felt that over the past three years we built a foundation that can last while assembling a roster that can immediately compete for championships." Last season, the Spirit won a franchise-record 19 matches and made the NWSL championship finals, losing 1-0 to the Orlando Pride. For now, sporting director James Hocken and assistant general manager Nathan Minion will run the club's soccer operations. Krikorian, who turns 65 this week, has spent more than 30 years working in the collegiate, international and professional women's soccer levels. Prior to joining the Spirit, he was the head coach at Florida State, where he led the Seminoles to NCAA championships in 2014, 2018 and 2021. He was named National Coach of the Year three times and won the honor in the Atlantic Coast Conference five times. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
As EBT card skimming soars, Mass. lawmakers file bills to reimburse victims
The very day Dori Krikorian's benefits deposit hit her account, she says it was just as quickly stolen. When she called the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the agency that distributes SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, she learned her EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card had been fraudulently used in New York and the nearly $300 she needed for food was gone. 'It's hard. It's hard for people. I'm on disability as well. I'm on a limited income. I need this help, and I depend on it,' Krikorian said. 'Who does this? Normal people don't do this to other people, specially people in need. I mean, that's the lowest of the low.' Kirkorian, who filed a report with Fitchburg police, believes her EBT card was compromised by a skimming device at a local supermarket, the only store she uses her card. A representative of the store told Boston 25 News they are confident the crime did not occur there, as they have installed physical mechanisms on their card readers to prevent skimming and they use surveillance to monitor possible criminal activity. But DTA tells Boston 25 News cases of EBT skimming and phishing are soaring. Claims of SNAP benefits theft have surged from 2,697 in December to 5,968 in January – a 121-percent increase. Unfortunately for victims, the federal government is no longer replacing stolen benefits as of Dec. 20, 2024, after Congress failed to extend a deadline for reimbursement. Mass. Sen. Robyn Kennedy and Rep. Sally Kerans have filed bills to help victims recoup their stolen benefits. 'It's certainly a tragedy that people are actually stealing food literally from the mouths of babies, from children,' Kennedy said. 'What this legislation does is require the state of Massachusetts to be able to reimburse SNAP recipients for stolen benefits.' An estimated $1 million a month is needed for the state to cover the thousands of victims being ripped off. EBT cards must be swiped, making them more vulnerable to scams than cards with chip-tap technology. Massachusetts is currently under contract with a vendor that does not provide the chip-tap technology for EBT cards, but the state is working toward an upgrade. 'It's really disturbing when there's abuse of any government program. But abusing and stealing from people who depend on SNAP benefits to feed themselves, feed their children is truly abhorrent,' Kerans said. 'These people are now without grocery money. So, this legislation would replace those benefits at least until we get this chip technology. And I'm hoping that we'll get there sooner rather than later.' DTA urges SNAP recipients to utilize a new card-locking feature between purchases to prevent anyone else from accessing their account. The agency also recommends clients change their PIN frequently. Krikorian, who is fortunate to have the help of family and friends, worries that seniors who are not tech-savvy and those without the support of loved ones will go without food if they, too, are scammed. 'I depend on this money, along with a lot of other people. So, what are we supposed to do? What can we do? I just don't want it to happen to someone else,' Krikorian said. 'It just seems like we're second-class citizens, that this isn't being taken seriously enough, that our funds aren't being protected.' For a list of ways to secure your EBT card, visit: Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
