Latest news with #LindaSánchez
E&E News
13-08-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Dems blast State Department for ‘secretive' talks around Congo minerals
House Democrats are calling on the Trump administration to provide more information about ongoing negotiations with the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo and warned about conflicts of interest and a lack of congressional consultation. Rep. Linda Sánchez of California joined more than 50 of her colleagues in a statement calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address their concerns about 'secretive negotiations' tied to President Donald Trump's minerals agreement with the DRC. Sánchez is a ranking member on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee. 'As Members of Congress, we are deeply concerned with your administration's failure to consult Congress and the lack of transparency, especially given the dire security, human rights, labor, and environmental situation associated with mineral mining in the DRC,' they wrote in a letter to Rubio. Advertisement A State Department spokesperson said the agency doesn't comment on congressional correspondence.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Adelanto ICE Processing Center started the year with three detainees. Now, there are 1200
At the beginning of 2025, there were only three detainees in the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. On Tuesday, June 17, there were 1,200 detaintees following the recent Los Angeles ICE raids. The private company that owns the Adelanto center, The GEO Group, announced in a June 10 press release, only days after the Los Angeles raids, that the U.S. District Court approved a settlement in the COVID-19 case of Roman v. Wolf, which ordered a pause on inmate intake due to the outbreak. The new ruling allows for immediate full intake at the 1,940-bed Adelanto ICE Processing Center. The Adelanto center wasted no time transferring inmates following the settlement and went from a nearly empty facility to an almost full one. At full occupancy, the Adelanto Center contract would generate approximately $31 million in additional annualized revenues for GEO, the group said in the press release, emphasizing the "importance" of the facility. California Representatives Judy Chu, Linda Sánchez, Mark Takano, Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Luz Rivas discovered additional information about the usually quiet Adelanto ICE Processing Center on their second visit to the facility this month. They were initially turned away from the ICE center on June 8, amid the controversial immigration sweeps throughout Southern California, which catalyzed national unrest and anti-ICE protests throughout the state. The conditions the California representatives say they found on June 17 echo the findings of a 2018 report, which revealed that the conditions inside the Adelanto facility were a "violation of federal standards." Congressmember Linda Sánchez said the conditions at the Adelanto compound were so horrible a few years ago that the federal courts "essentially said to shut it down." Not much has improved, Chu stated in a press conference outside of the Adelanto facility. She and her colleagues spoke to some of the detainees in their eight-person cells, many of whom were picked up in the Los Angeles raids. The people Chu spoke to revealed in a plea for help that they had not been given a change of clothes, underwear or towels in the 10 days they had been at the Adelanto compound. According to one of the detainees Sánchez spoke to, they were taken into custody in the morning and were not fed until 9 p.m. that night at the Adelanto facility. Additionally, inmates have yet to be given PINs for outgoing calls and have had no connection to the outside world, including lawyers, for more than a week. Congressman Mark Takano interviewed an asylee held at the Adelanto facility on Tuesday – someone here legally under U.S. asylum laws – who was picked up by ICE during his third appearance in immigration court in Santa Ana, "following his legal duty." He had no criminal record, Takano stated, yet his case was dismissed immediately, and he and his wife were arrested by ICE outside the courthouse. "This is a source of social unrest," Takano said in front of a crowd of protestors outside the ICE center pumping signs with slogans "GEO Kills" and "Shut down Adelanto" into the camera. He also spoke to detainees who were DACA recipients and inmates who had lived in California their entire lives but were nevertheless corralled into the back of an ICE van. ICE and GEO entered into a 15-year contract on Dec. 19, 2019. The current contract period is effective through Dec. 19, 2029. 'We believe the Adelanto Center plays an important role in helping ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security fulfill their mission and operational priorities," stated George C. Zoley, GEO Group executive chairman He claims the ICE facility employs roughly 350 San Bernardino County employees who have allowed GEO to provide "high-quality support services" on behalf of ICE in the state of California. In Tuesday's press conference, however, Chu addressed the "inhumane conditions" employed by The GEO Group, which makes "a billion dollars" from the industry. She believes that GEO is the most profitable out of any private prison company in the United States. As per the first quarter 2025 financial highlights that The GEO Group has released, the company's revenues total $604.6 million thus far. Chu said there is no reason why such conditions await immigrants in the Adelanto center when it is owned by a billion-dollar company. "GEO has to clearly improve its treatment of these detainees," she said. A protest organized by the Victor Valley community dubbed "Defending Our Neighbors" will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at the Adelanto ICE Processing Facility. Visit for more information. McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@ This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Adelanto ICE Processing Center now at 1200 detainees
New York Times
03-04-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Trump's De Minimis Order Poised to Upend E-Commerce
President Trump on Wednesday ordered the closure of a loophole that allows retailers to directly send clothes and other goods from China to American shoppers without paying tariffs. The loophole, known as the de minimis exemption, currently applies to goods worth less than $800. Such goods are allowed to enter the United States tariff free. Mr. Trump's order, which takes effect on May 2, removes the exemption from packages from China, the largest source of de minimis shipments. Items bought and shipped this way also require far less customs paperwork. By ending the exemption, Customs and Border Protection will now collect tariff revenue on shipments worth less than $800. Mr. Trump also said his order would help prevent drug smuggling. He and others have claimed that fentanyl and its precursor ingredients are sometimes shipped to the United States as de minimis shipments. Shippers in China 'hide illicit substances and conceal the true contents of shipments sent to the United States through deceptive shipping practices,' Mr. Trump's order said. Lawmakers from both parties have called for reform to the de minimis provision. Representative Linda Sánchez, a Democrat of California who has introduced legislation to end the exemption, said Mr. Trump's order did not go far enough and needed to apply to all trade. 'Otherwise, we'll be playing a game of Whac-a-Mole, as bad actors and fentanyl smugglers simply relocate their operations to other countries to continue exploiting the loophole,' she said in a statement. 'For too long, this customs loophole has let foreign exporters flood our market with cheap goods and helped drug traffickers move fentanyl past our borders — resulting in factory closures, job losses and deaths,' Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat of Connecticut, said in a statement on Thursday. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seven-Time GRAMMY® Winner Randy Travis and U.S. Representatives Linda Sánchez and Ron Estes to Be Honored During Music's Biggest Week in Washington, D.C.
Recording Academy®'s Annual GRAMMYs on the Hill® Returns to the Nation's Capital April 8-10 With Awards Ceremony, Advocacy Day and Future Forum WASHINGTON, April 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hosted by the Recording Academy®, music's biggest week in Washington, D.C. returns April 8-10, uniting congressional leaders and music makers to champion creators' rights and honor those who have helped shape a better future for music. The annual GRAMMYs on the Hill® Awards will kick off the week, honoring seven-time GRAMMY® winner Randy Travis and United States Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-CA) and Ron Estes (R-KS) for their commitment to advancing pro-music policy. On April 9, the Academy's annual GRAMMYs on the Hill® Advocacy Day will bring together GRAMMY winners and nominees, along with other esteemed industry leaders, for meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss critical music policy issues. The week of music advocacy culminates with the Academy's second annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum, a conference exploring critical issues impacting the music community. A detailed schedule of events is below: Tuesday, April 8 – GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards will celebrate Travis and United States Representatives Sánchez and Estes for their contributions to strengthening the music ecosystem and championing creators' rights. GRAMMY-nominated and GRAMMY-winning artists, songwriters, and producers will join music industry leaders and lawmakers in Washington, D.C., for an evening dedicated to celebrating music advocacy. Wednesday, April 9 – GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day Dozens of GRAMMY-nominated and GRAMMY-winning artists, songwriters and producers will join the Recording Academy on Capitol Hill for a grassroots day of advocacy. Music makers in attendance will meet with members of Congress to advocate for the key legislative priorities impacting music creators, including: Promoting new music through essential tax relief to independent artists and songwriters, enabling them to deduct 100% of production costs—up to $150,000—upfront, rather than over multiple years, through the bipartisan Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act. Protecting creators' image, likeness and voice from unauthorized creation and use of digital replicas through the NO FAKES Act. Preserving continued federal support for the arts and cultural institutions that enrich and strengthen the cultural fabric of America. Thursday, April 10 – GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum The GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum will explore how we can help build up music communities both locally and globally. Compelling conversations will focus on the work state and local stakeholders are doing to develop and sustain music economies as well as the challenges and opportunities facing new emerging music markets around the world. "GRAMMYs on the Hill plays a pivotal role in improving the lives of music creators, and we're thrilled to see it evolve into a full week of advocacy, celebration and learning," said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. "I'm excited to bring our music community and policymakers together in Washington—not just to celebrate the changemakers fighting for creators' rights, but to unite and take action to improve the livelihoods of music people across the country." Since its inception, GRAMMYs on the Hill has honored dozens of award-winning artists, including 16-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys, seven-time GRAMMY winner John Mayer, 13-time GRAMMY winner Pharrell Williams, nine-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow, and more. The annual event has also recognized influential congressional leaders, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and former Speakers of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and many others. GRAMMYs on the Hill has led to several major legislative victories for the music industry, including the landmark Music Modernization Act in 2018 and more recently the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in 2022. Travis, a seven-time GRAMMY winner, Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, and multiplatinum country artist, is being recognized for his work championing fair compensation and protections for artists in the evolving digital age. In 2024, he testified on Capitol Hill in support of the American Music Fairness Act, which aims to ensure artists are fairly compensated when their songs air on AM/FM radio. He is also committed to promoting the ethical use of AI, ensuring it serves as a tool to empower and protect the creative integrity of artists. Representatives Sánchez and Estes are being honored for their leadership in championing policies that empower and protect musicians. Together, they re-introduced the HITS Act in Congress in January 2025 to advance crucial tax reforms to ensure independent music creators can thrive. More about Rep. Sánchez can be found here, and more about Rep. Estes can be found here. Year-round, the Recording Academy's Washington, D.C.-based Advocacy team mobilizes Academy members and music professionals from across the country to present a powerful lobbying force that fights for music creators' rights at the local, state and federal levels. In 2024, the Academy helped pass five pro-music laws, supported 20 state and federal bills, and rallied more than 3,500 members to engage in music advocacy efforts across the country. To read more about the Academy's advocacy impact in 2024, visit Honoree Quotes: "At this point in my life, I am fully focused on living and giving back," said Travis. "I've been part of the music community my whole life, professionally for 40 years. I am passionate about advocating to keep music an honest pursuit of art and human expression. While I remain excited about new, cutting-edge technologies, we must protect, and fairly compensate, the creative minds that give us the music—and art—that feeds our souls." "When differences too often separate us, music remains a powerful force that unites us," said Rep. Sánchez. "GRAMMYs on the Hill is a testament to that power, and I'm deeply honored to be recognized for our efforts to pass the HITS Act. This legislation empowers creators to reinvest in their craft, free from the financial burden of delayed tax deductions, ensuring they can continue making the music that brings us all together." "It is a true honor to receive an award from the Recording Academy, especially since my greatest contribution to music is as a listener and not as a music creator," said Rep. Estes. "I've seen and heard firsthand the dedication, productivity, and talent embodied in music creators, including musicians, songwriters, sound techs, studio managers, and more. Music crosses political divides, and I've been pleased to partner with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide fair tax treatment to artists and creators with the bipartisan HITS Act." ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards® — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the GRAMMY Awards and the Recording Academy, please visit and For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on X, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. For media assets, please visit the Recording Academy's Press Room. ABOUT RANDY TRAVIS With lifetime sales exceeding 23 million, Randy Travis is one of the most successful multi-genre artists of all time and a 2016 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1986, his accolades include seven GRAMMY Awards, 11 Academy of Country Music Awards, 10 American Music Awards, two People's Choice Awards, seven Music City News Awards, eight Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, and five Country Music Association Awards. Three of his performances earned CMA Song of the Year honors: "On the Other Hand" (1986), "Forever and Ever, Amen" (1987), and "Three Wooden Crosses" (2002). To date, he has earned 23 No. 1 singles, 31 Top 10 hits, and more than 40 appearances in feature films and television shows. His discography includes four Gold albums, four Platinum albums, one Double Platinum album, one Triple Platinum album, and one Quintuple Platinum album. In 1992, Travis was recognized by the USO for his support and dedication to U.S. troops, including five USO tours, and received the Bob Hope Entertainment Award. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004 and is celebrated on Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame. Since suffering a near-fatal stroke in 2013, Travis—through the support of his wife, Mary, and rigorous physical therapy—has made remarkable strides in recovery, including improvements in speaking, walking, and singing. In 2019, he released his critically acclaimed memoir Forever and Ever, Amen, co-authored with Ken Abraham. In 2021, CMT named Travis the CMT Artist of a Lifetime. In 2022, he released his award-winning documentary More Life, which garnered six Telly Awards. In May 2024, with the assistance of cutting-edge AI technologies, Travis and Warner Music Nashville released "Where That Came From," marking his first new recording in over a decade and showcasing his signature vocals. The single debuted at No. 45 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart and was met with enthusiastic praise from fans and country radio. The release also sparked a new chapter of advocacy, as Travis and his wife began working to promote creators' rights in Washington D.C. and across the nation, championing fair compensation and protections for artists in the evolving digital age. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Andie Cox / Chrissy Dudash / Britta Purcell Recording / /
