Latest news with #RedCards
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
As US braces for ‘significant' wildfires, Trump's agriculture secretary addresses Forest Service departures
The Trump administration is prepared for what could be a "significant fire season," despite thousands of Forest Service employees departing under Trump's deferred resignation offer, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. "It did not compromise and will not compromise at all, 1%, what needs to be done to make sure that we are ready," Rollins told Fox News Digital Friday. More than 4,000 U.S. Forest Service employees voluntarily resigned under buyouts offered by the Trump administration, according to a POLITICO report. Wildland firefighters were largely exempt from the buyouts and a federal hiring freeze, but blue state leaders say President Donald Trump's slash-and-burn approach cuts key support staff. Sen. Schiff Urges Trump Admin To Exclude Firefighters From Federal Hiring Freeze "The reality is that Trump has decimated the U.S. Forest Service," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a May press conference. "Nearly every single Forest Service employee supports fire operations in some capacity." Read On The Fox News App Many of the workers who departed held Red Cards, meaning they have special training to either fight fires or "provide essential frontline support to the firefighting crews," Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, said. But Rollins said the Biden administration wasted taxpayer funds on unsustainable and irresponsible hiring of people who "really had no job description." "That was in the — not hundreds — in the thousands of hirings that went on just in the Forest Service in the last administration," she said, adding that the service is becoming "more lean" but no less effective. La Mayor Karen Bass Accused Of Deleting Texts In Wake Of Wildfire Disaster Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum signed a memo on May 20 signaling the Trump administration's wildfire response strategy. It calls for the elimination of barriers and "unnecessary procedures" to ensure a rapid response when wildfires threaten life and property. The memo also directs the Forest Service to examine the impact of "voluntary departures" on the firefighting workforce and propose a plan to "remedy critical vacancies." Non-fire staff should also be deployed to support frontline firefighters as wildfire activity increases, allowing for a "more robust and more intentional and more effective force as we move into this season," Rollins said. "But we are not going to waste taxpayer dollars the way that we've seen happen in the past," she said. Wildfires have already scorched more than one million acres across the country so far this year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The center's outlook shows higher temperatures and drier conditions than typical across much of the West this summer. "Our prayer is that it won't actually happen, that it will be lighter than usual, but indicators are showing that it actually may be a heavy fire season," Rollins said. She added she's confident Americans will see "an unprecedented level of coordination" among federal, state and local governments as the summer progresses. "There is zero compromising [on] having the most prepared, most effective [firefighters]," Rollins said. "And we'll do everything possible to ensure that they have every tool they need to be successful this season."Original article source: As US braces for 'significant' wildfires, Trump's agriculture secretary addresses Forest Service departures
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Car slams into group of cyclists handing out 'know your rights' cards in Boyle Heights
The Brief A hit-and-run driver crashed into a group of cyclists in Boyle Heights The cyclists said they were handing out "Red Cards" to undocumented community members when they were hit. The crash was caught on security video, showing one of the cyclists trying to stop the driver before they continued to drive right into them. LOS ANGELES - A hit-and-run crash in Boyle Heights left four cyclists injured. The bikers say they tried to stop the woman behind the wheel, but she kept going. They're also suspicious because they say they were handing out informational cards to undocumented community members when the crash happened. What we know The crash happened on Feb. 25, around 7:45 p.m. near Lorena and 6th streets in Boyle Heights, when they said the car came out of nowhere. Security video shows cyclists being hit one after another from behind. At one point, one of the cyclists even gets in front of the car, trying to stop the driver, but they keep going. The car eventually drove off, but they were able to get a picture of the license plate. They said the driver was a bald woman, and she had a cellphone in her hand during the crash. SUGGESTED: Boyle Heights hit-and-run sends victim flying into air; police search for driver Four cyclists were hurt. One of them suffered a head injury and spent the night in the hospital. The group says they don't know why the crash happened, but wonder if it was related to what they were doing just before the incident. Dig deeper Shortly before the crash, the group said they were handing out "Red Cards" to undocumented community members. Red cards, also known as "Know Your Rights" cards, are cards that inform people of their rights, and what they should do if they're approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The Los Angeles Unified School District began distributing the cards to students after Donald Trump's executive order, allowing ICE agents to enter What they're saying "We don't know if she saw us doing that and that triggered her, or if it was an accident. Maybe she didn't see us," said Daniel Flores. "Maybe she hates cyclists." "I saw our other cyclist friend almost go up in the air, and I saw her just run right into him and he crashed onto her windshield," Nancy Lopez said. Lopez said that the impact she made with the woman's car "ripped her mirror off her car and dented her car. You would think you would stop and be like 'Oh my god, what did I hit,' if she was distracted, but she went right back out and the she plowed, full speed again, right into another cyclist." What's next The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to FOX 11 that officers were called out for the hit-and-run but had no information on the investigation. The Source Information in this story is from interviews with
Los Angeles Times
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
ICE agents may be planning a major operation in L.A. What are your rights?
Within the first days of the Trump administration, the president signed an executive order that promoted aggressive sweeps to round up and deport people living in the U.S. illegally. That means that your chances of getting questioned about your immigration status have just increased. It also means you need to be armed with your rights, whether you are a citizen, a legal resident or an illegal immigrant. The city of Los Angeles has adopted sanctuary city policies and more recently a law that prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using city employees and city property to 'investigate, cite, arrest, hold, transfer or detain any person' for the purpose of immigration enforcement — with the exception for law enforcement investigating serious offenses. Earlier this month an internal government document reviewed by The Times stated ICE plans to carry out a 'large scale' immigration enforcement action in the Los Angeles area at the end of the month. The operation will focus on people who do not have legal status in the country or who already have pending orders of removal, according to the document. Even though Los Angeles and the state of California have protections in place for their undocumented community members, it won't stop ICE officials from appearing on people's doorsteps, at workplaces or in public spaces. Advocacy groups and legal representatives say that everyone who lives in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain constitutional rights and protections during an agent's questioning. If you're home alone or with family members and you hear a knock at the door, check the window, security camera or peephole so you can identify if ICE agents are outside. When you find yourself in this situation, the first step is to keep your door closed and locked, advised advocacy groups and legal experts. The only reason you would need to open the door or allow agents inside your home is if they present a valid search warrant. Be sure to ask the agents to identify themselves and show you the warrant by putting it against the window or slipping it under your door. A valid warrant must be: An invalid warrant would be: If you've identified that the warrant is not valid, keep your door closed. This can be an overwhelming, stressful and scary situation. All those emotions are valid, said Pedro Trujillo, director of organizing for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Take a moment to gather yourself, he suggests, because there isn't a time limit on the visit. 'Officers are going to be pushy, they're going to try to get you to be nervous so that you can make a mistake and incriminate yourself,' Trujillo said. If you need help verbalizing your rights, show the agent a Red Card that helps explain your rights. Red Cards can be downloaded from the website for the Immigration Legal Resource Center. By showing this card, you're affirming that you want to remain silent and wish to speak to a lawyer. The card states that the person ICE agents are inquiring about has the right to decline answering questions and signing or handing over documents based on their 5th Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. You can present this card to agents, whether it's a physical copy or a photo on your phone, by displaying it through the window. No. You have the right to remain silent, which means you don't have to answer any questions ICE agents ask of you. For example, if you're asked about your immigration status, where you were born or how you entered the United States, you may refuse to answer or remain silent, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Assn. You can simply say, 'I want to remain silent' or 'I am exercising my right to remain silent.' Experts advise that you don't do any of the following: If you need a reminder of what your rights are, consult your Red Card. If you followed the steps above but ICE agents enter your home without permission anyway, you should clearly state, 'I do not consent to this entry or search.' Don't physically resist but instead document everything, including: After agents have left, reach out to and consult with a legal representative to address the violation. If ICE agents are present when you're on public transportation: If ICE agents approach you while you're in the car: If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to reach out to an attorney and receive a phone call from an attorney. You can prove you have a lawyer by giving the officer your signed Form G-28, a federal document that details your lawyer's information and your consent to their legal representation. Don't have a lawyer? Ask the ICE official for a list of pro-bono lawyers. You can also ask to contact the consulate which may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer. Get familiar with the rules of the detention center you've been placed in. You can do so by asking for a copy of the Detainee Handbook to understand the detention center's rules, your rights and how you can communicate with loved ones. The book is available in 19 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, K'iche' (Quiché)/Kxlantzij, Mam, Portuguese, Pulaar, Punjabi, Q'eqchi' (Kekchí), Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Turkish, Vietnamese and Wolof.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
What is a Red Card? ILRC helps immigrants understand their constitutional rights
What is a Red Card? ILRC helps immigrants understand their constitutional rights Show Caption Hide Caption What we know: How far can immigration officials go under new laws? From executive orders on birthright citizenship to deputizing federal agents, how far can immigration laws go? Here's what we know. Grassroots immigrant rights efforts have been seen across the United States in response to President Donald Trump's immigration orders - including acts of resistance that fit in the palm of your hand. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center started the ILRC Red Card program almost 20 years ago in 2007 according to representative Donna De La Cruz. From individuals downloading the cards at home to nonprofits who order them thousands at a time, the ILRC has seen a massive increase in utilization of the program in recent months. "There has been a huge uptick since the election," De La Cruz said. "We've had about 9,000,000 requests." Amid promises of "mass deportation," Trump has already enacted a number of anti-immigration policies including ending immigration protection for more than 600,000 Venezuelan immigrants, authorizing immigration enforcement on school campuses, preparing to house 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo Bay and more. Here's what to know about red cards and the ILRC's goals. What is a red card? According to the ILRC website, Red Cards are intended to provide information to all people in the U.S. - regardless of immigration status - on their rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The website says ILRC Red Cards can help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, including when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents go to a home. On one side of the cards, a script designed to help assert Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights is printed. On the other side, advice is listed. Do not open the door if an immigration agent is knocking on the door. Do not answer any questions from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent. Do not sign anything without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer. If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly. Give the card to the agent. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door. The ILRC provides printable cards formatted as 3.5 by 2 inch business cards, with versions translated into Spanish and a number of other languages available to allow non-English speaking immigrants to translate their rights with immigration officers. "You could definitely share them at community meetings, with your church groups, with any group that you feel it would be helpful to disseminate," De La Cruz said. As of Feb. 6, demand for the cards is so high that a form allowing nonprofits to access Red Cards for free has been temporarily closed. Paid orders are still available from What is the ILRC? The Immigrant Legal Resource Center, founded as the Golden Gate Immigration Clinic in 1979 by immigrant rights attorney Bill Ong Hing, works to "improve immigration law and policy, expand the capacity of legal service providers, and advance immigrant rights." More: Trump's buyout offer for federal workers paused by judge hours before deadline What are Fifth Amendment rights? The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States states that: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." MoloLamken Law Firm materials explained that when a person "pleads the Fifth" they invoke their "right to remain silent." Silence or refusal to answer questions cannot be used against people who plead the Fifth in a criminal case. Prosecutors cannot argue to the jury that the defendant's silence implies guilt. What is a sanctuary city? Is Asheville, NC a sanctuary city? The American Immigration Council explained that there is no universal definition of a sanctuary city. However, an area may be considered a sanctuary city, county or state if it falls into one of a number of categories. These categories can include policies preventing immigration detention centers, policies restricting the police or other city workers from asking about immigration status, policies refusing to allow ICE into local jails without a judicial warrant and more. In 2019, Sheriff Quentin Miller announced that Buncombe County would no longer honor ICE detainers, holds placed on inmates who federal immigration officials suspect are in the country illegally. A 2024 ICE Detainer Acceptance Report labeled Buncombe County as non-cooperative in enforcement and removal operations. On Trump's first day in office, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded government protocol preventing federal agents from conducting immigration enforcement at "sensitive locations" such as schools and churches. More: After Trump WNC visit, protesters call for further FEMA hotel voucher extensions Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@
Axios
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Richmond Public Schools promises "safe haven" amid potential ICE raids
Richmond Public Schools officials have begun reassuring families about potential immigration enforcement on campuses. The big picture: RPS is the first Richmond-area school district to acknowledge the potential impact of the Trump administration saying ICE can raid schools to arrest undocumented children. The change ended a longstanding policy discouraging enforcement in areas like churches, schools, hospitals and funerals. And the possibility of ICE in schools can cause widespread fear, leading some students to skip — disrupting their education and threatening funding often tied to attendance. The latest: In an email Monday morning, Superintendent Jason Kamras told students "RPS will always be a safe haven for you" and said "please don't fear coming to school because you fear being taken away," adding: Law enforcement will only be allowed on campus if it "enhances the safety and well-being" of students and staff. RPS will protect students' rights to privacy. It won't ask about immigration status and it won't be a barrier to accessing counseling, food or health care. Staff will be getting updated training on student protections and rights (though it's unclear what that will look like for now). RPS has also compiled an Immigration Resources Hub. Zoom in: The hub includes emergency planning guides, immigration preparedness tool kits, an ICE detainee locator and a link to Red Cards, outlining people's rights, regardless of immigration status. RPS is also advising parents to list school emergency contacts who aren't immediate family and are U.S. citizens. Between the lines: Chesterfield and Henrico schools, both of which have sizable immigrant populations, haven't told Axios whether they plan to release similar guidance to families. Neither has Hanover, which instead told Axios "While we will continue to adhere to all state and federal laws, our focus remains on supporting the well-being and education of every child in our care." Zoom out: Other school divisions across the country are taking harder lines against the policy reversal. Denver Public Schools is telling principals to lock down campuses if federal immigration agents try coming in. San Diego schools won't allow ICE access without a warrant. What we're watching: An RPS spokesperson told Axios that with schools being out due to weather and the water crisis, they're not yet able to determine whether attendance has dropped in the predominantly Latino schools following Trump's executive orders. Go deeper: Schools tell parents their kids are safe from ICE arrests on campus
