Sammya Mukhopadhyay

Washington D.C., DC, USA

The inspector general of the United States’ Department of Homeland Security told the Secret Service that it is investigating text messages related to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. The inspector general’s office said that texts might have been deleted and described discovering these texts part of an “ongoing criminal investigation,” according to a letter reviewed by CNN. ,In a letter to DHS Deputy Inspector General Gladys Ayala wrote to Secret Service Director James Murray, Ayala said, “This is to notify you that the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has an ongoing investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the collection and preservation of evidence by the United States Secret Service as it related to the events of January 6, 2021.” ,“To ensure the integrity of our investigation, the USSS must not engage in any further investigative activities regarding the collection and preservation of the evidence referenced above. This includes immediately refraining from interviewing potential witnesses, collecting devices or taking any other action that would interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation.”,Also Read | How Liz Cheney's Jan 6 committee standpoint is coming back to hurt her at home,The letter indicates the growing tension between the Secret Service and the DHS inspector general over potentially missing text messages. The messages are being sought by the House select committee probing former President Donald Trump’s role in the January 6 riots. ,The DHS inspector general wrote that the Secret Service should explain interviews taken related to text messages related to text messages, along with the “scope off the questioning, and what, if any, warnings were given to the witness(es).” The Secret Service acknowledged having received the inspector general’s letter. Also Read | Jan 6 Secret Service texts: What is federal records retention requirement,“We have informed the January 6th Select Committee of the Inspector General’s request and will conduct a thorough legal review to ensure we are fully cooperative with all oversight efforts and that they do not conflict with each other,” the Secret Service said in a statement.

{\"time\":1658448976790,\"strCount\":2827,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The\\ninspector general of the<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/as-january-6-panel-wraps-up-us-senate-moves-to-prevent-another-capitol-attack-706430/\\\"> United States’ Department of Homeland Security</a> told\\nthe Secret Service that it is investigating <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/melania-trump-says-she-was-unaware-of-capitol-riots-busy-with-photoshoot-706986/\\\">text messages related to the\\nJanuary 6</a> attack on the US Capitol. The inspector general’s office said that\\ntexts might have been deleted and described discovering these texts part of an “ongoing\\ncriminal investigation,” according to a letter reviewed by CNN. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In a letter\\nto DHS Deputy Inspector General Gladys Ayala wrote to Secret Service Director\\nJames Murray, Ayala said, “This is to notify you that the Department of\\nHomeland Security Office of Inspector General has an ongoing investigation into\\nthe facts and circumstances surrounding the collection and preservation of evidence\\nby the United States Secret Service as it related to the events of January 6,\\n2021.” \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“To ensure\\nthe integrity of our investigation, the USSS must not engage in any further\\ninvestigative activities regarding the collection and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/how-liz-cheneys-jan-6-committee-standpoint-is-coming-back-to-hurt-her-at-home-706724/\\\">preservation of the\\nevidence</a> referenced above. This includes immediately refraining from\\ninterviewing potential witnesses, collecting devices or taking any other action\\nthat would interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/how-liz-cheneys-jan-6-committee-standpoint-is-coming-back-to-hurt-her-at-home-706724/\\\">How Liz Cheney's Jan 6 committee standpoint is coming back to hurt her at home</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The letter indicates\\nthe growing tension between the Secret Service and the DHS inspector general\\nover potentially missing text messages. The messages are being sought by the\\nHouse select committee probing former President Donald Trump’s role in the\\nJanuary 6 riots. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The DHS\\ninspector general wrote that the Secret Service should explain interviews taken\\nrelated to text messages related to text messages, along with the “scope off\\nthe questioning, and what, if any, warnings were given to the witness(es).” The\\nSecret Service acknowledged having received the inspector general’s letter.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/jan-6-secret-service-texts-what-is-federal-records-retention-requirement-706194/\\\">Jan 6 Secret Service texts: What is federal records retention requirement</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“We have\\ninformed the January 6th Select Committee of the Inspector General’s\\nrequest and will conduct a thorough legal review to ensure we are fully\\ncooperative with all oversight efforts and that they do not conflict with each\\nother,” the Secret Service said in a statement. &nbsp;&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The US DHS is probing text messages related to the Jan 6 attack</li>
 <li>DHS has called on the Secret Service to stop any probe into texts</li>
 <li>The texts have been sought by the House select committee probing Capitol riots</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Central

Jan 6 riots: DHS writes to Secret Service on deleted text messages

CapitolRiotsHearing

CapitolRiots

DonaldTrump

CapitolHill

Capitol

DepartmentOfHomelandSecurity

World

The US Secret Service on Saturday denied the January 6 committee's allegations that it deliberately erased messages from the Capitol riots day. The House panel had subpoenaed the federal agency on Friday night for the texts. ,The House committee's chairman Bennie Thompson said that the panel understands the messages had been “erased.”,“The USSS erased text messages from January 5 and 6, 2021, as part of a 'device-replacement program,'” Thompson said late Friday. ,Also read: Next Jan 6 hearing: What's the schedule and what to expect,He added that the panel “seeks the relevant text messages, as well as any after action reports that have been issued in any and all divisions of the USSS pertaining or relating in any way to the events of January 6, 2021.”,The Secret Service, however, said that it was following proper procedures and erasing the messages was 'in adherence to protocols of the device-replacement program'. ,Also Read | Did Trump tamper witness? Cheney's charge ahead of Sara Matthews' testimony,Agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, “The insinuation that the Secret Service maliciously deleted text messages following a request is false. In fact, the Secret Service has been fully cooperating with the OIG in every respect — whether it be interviews, documents, emails, or texts.”,Guglielmi further added that resetting mobile devices to factory settings in January 2021 was a 'part of a pre-planned, three-month system migration'. In that process, some data was lost. The inspector general has first requested the electronic communications on Feb. 26, “after the migration was well under way,” Guglielmi said. Also read: January 6 hearings: Key takeaways from session 7,The Secret Service also said that it has already provided a substantial number of emails and chat messages that included conversations and details related to Jan. 6 to the inspector general. ,The committee issued subpoenas hours after a closed briefing from the watchdog for Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service.

{\"time\":1657966746576,\"strCount\":2777,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/after-robert-engel-anthony-ornatos-secondhand-statements-secret-service-will-speak-to-january-6-committee-689524/\\\">US Secret Service</a> on Saturday denied the January 6 committee's allegations that it deliberately <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/jan-6-hearing-secret-service-deleted-text-messages-regarding-capitol-riots-701642/\\\">erased messages</a> from the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/capitol/\\\">Capitol</a> riots day. The House panel had subpoenaed the federal agency on Friday night for the texts.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The House committee's chairman<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/world/who-is-bennie-thompson-471476/\\\">&nbsp;Bennie Thompson</a> said that the panel understands the messages had been “erased.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“The USSS erased text messages from January 5 and 6, 2021, as part of a 'device-replacement program,'” Thompson said late Friday.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/next-jan-6-hearing-whats-the-schedule-and-what-to-expect-699854/\\\">Next Jan 6 hearing: What's the schedule and what to expect</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He added that the panel “seeks the relevant text messages, as well as any after action reports that have been issued in any and all divisions of the USSS pertaining or relating in any way to the events of January 6, 2021.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Secret Service, however, said that it was following proper procedures and erasing the messages was 'in adherence to protocols of the device-replacement program'.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/donald-trump-tampered-witness-liz-cheneys-charge-ahead-of-sara-matthews-testimony-699920/\\\">Did Trump tamper witness? Cheney's charge ahead of Sara Matthews' testimony</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, “The insinuation that the Secret Service maliciously deleted text messages following a request is false. In fact, the Secret Service has been fully cooperating with the OIG in every respect — whether it be interviews, documents, emails, or texts.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Guglielmi further added that resetting mobile devices to factory settings in January 2021 was a 'part of a pre-planned, three-month system migration'. In that process, some data was lost.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The inspector general has first requested the electronic communications on Feb. 26, “after the migration was well under way,” Guglielmi said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/january-6-hearings-key-takeaways-from-session-699935/\\\">January 6 hearings: Key takeaways from session 7</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Secret Service also said that it has already provided&nbsp;a substantial number of emails and chat messages that included conversations and details related to Jan. 6 to the inspector general.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The committee issued subpoenas hours after&nbsp;a closed briefing from the watchdog for Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service.&nbsp;\"}}]}

Yash Bajaj

<ul>
 <li>The January 6 committee has issued a subpoena to obtain Secret Service's erased messages&nbsp;</li>
 <li>The federal agency said that it was following proper procedures in erasing the messages</li>
 <li>"The Secret Service has been fully cooperating with the OIG in every respect," agency spokesperson said</li>
</ul>

US Secret Service responds to January 6 committee subpoena

SecretService

BennieThompson

UnitedStates

USCapitol

USCapitolViolence

The US Department of Homeland Security on Thursday reported that there has been a surge in online content, including threats to President Joe Biden and other lawmakers, on extremist platforms in the last 48 hours. The report comes on the one year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol insurrection. ,A Department of Homeland Security intelligence memo obtained by CNN warns of potential violence directed against political and other government officials, state and local officials, and high-profile members of political parties. However, there is no indication of a specific and credible plot. ,Also read: Capitol attack: Crucial questions about the January 6 insurrection,The memo, sent from DHS intelligence chief John Cohen to federal, state and local law enforcement, notes that the threat of violence could extend beyond the Washington, DC area. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the postings. The online content includes a video listing 93 members of Congress who, as per the creators, were involved in voting to certify the 2020 'fraudulent' presidential election. It was posted from a QAnon-related forum, CNN reports. The video calls for the members of Congress to be hanged in front of the White House. ,Also read: US VP Kamala Harris likens January 6 Capitol riots to Pearl Harbor, 9/11,Another posting references January 6 as a potential day to conduct assassinations against Democratic political figures, the memo adds. ,Speaking about the increase in threats made against lawmakers, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger had given an estimation of 9600 in 2021.

{\"time\":1641510514161,\"strCount\":1963,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/departmentofhomelandsecurity/\\\">US Department of Homeland Security </a>on Thursday reported that there has been a surge in online content, including threats to President<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/joebiden/\\\"> Joe Biden</a> and other lawmakers, on extremist platforms in the last 48 hours. The report comes on the one year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol insurrection.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A Department of Homeland Security intelligence memo obtained by CNN warns of potential violence directed against political and other government officials, state and local officials, and high-profile members of political parties. However, there is&nbsp;no indication of a specific and credible plot.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/capitol-attack-crucial-questions-about-the-january-6-insurrection-168606/\\\">Capitol attack: Crucial questions about the January 6 insurrection</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The memo, sent&nbsp;from DHS intelligence chief John Cohen to federal, state and local law enforcement, notes that the&nbsp;threat of violence could extend beyond the Washington, DC area. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the postings.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The online content includes&nbsp;a video listing 93 members of Congress who, as per the creators, were involved in voting to certify the 2020 'fraudulent' presidential election. It was posted from a QAnon-related forum, CNN reports. The video calls for the members of&nbsp;Congress to be hanged in front of the White House.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/world/us-vp-kamala-harris-likens-january-6-capitol-riots-to-pearl-harbor-911-177558/\\\">US VP Kamala Harris likens January 6 Capitol riots to Pearl Harbor, 9/11</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Another posting references January 6 as a&nbsp;potential day to conduct assassinations against Democratic political figures, the memo adds.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Speaking about the increase in threats made against lawmakers,&nbsp;Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger had given an estimation of 9600 in 2021.&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The Department of Homeland Security memo shows an increase in threats in the last 48 hours</li>
 <li>However, there is&nbsp;no indication of a specific and credible plot</li>
 <li>The memo notes that the&nbsp;threat of violence could extend beyond the Washington, DC area</li>
</ul>

Department of Homeland Security alerts threats against President Joe Biden, lawmakers

JoeBiden

Security

International

Shivam Pratap Singh

Alejandro Mayorkas, US Secretary for Homeland Security, tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, the Department said. He has already been vaccinated against the virus. ,Secretary Mayorkas tested positive this morning for the COVID-19 virus after taking a test as part of routine pre-travel protocols. Secretary Mayorkas is experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per CDC protocols and medical advice. Contact tracing is underway, department spokesperson Marsha Espinosa said in a statement through her Twitter handle. The secretary was scheduled to travel to Colombia along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but is now isolating and working from home. He was also slated to make an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. Mayorkas is the first Latino and immigrant to serve as the US secretary for Homeland Security. He was sworn into his position in February and has dealt with the rise in crossings at the US-Mexico border, the Haitian immigration crisis, and many more challenging issues. Born November 24, 1959, Mayorkas' family fled for Florida shortly after the Cuban Revolution and later settled in California. He graduated from UC Berkeley in history with honors, and earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Marymount University. Also read: Kamala Harris visits US-Mexico border amid migrant policy scrutiny,Mayorkas was a member of the presidential transition team for Barack Obama, leading the team responsible for the US Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Mayorkas implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process in two months. In 2008, The National Law Journal named Mayorkas one of the 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America.

{\"time\":1634675513797,\"strCount\":2550,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/world/who-is-alejandro-mayorkas-498309/\\\">Alejandro\\nMayorkas</a>, US Secretary for <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/departmentofhomelandsecurity/\\\">Homeland Security</a>, tested positive for <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/covid19/\\\">COVID-19</a> on\\nTuesday, the Department said. He has already been vaccinated against the virus.\\n\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Secretary\\nMayorkas tested positive this morning for the COVID-19 virus after taking a\\ntest as part of routine pre-travel protocols. Secretary Mayorkas is\\nexperiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and\\nwork at home per <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/cdc/\\\">CDC</a> protocols and medical advice. Contact tracing is\\nunderway,\\\" department spokesperson Marsha Espinosa said in a statement\\nthrough her Twitter handle.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/MCatronDHS/status/1450541751249346569\",\"embed\":\"MCatronDHS/status/1450541751249346569\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The\\nsecretary was scheduled to travel to Colombia along with Secretary of State\\n<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/antonyblinken/\\\">Antony Blinken</a>, but is now isolating and working from home.&nbsp;He was also slated to make an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mayorkas is the first Latino and immigrant to serve as the US secretary for Homeland Security. He was sworn into his position in February and has dealt with the rise in crossings at the US-Mexico border, the Haitian immigration crisis, and many more challenging issues.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Born November 24, 1959,&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/us-to-bring-aboard-at-least-50000-afghan-migrants-homeland-security-chief?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Mayorkas</a>' family fled for Florida shortly after the Cuban Revolution and later settled in California. He graduated from UC Berkeley in history with honors, and earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Marymount University.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/kamala-harris-visits-us-mexico-border-amid-migrant-policy-scrutiny?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Kamala Harris visits US-Mexico border amid migrant policy scrutiny</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/kamala-harris-visits-us-mexico-border-amid-migrant-policy-scrutiny?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\"></a>Mayorkas was a member of the presidential transition team for Barack Obama, leading the team responsible for the US Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Mayorkas implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process in two months. In 2008, The National Law Journal named Mayorkas one of the \\\"50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America.\\\"&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Alejandro Mayorkas has already been vaccinated against COVID-19</li>
 <li>He tested positive on Tuesday, according to the Department of Homeland Security</li>
 <li>Mayorkas was scheduled to travel to Colombia along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken</li>
</ul>

US Secretary for Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas tests COVID positive

AlejandroMayorkas

covid19

Pandemic

Mass workplace arrests of immigrant employees suspected of living in the US may just become a thing of the past as federal immigration agents will end the practice. Such arrests will only be done with legal permission, according to a memo issued on Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The agents will instead focus will shift to pursuing unscrupulous employers who exploit the vulnerability of undocumented workers. The emphasis will be on fighting worker abuse including employers paying substandard wages, unsafe working conditions, and human trafficking. ,Mayorkas has asked the heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Citizenship and Immigration Services to draw up a plan within two months to increase employer penalties, encourage workers to report unscrupulous practices without fear, and coordinate with other agencies, such as the Department of Labour, the Associated Press reported. ,Former President Barack Obama largely avoided such operations, limiting workplace immigration efforts to low-profile audits. President Donald Trump's administration on the other hand encouraged such raids. The memo is being seen as an effort by the Joe Biden administration to revert back to the policy of the Obama administration. The deployment of mass worksite operations, sometimes resulting in the simultaneous arrest of hundreds of workers, was not focused on the most pernicious aspect of our country's unauthorized employment challenge: exploitative employers, Mayorkas wrote in the memo. ,These highly visible operations misallocated enforcement resources while chilling, and even serving as a tool of retaliation for, worker cooperation in workplace standards investigations, the memo added according to the Associated Press. Along with ending mass worksite arrests, Mayorkas said immigration authorities should also immediately start using prosecutorial discretion when it comes to encouraging workers to speak up about workplace exploitation and preventing employers from using retaliatory threats of deportation. ,Workers' rights groups applauded the move, saying immigrant workers, particularly those without legal permission to live in the US, are especially vulnerable. Industries such as meatpacking and chicken processing are particularly reliant on immigrant labor for backbreaking work often set in rural areas with limited access to attorneys. During the initial weeks of the pandemic, Trump ordered meatpacking plants to remain open amid concerns about the nation's food supply, even as COVID-19 outbreaks were closing plants. ,The largest single-worksite raid in US history was in 2006 when immigration agents swept Swift & Co. plants, netting about 1,300 immigrant worker arrests.

{\"time\":1634088921407,\"strCount\":3055,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mass workplace arrests of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/immigration/\\\">immigrant</a> employees suspected of living in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/unitedstates/\\\">US</a> may just become a thing of the past as federal immigration agents will end the practice. Such arrests will only be done with legal permission, according to a memo issued on Tuesday by <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/departmentofhomelandsecurity/\\\">Homeland Security</a> Secretary <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/alejandromayorkas/\\\">Alejandro Mayorkas</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The agents will instead focus will shift to pursuing \\\"unscrupulous employers who exploit the vulnerability of undocumented workers\\\". The emphasis will be on fighting worker abuse including employers paying substandard wages, unsafe working conditions, and human trafficking. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mayorkas has asked the heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Citizenship and Immigration Services to draw up a plan within two months to increase employer penalties, encourage workers to report unscrupulous practices without fear, and coordinate with other agencies, such as the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/departmentoflabour/\\\">Department of Labour</a>, the Associated Press reported. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Former President Barack Obama largely avoided such operations, limiting workplace immigration efforts to low-profile audits. President Donald Trump's administration on the other hand encouraged such raids. The memo is being seen as an effort by the Joe Biden administration to revert back to the policy of the Obama administration.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The deployment of mass worksite operations, sometimes resulting in the simultaneous arrest of hundreds of workers, was not focused on the most pernicious aspect of our country's unauthorized employment challenge: exploitative employers,\\\" Mayorkas wrote in the memo. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"These highly visible operations misallocated enforcement resources while chilling, and even serving as a tool of retaliation for, worker cooperation in workplace standards investigations,\\\" the memo added according to the Associated Press.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Along with ending mass worksite arrests, Mayorkas said immigration authorities should also immediately start using \\\"prosecutorial discretion\\\" when it comes to encouraging workers to speak up about workplace exploitation and preventing employers from using retaliatory threats of deportation. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Workers' rights groups applauded the move, saying immigrant workers, particularly those without legal permission to live in the US, are especially vulnerable. Industries such as meatpacking and chicken processing are particularly reliant on immigrant labor for backbreaking work often set in rural areas with limited access to attorneys.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"During the initial weeks of the pandemic, Trump ordered meatpacking plants to remain open amid concerns about the nation's food supply, even as COVID-19 outbreaks were closing plants. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The largest single-worksite raid in US history was in 2006 when immigration agents swept Swift &amp; Co. plants, netting about 1,300 immigrant worker arrests. \"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The agents will focus will shift to pursuing "unscrupulous employers</li>
 <li>Mass workplace arrests will not be done</li>
 <li>Workers' rights groups applauded the move</li>
</ul>

US ends worksite raids, to focus on fighting immigrant worker abuse

Immigration

Aman Butani

Over 10 million counterfeit masks, similar to the N95 variant produced by the pharmaceutical giant 3M, have been seized by federal authorities of the US after a string of investigations related to such fake masks sold in COVID-19 sensitive areas like medical facilities, hospitals and governmental bodies in at least five states of the US, reported Associated Press.&nbsp;,Officials of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday seized hundreds of thousands of fake masks, which ripped off 3M, in a commercial warehouse on the east coast of the US.&nbsp;,Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/200-million-to-be-invested-in-the-tracking-of-covid-19-variants-in-us">$200 million to be invested in the tracking of COVID-19 variants in US</a>,As a preventive measure, to reduce the risk posed by counterfeit masks, the investigators have also warned consumers to browse the official website of 3M for tips on identifying real masks. Moreover, around 6,000 possible customers have also been warned, covering a total of 12 states, and stressed on the importance of using proper masks.&nbsp;,Such counterfeit masks have the potential of putting the medical staff of the US in severe danger, in addition to others, if used while treating patients who have already tested positive for the virus. The masks produced by 3M follow strict standards for making a mask safe for use, reported Associated Press.&nbsp;,Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/south-carolina-house-passes-bill-banning-abortions">South Carolina House passes bill banning abortions</a>,The Food and Drug Administration, border officials, FBI and Department of Homeland Security have collaborated in a complex manner and successfully made over 200 arrests relating to such fake products being sold in the US.&nbsp;

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<ul>
 <li>The fake masks were similar to the ones produced by the company 3M</li>
 <li>The latest bust was made by Homeland Security officials in a warehouse on the east coast</li>
 <li>A total of 200 such arrests have been made by federal authorities of the US in the probe against counterfeit products</li>
</ul>

US seizes over 10 million counterfeit N95 masks in COVID-19 probe

Mask

HealthCare

US President Joe Biden, in an attempt to undo the damage caused by former President Donald Trump's policies, signed three presidential executive orders on Tuesday which aim to bring the migrant families back together which were forced to split up, reported BBC.&nbsp;,In order to mitigate illegal migration into the United States, the former administration ordered the authorities to split the children from undocumented adults who attempted to breach the US-Mexico border.&nbsp;,Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/uss-nimitz-moved-from-gulf-waters-amid-easing-tensions-with-tehran">USS Nimitz moved from Gulf waters amid easing tensions with Tehran</a>,The recently signed presidential executive orders will form a special task force that will be responsible for reuniting over 600 children who split up while crossing the border, which will be led by Alejandro Mayorkas, the newly instated Secretary of Homeland Security.&nbsp;,Between 2017 and 2018, when Donald Trump was the President of the US, the country was responsible for separating over 5,500 children who were migrating along with adults, reported BBC.&nbsp;,While former US President Barack Obama was in office, with Joe Biden as the Vice President, similar instances of family separation used to occur, however, at a substantially low frequency.&nbsp;,Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/too-early-to-accept-irans-proposal-us-state-department">Too early to accept Iran's proposal: US State Department</a>,The other two presidential executive orders will be focusing on cancelled funding to other nations and reviewing the immigration policy of the previous administration.&nbsp;,Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary said that "Now was not the time to come to the United States," while reaffirming the President's commitment towards rebuilding the American immigration policy, reported BBC.&nbsp;

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<ul>
 <li>Over 5,500 children were separated from adults between 2017-2018</li>
 <li>One executive order will seek to form a task force to reunite at least 600 separated children</li>
 <li>White House Press Secretary said, "Now was not the time to come to the United States"</li>
</ul>

Joe Biden signs three executive orders seeking to reunite migrant families in the US

BarackObama

USPresident

JenPsaki

USMexicoBorder

Mexico

Migrants

The US Senate on Tuesday confirmed Cuban-born Alejandro Mayorkas as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, the first Hispanic and first immigrant to lead the department that oversees immigration and border issues.,The confirmation, on a modestly bipartisan vote of 57-43, comes as President Joe Biden takes steps to reverse some of predecessor Donald Trump's hardline anti-immigration rules, and amid calls to implement reforms in border policies and the status of millions of undocumented migrants.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/pete-buttigieg-confirmed-as-transportation-secretary-becomes-first-openly-gay-nominee-to-pass-the-hurdle">Pete Buttigieg confirmed as Transportation Secretary, becomes first openly gay nominee to pass the hurdle</a>,The 61-year-old Mayorkas, a former US attorney who was born in Havana and arrived in the United States as the infant son of refugees, held senior posts in the Department of Homeland Security during Barack Obama's administration.,Earlier in the day, Secretary of Transportation nominee Pete Buttigieg was confirmed by the Senate, making him the first openly gay member of a White House cabinet.

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<ul>
 <li>He was confirmed on a modestly bipartisan vote of 57-43</li>
 <li>Mayorkas was born in Havana and arrived in the United States as the infant son of refugees</li>
 <li>He held senior posts in the Department of Homeland Security during Barack Obama's administration</li>
</ul>

Senate confirms Alejandro Mayorkas as the Secretary of Homeland Security

USSenate

Texas City, TX, USA

Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas sued the newly instated Biden administration on Friday for the pause on deportation for 100 days on the basis of an agreement between the Trump administration and the lone star state which obliged the Department of Homeland Security to consult with the state officials before making any such changes, reported CNN.&nbsp;&nbsp;,Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/lift-sanctions-unconditionally-to-salvage-nuclear-deal-iran-to-joe-biden">Lift sanctions 'unconditionally' to salvage nuclear deal: Iran to Joe Biden</a>,The lawsuit, which disputes the new immigration policies, came two days after US President Joe Biden was sworn in at the US Capitol.&nbsp;,The complaint states, "On its first day in office, the Biden Administration cast aside congressionally enacted immigration laws and suspended the removal of illegal aliens whose removal is compelled by those very laws.&nbsp;In doing so, it ignored basic constitutional principles and violated its written pledge to work cooperatively with the State of Texas to address shared immigration enforcement concerns.",Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/biden-pushes-congress-for-covid-aid-but-trump-impeachment-looms">Joe Biden pushes Congress for COVID-19 aid but Trump impeachment looms</a>,Such agreements are suspected to be made in the final days by the previous administration between Texas and the Department of Homeland Security to deliberately obstruct and delay any changes in Biden's policy. However, the legal applicability of the agreements are still unclear. The agreements were signed by Ken Cuccinelli, playing the role of the deputy secretary, reported CNN.&nbsp;,Paxton, who identifies as a Republican, tried to dispute the electoral college victory of US President Joe Biden prior to the certification of votes on January 6, is expected to frequently roadblock the new administration's policies on immigration.&nbsp;

{\"time\":1611352448686,\"strCount\":1955,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas sued the newly instated Biden administration on Friday for the pause on deportation for 100 days on the basis of an agreement between the Trump administration and the lone star state which obliged the Department of Homeland Security to consult with the state officials before making any such changes, reported CNN.&nbsp;&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/lift-sanctions-unconditionally-to-salvage-nuclear-deal-iran-to-joe-biden-130588/\\\">Lift sanctions 'unconditionally' to salvage nuclear deal: Iran to Joe Biden</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The lawsuit, which disputes the new immigration policies, came two days after US President Joe Biden was sworn in at the US Capitol.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1352434352601387012\",\"embed\":\"KenPaxtonTX/status/1352434352601387012\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The complaint states, \\\"On its first day in office, the Biden Administration cast aside congressionally enacted immigration laws and suspended the removal of illegal aliens whose removal is compelled by those very laws.&nbsp;In doing so, it ignored basic constitutional principles and violated its written pledge to work cooperatively with the State of Texas to address shared immigration enforcement concerns.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/wires/afp/biden-pushes-congress-for-covid-aid-but-trump-impeachment-looms-545777/\\\">Joe Biden pushes Congress for COVID-19 aid but Trump impeachment looms</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Such agreements are suspected to be made in the final days by the previous administration between Texas and the Department of Homeland Security to deliberately obstruct and delay any changes in Biden's policy. However, the legal applicability of the agreements are still unclear. The agreements were signed by Ken Cuccinelli, playing the role of the deputy secretary, reported CNN.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Paxton, who identifies as a Republican, tried to dispute the electoral college victory of US President Joe Biden prior to the certification of votes on January 6, is expected to frequently roadblock the new administration's policies on immigration.&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>According to the agreement, DHS is supposed to consult with state authorities before making changes</li>
 <li>The legal validity of the agreements are still unclear</li>
 <li>The agreement was signed by Ken Cuccinelli who was acting as the deputy secretary of DHS</li>
</ul>

#DepartmentOfHomelandSecurity