Howard County placed on list of 'sanctuary' jurisdictions, officials says laws are in compliance
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Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Orange declines to take a stance on unmasking federal immigration agents
An emotional Orange City Council meeting ended Tuesday with a resolution that would have taken a stance against the use of face coverings by federal immigration agents failing to pass. Councilmembers Arianna Barrios and Ana Gutierrez, the first two Latinas elected to Orange City Council, passionately championed the effort in the wake of masked federal immigration agents making arrests in the city this summer. 'While it is perfectly clear to me that, legally, our council has no jurisdiction when it comes to the federal government's immigration enforcement, we do maintain the right as a sitting council to speak out against injustice,' Barrios said. Despite their own concerns over face masks worn by federal agents, a majority of the council members who voted to table the resolution cited the city's lack of legal authority to override the federal government as a factor in their decision. 'They don't have to listen to the city of Orange,' Councilmember Jon Dumitru said. 'In the end, it's a piece of paper that doesn't matter. Santa Ana even backed away from passing a resolution like this.' The proposed resolution did not mark the first time Orange City Council tried to weigh in on immigration in a non-binding way. In 2010, Dumitru himself introduced a pair of immigration-related resolutions, including one that effectively declared Orange a 'Rule of Law' city and claimed that undocumented immigrants burdened services and resources at the time. A handful of pro-immigrant activists derided the council's approval of that resolution by presenting a satirical 'ruled by clowns' resolution of their own to the city. This time around, critics of roving patrols by masked federal immigration agents packed council chambers after a short march from the Orange Circle. 'I've lived in Orange for 33 years and I'm a proud supporter of our fine law enforcement,' Paul Hudson said during the council meeting. 'I can't imagine any one of them ever wearing a mask and pulling me over. That's unfathomable.' John Reina, the sole resident to speak against the resolution, argued that it missed its unmasking mark. 'The real danger to us is the rioters who shoot firearms, throw rocks, toss fireworks and hurl concrete blocks and other items at our law enforcement, all the while wearing masks,' he said. 'Where is the outrage and resolution banning face coverings from people protesting in our streets?' Barrios argued that masked federal immigration agents set back efforts to build community trust in local law enforcement while opening the door for imposters to act nefariously. To drive home her point, Barrios held up a black vest and cap with 'security' embroidered on it that she bought from Amazon. 'I guarantee you, it's happening,' she said. 'There have been reports and people have been arrested as nearby as in Huntington Park, in terms of people impersonating ICE because of the way they're dressed, because of the masks.' Last month, Huntington Park police arrested a man they suspected of impersonating a Border Patrol agent after finding an unlicensed handgun, copies of U.S. Homeland Security removal notices and a list of U.S. Customs and Border Protection radio codes in his possession. In making her case, Gutierrez focused on a federal immigration sweep that occurred on July 1 near her El Modena neighborhood home. 'It's very hard to watch my community and my [ethnic group] being…racially profiled and treated in this matter,' she said. 'I don't feel safe, my children don't feel safe and many people in my community do not feel safe. This is very important. This is just one little line in the sand that we can draw say that we're here for our community.' Gutierrez also brought Orange Police Chief Adam Jevec into the discussion on policing and masks. 'We police differently,' Jevec said in response to Gutierrez. 'We're part of the community. The expectation of our community is that we are transparent and are held accountable. That's why we wear body-worn cameras, that's why we have reports, that's why we have uniforms, name badges and policies that represent that.' Jevec added that his officers cannot interfere with federal immigration enforcement actions but can report to such scenes to verify that imposters are not kidnapping people. Councilmember John Gyllenhammer supported the idea behind the resolution but had reservations about language outlining law enforcement protocol. Barrios responded by highlighting mask exceptions for SWAT teams and bomb squads. She also signaled a willingness to amend the resolution, but her council colleagues did not take her up on the offer. Mayor Dan Slater feared the resolution in any form would mislead the public into thinking Orange had any kind of authority over federal agencies. 'Regardless of we feel about this issue, I honestly don't think the federal government is going to listen to what the Orange City Council has to say,' he said. 'Santa Ana and L.A. are finding out the hard way that their efforts in this regard are being completely dismissed. In fact, they have been made targets. This issue belongs squarely at the feet of Congress and the courts.' Dumitru moved to table the resolution. Councilmembers Denis Bilodeau, Kathy Tavoularis and Slater voted alongside him in doing so. After the vote, Barrios vented her frustration, especially after a prior effort to put a 'Know Your Rights' page on the city's website did not win support. Two days after the council meeting, masked federal immigration agents appeared in Orange near North Highland Street. Residents sent Barrios photos and videos in alerting her to their presence, which amplified her frustrations. 'This was a Latino neighborhood filled with dense, low-income apartments,' Barrios told TimesOC. 'It underscores exactly what we were talking about at our council meeting.'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Starmer faces pressure to recognise Palestinian state immediately
Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to immediately recognise Palestine as a state amid growing calls from MPs and a commitment from France. The Prime Minister condemned the 'unspeakable and indefensible' humanitarian conditions in Gaza ahead of an emergency call with German and French leaders on Friday. He also said statehood was the 'inalienable right' of the Palestinian people but maintained that a ceasefire should come first. Sir Keir said: 'I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need, while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace.' He will speak to Emmanuel Macron, who has confirmed France will recognise Palestinian statehood, making his country the first G7 nation to do so in a move he said he would formalise at the UN General Assembly in September. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the UK to follow suit, saying the UK 'should be leading on this, not falling behind'. 'Recognise the independent state of Palestine now and take the lead on securing a two-state solution and a lasting peace,' he said. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has also called for immediate recognition, while the Trades Union Congress have pushed for formal recognition of Palestine 'not in a year's time or two years' time – but now'. Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said most of its members back recognition right away. 'It is the view of the majority of the committee that the UK Government should immediately recognise the state of Palestine, signalling the UK's desire to work urgently towards a two-state solution alongside our allies,' she said. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government wants to recognise a Palestinian state 'in contribution to a peace process'. She also told The Times: 'I think there could be multiple benefits. A lot of people would argue that recognition on its own has a symbolic value that could send a strong message to the Israeli government.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Tuesday called for recognition of Palestine 'while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise'. Sir Keir said on Thursday: 'We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. 'A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis,' he said. Charities operating in Gaza have said that Israel's blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing people there towards starvation and warned that they are seeing their own workers and Palestinians 'waste away'. Israel says it allows enough aid into the territory and faults delivery efforts by UN agencies, which say they are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of security. The Prime Minister said: 'The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. 'While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.' He said it is 'hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times' but called again for all sides to engage 'in good faith, and at pace' on a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. 'We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this,' he said. Sir Keir will meet with Donald Trump during his five-day private trip to Scotland, due to kick off on Friday. US-led peace talks in Qatar have been cut short, the Trump administration's special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Thursday, pointing the finger at Hamas for a 'lack of desire to reach a ceasefire'. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce. Hamas-led militants based in Gaza abducted 251 people in the October 7 attack in 2023 that triggered the war and killed about 1,200 people. Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rachel Reeves to pledge £66m for key Scottish transport projects
Rachel Reeves will announce £66 million of funding for transport projects in Scotland – with the Chancellor insisting the cash shows the Labour Government is 'investing in Britain's renewal' after a 'decade of decline' under the Conservatives. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray meanwhile said the money would make a 'real difference to people's daily lives'. The money will go towards projects linked to new investment zones and advanced manufacturing sites supported by the UK Government in Scotland. Three key transport schemes are to benefit, with plans to create direct links between these new economic hubs and local towns in the west of the Scotland. The largest chunk of cash – some £38.7 million – will go to Renfrewshire Council to help link Paisley town centre with both Glasgow Airport and the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). As part of this new walking, cycling, bus and car links will be built, allowing local people to benefit from the growth of high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. Another £23.7 million will go to North Ayrshire Council to upgrade the B714 road, allowing faster travel between the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and Glasgow, and cutting traffic in Kilwinning. It comes after the Chancellor pledged to find the cash for this work in last month's spending review. In addition the Scottish Government is being given an extra £3.45 million to suggest ways in which the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway can be upgraded. The road there links the port in Cairnryan – where ferries sail to Northern Ireland – with the rest of the UK, and as a result is seen as being vital for both transport connections and the economy. Ms Reeves, who is due to visit Paisley on Friday, said the UK Government was 'pledging billions to back Scottish jobs, industry and renewal'. She added: 'That's why we're investing in the major transport projects, including exploring upgrades to the A75, that local communities have been calling for. 'Whilst previous governments oversaw over a decade of decline of our transport infrastructure, we're investing in Britain's renewal. 'This £66 million investment is exactly what our Plan for Change is about, investing in what matters to you in the places that you live.' Welcoming the cash Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This £66 million investment in Scotland's roads demonstrates the UK Government's commitment to improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in all parts of the UK as part of our Plan for Change. 'This investment will make a real difference to people's daily lives and to the local economies of the south of Scotland, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.' Mr Murray continued: 'New road links will connect Paisley town centre with Glasgow Airport and the new advanced manufacturing innovation district, to boost high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. 'The upgrade to the B714 will speed up journeys between Glasgow and the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, as well as cutting traffic in Kilwinning. 'And the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.' Mr Murray said: 'This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland.'
