Latest news with #Detroit-based
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Green Card-Holder With 2 US Citizen Kids Held by ICE for Over Two Months
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Claudio Cortez-Herrera, a green card holder from Mexico who has lived in the U.S. for more than two decades and has two U.S. citizen children, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for over two months. Newsweek reached out to ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for comment via email on Friday. Why It Matters Cortez-Herrera's detention comes amid an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. In addition to people residing in the country illegally, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained. Newsweek has reported dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in the immigration raids and various arrests. The Office of Homeland Security Statistics estimated there were 12.8 million lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, living in the U.S. on January 1, 2024. Main image, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer listens during a briefing in Silver Spring, Maryland on January 27, 2025. Inset, a photo from the GoFundMe for Claudio Cortez-Herrera. Main image, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer listens during a briefing in Silver Spring, Maryland on January 27, 2025. Inset, a photo from the GoFundMe for Claudio Cortez-Herrera. AP Photo/Alex Brandon/GoFundMe What To Know Cortez-Herrera, 34, has been in the U.S. for over two decades, his fiancee Leticia Ortiz Lopez wrote in an online fundraiser seeking financial assistance for legal fees and child support. He is the father of their two U.S. citizen children, a 2-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son with autism. She told local outlet 13 On Your Side that he was on his way to work and "putting in the house payment across the street at the drop box post office, when he got surrounded by 10 ICE agents, and he was taken." ICE confirmed in a Facebook post that Cortez-Herrera was arrested by Detroit-based immigration officials on April 23. Newsweek confirmed in the ICE detainee database that he is still in custody, held at the Calhoun County Correctional Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. In the Facebook post, ICE noted Cortez-Herrera's previous criminal record, writing, "Convicted in New Castle, Del [Delaware]," noting that his conviction was for "Planning first-degree arson & first-degree reckless endangering." Newsweek has been unable to independently verify the conviction. His wife said in the GoFundMe: "Over 20 years ago, as a teen, he made a mistake. He took responsibility and left that life behind." She told the local outlet he served seven months on a racketeering charge, saying: "He was young, he was stupid, you know, and he's not that person anymore, you know, he's not in that state, he's not around those people." What People Are Saying U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "Coming to America and receiving a visa or green card is a privilege. Our laws and values must be respected. If you advocate for violence, endorse or support terrorist activity, or encourage others to do so, you are no longer eligible to stay in the U.S." A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection told Newsweek on June 25, regarding a different case: "Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right; and under our nation's laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused. In addition to immigration removal proceedings, lawful permanent residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention." What Happens Next It is unclear when Cortez-Herrera's immigration hearing will take place, though it is expected soon.
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Detroit brewery defies Michigan beer slump
A Detroit-based craft brewery saw explosive growth last year — but that isn't the norm across the state. Why it matters: The figures indicate that Michigan's well-established beer scene is not exempt from the tough times plaguing the industry nationally. State of play: The state's largest brewer, Short's, which has a production facility up north in Elk Rapids, saw sales dip 6% in 2024 compared to the prior year, our analysis of Brewers Association data shows. Old Nation, maker of the M-43 New England IPA and other beers, also saw a single-digit sales decline, as did Keweenaw, Blackrocks and Birmingham-based Griffin Claw breweries. Yes, but: Detroit's Eastern Market Brewing Co. saw a whopping 59% sales increase, becoming the state's ninth-largest brewer. Zoom in: EMBC's spike in sales follows an aggressive expansion strategy that's played out in recent years. The company's sister brewery, the Ferndale Project, announced a deal this month with Kalamazoo-based distributor Imperial Beverage to sell Ferndale Project beers statewide. EMBC also launched a local pizza venture, Elephant & Co., with locations in Midtown and Royal Oak that serve its beer. What they're saying: Eastern Market Brewing Co. founder Dayne Bartscht told Crain's that the Imperial distribution deal is a silver lining as the industry struggles. "We've always taken pride in our self-distribution model," Bartscht said. "It's helped us grow smart, stay close to our customers, and remain nimble. That approach built the kind of brand strength and market presence that made this opportunity possible." The big picture: Despite some beermakers' declining sales, more breweries opened in-state last year than closed. The Colorado-based Brewers Association counted 21 openings and 17 closings across Michigan.
Axios
4 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Detroit's religious and political legacy in the mayor's race
A prominent pastor's presence in the Detroit mayor's race is reigniting conversations about melding faith and governance. Why it matters: Detroit's Black churches and religious leaders have long played meaningful roles in politics and activism, from the Civil Rights Movement, on City Council in recent decades and to present day. The question is what kind of experience, inside or outside government, will resonate with voters in this mayoral election. State of play: The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. has not served in public office, spending much of his career growing Detroit-based Triumph Church from dozens of members to 40,000. Either Kinloch's unique history in this race gives him the necessary " vision and moral leadership," as UAW president Shawn Fain recently said, or he's an outsider who would need " on-the-job training," according to fellow candidate Fred Durhal. What they're saying: Mario Morrow, a political consultant and the president of a local communications firm, tells Axios many voters want someone with a relationship with God. He says some negativity around Kinloch's being a pastor comes out of campaigning tactics — but it's still a dynamic that the candidate has to make sure voters understand. Morrow urges voters to focus less on the experience dynamic and more on who can solve Detroiters' issues. The Rev. Wendell Anthony, a pastor and president of the Detroit NAACP branch, tells Axios that having someone who can "hit the ground running" will benefit the city during this pivotal time. Kinloch tells Axios that he saw as a young man the way pastors, including activist the Rev. C.L. Franklin, instilled economic and social consciousness and provided services for their communities. "The church is still … the heart of many people, particularly in the African American community, because … we've always turned to the church for not just spirituality, but for any type of equity, any type of fight against injustice," he says. People want someone to rebuild voters' lost trust in career politicians, Kinloch says. He has said he plans to continue with Triumph while mayor. He said in Local 4's debate that he will be a full-time mayor, "that will go to church on Sunday, and when he goes to church on Sunday, he will preach." Another candidate in the mayoral race, City Council President Mary Sheffield, is the daughter of a pastor and activist, the Rev. Horace Sheffield III. She was previously an assistant pastor and says she still ministers when people ask and she's able. "As a young kid, I grew up in the church. It was a foundation, it was a staple in the community. … It really helped shape and mold me into who I am today," the 12-year City Council member tells Axios. As for the question of experience, Sheffield says, "Detroiters will decide what they think is best." But ultimately, she adds, experience matters when a person can change other people's lives. The connection is also reflected in her plans, which include a faith-based development initiative. Pastors of the past Detroit has a long history of pastors involved in governance. Zoom out:"A lot of them were in leadership when we did not have so many African Americans in positions of power," says Anthony. "They were kind of alone, taking positions and standing up. So they brought a stamina and determination that they had a cause much greater than themselves. … Today, a lot of us stand on their shoulders." Read about some here: Politician and religious leader the Rev. Nicholas Hood Sr. was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ from 1958 until the mid-1980s, according to the Detroit News. Meanwhile, he was elected to City Council in 1965, serving nearly 30 years and becoming an activist against discrimination and displacement. He was seen as a pillar of both the church and city hall communities, per his obituary, and had been the city's second Black city council member. Hood died in 2016 at age 92. The Rev. JoAnn Watson, the late activist and religious and political leader with an expansive resume, was on City Council from 2003 to 2013. She was the first woman executive director of the NAACP's Detroit branch and served as a pastor at West Side Unity Church, starting as an associate pastor in 2009. When she died two years ago, Sheffield called her a "one-of-a-kind freedom fighter who loved her people and the Lord," per the Free Press. Hood's son, Nicholas Hood III, has been senior pastor of Plymouth United since the mid-1980s. He served on City Council for two terms starting in 1994. He ran for mayor, but was not successful in the primary.
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Heather Wilberger Joins NSF as Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer
ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NSF, a leading global public health and safety organization, has named Heather Wilberger its Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer. In this role, Wilberger will lead the execution of NSF's technology roadmap, supporting the digitization of core processes, optimizing the organization's IT application footprint and infrastructure, and leveraging AI and data analytics to deliver innovative solutions to clients and team members worldwide. 'Heather's proven track record of upgrading enterprise-wide technology stacks and leveraging data to drive performance makes her a strong fit for NSF,' said Pedro Sancha, President and CEO of NSF. 'Her people and business-oriented leadership experience will help us accelerate NSF's growth and scale our global impact through connected, cutting-edge technology, furthering our mission to improve human and planet health.' Wilberger has more than two decades of executive leadership in technology, business transformation, and innovation within diverse organizations. She previously served as Chief Transformation and Information Officer at Vince, where she led the charge in driving a strategic vision to blend operational and tactical excellence. Prior to Vince, she managed IT teams at Detroit-based real estate companies Bedrock and Rocket Mortgage. 'It's an honor to join the NSF team fresh off their success of a landmark year of delivering unprecedented value to clients and celebrating their 80 th anniversary,' said Wilberger. 'I'm eager to elevate the work of ensuring our technology and digital operations are airtight, so we can move efficiently and surefootedly in service of our mission.' Wilberger holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University. For more information on NSF, visit About NSF NSF is an independent, global services organization dedicated to improving human and planet health for more than 80 years by developing public health standards and providing world-class testing, inspection, certification, advisory services and digital solutions to the food, nutrition, water, life sciences and consumer goods industries. NSF has 40,000 clients across all continents and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Medical Device Safety.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
U.S. Senate Might Kill Automotive Fuel Economy Rules
In the 1970s, the United States faced a consequential energy crisis that exposed the auto industry's pitfalls in making fuel-efficient cars. At the time, most cars sold in the United States were anything but fuel sippers, and in some parts of the country, fuel dried up so fast that some states and municipalities had to start rationing fuel. For instance, New Jersey imposed mandatory odd-even rationing based on calendar dates and license plate numbers, prohibited sales when the car's tank was at least half full, and required a system of flags at gasoline stations to alert motorists about supplies. Seeing that drivers around the country were struggling to get around, Congress drew up the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rules, which aimed to improve the average fuel efficiency of new vehicles sold by automakers in the United States. Despite Detroit automakers objecting to the rules and advocating for consumer choice, President Gerald Ford signed legislation creating CAFE standards in 1975. A recent report from The Wall Street Journal says that the U.S. Senate is considering a change that would make federal fuel-economy rules just friendly suggestions for carmakers. This move is part of a larger tax and spending bill linked to the Trump administration, which has been referred to by both President Trump and the media as the "big, beautiful bill." If it gets the green light, it would eliminate fines for car manufacturers who don't meet the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards; a move that would seriously weaken rules that previously pushed and incentivized automakers to make cleaner-burning and more fuel-efficient cars for the market. The idea to drop CAFE fines was included in the budget plan released earlier this month by the Senate Commerce Committee, which is led by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). The committee claims that if enacted, this proposal could lead to modest savings for car buyers. Under the existing rules, automakers risk fines when the average fuel economy for their entire U.S. lineup falls short of the CAFE standard of 49 miles per gallon for the 2026 model year. Industry advocates and automakers argue that the rules, which increased under the Biden administration to 50.4 mpg by the 2031 model year, have become too strict and are accompanied by more punishing fines if they don't comply. "The combination of high penalties with the nearly impossible CAFE standards finalized during the previous administration is a major problem," said Alliance for Automotive Innovation president and CEO John Bozzella. The proposed changes are splitting the auto industry. According to the Journal, General Motors and Stellantis support eliminating the fines altogether. Meanwhile, several major automakers, including Toyota and Hyundai, told the Journal that they support revisiting the standards but oppose the wholesale elimination of CAFE penalties. In recent years, Detroit-based automakers like GM and Stellantis have faced the heftiest CAFE-related fines. Since 2022, GM has paid $128 million for being CAFE non-compliant, while Stellantis has paid more than $425 million for the same reasons. Automakers can buy regulatory credits from competitors to offset fines, a significant revenue driver for electric car manufacturers like Rivian and Tesla. According to Rivian's Q1 2025 shareholder letter, the makers of the outdoor-aesthetic R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV earned $157 million from selling regulatory credits to other automakers. During the same quarter, Tesla earned $447 million from the same revenue stream. Industry advocates argue that the strict Federal regulations have created sparks of innovation in automakers and the vehicles they sell in the U.S. Over the past decades, automakers have spearheaded the development of gas-saving tech like turbocharged engines that provide greater power than the higher displacement engines they replace, automatic gearboxes with seven, eight, nine, 10 or more gears, as well as start-stop engine technology that automatically shuts off at stoplights to conserve gasoline. "Automakers have proven time and time again that without strong and enforceable fuel-economy standards, many of them will leave proven, popular, and cost-effective technologies like hybrids sitting and gathering dust on the shelf," Consumer Reports policy analyst Chris Harto told the Journal. I do agree with the idea that strict regulations breed innovation. Although some technologies like continuously variable transmissions and start-stop engine technology can be annoying, on the other hand, you get some cool stuff like Honda's VTEC and BMW's tunable, turbocharged engines in its current M3 and M4. However, like any new measure introduced, it needs to clear the Senate parliamentarian's review to qualify for budget reconciliation, which allows Senate Republicans to pass budget bills with a simple majority instead of the usual 60 votes. It also has to be mainly about financial matters and must be approved by the House. We'll have to wait and see. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
