Latest news with #NortheasternPennsylvania
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Advocacy group announces formation of immigrants rights coalition
Jun. 17—FORTY FORT — Unable to voice their concerns after they were told the public comment portion of the agenda was over at Tuesday's meeting of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority, a group announced that it is forming an immigrants' rights coalition in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The group held a news conference outside the authority's building along Wyoming Avenue to announce its plans prior to the board meeting. They also released a statement that they were denied reading at the board meeting. "Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed an increased presence of ICE and HSI in our community across NEPA," the statement read. "Contradicting their own narrative of going after violent criminals, they have not only been raiding homes, but also restaurants and factories, arresting folks who are hard at work, earning below-market wages, to provide for themselves and their families." The group also said that they have seen "this administration" not only go after undocumented immigrants, but also lock up and/or revoke the immigration status of folks for exercising the first amendment. "We have seen the deportation of a union worker, and after the Executive branch admitted to doing so by mistake, an entire narrative was spun and post-hoc charges created before returning him to the states from a foreign prison," the group stated. "These examples shed light on the overarching authoritarianism and erosion of civil liberties." The statement added that "the expansive overreach of federal agencies isn't just happening in big cities, but right in our small towns and neighborhoods." The group said that on June 5, at around 1 p.m., HSI along with other federal agencies raided Wyoming Valley Pallets, arresting several members of the community. "The worst crime that any of them were accused of is a DUI," the group said. "By June 12, at least one of them had already arrived in Mexico City." The group statement said, "Rather than recognize our shared humanity and that we're a nation of immigrants, the current federal administration aims to divide us. We will not sit idly by while division is sown. We will stand in unity with our immigrant neighbors." The meeting While the news conference was continuing outside the Flood Protection building, the board convened and went through its agenda. The public comment portion was at the top, but when asked if anyone wanted to speak, nobody was present to present their case that was being articulated under a tent at the rear of the building. When the group entered the meeting room, the board was wrapping up routine business. A few of the members of the newly formed coalition objected, demanding that they be heard, but the board adjourned the meeting and left. Despite not being allowed to speak and have their concerns entered into the official record, Michael Nicotera of Rice Twp., who said he is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, displayed a chart that he said depicts how the rented space will be utilized. Nicotera said the plans include two prisoner restraint stools that have shackles, which he said were never part of the plans told to them by the authority. Nicotera said the restraint stools are used to hold detainees on the premises. In a Times Leader story in May, it was reported that there would be no immigration enforcement operations based in or operating out of offices the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority plans to lease to U.S Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to Forty Fort Borough officials. The story said the unused space in the flood authority's Forty Fort headquarters would host administrative offices for HSI, which is overseen by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The borough said the offices are being moved there from their location in the regional office of the PA Attorney General in Wilkes-Barre. A post on the Forty Fort Facebook page read, "There will be NO immigration enforcement operations based in or operating out of the offices in Forty Fort." In that same TL story, authority Executive Director Christopher Belleman said that the renovation plans do not call for detention or holding cells. According to previous reporting, Belleman said Homeland Security will pay the authority approximately $30,000 annually to lease 1,700 square feet of space for three years, with the option for an additional two-year renewal. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'The BresnaVan' brings government to the people with new mobile office
Jun. 14—WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. said this week that he wants to make government more accessible, responsive and present in every corner of the district. Enter "The BresnaVan." "The BresnaVan will allow us to reach communities where we don't have permanent offices and make sure every constituent has access to the support and services they deserve," said Rep. Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township. Bresnahan announced the launch of a new initiative to expand constituent services across Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District with the introduction of a mobile office, known as the "BresnaVan." Bresnahan said he has made history as the first member of Congress in Pennsylvania to launch a mobile constituent office. "This is an investment in the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania to break down barriers to ensure in-person access to staff for all PA-08 constituents," Rep. Bresnahan said. "The BresnaVan will travel across the district, reaching areas where we do not have permanent offices. Scheduled visits will be announced in advance, giving residents the opportunity to interact with staff who are able to assist with federal agencies, outreach, and other services. The mobile office will also partner with local officials to help address community needs on the ground." Designed with the people of Northeast Pennsylvania in mind, Bresnahan said the BresnaVan features unique design elements — subtle "Easter eggs" — that celebrate the region's culture, landmarks and traditions. It also prominently displays office locations, addresses and contact numbers to ensure residents can easily access support. What the BresnaVan offers The BresnaVan is a fully-equipped mobile office staffed by knowledgeable caseworkers ready to help with: —Navigating federal agencies. —Accessing veterans' benefits. —Social Security and Medicare issues. —IRS and tax matters. —Passport services. —And much more. By traveling to areas without permanent offices, the BresnaVan ensures no constituent is left without a direct line to our office. For details on the BresnaVan and how to access constituent services, visit Rep. Bresnahan's website. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'The Institute' Featured On Newsmakers Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11
(WBRE/WYOU) Newsmakers will feature 'The Institute' this weekend. The group works on research on the region on topics including employment, housing, childcare, and more. Hosts Jayne Ann Bugda and Andy Mehalshick will be joined by Teri Ooms, Jill Avery-Stoss, and Charlie Kasko. Their Research Is Used To Help Communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania Improve and Grow. They have been responsible for many programs and initiatives in our region over the past two decades. Newsmakers will air Saturday, May 10th at Noon on WBRE and Sunday, May 11th at 7:30 am on WYOU. More information Phone: (570) 408-9850Email: info@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
