JOBS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
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Updates on President Trump’s Policy On Transgender in the U.S. Military
On July 26, 2017, President Donald Trump announced on his Twitter account a reinstatement of a ban on transgender persons from serving in the United States Armed Forces. The President’s full statement reads, “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity…
Gun Restrictions; Will Banning Bump Stocks Be Enough?; National Protest Action
On March 23, 2018, the United States Department of Justice proposed a new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulation that would effectively ban “bump stocks.” Bump stocks are add on gun components that when attached to a semi – automatic gun permits the weapon to harness the gun’s recoil energy after firing one shot or one pull of the gun’s trigger.
House Intelligence Committee Conclusions, More FBI Upheavals, Seychelles Meeting, Russia Sanctions, Mueller Subpoenas
The world of the Russia investigations over the past few weeks has been reeling from a whirlwind of surprising developments, including the conclusion of one of the most public investigations: Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee announced last week that the investigative portion of their probe was over…
Texas Laws Against Sanctuary Cities Upheld in Federal Court
On Tuesday, March 13, The Hill reported that a “federal appeals court ruled that most of Texas’ laws targeting so-called sanctuary cities can remain in effect.” The ruling specifically upholds Senate Bill 4, enabling law enforcement to inquire about individuals’ immigration status upon detainment.
Florida Passes Gun Control Bill Following Stoneman Douglas Shooting, Opposing NRA
On Wednesday, March 7, Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) signed a new bill into law tightening gun restrictions and increasing school safety measures in the state of Florida following the Parkland school shooting on February 14 that left 14 students and 3 faculty members of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School dead.
Civil Rights; Congressional Bill Supporting Israel A Direct Attack On The First Amendment and Free Speech; Proposed Federal Legislation; March 3, 2018
On March 23, 2017, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) introduced Senate Bill 720, which was intended to amend the Export Administration Act of 1979. The bill is popularly known as the “Israel Anti – Boycott Act” and was passed in order to “oppose restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered or imposed by any international organization against Israel or requests to impose restrictive trade practices or boycotts by any international trade organization against Israel.”
Judge Rules That Environmental Studies Are Not Required for Border Wall Construction Order in re: Border Infrastructure Environmental Legislation; Case 3:17-cv-01215-GPC-WVG
Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel ruled that the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security have not exceeded their legal limits in waiving environmental reviews based on the REAL ID law of 2005. This Bush era law allows Federal agencies to waive previously required environmental reviews.
Trump Issues Global Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Imports
Summary “The actions we are taking today are not a matter of choice; they are a matter of necessity for our security” declared President Trump last week, as part of his announcement on a new set of tariffs targeting the import of steel and aluminum. The announcement,...
Will Raising Minimum Age To Purchase Guns to Twenty – One Make A Difference?
On February 14, 2018, a school shooter opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and killed seventeen people. The accused gunman, nineteen – year old Nikolas Cruz, was taken into custody and is awaiting trial. After the shooting numerous companies took action to distance…
Separate Criminal Code For Immigrants
Proposed Florida Legislation
Passed second Senate committee on February 22, 2017
Policy Summary
In the Florida Legislature, a Senate bill was introduced and recently approved by the Appropriations Subcommittee on Civil & Criminal Justice that proposes that certain crimes committed by unlawfully present aliens in the State of Florida be charged differently from all other persons in the state. Illegal immigrants charged with a crime would, under Senate Bill 120, have their charges upgraded to the next criminal offense ranking level only because of their immigrant status. An illegal immigrant charged with a misdemeanor of the first degree would have his criminal charge upgraded to a felony in the third degree. A felony in the second degree would be bumped up to a felony in the first degree. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The proposed legislation is problematic because it discriminates between people who commit the same criminal act on the basis of their citizenship and immigrant status. The American principle of Equal Protection of the Laws enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment provides that no “person” may be denied the equal protection of the laws. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Florida has an inmate population of 99,119. The number of inmates who are undocumented immigrants is 4,754, only 4.8% of the total number of inmates. This bill unfairly targets persons because they are immigrants and impermissibly places the blame for crimes committed on them when the statistics show that crimes are not strictly an immigrant problem. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Mexican – American Legal Defense & Education Fund – A nonprofit organization promoting social change in immigrants rights and political access.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – An information page on immigrant Constitutional issues.
This brief was compiled by Rod Maggay. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact rod@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Entitlement Programs
Budget Proposal – America First: A budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again
Proposal released March 16, 2017
Policy Summary
President Donald Trump released an outline of his budget proposal, America First, on Thursday, March 16 that substantially boosts spending on homeland security and defense while slashing spending in almost every other area. An important exception to this harsh slashing is entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Although Health and Human Services spending decreases 16%, this cut comes from slashing health care programs outside of entitlement. America First instead proposes investing in Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control (HCFAC) in Medicaid, which has proven to payoff a five to one ROI. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Entitlement Programs got very little attention in the proposed budget. A more comprehensive budget is expected for May of this year, which may include changes to entitlement programs. The Trump Administration could be waiting for the American Health Care Act to gain momentum before proposing any major budgetary changes in Medicaid, although so far the bill has proven to be unpopular even among Republicans. The budget proposal was not expected to include any major changes to entitlement programs as much of these issues are instead addressed in the proposed American Health Care Act. Cuts in these programs are expected to come later. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- AARP – AAPR opposes the Health Care Bill and continues to fight to keep social security strong. This link to the Advocacy section of the AARP website provides a platform for people to learn how social security and health care reform affect them as well as an option to join AARP.
- Save My Care – This website is dedicated to fighting for full health care coverage. It provides opportunities to sign up for updates and events as well as stories of people who have benefited from the Affordable Care Act.
This brief was compiled by Ann Furbush. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact ann@usresistnews.org.
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline
Presidential Memorandum
Issued January 24, 2017
Summary
President Trump released a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to expedite approval for the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and to consider rescinding the Notice of Intent to Prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement released in the final days of the Obama Administration. On February 8, the Army Corps granted an easement to construct the pipeline across federal land. The easement represented the final federal authorization necessary for Dakota Access (a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners) to complete construction of the pipeline. Trump argues that the pipeline’s construction and operation would serve the national interest by bringing oil into U.S. markets. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The Standing Rock protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline received international attention last summer drawing thousands of protestors to Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The protestors were supporting the indigenous Standing Rock Sioux Tribe which says completion of DAPL would disrupt their sacred burial sites and may lead to a contamination of the tribe’s water. The tribe has been supported by a coalition of indigenous and environmental groups which criticized the USACE’s use of an Environmental Assessment instead of a full Environmental Impact Statement as cursory, incomplete, and inconsistent with federal guidelines. The coalition also disputed the USACE’s assessment of cultural sites, consultation with Tribal nations, and impact on marginalized groups citing inadequate consultations and use of informational resources and inaccurate analysis. Over 220 scientists have signed a statement calling for a more rigorous evaluation of the pipeline’s environmental and cultural impacts. The scientists expressed concern over the potential impacts on climate change, biodiversity, and indigenous people’s drinking water. Sunoco Logistics, the pipeline’s future operator, “spills crude [oil] more often than any of its competitors with more than 200 leaks since 2010.”
Engagement Resources
- ReZpect our Water – A group created by youth from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to oppose DAPL through petitions, letters, and national events.
- Greenpeace – An international environmental NGO that uses direct action, lobbying, research, and ecotage to raise public awareness and to influence the public and private sectors.
- Sierra Club – The nation’s largest environmental preservation organization; recent focuses include green energy, mitigating global warming, and opposing coal.
This brief was compiled by Conor Downey. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact conor@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Jobs
Proposed Legislation
Issued on March 16, 2017
Summary
Trump recent budget proposal will call for a 21% decrease in the Department of Labor budget. This would result in a 2.5 billion dollar cut in funding for the agency in the fiscal year of 2018. The proposal would eliminate funding for Senior Community Service Employment Program which aided low-income workers above the age of 55 by offering them jobs. The Trump administration claimed this was ineffective and only one in three participants finished. In addition, the administration would shrink Job Corps, a program that trained disadvantaged youth. Furthermore, the proposal would shift the burden of federal funding for training and employment to the states. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Trump’s proposal will harm American workers in a multitude of ways. Senator Murray called the proposal “yet another clear example of President Trump breaking his campaign promise to stand with workers.” The Senior Community Service Employment Program ensures seniors with permanent jobs but Trump’s budget calls for an end to this program. In addition, Trump plans to decrease funding for Job Corps, a program that trains disadvantaged youth for the workplace. Representative Cicilline claimed the proposal will make it “even harder for working families to get ahead and for older Americans to make ends meet.” AFL – CIO President Richard Trumka concurred stating, “Working people in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin didn’t vote for a budget that slashes workforce training.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- AFL-CIO – The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is a national trade union center and the largest federation of unions in the United States.
- US Senate – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- US House of Representatives – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- UNI Global Union – This is a global union federation for skills and services, gathering national and regional trade unions.
This brief was compiled by Vaibhav Kumar. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact vaibhav@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Foreign Policy
Office of Management and Budget
Issued on March 16, 2017
Summary
The White House published their first budget document on March 16th, and it detailed many cuts and increases for the 2018 budget. President Trump’s “skinny budget” only includes changes to discretionary spending, like a 28.7% cut to the State Department’s budget. President Trump plans to slash almost 2.5 billion dollars from programs that aid foreign investment to slow climate change, as well as a decrease in funding to United Nations peacekeeping and relief programs. Additionally, Trump plans to slow funding to the World Bank, educational programs, and many poorer nations because they lack “strategic importance to the US.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
This budget could be one of the most destructive budgets for the State Department in decades, despite Secretary of State Tillerson weakly defending the cuts. President Trump’s shift from traditional diplomacy to one of military power is almost as dangerous as his obsession with countries “paying their fair share.” With such large cuts to its budget, the State Department will recede from many critical areas in the world (while still maintaining $3.1 billion to Israel), and this will undermine years of democratization and peacekeeping efforts. While Trump claims to prioritize security, crippling the State Department’s budget will only weaken and destroy our international position. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Center for American Progress – A nonpartisan progressive institute that works to raise awareness about global issues and work with legislators to craft important policy.
- Freedom House – A watchdog group that helps promote civil liberties and facilitates democratic peace in order to assure freedom throughout the globe.
- Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs – A federal bureau, which would be dismantled under the current budget proposal, that aims to establish congenial relationships between American citizens and citizens of other countries.
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact jacob@usresistnews.org
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Press Conference Comments
Made on February 15, 2017
Policy Summary
On February 15th, 2017, President Trump hosted a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. During the press conference, Trump responded to a question about the two-state solution with extreme ambivalence. He stated that he likes “the one that both parties like” and would not commit to the previous administration’s adoption of the two-state solution nor multiple agreements through the United Nations committing the region to resolve its conflict. Additionally, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley stated that the United States still supports the two-state solution but does not consider Israel-Palestine a “real threat in the Middle East.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
The Trump Administration is again contradictory and misguided when it comes to important diplomatic policy. Trump’s passive rhetoric and refusal to take a stance not only sends a confused message to our allies, but it also enables aggressive moves by the Israeli government to continue illegal settlements against the Palestinians. The United States has been committed to a two-state solution, from recognizing the rights of Palestinian people to direct economic support of the Palestinian government, and to change this policy in response to one question from the media is feckless and irresponsible. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Palestinian Center for Human Rights – A Gaza City based NGO which works to improve democracy and secure human rights for affected Palestinians.
- Peace NGO – An organization which works within the constraints of the United Nations in order to form a peaceful, two-state solution to the conflict.
- Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund – PCRF helps Palestinian children access necessary medical treatment for both physical and mental ailments.
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact jacob@usresistnews.org.
Trillion Dollar Infrastructure Plan
Proposed Legislation
Proposed on February 28, 2017
Summary
Trump has proposed that he will roll out a trillion-dollar public-private infrastructure project to fix the country’s aging highways. During his address to a joint session of Congress, he said: “Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways gleaming across our beautiful land. The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding” He has compared his plan to President Eisenhower’s building of the interstate highways calling it the “last truly great infrastructure program.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
According to Conor Sen, a Bloomberg View columnist, Trump’s plan would require an increase of 570,000 construction workers (not including project/environmental specialist and truck drivers). The economy has not added these many construction jobs since 1946. In addition, Bloomberg reported that nearly 1.1 million workers may be undocumented so stepping up deportations may reduce an already limited pool of workers. Finally, a drastic decrease in workers going to the construction field will result in Trump not having the supply of laborers necessary for its success. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- US Senate – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- US House of Representatives – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- Laborers’ International Union of North America – The Build America union – half a million strong fighting for better wages and benefits, safer job sites and greater opportunity for construction workers.
This brief was compiled by Vaibhav Kumar. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact vaibhav@usresistnews.org.
Robot Automation of Workforce
Proposed Regulations
Proposed March 7, 2017
Summary
President Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross has recently promoted the idea of expanding our use of robots in the workforce. Ross believes that without technological advancements other countries will surpass our economic dominance. He stated, “We need technological advance. And if we don’t employ robots, the Chinese will, the Vietnamese will, the Europeans will, the Japanese will. Everyone will.” Ross continued to explain that we need to keep in pace with the factories that are being made in the United States to reach our max potential as an economic powerhouse. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Real American workers will lose their jobs as a result of automation. To resolve this, many economists believe that the government should tax the generated income of robots like human income tax. This solution fails as it not only doesn’t account for the spending workers do (buying goods and services) but also is not under consideration by the administration. Ross exclaimed that “I’m not in favor of trying to hold back technological advance” claiming taxation like this is a drawback from capitalism. As a result, this idea will slow the economy due to a loss of consumers and laid-off workers. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- UNI Global Union – This is a global union federation for skills and services, gathering national and regional trade unions. This union was able to convince SecureCorp to abandon its anti-union strategy in 2008.
- AFL-CIO – The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is a national trade union center and the largest federation of unions in the United States.
- United Automobile Workers – The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Automobile Workers, is an American labor union that represents workers in the United States and Canada.
This brief was compiled by Vaibhav Kumar. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact vaibhav@usresistnews.org.
DHS Implementation of Executive Orders on Protecting the Homeland
Department of Homeland Security Implementation Memo
Issued on February 20, 2017
Summary
Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly issued two implementation memos to guide personnel on implementation of the executive orders from the Trump administration regarding public safety and immigration released in January. These memos radically alter the procedure of deportations undertaken by DHS, expanding the category of people considered ‘priority for removal’ from illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes to people in the country illegally who were convicted of any crime. The memos also include a directive to deport unaccompanied children and to deport or prosecute anyone who helped bring a child into the United States illegally (including parents and family members). LEARN MORE
Analysis
The change in deportation priorities made in these memos could render the category of ‘priority for removal’ meaningless, as immigrants can face charges just for entering the country illegally. Interpreted in this manner, this could make the deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants a priority. To accomplish this, the DHS would require more employees, and this memo includes an order to hire 15,000 in ICE and CBP combined – but a mass hire of this scale will likely lead to expedited training that could further expose the rampant corruption in these agencies. Even with these hires, DHS will lack the capacity to enforce these new guidelines systematically, introducing a new unpredictability to deportation proceedings that will likely sow even more fear in immigrant communities. These memos have also already caused international outcry because they could lead to deportees of any nationality to be deported to Mexico, which the Mexican government has stated they will dispute. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Local Options for Protecting Immigrants – This document hosted by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights notes what steps local governments can take to protect immigrants against federal government actions.
- Support a Local Solidarity Network in Your Area – Organizations are rapidly forming on a local level across the country to protect the rights of undocumented immigrants and to ensure that law enforcement agencies are acting legally and justly as they seek to enforce these new executive orders. Examples include the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and Mi Casa es Su Casa (San Diego).
- Resistance Manual – Crisis Resources – If you know someone who is facing immigration troubles, please share this compendium of legal resources and relevant nonprofit organizations with them.
This brief was compiled by Oliver Bjornsson. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact oliver@usresistnews.org.
Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorist Entry
Executive Order
Issued on March 6, 2017
Summary
This executive order is the revised version of a controversial January 27, 2017 order, similarly placing a 90 day stay on the entry of nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria in order to thwart the entry of terrorists in the United States and thus ensure national security. Iraq is not included in the new act – it is stated that this is due to American efforts to thwart terrorist activity there, the state of friendship between the two countries, and recent Iraqi government efforts to enhance travel documentation and information sharing procedures. Other changes were made to the order to attempt to overcome the troubles it has faced in litigation, including a direct refutation to the label of the order as a ‘Muslim ban,’ explicitly exempting permanent residents and current visa holders, and removing language that offered preferential status to persecuted religious minorities from these targeted states. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The claim that this new executive order is not motivated by religious discrimination does not ring true, making the new order no different from its unconstitutional, unfair, and ineffective predecessor. Given President Trump’s campaign promise of a ‘total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States’ which he has not distanced himself from as President so far (besides exclaiming “call it whatever you want. We’ll call it territories, okay?”), the order remains vulnerable to legal challenge. Discrimination based on religious belief goes against the founding ideal of the United States and would close the door on people fleeing human rights abuses or trying to start a new life like any other potential immigrant. It also continues to be unclear if the order would even be beneficial from a security perspective. The Associated Press obtained a document from the Department of Homeland Security that concludes that citizenship is an “unlikely indicator” of terrorism threats to the United States, and that even if it was, the countries listed by President Trump’s order would not be atop of the list. LEARN MORE
Update: March 30, 2017
Soon after the release of the revised executive order, federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland blocked the travel ban from being enforced, ruling that the order was based on ‘questionable evidence’ and was clearly designed to discriminate against Muslims. Legal action is being taken to block the ban in at least five other states. However on March 27, a Virginia judge denied a request to block the order, stating that Congress has granted the President sweeping powers over immigration, and denying that the order is discriminatory. If the Trump administration takes the case to the Supreme Court, these are arguments likely to be used in their defense. Thirteen states, including Texas, filed a brief to that Virginia appeals court supporting their decision.
Engagement Resources
- Pressure Your Local Representatives – NPR has compiled a database of the comments that each member of Congress has made about the original executive order. You may be able to hold them accountable to this statements face-to-face at a town hall – you can find listings for these at Town Hall Project. You can also dial 1-844-6-RESIST to be redirected to the office of your local member of Congress, where you can lodge your concerns over the phone.
- Resistance Manual – Crisis Resources – If you know someone who is facing immigration troubles, please share this compendium of legal resources and relevant nonprofit organizations with them.
This brief was compiled by Oliver Bjornsson. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact oliver@usresistnews.org.