Nearly 700 Undocumented Immigrants Detained in Mississippi

Currents News Staff

U.S. immigration officials made a record-setting bust in Mississippi as close to 700 undocumented immigrants were taken into custody Wednesday.

All were captured in what a Mississippi official says might be “the largest single-state immigration enforcement operation” in U.S. history.

“Now while we are a nation of immigrants more than that we are first and foremost a nation of laws,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

Immigration officials took about 680 people into custody at seven food processing plants in six-communities in the central part of the state.

“We do have a lot of immigrants here in Canton and I don’t know whether they’re legal or illegal,” said Canton Mayor William Truly Jr.

These arrests come after a year-long criminal investigation by Homeland Security officials.

I.C.E. officials say the agency has previously worked with school liaisons in finding placement for children whose parents are detained.

“I just hope that they everything works out and everybody can have their families back. Because this is a very hard time for everybody,” said Desiree Hughes, a worker at Morton Plant.

Peco Foods Inc, the company that owns a number of facilities where the arrests were made, said in a statement that it is cooperating with officials.

Jackson’s Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said these raids were “dehumanizing and ineffective.”

Canton’s mayor said he was worried about the children and the impact of the arrests on the local economy.

Some of the undocumented immigrants have already been released, according to I.C.E.

Currents News for Wednesday, August 7, 2019

On the newscast: President Donald Trump honoring the victims of Saturday’s mass shootings at memorial sites in Ohio and Texas. While some were mourning, others were protesting; A “red flag” gun control bill is picking up momentum in Congress, but is it enough?; It’s a long shot. Meet the Catholic teacher hoping to topple a popular Democratic representative; And new road signs are popping up. Reminding people to stop–and pray.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

Presidential Visits to Texas and Ohio Following Shootings Met With Division

Currents News Staff

On August 7, President Trump visited the two communities still mourning after the past weekend’s mass shootings.

He went first to Dayton, Ohio, where he met with local officials before making a stop at Miami Valley Hospital. While there, he met medical personnel and some of those affected by the shooting.

He later flew from Dayton to El Paso, Texas. In both cities, supporters and protesters of the president’s visits raised their voices.

Dayton’s City Commissioner, Darryl Fairchild, penned a letter to the president asking for action.

“There are things he can do. He doesn’t have to wait for Congress. He has some steps he can take with Executive Action. He could start to put funding toward research and development of safer guns” the letter read.

And in El Paso, Mayor Dee Margo acknowledged the divide.

“I realize there’s a lot of emotional pain and concern over his visit, but I’m the mayor of all of El Paso and I feel like it’s my duty, obligation, my fiduciary duty to meet with the President of the United States,” he said.

Trump said that he was open to talking about some aspects of gun control legislation.

“Im looking to do background checks. I think background checks are important. I don’t want to put guns into the hands of mentally unstable people or people with rage or hate, sick people,” he said.

It’s unclear if Congress will be able to reach a consensus. The House has passed two gun control bills, but the Senate has not voted on either one.

U.S. Bishop on Mass Shootings: ‘Continue to Pray’ for Freedom for Evil

Currents News Staff

After gunshots rang out in El Paso, Texas and 13 hours later in Dayton, Ohio, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued statements on the shootings in rapid succession.

Bishop Frank Dewane, head of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, co-authored what was said during that turbulent time.

He joins us from Venice, Florida to discuss the resurrection of faith in the face of tragedy and the USCCB’s hopes for future gun legislation moving forward.

Meet John Cummings, the Catholic School Teacher Running for Congress

By Emily Drooby

New York’s 14th Congressional District is where Republican challenger John Cummings grew up, had his first job, and has his current teaching job.

Now he’s fighting to represent the district in Congress by mounting a bid against its current representative, Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Cummings drew inspiration from the school he attended, where he now teaches.

“My students have been after me to run for many, many years,” explained the Saint Raymond Catholic High School Civics teacher, who used to think it was an unwinnable seat once held by Democratic powerhouse Joe Crowley.

“But then congresswoman, now Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez pretty much came out of nowhere and defeated him, so it was pointed out to me by my students that was a ‘pretty lame excuse,’ to use their terminology,” he said.

Cummings decided to hit the campaign trail, but the former NYPD officer knows he has a long road ahead.

First comes the Republican Primary with five other announced candidates, including Scherie Murray, who called Ocasio-Cortez a crisis for Queens. Ruth Papazian who blamed Ocasio-Cortez for killing the Amazon deal, is also in the running.

If Cummings takes the primary, he would then face off against Ocasio-Cortez, a formidable opponent.

In the last election she won over 78 percent of the votes, trouncing her two opponents.

Since winning, Ocasio-Cortez has made a name for herself nationally by promoting liberal causes and sparking disputes with more moderate Democrats in the House.

But Cummings, who has either lived or worked in the district his whole life, is ready for the fight.

“A very long time ago I was told, ‘God makes the plan, and we don’t get to see the plan,’” he recalled.

But with his Catholic faith and lengthy law enforcement and education backgrounds, John is ready to represent the people.

The Republican Primary election for this district will be held in June. The winner of that election will face off against Ocasio-Cortez in November of 2020.

New York Post Columnist on Mass Shootings: ‘What is Plaguing American Young Men?’

Currents News Staff

New York Post columnist Maureen Callahan has been closely studying those who have killed so many precious and innocent people in mass shootings.

In her writing, she’s identified a connection between angry young men and mass shootings, calling it the “greatest threat facing America.”

She joins us to discuss how a shifting culture has affected these young men.

Five Years Later: Iraqi Christians Still Face Pain, Displacement of ISIS Attack

Currents News Staff

A nightmare began in Iraq five years ago, one that is still difficult to wake up from for many. In the summer of 2014, militants from the self-proclaimed Islamic State took Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in a lightning attack.

From Mosul, a city with three million inhabitants, 150,000 had to escape in a single night with only the clothes on their back. They were mostly Christians, Yazidis and moderate Muslims who did not accept the interpretation of Islam imposed on them by jihadists. An ultimatum was given to these civilians: die, pay a tax or convert to Islam.

Afterward, the terrorists took over the entire Nineveh Plains, destroying everything in their path: the unarmed population, their houses and their churches.

They captured women and children, making them slaves. A document broke down the cost according to the woman’s age and whether Christian or Yazidi.

Those who managed to escape took refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan, in the north of the country.

Since the beginning of the crisis, Pope Francis has been very aware of the destiny of these Christians. In December 2014, he sent them a video message that was screened in the streets of Erbil, Kurdistan. He assured them he desired to be with them soon.

Security conditions and the battle against jihadists have caused the Holy Father to postpone his visit to Iraq. However, the idea has never entirely been thrown out and could soon become a reality.

“I constantly think about Iraq, where I want to go next year,” Pope Francis later said in June of this year.

“This is so I can look to a peaceful future based on the shared pursuit of the common good of all parts of society, including religious ones; and not to fall back into tensions that come from the endless conflicts of regional powers,” he explained.

The pontiff has remained close to the Yazidis, whom the jihadists hated. He met with the ethnic group’s highest authority in the Vatican and with Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize winner and slave survivor by the Islamic State.

The terrorist group was militarily defeated in 2017 although there are still thousands of missing people, especially women. Reconstruction after the invasion is slow, but even slower is the return of refugees, who will never forget the drama they experienced.

Currents News for Tuesday, August 6, 2019

On the newscast: Two cities still reeling from the shock of losing dozens of lives, will receive the President tomorrow. Set to assume the role of consoler-in-chief; The world’s two largest economies are going head-to-head as the U.S.-China trade war intensifies to new heights; Pope Francis will touch down in Africa next month. We have his itinerary; And the women behind the men who protect the Holy Father. An inside look.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

U.S. Working Towards Healing Following Mass Shootings

By Emily Drooby

New Yorkers are joining the rest of the country in grieving the lives cut short and those forever changed by the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.

Shoes, one for each victim, became a powerful image in memorial.

“The pathway of that bullet may physically stop, but the emotional trauma rips through the anatomy of our community, and the anatomy of our country it continues to travel and that is why we are here today,” said Brooklyn Boro President Eric Adams, who came to the vigil at Grand Army Plaza as the country is trying to heal.

Now, stories of survival are emerging.

“And he shot eight more bullets. And I counted them because I said, ‘one of those is going to be mine,’” said Maribel Latin, who was wounded in the El Paso shooting.

In Dayton, businesses reopened on Monday, August 6, including the bar targeted by the gunman. A gun show scheduled in the city for this weekend has been canceled.

In El Paso, a funeral home has announced that they will provide free funeral services for the families of those that lost a loved one.

The White House also announced that President Trump will be visiting both Ohio and Texas on August 7.

“What I can tell you is the president has wanted to go there since he learned of these tragedies and he, and he’s able to move around this country as Secret Service says that it’s safe and ready,” said Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to the President.

The president plans to visit with victims’ families, survivors and law enforcement. He will also review recovery efforts.

This comes as more details emerge regarding El Paso shooting suspect, Patrick Crusius. Officials have stated that the 21-year-old alleged shooter has shown no regrets or remorse for his crimes, and described him as being emotionally cold.

According to El Paso police, Crusius picked the shopping plaza at random. He is being charged with capital murder, and the shooting is being called an act of terrorism.

The suspect in the Dayton shooting, Connor Betts, was fatally shot by police at the scene.

As the investigations continue, people are banning together in Brooklyn and around the United States, providing a light for each other in the dark.

Trade War Intensifies as U.S. Labels China a ‘Currency Manipulator’

Currents News Staff

A day after global markets were sent spiraling, President Trump has doubled down on his trade tactics with China, tweeting, “massive amounts of money from China and other parts of the world is pouring into the United States for reasons of safety, investment, and interest rates! We are in a very strong position.”

China announced this week that it would no longer buy U.S. agricultural goods, a move the American Farm Bureau called a “body blow” to U.S. farmers.

The People’s Bank of China also dropped the value of its currency against the dollar, prompting the U.S. Treasury Department to promptly label China as a currency manipulator for the first time in decades.

“The People’s Bank manipulates the currency by intervening in the foreign exchange markets,” said White House trade advisor Peter Navarro.

China denies manipulating its currency, stating the exchange rate for the yuan is based on “market supply and demand.”

This latest move by Beijing is likely in response to Trump’s surprise announcement last week that he would impose a 10 percent tariff on an additional $300 billion of Chinese imports to the U.S. impacting goods like cell phones, clothes and shoes.

“The president’s view has always been we have negotiated in good faith, we want to continue to negotiate in good faith with the Chinese unfortunately his view is that we didn’t make any progress at the Shanghai meeting so he took an action,” said White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow.