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Many wildfires in the United States occur when poles owned by utilities or other structures carrying power lines are blown down, or when branches or other objects land on power lines and cause them to produce high-energy flashes of electricity that can start fires. Image Nearly a week after the wildfire tore through Lahaina, state and local officials have not determined a cause for the blaze. Like most other utilities, Hawaiian Electric operates under the scrutiny of public commissioners who have to approve its spending plans. Power lines have caused catastrophic wildfires in California in recent years, prompting lawsuits that have led to multibillion-dollar payouts by the state’s utilities. Hawaiian Electric in a regulatory filing last year detailed measures aimed at reducing the risk of its equipment causing fires.

Persons: Hurricane Dora, “, ”, James Frantz, Frantz, There’s, Max Whittaker, Shahriar Pourreza, Shelee Kimura, ” Ms, Kimura, Pourreza, Michael Wara, Philip Cheung, Bob Marshall, Jim Kelly, Ken Pimlott, Anne Lopez, Mr, Wara, Kellen Browning, John Keefe, Susan C, Beachy, Alain Delaquérière Organizations: Wildfire, National Weather Service, Frantz Law, Hawaiian Electric, The New York Times, Guggenheim Securities, Maui Electric, Pacific Gas, Pacific Gas and Electric, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pacific Disaster Center, Stanford University, The New York Times Lightning, Western, NASA, Whisker Labs, Labs, California Department of Forestry, Stanford, U.S . Energy Information Administration Locations: Lahaina, West Maui, Maui, California, United States, Northern California, Paradise, Hawaii, Western United States, Maui County, Germantown, Md, San Francisco

☆ FEMA Outlines Maui Wildfire Support as Victims Critique Government Response
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | More About Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“We understand that connectivity is still scarce in some areas,” Deanne Criswell, the FEMA administrator and one of about 300 agency employees on the ground in Hawaii, told reporters on Monday. There are questions about whether wildfire warnings were loud enough and early enough and whether government officials were adequately prepared to deal with the fires. FEMA is typically the first agency to face intense scrutiny after disasters. It is most often associated with its role responding to hurricanes, particularly because of its history of bungled reactions to previous disasters. While the federal agency plays a critical role in disaster response, it is not meant to be the first on the scene.

Persons: Deanne Criswell, Andrew, Hurricane, Hurricane Maria Organizations: FEMA, Hurricane, Defense Department Locations: Hawaii, Lahaina, Florida, Orleans, Puerto Rico

A federal judge struck down on Tuesday a stringent new asylum policy that officials have called crucial to managing the southern border, dealing a blow to the Biden administration’s strategy after illegal crossings by migrants declined sharply in the last few months. The rule, which has been in effect since May 12, disqualifies most people from applying for asylum if they have crossed into the United States without either securing an appointment at an official port of entry or proving that they sought legal protection in another country along the way. Immigrant advocacy groups who sued the administration said that the policy violated U.S. law and heightened migrants’ vulnerability to extortion and violence during protracted waits in Mexican border towns. They also argued that it mimicked a Trump administration rule to restrict asylum that was blocked in 2019 by the same judge, Jon S. Tigar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Persons: Biden, Trump, Jon S Organizations: United States, Court, Northern, Northern District of Locations: United States, Northern District, Northern District of California

☆ Lawyers Say Helping Asylum Seekers in Border Custody Is Nearly Impossible
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | More About Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the first weeks after President Biden’s new border policies were put in place, his administration recorded a sharp drop in the number of people allowed to apply for asylum after crossing into the United States illegally. But lawyers who counsel migrants seeking asylum say the changes make it nearly impossible for them to do their jobs and leave the people most in need of protection struggling to find help. Lawyers cannot meet with clients who are in the custody of Border Patrol. There is no system to find out where a client is being held. And the government sets the schedules for key meetings when a lawyer should be present and changes dates and times often without notification.

Persons: Biden’s Organizations: Border Patrol Locations: United States

☆ This Agency Was Created With a Terrorism Focus. Now It Also Has to Care for Migrants.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | More About Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On a 90-degree day in early May, hundreds of migrants were gathered on American soil near a border gate in El Paso. Many had waited for days, without food, shelter or enough water and bathrooms, before Border Patrol agents allowed them through the gate and took them to holding facilities. The contrast in scenes illustrates a central challenge of Customs and Border Protection’s mission. The agency, which includes the Border Patrol, was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Even as few pose security threats, the American government has been sending the biggest law enforcement agency in the country to arrest and subsequently care for refugees.

Organizations: Border Patrol, El Paso Convention Center, Customs, Patrol Locations: El Paso, United States

☆ Number of Migrants Crossing U.S. Southern Border Is Down. But for How Long?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

New options to come to the United States mean fewer illegal crossings. In central and northern Mexico, migrants can gain access to a government app on smartphones, where they can apply for an appointment at an official port of entry at the U.S. border. In April, the Biden administration announced that migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras would be eligible for a family reunification program. The measures Mexico has taken include limiting migrants’ abilities to travel throughout the country, making it harder for them to reach the U.S. border. Mexico is also flying migrants whom the United States has recently deported to southern parts of the country.

Persons: Biden, ” Benjamine Huffman Organizations: Central, Customs, Border Protection Locations: United States, Mexico, U.S, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico’s, Colombia

Donald J. Trump, twice impeached as president and now twice indicted since leaving the White House, surrendered to federal authorities in Miami on Tuesday and was arraigned on charges that he had put national security secrets at risk and obstructed investigators. Mr. Trump was booked, fingerprinted and led to a courtroom on the 13th floor of the Federal District Court, where his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Sitting among the spectators about 20 feet away was Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing the investigation that led to the 38-count indictment of Mr. Trump and his personal aide, Walt Nauta, who was also present for the proceedings but did not enter a plea. Mr. Trump, who spent much of the arraignment with his arms folded and a grim expression, and Mr. Smith, a flinty former war crimes prosecutor rarely seen in public since taking charge of the case, did not talk to each other at the hearing, or even exchange glances.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, fingerprinted, Jack Smith, Mr, Walt Nauta, Smith Organizations: White, Federal, Court Locations: Miami

For the second time this year, Democrats find themselves in a complicated position: torn between celebrating a long-sought indictment of Donald J. Trump and proceeding with caution. The party is in near-universal agreement that Mr. Trump should face federal charges for retaining classified documents and resisting investigators’ efforts to recover them. When Mr. Trump was indicted in March, Mr. Bennett questioned whether the offenses the former president had been accused of were worth the political risk of an indictment. This time, Mr. Bennett said, he has no doubts about the indictment’s necessity. Already, many leading Republicans have rallied around Mr. Trump; some have gone so far as to suggest outright war.

Persons: Donald J, Trump’s, Trump, ”, Greg Landsman, “, ” Matt Bennett, Bennett, Mr, “ Trump, Patricia Todd, Laleh Ispahani, George Soros, ” Maria Cardona, ” Ms, Cardona, ” Reid J, Epstein Organizations: Mr, Republican, Republicans, Democratic, Alabama Democratic Party, Democrats, Open Society Locations: New York City, York, Ohio, United States

During his arraignment, Mr. Trump is expected to be advised of his rights, and a judge will assess whether he has legal representation. The case against Mr. Trump is the second criminal prosecution against the former president this year. Mr. Trump was already arraigned in April in a New York courthouse on state charges that he falsified business records. In the case that has brought him to Miami, Mr. Trump has been charged with 37 counts of unauthorized retention of national security information. After the court appearance, Mr. Trump is expected to fly to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., to give remarks defending himself in the evening.

Persons: Wilkie, Ferguson Jr, Donald J, Trump, Francis X, Suarez, Mr, We’re, James, John Rowley —, Todd Blanche, Christopher M, Jay I, Bratt, Julie Edelstein, Manny Morales, Morales, “, ”, that’s, ” Adam Goldman, Alan Feuer, Charlie Savage Organizations: Mr, Trump, Suarez of Miami, Republican, United States Supreme, Justice Department’s, Trump National Golf Club, Capitol, Miami police Locations: Miami, United States, New York, Florida, Bedminster, N.J, MIAMI

☆ Biden Names New Border Patrol Chief as Immigration Policies Come Under Scrutiny
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden named a new Border Patrol chief on Friday as U.S. immigration policies have come under renewed scrutiny following the end of Title 42, a pandemic-era restriction that allowed the authorities to expel most migrants for more than three years. Jason Owens, who has served in the Border Patrol for more than 20 years, was most recently the leader of the Del Rio division in Texas, which handles one of the busiest areas for illegal crossings. He succeeds Raul Ortiz, who is set to retire at the end of the month after serving 32 years in the Border Patrol. Mr. Owens takes over at a time when illegal crossings have decreased. He also will have to contend with legal challenges to new Biden administration border policies, which are designed to deter people from crossing into the United States illegally.

Persons: Biden, Jason Owens, Raul Ortiz, Owens Organizations: Border Patrol, Del, Patrol Locations: Del Rio, Texas, South, Central America, United States

☆ 8-Year-Old Migrant Who Died in C.B.P. Custody Was Seen by Medical Staff 11 Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

While the investigation is continuing, the initial findings suggest that the child, Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, a Panamanian national, was not provided proper medical care while she was in government custody. On Thursday, the agency’s acting commissioner, Troy Miller, said that “several medical providers involved in this incident have now been prohibited from working in C.B.P. Background: The girl’s health history was ignored. Her family provided her health history to medical personnel when they were booked into Border Patrol custody in Donna, Texas. But none of the medical personnel she interacted with at a facility where her family was transferred acknowledged being aware of her health history, internal investigators found.

Persons: Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, Troy Miller, Biden, Anadith Organizations: Customs, Border Patrol Locations: Customs, Panamanian, C.B.P, Brownsville , Texas, United States, Donna , Texas

☆ 8-Year-Old Migrant Died After a Week in U.S. Detention
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | Emiliano Rodríguez Mega | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Customs and Border Protection officials said on Wednesday that emergency medical services had transported the girl to a hospital, where she died. Biden administration officials did not respond to additional questions about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, citing the internal review. A border official in Texas who was not authorized to speak publicly said that Ana had a serious medical condition of which officials had not immediately been aware. That policy had allowed officials to expel some migrants swiftly, instead of holding them in custody. Since its expiration, officials have reverted to policies that involve longer processing times for migrants.

But there was little sign of chaos, only of crowds, at the church on Friday morning. Jan Carlo, a 47-year-old from Venezuela, had just turned himself in to the border authorities to be entered into the immigration system. While still in Mexico, he had tried for days to get an interview appointment through the government smartphone app but eventually gave up in frustration. He crossed into the United States undetected about 10 days ago, he said, and had been sleeping outside the church since then. “So I’d better stay out here, because I have more security,” with police officers stationed close by, he said.

Migrants trying to cross the border can… Get appointment at border checkpoint Seek humanitarian parole Cross border illegally Few nationalities qualify. ‘Transit ban’ Almost everybody Can you show you’ve been denied asylum in another country on your way to the U.S.? ‘Transit ban’ Can you show you’ve already been denied asylum in another country on your way to the U.S.? ‘Transit ban’ Can you show you’ve been denied asylum in another country on your way to the U.S.? ‘Transit ban’ Can you show you’ve already been denied asylum in another country on your way to the U.S.?

☆ Migrant Crossing Surges Aren’t New. Why Is the Border Overwhelmed?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Here is why the border is buckling under surges in migration. The most recent major U.S. laws for refugees, asylum seekers and immigration enforcement date to the 1980s and ’90s. For instance, the limits on visas allowing people to work in the United States were based on the size of its economy in the 1990s. These limits have largely remained the same, even though the economy has since grown more than twice as large. In addition, the facilities built on the border were originally designed to hold Mexican men who crossed illegally in search of work.

☆ What the End of a Pandemic-Era Health Order Will Mean for the Southern Border
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Two months ago, the Biden administration said that on May 11, the public health crisis designation would end. In effect, officials said, this meant that the use of Title 42 would come to an end, too. (The Biden administration sought to end the use of the public health order in the past year, but was stopped twice by the courts. Since it has been in place, Title 42 was used about a third of the time. Under Title 42, people could also cross as many times as they wanted without facing steeper penalties.

☆ The New Surge at the Border
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( David Leonhardt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The surge of migrants gathering at the U.S.-Mexico border underscores a point that Democratic Party politicians often try to play down: U.S. border policy has a big effect on how many people try to enter the country illegally. Title 42 expires on Thursday, as part of the end of the official Covid health emergency. In recent weeks, word has spread in Latin America that entering the U.S. is about to become easier. Smugglers have told potential migrants that the coming period will be a good time to attempt a border crossing, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico said last week. “It’s a real crisis,” Father Rafael Garcia of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown El Paso told The Times.

☆ An End to Pandemic Restrictions Could Bring Thousands to the Border
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Miriam Jordan | Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Frustration with the app coupled with fear of being stranded in a violent Mexican border city, where migrants have been targeted for extortion and 40 of them died in a blaze at a detention facility last month, has pushed droves to cross the border in recent days at great risk. “The app is a joke; it’s a lie,” said William, 30, who said he had tried to use it again and again. So he decided to turn himself in, only to be expelled three times under Title 42. That morning, at 2:30 a.m., he had made it to El Paso undetected. “We just want to work.”Eileen Sullivan contributed reporting from Washington.

☆ Caught in G.O.P.’s Cross Hairs, Mayorkas Faces Political Showdown Over Border Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | Zolan Kanno-Youngs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, did not hesitate: I’m not leaving, he replied. The staff members in the meeting erupted in applause and cheers, according to two people in attendance who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private event. On Tuesday, federal border officials testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The hearing was the latest piece of what Republicans have promised will be an aggressive push to scrutinize Mr. Mayorkas that could result in his impeachment. On Tuesday, however, Republicans barely brought up Mr. Mayorkas, and instead focused on blaming Mr. Biden for the situation at the border.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Alejandro N, Mayorkas, I’m, James R, Comer, Biden, Mr Organizations: Republican, Republicans Locations: Kentucky

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