Latest news with #Member
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
House Democrat: We should be let into ICE facilities
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) condemned new policies Friday requiring prescreening for lawmakers' visits to immigration detention facilities after a series of incidents where members of Congress seeking to conduct oversight were denied entry. 'This administration has continuously tried to go around Congress and block Congress from doing its constitutionally responsible duties,' Meeks said during a Friday appearance on MSNBC. 'We are and have oversight and should be let into these facilities without notice,' he added. Meeks said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials can misrepresent conditions when provided advanced notice of oversight visits. His comments come after the DHS issued new guidance requesting 72-hour notice before members of Congress visit facilities. Several lawmakers in New Jersey, California, Illinois and New York have been barred from entering facilities to conduct legal oversight. Meeks said the DHS's new policy is 'problematic.' 'The way that you find out what actually is taking place, and we've done this under several administrations, Democrat and Republican previously, you're able to walk in and make an assessment of what is and what is not taking place,' Meeks told MSNBC. 'When you are prevented from doing your job and prevented from, you know, doing what the Constitution says you should be doing, then it makes you feel that there is something going on that should not be going on.' Multiple detainees have complained of overcrowding and a lack of due process amid national protests regarding the Trump administration's new immigration policies. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) also said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is seeking to block lawmakers from visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field offices, even during advance visits. 'No matter how much she and Trump want to force us to live under their authoritarian rule, ICE is not above oversight and the Department must follow the law. This unlawful policy is a smokescreen to deny Member visits to ICE offices across the country, which are holding migrants – and sometimes even U.S. citizens – for days at a time,' Thompson, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement. 'They are therefore detention facilities and are subject to oversight and inspection at any time. DHS pretending otherwise is simply their latest lie. There is no valid or legal reason for denying Member access to ICE facilities and DHS's ever-changing justifications prove this,' he added. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to The Hill, 'As ICE law enforcement have seen a surge in assaults, disruptions and obstructions to enforcement, including by politicians themselves, any requests to tour processing centers and field offices must be approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security. These requests must be part of legitimate congressional oversight activities.'As for visits to detention facilities, requests should be made with sufficient time to prevent interference with the President's Article II authority to oversee executive department functions—a week is sufficient to ensure no intrusion on the President's constitutional authority. To protect the President's Article II authority, any request to shorten that time must be approved by the Secretary.' Updated at 6:36 p.m. EDT. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
House Democrat: We should be let into ICE facilities
Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.) condemned new policies requiring pre-screening for lawmakers' visits to immigration detention facilities on Friday after a series of incidents where members of Congress seeking to conduct oversight were denied entry. 'This administration has continuously tried to go around Congress and block Congress from doing its constitutionally responsible duties,' Meek said during a Friday appearance on MSNBC. 'We are and have oversight and should be let into these facilities without notice,' he added. Meeks said when provided advanced notice Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials can misrepresent conditions. His comments come after DHS issued new guidance requesting 72-hour notice before members of Congress visit facilities. Several lawmakers in New Jersey, California, Illinois and New York have been barred from entering facilities to conduct legal oversight. Meeks said DHS' new policy is 'problematic.' 'The way that you find out what actually is taking place, and we've done this under several administrations, Democrat and Republican previously, you're able to walk in and make an assessment of what is and what is not taking place,' Meeks told MSNBC. 'When you are prevented from doing your job and prevented from, you know, doing what the Constitution says you should be doing, then it makes you feel that there is something going on that should not be going on.' Multiple detainees have complained of overcrowding and a lack of due process amid national protests regarding the Trump administration's new immigration policies. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) also said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is seeking to block lawmakers from visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field offices, even during advance visits. DHS did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment on the allegations. 'No matter how much she and Trump want to force us to live under their authoritarian rule, ICE is not above oversight and the Department must follow the law. This unlawful policy is a smokescreen to deny Member visits to ICE offices across the country, which are holding migrants – and sometimes even U.S. citizens – for days at a time,' Thompson, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement. 'They are therefore detention facilities and are subject to oversight and inspection at any time. DHS pretending otherwise is simply their latest lie. There is no valid or legal reason for denying Member access to ICE facilities and DHS's ever-changing justifications prove this,' he added.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Inner Circle acknowledges, Edward "Ted" B. Brown III as a Pinnacle Professional Member
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Edward "Ted" B. Brown III is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions to Business Continuity and Crisis Management Consulting. Ted Brown, an esteemed expert in business continuity, disaster recovery, and crisis management, continues to set the benchmark in consulting as the owner, president, and chief executive officer of KETCHConsulting. With over 40 years of industry experience, Mr. Brown leverages his expertise to guide individuals and organizations nationwide in navigating crises with resilience and strategic precision. Mr. Brown's career is highlighted by decades of dedication and leadership, underpinned by a strong academic foundation from The Pennsylvania State University. His affiliation with prestigious organizations, including the Disaster Recovery Institute, the Business Continuity Institute, and the Association of Continuity Professionals, showcases his commitment to excellence and thought leadership in the field. Recognized for his impactful contributions, Mr. Brown was honored as Consultant of the Year by Disaster Recovery International in 2017 and received their distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. His philosophy emphasizes the significance of networking, superior Customer Satisfaction, and adaptability in the consulting realm. Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Brown shares a deep personal connection with his wife, Elaine Carol Brown, celebrating 50 years of marriage. His forward-looking vision focuses on continued growth and success, embodying a legacy that intertwines expertise with compassion. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Inner Circle Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Women's Shelter and Support Center receives $155,000 in support of its new emergency shelter facility
Jun. 13—ROCHESTER — The Women's Shelter and Support Center received a $155,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank Member Impact Fund in support of the center's new emergency shelter facility. The grant will help expand staffing and programming to support survivors of domestic violence across 10 counties in southeastern Minnesota. "This investment not only strengthens our capacity to serve more survivors but reinforces our mission to provide safe shelter and supportive services for survivors and their children," Artyce Thomas, executive director of the center, said in a statement. "We are incredibly grateful to have financial partners who recognize that access to safe housing is not a privilege — it's a foundation for healing and long-term stability." WSSC supports nearly 3,000 individuals through shelter and advocacy services each year. The new shelter, currently under construction, will more than double the organization's housing capacity to provide a safe haven for up to 75 individuals at a time, the statement said. In 2026, WSSC will mark 50 years of service. "We are proud to partner with our member financial institutions and local nonprofits to invest in the well-being of Minnesotans," Kris Williams, president and CEO of Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Iowa, said in the statement. "Everyone deserves access to safe, stable housing, and this project reflects that shared commitment." The Member Impact Fund is a matching grant program from FHLB Des Moines that leverages the strength of member financial institutions to invest in community-based initiatives across the bank's district, according to the statement.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Inner Circle acknowledges, Gwen E. Erkonen, MD, FAAP, MME as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member
PALMETTO BAY, Fla., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Gwen E. Erkonen, MD, FAAP, MME is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for her contributions to Pediatric Critical Care and Compassionate Medicine. Dr. Gwen E. Erkonen, MD, FAAP, MME, is a distinguished pediatric critical care physician whose expertise and dedication have profoundly impacted the lives of critically ill children and their families. Currently serving as the Chief of Pediatric Palliative Care, Dr. Erkonen provides holistic care that addresses the complex medical, emotional, and spiritual needs of her patients. Dr. Erkonen brings extensive experience from her tenure at leading educational institutions across the United States. In her role, she treats patients in the pediatric intensive care unit, leading initiatives that emphasize empathy and comprehensive care. Her dual certification in general pediatrics and pediatric critical care underscores her commitment to maintaining the highest standards in her field. A Northwestern University alumna with a Bachelor of Science in history, Dr. Erkonen earned her Doctor of Medicine from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She later completed her Master of Science in medical education at the University of Iowa, Carver School of Medicine, where she also completed her pediatric residency and pediatric critical care fellowship. Her affiliations include the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Women's Association, and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Beyond her medical achievements, Dr. Erkonen is a published creative nonfiction author whose work explores themes of love, loss, and the resilience of children. Her experiences in the emotionally charged environment of pediatric intensive care have shaped her writing, offering readers profound insights into the balance of professional and personal life as a healthcare provider. In loving memory of her father, William Erkonen, MD, Dr. Erkonen continues to honor his legacy through her advocacy for compassionate care. Looking to the future, she plans to expand her literary contributions with an upcoming book, aiming to inspire healthcare professionals and families navigating complex medical journeys. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Inner Circle Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
