NE Gov accused of ‘blatant disregard’ of undocumented children

NE Gov accused of ‘blatant disregard’ of undocumented children


By Joe Jordan / July 17, 2014 / 209 Comments

Updated 2:30 p.m. Thursday


Joe Jordan | Nebraska Watchdog


When it comes to the ongoing border crisis, some members of Nebraska’s Hispanic community, at least one state senator and the ACLU have heard enough.


Enough of Gov. Dave Heineman, the state’s two U.S. senators and three members of Congress bad-mouthing the federal government’s handling of 200 undocumented children transplanted in Nebraska.


South Omaha activist Ben Salazar tells Nebraska Watchdog that Heinems “history of anti-immigrant feelings” makes the governor the wrong go-to-guy in this fight.


Immigrant advocates attend a vigil to show support for the refugee children and families arriving in the Rio Grande Valley and to draw attention to the causes and solutions to the refugee crisis Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/The Monitor, Gabe Hernandez)
Immigrant advocates attend a vigil to show support for the refugee children and families arriving in the Rio Grande Valley and to draw attention to the causes and solutions to the refugee crisis Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/The Monitor, Gabe Hernandez)
Upset he wasn’t told the Central American kids were coming to the state—Nebraska Watchdog first reported the operation— Heineman wants the feds to notify him where the children are, who they’re with and if more are on the way.


In addition, U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns has proposed legislation that would do just that.


Salazar tells Nebraska Watchdog he questions Heineman’s motives.


Ben Salazar: I flat out don’t trust the man to have good intentions about what to do with this information if he had it… I draw a parallel between these children and foster children. Don’t foster children have certain rights to privacy to ensure their safety and well-being?


Nebraska Watchdog: Do you think the federal government should be notifying the states as to where and with whom the children are placed?


Ben Salazar: Joe, I’m not so sure “who” in the state’s bureaucracy should be receiving this information. Given Gov. Heineman’s history of anti-immigrant feelings, and his recent inflammatory utterances directed at these children from Central America, why should he be in charge of having this information?


The ACLU is accusing Heineman of a “blatant disregard of what these children have gone through”—reports of gang violence and rape—and the laws that govern their treatment.


“The names of children who are seeking asylum should never be released because it could endanger them in the U.S. – or in the very likely event that they are eventually deported back to the country where they fear persecution,” says Amy Miller, legal director of the Nebraska ACLU.


Salazar, state Sen. Ernie Chambers and others are scheduled to air their concerns during a Friday news conference at the State Capitol.


Thursday afternoon Heineman fired back at his critics and doubled down.


“I will not be intimidated by the liberal, left leaning ACLU,” said the governor. “Calling me racist is offensive.”


Heineman added that public health concerns are also being raised with states being briefed on the possibility that some of the undocumented children are carrying infectious diseases.


Contact Joe Jordan at joe@nebraskawatchdog.org.


Joe can be heard on Omaha’s KFAB radio every Monday at 7:40 a.m. and KHAS-AM in Hastings every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

http://watchdog.org/159854/gov-undocumented-children/

Good for Heineman, he is doing his job. The critics on the other hand are advocating the balkanization of the country.

Quote:

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“The names of children who are seeking asylum should never be released because it could endanger them in the U.S. – or in the very likely event that they are eventually deported back to the country where they fear persecution,” says Amy Miller, legal director of the Nebraska ACLU.

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First of all, these so called 'kids' are mostly older teens on the verge of adulthood, women, men and children. Secondly, these so called 'refugees' are saying that they were told in the news from their Countries that if they came here now, they would not be deported and they had cheat sheets telling them to say they are refugees.

CNN supplied pictures of the first plane load (40) sent back. Though few pictures were allowed, there seemed to be NO evidence of persecution They were indicationg that they were transporting them back to there homes.

These claims are pretty well being proven unfounded, IMO.

Until everyone starts being truthful, the problem will continue to deteriorate instead of make it simpler to find the solution. Don't liars understand that once caught lying credibility is very difficult to achieve? Pure ignorance exposed when one relies on lies!.

Advocates Challenge Governor Over Immigrant Children


By Josh Egbert. CREATED Jul 18, 2014


Lincoln, NE- There were some harsh words at the capitol Friday morning aimed at Governor Dave Heineman over comments he made on immigrant children now living in Nebraska. A group of advocates slammed the Governor for his stance on some 200 illegal immigrant children housed in Nebraska.


"How can a nation founded on 'one nation under God with liberty and justice for all' turn their back on these children and not be willing to give them asylum?" asked Marta Nieves.


Nieves was one of a dozen advocates that took to the Capitol Rotunda asking Governor Heineman to show compassion to hundreds of unaccompanied, undocumented immigrant children now in Nebraska.


"These children can be housed in Nebraska safely, comfortably, and I know in our communities." said south Omaha advocate Ben Salazar.


Salazar and others are challenging Heineman and his claim that the federal government failed to inform him about these children's identified and locations.


"We need to know the names of those individuals, who's their sponsor, what's their legal immigration status because we're going to have challenges." said Gov. Heineman earlier this week.


The Governor said he needs to make sure the children aren't receiving state government benefits and to help schools be prepared.


"I question why the Governor and our representatives believe they have the right to know who the children are, with who they have been placed, where they are at and if their sponsor has legal status." said Yolanda Chavez Nuncio of Grand Island.


Lincoln immigration attorney Shirl Mora-James says federal law allows the children privacy, including where they are and who they're with.


"Unless the Governor wants to take in children, he needs to keep his nose out of their privacy." said Mora-James.

http://www.jrn.com/kmtv/news/Advocat...267725711.html

Video at link. ;)