npr--2020-07-23--U.S.-Canada Asylum Treaty Unconstitutional, Judge Finds, Citing 'Cruel' U.S. Behavior

In a harsh rebuke of America 's treatment of refugees , a Canadian judge has ruled that an asylum treaty with the U.S. violates Canada 's own charter of human rights , because it returns asylum-seekers to the U.S. , where they are `` immediately and automatically imprisoned '' by U.S. authorities , often under inhumane conditions .
The `` Safe Third Country Agreement '' denies refugees the right to enter Canada if they had crossed through another country that offers human rights protections .
Since 2004 , the U.S. has been designated as a `` safe '' country — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkpoints have usually been turned away .
Judge Ann Marie McDonald ruled Wednesday that the agreement violates Canada 's charter because of what happens when the refugees are taken into U.S. custody .
Refugees are returned to the U.S. `` based on the understanding that they will have access to a fair refugee determination process , '' McDonald wrote .
`` However , the evidence demonstrates that the immediate consequence to ineligible STCA claimants is that they will be imprisoned solely for having attempted to make a refugee claim in Canada . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ refugees for merely attempting to seek asylum , the judge said .
`` The penalization of the simple act of making a refugee claim is not in keeping with the spirit or the intention of the STCA , '' McDonald wrote , citing `` cruel and unusual detention conditions '' upon returning to the U.S .
The agreement runs afoul of the Canadian constitution 's promise of `` life , liberty , and security of the person , '' the judge wrote .
`` Imprisonment and the attendant consequences are inconsistent with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The legal challenge was brought by citizens of El Salvador , Ethiopia and Syria , all of whom sought refugee protection in Canada .
Some said they were fleeing gang violence , some persecution based on their gender .
But because they arrived from the U.S. at an official port of entry , they could n't make refugee claims — and were immediately returned to the U.S. and imprisoned for weeks or months .
In sworn affidavits , asylum-seekers explained how they found themselves in the U.S. — and spoke of psychologically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the Canadian border .
Nedira Jemal Mustefa , a Muslim woman from Ethiopia , came to the U.S. for medical treatments when she was 11 years old .
She entered the country on a visitor 's visa and ended up staying for several years , graduating from a Georgia high school in 2015 .
Because she had arrived in the U.S. after the cut-off date to apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , she could n't get proper documentation to continue her studies in the country .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ethiopia , as she was a member of the Oromo ethnic group , which faced persecution by the Ethiopian government .
She asked Canada for refugee protection , but — after being questioned for 30 hours at the port of entry — was returned to the U.S .
There , officials placed her in detention at the Clinton County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania .
She was held in solitary confinement for a week to await results of a tuberculosis test .
Mustefa called her time in solitary confinement `` a terrifying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was n't told how long she would be kept in solitary .
She believes the guards were feeding her pork , despite telling them she could n't consume it for religious reasons .
She skipped meals and lost nearly 15 pounds .
Upon her release from solitary , she spent the next three weeks among the general prison population , where she said was held in a `` freezing cold '' facility with people who had been convicted of crimes .
Mustefa said she `` felt scared , alone , and confused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon being returned to the U.S. `` is a clear illustration of the limitation on liberty '' faced by refugees found ineligible under the STCA , the judge wrote .
Advocates involved in the case , as well as asylum experts familiar with the ruling , praised the decision as a significant win for the rights of refugees — and a damning indictment of U.S. policies under President Trump .
`` A Canadian judge heard the stories of people who had been in immigration detention in the US and she found that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights , '' said Janet Dench , executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees , which challenged the agreement along with Amnesty International and the Canadian Council of Churches .
The judgment striking down the STCA wo n't take effect for six months .
The judge said this would give the Canadian Parliament time to respond .
If the decision ultimately stands , refugee processing at the U.S.-Canada border would go back to what it was before the U.S. was designated a safe country in 2004 .
Asylum-seekers wo n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkpoints .
`` Unfortunately because of the STCA many people have taken dangerous journeys , suffering in some cases frostbite , and many have been exploited by smugglers , as they attempt to enter Canada , '' Dench told NPR .
Entering Canada through an official port `` will be much safer for them , '' she said .
According to the Canadian government , since Trump took office , more than 58,000 refugee claims have been made by `` irregular border crossers '' — refugees who did n't enter through official ports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March that Canada would turn back those asylum seekers until the coronavirus crisis is under control , in an effort to protect Canadian citizens from infection .
Anwen Hughes , a refugee lawyer in New York , said he was pleased to see the court recognize the human rights violations his group has documented for years .
`` At the same time it is dismaying to me as a U.S. lawyer that these violations continue here , '' said Hughes , who testified in the case .
`` The treatment of asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deteriorated markedly since evidence was taken in this case , so these concerns are not going away . ''
The decision `` is a clear critique of the way the United States treats asylum-seekers and a resounding declaration of what we U.S. advocates have known for years - the United States is not a safe place for asylum-seekers , '' said Dree Collopy , a refugee lawyer in Washington .
`` It should be a wake-up call to the U.S. government that we , as Americans , need to do better , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to completely reform our asylum system so that it is one that provides meaningful access to protection , not one that results in further harm of victims and , ultimately , a return to the persecution and torture from which they fled . ''
The Canadian government could appeal the ruling ; ultimately it might be up to the Supreme Court of Canada to decide the fate of the treaty .
If the decision stands , `` it means that asylum seekers who are being wrongfully denied asylum in the United States would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Lindsay Harris , director of the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at the University of the District of Columbia .
To Harris , the U.S. treatment of asylum-seekers since Trump took office `` defies logic , morality , and also international law , '' she said .
`` The punitive measures the Trump Administration have taken against asylum-seekers , the result of racial animus and xenophobia , make it impossible for a court paying attention to rule any other way than to say the U.S. is no longer welcoming to refugees @ @ @ @

U.S.-Canada Asylum Treaty Unconstitutional, Judge Finds, Citing 'Cruel' U.S. Behavior
Enlarge this image toggle caption Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images
In a harsh rebuke of America's treatment of refugees, a Canadian judge has ruled that an asylum treaty with the U.S. violates Canada's own charter of human rights, because it returns asylum-seekers to the U.S., where they are "immediately and automatically imprisoned" by U.S. authorities, often under inhumane conditions.
The "Safe Third Country Agreement" denies refugees the right to enter Canada if they had crossed through another country that offers human rights protections. Since 2004, the U.S. has been designated as a "safe" country — so any refugees entering Canada through official checkpoints have usually been turned away. Judge Ann Marie McDonald ruled Wednesday that the agreement violates Canada's charter because of what happens when the refugees are taken into U.S. custody.
Refugees are returned to the U.S. "based on the understanding that they will have access to a fair refugee determination process," McDonald wrote. "However, the evidence demonstrates that the immediate consequence to ineligible STCA claimants is that they will be imprisoned solely for having attempted to make a refugee claim in Canada."
It's a clear penalty imposed on refugees for merely attempting to seek asylum, the judge said. "The penalization of the simple act of making a refugee claim is not in keeping with the spirit or the intention of the STCA," McDonald wrote, citing "cruel and unusual detention conditions" upon returning to the U.S.
The agreement runs afoul of the Canadian constitution's promise of "life, liberty, and security of the person," the judge wrote. "Imprisonment and the attendant consequences are inconsistent with the spirit and objective of the STCA."
The legal challenge was brought by citizens of El Salvador, Ethiopia and Syria, all of whom sought refugee protection in Canada. Some said they were fleeing gang violence, some persecution based on their gender. But because they arrived from the U.S. at an official port of entry, they couldn't make refugee claims — and were immediately returned to the U.S. and imprisoned for weeks or months.
'Scared, Alone, and Confused'
In sworn affidavits, asylum-seekers explained how they found themselves in the U.S. — and spoke of psychologically brutal conditions they encountered upon being turned away from the Canadian border.
Nedira Jemal Mustefa, a Muslim woman from Ethiopia, came to the U.S. for medical treatments when she was 11 years old. She entered the country on a visitor's visa and ended up staying for several years, graduating from a Georgia high school in 2015.
Because she had arrived in the U.S. after the cut-off date to apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, she couldn't get proper documentation to continue her studies in the country. But she also didn't want to return to Ethiopia, as she was a member of the Oromo ethnic group, which faced persecution by the Ethiopian government.
She asked Canada for refugee protection, but — after being questioned for 30 hours at the port of entry — was returned to the U.S. There, officials placed her in detention at the Clinton County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania. She was held in solitary confinement for a week to await results of a tuberculosis test.
Mustefa called her time in solitary confinement "a terrifying, isolating and psychologically traumatic experience." She wasn't told how long she would be kept in solitary. She believes the guards were feeding her pork, despite telling them she couldn't consume it for religious reasons. She skipped meals and lost nearly 15 pounds.
Upon her release from solitary, she spent the next three weeks among the general prison population, where she said was held in a "freezing cold" facility with people who had been convicted of crimes. Mustefa said she "felt scared, alone, and confused at all times."
Her imprisonment upon being returned to the U.S. "is a clear illustration of the limitation on liberty" faced by refugees found ineligible under the STCA, the judge wrote.
Significant Victory For Refugees
Advocates involved in the case, as well as asylum experts familiar with the ruling, praised the decision as a significant win for the rights of refugees — and a damning indictment of U.S. policies under President Trump.
"A Canadian judge heard the stories of people who had been in immigration detention in the US and she found that their treatment shocked the conscience and violated fundamental human rights," said Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees, which challenged the agreement along with Amnesty International and the Canadian Council of Churches.
The judgment striking down the STCA won't take effect for six months. The judge said this would give the Canadian Parliament time to respond. If the decision ultimately stands, refugee processing at the U.S.-Canada border would go back to what it was before the U.S. was designated a safe country in 2004. Asylum-seekers won't have to risk entering Canada in between official checkpoints.
"Unfortunately because of the STCA many people have taken dangerous journeys, suffering in some cases frostbite, and many have been exploited by smugglers, as they attempt to enter Canada," Dench told NPR. Entering Canada through an official port "will be much safer for them," she said.
According to the Canadian government, since Trump took office, more than 58,000 refugee claims have been made by "irregular border crossers" — refugees who didn't enter through official ports. But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in March that Canada would turn back those asylum seekers until the coronavirus crisis is under control, in an effort to protect Canadian citizens from infection.
U.S. 'Not a Safe Place'
Anwen Hughes, a refugee lawyer in New York, said she was pleased to see the court recognize the human rights violations her group has documented for years. "At the same time it is dismaying to me as a U.S. lawyer that these violations continue here," said Hughes, who testified in the case. "The treatment of asylum seekers by the U.S. government has actually deteriorated markedly since evidence was taken in this case, so these concerns are not going away."
The decision "is a clear critique of the way the United States treats asylum-seekers and a resounding declaration of what we U.S. advocates have known for years - the United States is not a safe place for asylum-seekers," said Dree Collopy, a refugee lawyer in Washington.
"It should be a wake-up call to the U.S. government that we, as Americans, need to do better," Collopy told NPR. "We need to completely reform our asylum system so that it is one that provides meaningful access to protection, not one that results in further harm of victims and, ultimately, a return to the persecution and torture from which they fled."
The Canadian government could appeal the ruling; ultimately it might be up to the Supreme Court of Canada to decide the fate of the treaty. If the decision stands, "it means that asylum seekers who are being wrongfully denied asylum in the United States would have a second chance in Canada," said Lindsay Harris, director of the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at the University of the District of Columbia.
To Harris, the U.S. treatment of asylum-seekers since Trump took office "defies logic, morality, and also international law," she said. "The punitive measures the Trump Administration have taken against asylum-seekers, the result of racial animus and xenophobia, make it impossible for a court paying attention to rule any other way than to say the U.S. is no longer welcoming to refugees and asylum-seekers."


npr--2020-07-23--DOJ: Alabama Prisons For Men Are Unconstitutional Because Staff Abuse Inmates

DOJ : Alabama Prisons For Men Are Unconstitutional Because Staff Abuse Inmates The federal government has put the state of Alabama on notice again for unconstitutional prison conditions .
The U.S. Department of Justice , along with U.S Attorneys in Alabama , released a report Thursday that details widespread excessive use of force against male prisoners .
`` Our investigation found reasonable cause to believe that there is a pattern or practice of using excessive force against prisoners in Alabama 's prisons for men , '' said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division .
The DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use excessive , and at times , deadly force in violation of inmates ' constitutional rights in 12 out of 13 prisons reviewed .
It concludes the problem gives rise to `` systemic unconstitutional conditions '' and that `` such violations are pursuant to a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of rights secured by the Eighth Amendment . ''
The report says the use of batons , chemical spray and physical altercations such as kicking and beating often resulted in serious injuries and at least two deaths last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , `` the level of force used caused the prisoner to sustain multiple fractures to his skull , including near his nose , both eye sockets , left ear , left cheekbone , and the base of his skull , many of which caused extensive bleeding in multiple parts of his brain , '' according to the DOJ findings .
Investigators say severe overcrowding and under-staffing contribute to a pattern of excessive use of force by increasing tensions and escalating episodes of violence in a climate with inadequate supervision , and little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama does not properly prevent and address unconstitutional uses of force in its prisons , fostering a culture where unlawful uses of force are common , '' the report says .
This is the latest from an investigation that dates to 2016 .
The DOJ has already found that Alabama was `` deliberately indifferent '' to pervasive prisoner-on-prisoner attacks and sexual abuse , and failed to maintain facilities that are `` sanitary , safe , or secure . ''
Republican Governor Kay Ivey calls the report an `` expected follow-up '' and says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these serious allegations '' and working with the federal government to resolve the issues .
`` I am as committed as ever to improving prison safety through necessary infrastructure investment , increased correctional staffing , comprehensive mental-health care services , and effective rehabilitation programs , '' Ivey says .
`` We all desire an effective , Alabama solution to this Alabama problem . ''
It 's been a familiar refrain as the state tries to remedy chronic unconstitutional conditions that have plagued Alabama prisons for decades .
But reform efforts have been piecemeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead without legislative support on a billion dollar plan to recruit private developers to build three new prisons which the state would then lease .
`` This unconstitutional behavior will not be solved by building newer , larger prisons , '' says Ebony Howard , senior supervising attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center which sued the state over inhumane conditions .
`` The violent conditions and circumstances outlined in the DOJ 's latest report are at the hands of prison personnel and demonstrate failures of the Alabama Department of Corrections ' leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , '' Howard says .
In addition to the DOJ pressure , a federal judge has ordered the state to improve the way it treats mentally ill prisoners .
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled in 2017 that Alabama puts prisoners ' lives at risk with `` horrendously inadequate '' care and a lack of services for inmates with psychiatric problems .
`` While we recognized the challenges of correcting systemic constitutional deficiencies in Alabama prisons that have existed for decades , now is the time for significant reform , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Southern District of Alabama .
The DOJ is calling for immediate measures to remedy the excessive use of force by corrections officers including implementing a grievance procedure , keeping track of reported abuse through a database that can identify patterns of force , and increased use of video cameras to document what 's going on .
It also says the state should modify its regulations to explicitly state that `` strikes or contact to the head constitute a form of lethal force '' that should only be used to protect life or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timely medical assessment after a use of force .
The notification letter sent Thursday says Alabama officials have 49 days to address the Justice Department 's concerns or the U.S. Attorney General may sue .
While Gov .
Ivey has shown a willingness to work with the federal government , Republican State Attorney General Steve Marshall is adamantly against Alabama entering into a legal agreement with the federal government over prison conditions .
`` In short , a consent decree is unacceptable and nonnegotiable , '' says Marshall .
`` The State of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marshall says the state was `` ambushed '' by Thursday 's DOJ report and says the state has never denied `` the challenges '' facing the Alabama Department of Corrections .
He says he will not submit the state to judicial oversight of prisons .
`` Alabama will not be bullied into a perpetual consent decree to govern our prison system , nor will we be pressured to reach such an agreement with federal bureaucrats , conspicuously , fifty-three days before a presidential election , '' says Marshall .

DOJ: Alabama Prisons For Men Are Unconstitutional Because Staff Abuse Inmates
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kim Chandler/AP Kim Chandler/AP
The federal government has put the state of Alabama on notice again for unconstitutional prison conditions. The U.S. Department of Justice, along with U.S Attorneys in Alabama, released a report Thursday that details widespread excessive use of force against male prisoners.
"Our investigation found reasonable cause to believe that there is a pattern or practice of using excessive force against prisoners in Alabama's prisons for men," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.
The DOJ investigation found that Alabama corrections officers frequently use excessive, and at times, deadly force in violation of inmates' constitutional rights in 12 out of 13 prisons reviewed. It concludes the problem gives rise to "systemic unconstitutional conditions" and that "such violations are pursuant to a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of rights secured by the Eighth Amendment."
The report says the use of batons, chemical spray and physical altercations such as kicking and beating often resulted in serious injuries and at least two deaths last year. In one fatal incident in October 2019, "the level of force used caused the prisoner to sustain multiple fractures to his skull, including near his nose, both eye sockets, left ear, left cheekbone, and the base of his skull, many of which caused extensive bleeding in multiple parts of his brain," according to the DOJ findings.
Investigators say severe overcrowding and under-staffing contribute to a pattern of excessive use of force by increasing tensions and escalating episodes of violence in a climate with inadequate supervision, and little to no accountability. "Ultimately, Alabama does not properly prevent and address unconstitutional uses of force in its prisons, fostering a culture where unlawful uses of force are common," the report says.
This is the latest from an investigation that dates to 2016. The DOJ has already found that Alabama was "deliberately indifferent" to pervasive prisoner-on-prisoner attacks and sexual abuse, and failed to maintain facilities that are "sanitary, safe, or secure."
Republican Governor Kay Ivey calls the report an "expected follow-up" and says her administration will be "carefully reviewing these serious allegations" and working with the federal government to resolve the issues.
"I am as committed as ever to improving prison safety through necessary infrastructure investment, increased correctional staffing, comprehensive mental-health care services, and effective rehabilitation programs," Ivey says. "We all desire an effective, Alabama solution to this Alabama problem."
It's been a familiar refrain as the state tries to remedy chronic unconstitutional conditions that have plagued Alabama prisons for decades. But reform efforts have been piecemeal at best. The governor is moving ahead without legislative support on a billion dollar plan to recruit private developers to build three new prisons which the state would then lease.
"This unconstitutional behavior will not be solved by building newer, larger prisons," says Ebony Howard, senior supervising attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center which sued the state over inhumane conditions.
"The violent conditions and circumstances outlined in the DOJ's latest report are at the hands of prison personnel and demonstrate failures of the Alabama Department of Corrections' leadership to ensure people in their custody are safe," Howard says.
In addition to the DOJ pressure, a federal judge has ordered the state to improve the way it treats mentally ill prisoners. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled in 2017 that Alabama puts prisoners' lives at risk with "horrendously inadequate" care and a lack of services for inmates with psychiatric problems.
"While we recognized the challenges of correcting systemic constitutional deficiencies in Alabama prisons that have existed for decades, now is the time for significant reform," says Richard Moore, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.
The DOJ is calling for immediate measures to remedy the excessive use of force by corrections officers including implementing a grievance procedure, keeping track of reported abuse through a database that can identify patterns of force, and increased use of video cameras to document what's going on. It also says the state should modify its regulations to explicitly state that "strikes or contact to the head constitute a form of lethal force" that should only be used to protect life or serious bodily injury, and to require timely medical assessment after a use of force.
The notification letter sent Thursday says Alabama officials have 49 days to address the Justice Department's concerns or the U.S. Attorney General may sue.
While Gov. Ivey has shown a willingness to work with the federal government, Republican State Attorney General Steve Marshall is adamantly against Alabama entering into a legal agreement with the federal government over prison conditions.
"In short, a consent decree is unacceptable and nonnegotiable," says Marshall. "The State of Alabama shall retain her sovereignty."
Marshall says the state was "ambushed" by Thursday's DOJ report and says the state has never denied "the challenges" facing the Alabama Department of Corrections. He says he will not submit the state to judicial oversight of prisons.
"Alabama will not be bullied into a perpetual consent decree to govern our prison system, nor will we be pressured to reach such an agreement with federal bureaucrats, conspicuously, fifty-three days before a presidential election," says Marshall.


npr--2020-07-23--President Trump Cancels Jacksonville Component Of Republican National Convention

The Jacksonville , Fla. , component of the Republican National Convention has been canceled , President Trump announced on Thursday , as cases of the coronavirus continue to spike across that state .
`` I looked at my team and I said the timing for this event is not right .
It 's just not right with what 's been happening , '' Trump said at the daily coronavirus briefing .
`` They said 'Sir , we can make this work very easily . '
...
I said there 's nothing more important in our country than keeping our people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China virus or the radical left mob . ''
Trump 's last-minute decision to cancel the event follows a mad scramble by the Republican Party over the last few months to try and hold a conventional party gathering in spite of the ongoing pandemic that has already killed more than 140,000 Americans .
Delegates to the convention will still meet in Charlotte , N.C. , to hold small , formal business meetings as planned , but Trump 's keynote Jacksonville speech will no longer take place .
Charlotte had been the original location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But a public spat between Trump and N.C. Gov .
Roy Cooper over the rationale of holding a multi-thousand person event during a pandemic led the GOP last month to move the higher-profile components of the convention to Trump 's home state of Florida .
`` I could see the media saying 'Oh , this is very unsafe . '
I do n't want to be in that position , '' Trump said .
`` We have to be vigilant .
We have to be careful .
And we also have to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example is very important .
It 's hard for us to say we 're going to have a lot of people packed in a room and then other people should n't do it . ''
Trump said the party was still deciding how to conduct some form of the Aug. 24-27 event .
`` We 'll have a very nice something .
We 'll figure it out .
It 'll be online in some form .
Maybe it 'll be something even a little bit different .
We have time , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials had not asked him to cancel the convention .
A joint statement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams thanked Trump for calling it off .
Sheriff Williams had on Monday said his officers would be unable to provide security for the event , citing poor planning and a lack of funding .
A Thursday Quinnipiac University opinion poll of Florida voters shows that 62 % of respondents thought it would be unsafe to hold a convention in the state , compared with 34 % who thought it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already cancelled most of the public aspects of their August convention , in which presumptive nominee Joe Biden will formally accept his party 's call to run against Trump .
Their gathering will consist largely of virtual events , with a small number of people appearing in person in their host city of Milwaukee , Wis .

President Trump Cancels Jacksonville Component Of Republican National Convention
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Updated at 6:56 p.m. ET
The Jacksonville, Fla., component of the Republican National Convention has been canceled, President Trump announced on Thursday, as cases of the coronavirus continue to spike across that state.
"I looked at my team and I said the timing for this event is not right. It's just not right with what's been happening," Trump said at the daily coronavirus briefing.
"They said 'Sir, we can make this work very easily.' ... I said there's nothing more important in our country than keeping our people safe, whether it's from the China virus or the radical left mob."
Trump's last-minute decision to cancel the event follows a mad scramble by the Republican Party over the last few months to try and hold a conventional party gathering in spite of the ongoing pandemic that has already killed more than 140,000 Americans.
Delegates to the convention will still meet in Charlotte, N.C., to hold small, formal business meetings as planned, but Trump's keynote Jacksonville speech will no longer take place.
Charlotte had been the original location for the convention in its entirety. But a public spat between Trump and N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper over the rationale of holding a multi-thousand person event during a pandemic led the GOP last month to move the higher-profile components of the convention to Trump's home state of Florida.
"I could see the media saying 'Oh, this is very unsafe.' I don't want to be in that position," Trump said.
"We have to be vigilant. We have to be careful. And we also have to set an example. I think setting the example is very important. It's hard for us to say we're going to have a lot of people packed in a room and then other people shouldn't do it."
Trump said the party was still deciding how to conduct some form of the Aug. 24-27 event.
"We'll have a very nice something. We'll figure it out. It'll be online in some form. Maybe it'll be something even a little bit different. We have time," he said.
The president said that Florida officials had not asked him to cancel the convention. A joint statement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams thanked Trump for calling it off.
"We appreciate President Donald Trump considering our public health and safety concerns in making this incredibly difficult decision. As always, in Jacksonville, public safety is our number one priority. President Trump has once again reaffirmed his commitment to the safety of Jacksonville, Florida, and the people of the United States of America."
Sheriff Williams had on Monday said his officers would be unable to provide security for the event, citing poor planning and a lack of funding.
A Thursday Quinnipiac University opinion poll of Florida voters shows that 62% of respondents thought it would be unsafe to hold a convention in the state, compared with 34% who thought it could be managed safely.
Democrats had already cancelled most of the public aspects of their August convention, in which presumptive nominee Joe Biden will formally accept his party's call to run against Trump. Their gathering will consist largely of virtual events, with a small number of people appearing in person in their host city of Milwaukee, Wis.


npr--2020-07-23--DOJ Inspector General Investigating Federal Agents' Actions In Portland And D.C.

The Justice Department 's Office of the Inspector General has opened an investigation into allegations that DOJ personnel have improperly used force this month in Portland , Ore. , as well as an inquiry into their role in responding to mass protests in Washington , D.C. , since late May .
Inspector General Michael Horowitz announced the inquiry the day after federal agents tear-gassed Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler during a protest Wednesday night outside a federal courthouse .
At a broader level , the inspector general will review the way DOJ personnel have been used to respond to protests and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past two months .
The review will include agents ' use of force as well as tear gas and `` less-lethal munitions '' — a category that often includes items such as bean bag rounds and rubber bullets .
Portland and Washington are among several large cities where federal agents ' presence and aggressive tactics have stoked controversy .
The mayors of at least five cities , including Portland and Washington , sent a letter to President Trump this week asking him to withdraw the agents , saying they were inflaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration has prompted criticism from local and state leaders , who say the move is motivated more by political goals than by a desire to preserve law and order .
So far , all of the cities where agents have been deployed are led by Democrats .
The separate inquiries are in response to requests from Congress , members of the public , and a referral by U.S. Attorney Billy Williams , who heads the District of Oregon office .
Joseph Cuffari , the Department of Homeland Security inspector general , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officers from his agency `` improperly detained and transported protesters '' in Portland on July 15 .
Cuffari announced the move in a letter sent Thursday to Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee .
The July 15 date corresponds to the night on which several protesters in Portland said federal agents used unmarked vehicles and did n't identify themselves as they seized people off the streets .
Many of the federal agents in Portland are from the U.S .
Marshals Special Operations Group , a SWAT-like unit from U.S. Customs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as NPR 's Laurel Wamsley reported .
They began ramping up their activities in early July — and the federal presence has sparked new protests outside the Mark O. Hatfield U.S .
Courthouse .
Over the weekend , the Oregon Department of Justice announced it is suing several federal agencies — including the U.S .
Marshals Service , Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Protective Service — over alleged civil rights abuses .
The Washington portion of the inquiry includes a look at the use of tear gas against protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square across from the White House has been the hub of protests against racial injustice and police brutality – and in a widely noted event , federal agents used tear gas and physical force to push people out of the plaza .
The agents were acting to clear the way for Trump , who then posed for a brief photo-op outside the adjacent St. John 's Church .
`` The review will include examining the training and instruction that was provided to the DOJ law enforcement personnel , '' Horowitz said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal agents complied with `` applicable identification requirements , rules of engagement , and legal authorities '' as well as their `` adherence to DOJ policies regarding the use of less-lethal munitions , chemical agents , and other uses of force . ''
While part of the Portland investigation will be coordinated with the DHS Office of the Inspector General , the Washington inquiry will include the Department of the Interior , another agency that has contributed personnel to the `` surge '' of federal agents into U.S. cities .

DOJ Inspector General Investigating Federal Agents' Actions In Portland And D.C.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Noah Berger/AP Noah Berger/AP
The Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General has opened an investigation into allegations that DOJ personnel have improperly used force this month in Portland, Ore., as well as an inquiry into their role in responding to mass protests in Washington, D.C., since late May.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz announced the inquiry the day after federal agents tear-gassed Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler during a protest Wednesday night outside a federal courthouse.
At a broader level, the inspector general will review the way DOJ personnel have been used to respond to protests and civil unrest in both Portland and Washington over the past two months. The review will include agents' use of force as well as tear gas and "less-lethal munitions" — a category that often includes items such as bean bag rounds and rubber bullets.
Portland and Washington are among several large cities where federal agents' presence and aggressive tactics have stoked controversy. The mayors of at least five cities, including Portland and Washington, sent a letter to President Trump this week asking him to withdraw the agents, saying they were inflaming tensions.
The agents' deployment by the Trump administration has prompted criticism from local and state leaders, who say the move is motivated more by political goals than by a desire to preserve law and order. So far, all of the cities where agents have been deployed are led by Democrats.
The separate inquiries are in response to requests from Congress, members of the public, and a referral by U.S. Attorney Billy Williams, who heads the District of Oregon office.
Joseph Cuffari, the Department of Homeland Security inspector general, said his office is investigating allegations that law enforcement officers from his agency "improperly detained and transported protesters" in Portland on July 15. Cuffari announced the move in a letter sent Thursday to Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee.
The July 15 date corresponds to the night on which several protesters in Portland said federal agents used unmarked vehicles and didn't identify themselves as they seized people off the streets.
Many of the federal agents in Portland are from the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group, a SWAT-like unit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Protective Service, as NPR's Laurel Wamsley reported. They began ramping up their activities in early July — and the federal presence has sparked new protests outside the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse.
Over the weekend, the Oregon Department of Justice announced it is suing several federal agencies — including the U.S. Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Protective Service — over alleged civil rights abuses.
The Washington portion of the inquiry includes a look at the use of tear gas against protesters in Lafayette Square on June 1.
The square across from the White House has been the hub of protests against racial injustice and police brutality – and in a widely noted event, federal agents used tear gas and physical force to push people out of the plaza. The agents were acting to clear the way for Trump, who then posed for a brief photo-op outside the adjacent St. John's Church.
"The review will include examining the training and instruction that was provided to the DOJ law enforcement personnel," Horowitz said.
He added that it will also examine how federal agents complied with "applicable identification requirements, rules of engagement, and legal authorities" as well as their "adherence to DOJ policies regarding the use of less-lethal munitions, chemical agents, and other uses of force."
While part of the Portland investigation will be coordinated with the DHS Office of the Inspector General, the Washington inquiry will include the Department of the Interior, another agency that has contributed personnel to the "surge" of federal agents into U.S. cities.
NPR's Carrie Johnson contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-23--Jordan's Prime Minister Says His Country Contained COVID-19 By 'Helping The Weakest'

Jordan 's Prime Minister Says His Country Contained COVID-19 By 'Helping The Weakest' Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz sits in the front room of his family home in a middle-class Amman neighborhood of traditional white stone houses with small gardens and low walls .
Unusually , in a region where senior officials typically live in gated compounds far from public view , the residential street has been kept open to traffic to minimize disruption to Razzaz 's neighbors .
Razzaz , an MIT and Harvard-educated economist , was appointed by Jordan 's King Abdullah II to head a new government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were sparked by IMF-mandated tax increases seen as bypassing the rich .
Although he 'd served previously as education minister , Razzaz was seen as a relative outsider .
The small , resource-poor kingdom is surrounded by dangers from neighboring countries : a war in Syria , conflict between the U.S. and Iran in Iraq , and Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank it occupies — something Jordan says poses a danger to the entire region .
But those issues have taken a back seat to controlling the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an early and severe lockdown .
The country of roughly 10 million has registered 1,131 coronavirus cases , with 11 deaths .
Razzaz sees vulnerable groups in other countries paying a disproportionate price for policies that do n't prioritize them , and says Jordan 's approach from the start was to protect the most vulnerable .
`` From day one , any discussion of herd immunity or survival of the fittest or , you know , 'Say farewell to the elderly , ' are the things that just did not sound right for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So we went for a very different model in Jordan , based on social solidarity , in fact , helping the weakest .
We did everything we can to make sure our children , our elderly , our refugees — you know , the haves and the have-nots — are protected . ''
In mid-March , Jordan was one of the first countries in the region to shut its airports and borders for all but essential goods .
Arriving passengers were sent into compulsory quarantine .
All but emergency workers and security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with even grocery stores shut and the army distributing bread to poor neighborhoods .
The government cut public sector salaries and allowed businesses to reduce workers ' wages , but banned them from laying off employees .
Razzaz says in the last four months , almost half of Jordan 's population received some form of government assistance .
This week , the country announced it would reopen its airport to flights from a dozen countries where coronavirus rates are also low .
With no cases of local transmission on most days , Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants and shopping malls .
Razzaz says industry production is now back to pre-coronavirus standards , and Jordan is exporting pharmaceuticals and food to other countries .
Jordan took a chance with the lockdown , he says , but felt it had little choice , given the prospect of its health care system being overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases .
`` When we took the steps that we took , we did that not because we were certain about the outcomes .
So there 's always hindsight ...
But we 're very , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And a lot of countries that waited longer , including the U.S. , ... are having a harder time containing the coronavirus , '' he says .
Razzaz and health officials note Jordan remains on guard for a possible resurgence of the virus as its airport reopens .
The longer-term challenge is an already fragile economy in which unemployment is rising sharply .
Tens of thousands of Jordanians have lost their jobs in the Arab Gulf states , as those economies decline due to the pandemic and a plunge in oil prices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter of the year had already topped 19 % .
Some economists expect the real rate could reach 30 % by the end of the year , with many of the unemployed young people .
Razzaz says , though , he is not worried by the prospect of renewed demonstrations that could be sparked by the economic crisis .
`` While some countries worry a lot about social unrest , we see it as people expressing views about that hardship , '' he says .
`` We 're going to be proactive with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you get frustrated and want to shout , we have a constitution and set of laws and institutions that allow that to happen in democratic ways . ''
The other wild card facing the kingdom is Israel 's annexation threat .
Jordan , along with Egypt , is one of only two Arab countries in the region to have signed a peace treaty with Israel .
Jordan 's king says he might suspend the 26-year-old treaty if Israel takes unilateral steps to claim sovereignty over parts of the West Bank .
Israel cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , but most of the international community opposes such a move , which could doom Palestinian hopes for an independent state .
Jordan , where a majority of citizens are of Palestinian origin , would be the country most affected by Israel 's move , and instability could ripple across the region .
Razzaz says Jordan has not changed its insistence on the need for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel .
`` If you do n't provide a just solution for the Palestinian people and sovereignty , you are pushing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So will there be conflict under such conditions ?
Yes , there will be , definitely , '' he says .
`` I think what His Majesty and Jordan have been doing is sounding the alarm bells . ''

Jordan's Prime Minister Says His Country Contained COVID-19 By 'Helping The Weakest'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jane Arraf/NPR Jane Arraf/NPR
Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz sits in the front room of his family home in a middle-class Amman neighborhood of traditional white stone houses with small gardens and low walls. Unusually, in a region where senior officials typically live in gated compounds far from public view, the residential street has been kept open to traffic to minimize disruption to Razzaz's neighbors.
Razzaz, an MIT and Harvard-educated economist, was appointed by Jordan's King Abdullah II to head a new government two years ago, following anti-government protests that were sparked by IMF-mandated tax increases seen as bypassing the rich. Although he'd served previously as education minister, Razzaz was seen as a relative outsider.
The small, resource-poor kingdom is surrounded by dangers from neighboring countries: a war in Syria, conflict between the U.S. and Iran in Iraq, and Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank it occupies — something Jordan says poses a danger to the entire region.
But those issues have taken a back seat to controlling the coronavirus — a feat Jordan has accomplished with an early and severe lockdown. The country of roughly 10 million has registered 1,131 coronavirus cases, with 11 deaths.
Razzaz sees vulnerable groups in other countries paying a disproportionate price for policies that don't prioritize them, and says Jordan's approach from the start was to protect the most vulnerable.
"From day one, any discussion of herd immunity or survival of the fittest or, you know, 'Say farewell to the elderly,' are the things that just did not sound right for us," Razzaz tells NPR. "So we went for a very different model in Jordan, based on social solidarity, in fact, helping the weakest. We did everything we can to make sure our children, our elderly, our refugees — you know, the haves and the have-nots — are protected."
In mid-March, Jordan was one of the first countries in the region to shut its airports and borders for all but essential goods. Arriving passengers were sent into compulsory quarantine. All but emergency workers and security forces were confined to their homes, with even grocery stores shut and the army distributing bread to poor neighborhoods.
The government cut public sector salaries and allowed businesses to reduce workers' wages, but banned them from laying off employees.
Razzaz says in the last four months, almost half of Jordan's population received some form of government assistance.
This week, the country announced it would reopen its airport to flights from a dozen countries where coronavirus rates are also low. With no cases of local transmission on most days, Jordan has stopped enforcing mask wearing and reopened restaurants and shopping malls.
Razzaz says industry production is now back to pre-coronavirus standards, and Jordan is exporting pharmaceuticals and food to other countries.
Jordan took a chance with the lockdown, he says, but felt it had little choice, given the prospect of its health care system being overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases.
"When we took the steps that we took, we did that not because we were certain about the outcomes. So there's always hindsight ... But we're very, very glad we did what we did. And a lot of countries that waited longer, including the U.S., ... are having a harder time containing the coronavirus," he says.
Razzaz and health officials note Jordan remains on guard for a possible resurgence of the virus as its airport reopens.
The longer-term challenge is an already fragile economy in which unemployment is rising sharply. Tens of thousands of Jordanians have lost their jobs in the Arab Gulf states, as those economies decline due to the pandemic and a plunge in oil prices.
The official unemployment rate for the first quarter of the year had already topped 19%. Some economists expect the real rate could reach 30% by the end of the year, with many of the unemployed young people.
Razzaz says, though, he is not worried by the prospect of renewed demonstrations that could be sparked by the economic crisis.
"While some countries worry a lot about social unrest, we see it as people expressing views about that hardship," he says. "We're going to be proactive with employment and job creation. And if you get frustrated and want to shout, we have a constitution and set of laws and institutions that allow that to happen in democratic ways."
The other wild card facing the kingdom is Israel's annexation threat. Jordan, along with Egypt, is one of only two Arab countries in the region to have signed a peace treaty with Israel. Jordan's king says he might suspend the 26-year-old treaty if Israel takes unilateral steps to claim sovereignty over parts of the West Bank.
Israel cites Jewish ties and a strategic need for it, but most of the international community opposes such a move, which could doom Palestinian hopes for an independent state.
Jordan, where a majority of citizens are of Palestinian origin, would be the country most affected by Israel's move, and instability could ripple across the region.
Razzaz says Jordan has not changed its insistence on the need for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
"If you don't provide a just solution for the Palestinian people and sovereignty, you are pushing them and the region towards despair and extremism. So will there be conflict under such conditions? Yes, there will be, definitely," he says. "I think what His Majesty and Jordan have been doing is sounding the alarm bells."


npr--2020-07-23--Border Patrol Response To Portland Unrest: Straying From Mission Or Continuing One?

Border Patrol Response To Portland Unrest : Straying From Mission Or Continuing One ?
When Border Patrol agents were dispatched earlier this month to Portland , Oregon , it was n't the first time they 've taken on urban policing far from their duties on the nation 's frontiers .
The agents deployed to Los Angeles , for instance , after the Rodney King verdict in 1992 .
Alongside local police and National Guard , the green-suited border agents were there to quell riots but drew a lot of criticism for also conducting immigration sweeps of people in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as debate rages over federal agents in Portland – questions remain about whether the Border Patrol gets appropriate training to handle civil unrest .
The Trump administration is refusing to recall federal agents from the city , where racial justice protests have been ongoing for more than 50 days .
Much of the controversy has stemmed from agents using unmarked vehicles to grab protesters off the streets .
Critics say they did n't have probable cause and did n't properly identify themselves .
Last night , Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was later tear gassed while in the crowd .
Images of federal officers in camouflage uniforms making arrests on the streets of Portland , have alarmed critics across the country who think President Trump is using federal officers to trample civil liberties and paint himself as the law-in-order candidate heading into the November election .
Among the skeptics is Gil Kerlikowske , former commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection under President Barack Obama .
`` They 're clearly the wrong group to be doing this , '' Kerlikowske said of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean , this is not something they 're trained to do .
My guess is they would probably also clearly tell you it 's not something they want to do . ''
Kerlikowske asserts the Border Patrol unit known as BORTAC , which was dispatched to Portland , is chiefly trained to pursue fugitives and criminals .
`` This is clearly an urban environment and civil unrest .
It is not in their wheelhouse , '' he said .
`` I mean , they track people .
`` We 've used them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We 've used them to track people who shot state troopers in Pennsylvania . ''
But federal officials say their agents are acting within the law — and have been doing these kinds of operations for decades .
Victor Manjarrez Jr. was a young Border Patrol agent in the 1990s and eventually became a sector chief .
He said the Border Patrol sent 600 of the 1,000 federal officers deployed to Los Angeles during the Rodney King unrest , and that the border agents were not trained back then like they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is you have folks that have specialized training in riot control , '' said Manjarrez , now the associate director for the Center for Law and Human Behavior at the University of Texas at El Paso .
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security , which includes CBP , insist BORTAC is not being used as Trump 's secret police .
The officials said the agents are trained to put down prison riots , and have broad authority to assist federal law enforcement anywhere in the U.S .
In Portland , they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grown so violent , said Acting CBP commissioner Mark Morgan .
`` These agents and officers are among the most highly trained agents and officers that we have within CBP , and that includes training in riot control , '' Morgan said .
The agents ' names are not on their uniforms , officials say , because protesters have identified some of them and posted the information on social media .
The agents use unmarked vehicles so they wo n't be torched or vandalized , Morgan said , and they wear flak vests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as smaller , light-colored CBP patches .
`` I 've seen news reporting after news reporting , tweet after tweet , saying 'unidentified , masked storm troopers , ' `` Morgan said at a press conference this week .
`` It is offensive to refer to these dedicated men and women that are out there as law enforcement professionals , to make that reference . ''
There are other precedents for deploying Border Patrol into the interior of the country .
In 1962 , they were deputized as U.S .
Marshals to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering the University of Mississippi .
And in 1987 , they retook control of a federal prison in Louisiana that had been overrun by Cuban inmates .
Today , some Democratic mayors and members of Congress have called these teams of agents `` unwanted , occupying forces '' whose presence escalates street violence , and they 've asked the White House to remove them .
But more are on the way .
Trump Administration officials say DHS investigators are among federal squads rushing to Chicago , Albuquerque and Kansas City .
They 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – not to take back the streets from protestors .

Border Patrol Response To Portland Unrest: Straying From Mission Or Continuing One?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nathan Howard/Getty Images Nathan Howard/Getty Images
When Border Patrol agents were dispatched earlier this month to Portland, Oregon, it wasn't the first time they've taken on urban policing far from their duties on the nation's frontiers.
The agents deployed to Los Angeles, for instance, after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. Alongside local police and National Guard, the green-suited border agents were there to quell riots but drew a lot of criticism for also conducting immigration sweeps of people in the country illegally.
Nearly three decades later – as debate rages over federal agents in Portland – questions remain about whether the Border Patrol gets appropriate training to handle civil unrest. The Trump administration is refusing to recall federal agents from the city, where racial justice protests have been ongoing for more than 50 days.
Much of the controversy has stemmed from agents using unmarked vehicles to grab protesters off the streets. Critics say they didn't have probable cause and didn't properly identify themselves. Last night, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called the federal deployment an "unconstitutional occupation," and was later tear gassed while in the crowd.
Images of federal officers in camouflage uniforms making arrests on the streets of Portland, have alarmed critics across the country who think President Trump is using federal officers to trample civil liberties and paint himself as the law-and-order candidate heading into the November election.
Among the skeptics is Gil Kerlikowske, former commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection under President Barack Obama.
"They're clearly the wrong group to be doing this," Kerlikowske said of the Border Patrol in Portland. "I mean, this is not something they're trained to do. My guess is they would probably also clearly tell you it's not something they want to do."
Kerlikowske asserts the Border Patrol unit known as BORTAC, which was dispatched to Portland, is chiefly trained to pursue fugitives and criminals.
"This is clearly an urban environment and civil unrest. It is not in their wheelhouse," he said. "I mean, they track people. "We've used them in upstate New York to track fugitive escapees. We've used them to track people who shot state troopers in Pennsylvania."
But federal officials say their agents are acting within the law — and have been doing these kinds of operations for decades.
Victor Manjarrez Jr. was a young Border Patrol agent in the 1990s and eventually became a sector chief. He said the Border Patrol sent 600 of the 1,000 federal officers deployed to Los Angeles during the Rodney King unrest, and that the border agents were not trained back then like they are today.
"The big difference now is you have folks that have specialized training in riot control," said Manjarrez, now the associate director for the Center for Law and Human Behavior at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security, which includes CBP, insist BORTAC is not being used as Trump's secret police. The officials said the agents are trained to put down prison riots, and have broad authority to assist federal law enforcement anywhere in the U.S.
In Portland, they were protecting federal buildings because the protesters had grown so violent, said Acting CBP commissioner Mark Morgan.
"These agents and officers are among the most highly trained agents and officers that we have within CBP, and that includes training in riot control," Morgan said.
The agents' names are not on their uniforms, officials say, because protesters have identified some of them and posted the information on social media. The agents use unmarked vehicles so they won't be torched or vandalized, Morgan said, and they wear flak vests emblazoned with "POLICE" as well as smaller, light-colored CBP patches.
"I've seen news reporting after news reporting, tweet after tweet, saying 'unidentified, masked storm troopers,' " Morgan said at a press conference this week. "It is offensive to refer to these dedicated men and women that are out there as law enforcement professionals, to make that reference."
There are other precedents for deploying Border Patrol into the interior of the country. In 1962, they were deputized as U.S. Marshals to protect James Meredith, the first Black student entering the University of Mississippi. And in 1987, they retook control of a federal prison in Louisiana that had been overrun by Cuban inmates.
Today, some Democratic mayors and members of Congress have called these teams of agents "unwanted, occupying forces" whose presence escalates street violence, and they've asked the White House to remove them.
But more are on the way. Trump Administration officials say DHS investigators are among federal squads rushing to Chicago, Albuquerque and Kansas City. They'll be there to help combat rising crime – not to take back the streets from protestors.


npr--2020-07-23--U.S. Hits 4 Million Cases Of Coronavirus — Adding A Million New Cases In Just 15 Days

U.S .
Hits 4 Million Cases Of Coronavirus — Adding A Million New Cases In Just 15 Days Another day , another mind-boggling milestone : 4 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus .
The U.S. hit the 3 million mark just 15 days ago .
That 's according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University .
More than 143,700 people have died from the virus in the U.S. — nearly twice as many as Brazil , the country with the second-highest number of fatalities .
Case numbers continue to rise in most U.S. states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 million , federal health officials have said the actual number is likely many times higher .
`` Our best estimate right now is that for every case that was reported , there actually were 10 other infections , '' Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said last month .
No part of the country has been untouched by the virus .
The New York metro area was the first epicenter in the U.S. , and the city became a ghost town amid skyrocketing case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New hot spots emerged in June and July : California , Texas and Florida now have large numbers of cases , and Arizona and Louisiana have especially significant case numbers compared with the size of their populations .
California now has more than 425,000 confirmed cases .
The state had two days in a row this week with more than 12,000 new cases .
Florida set a grim new mark of its own Thursday : 173 deaths in one day , along with more than 10,000 new cases .
Florida is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total cases .
Miami-Dade County is the state 's epicenter , with a positivity rate near 20 % .
In Arizona , the rate of cases per 100,000 residents is 2,127.5 – which is to say , more than 2 % of the population .
So where is the U.S. now , compared with where the experts projected the country might be ?
At the end of March , a model from the University of Washington 's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation cited by the White House projected this : `` Nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( range of 39,174 to 141,995 ) are currently projected through the epidemic 's first wave .
US COVID-19 deaths are estimated to rise through April 15 , the country 's projected peak of deaths per day . ''
The U.S. is still in the first wave , and the number of deaths has exceeded the high end of that projection .
And that predicted peak on April 15 ?
According to the Johns Hopkins University tracker , the U.S. had its highest peak so far on July 16 , when there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend in recent weeks has been more cases among young adults .
State and local officials have noted rising case numbers among those in their 20s and 30s , warning that it 's important to keep practicing social distancing , mask wearing and hand washing — because young people can spread the virus to more vulnerable populations , even if they are less likely to get severe cases of COVID-19 .
But the U.S. is rife with mixed messages : Restaurants in many places have reopened for indoor dining , even though it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most readily indoors .
In recent days and weeks , many governors and mayors have mandated that people must wear masks in public places .
But in Georgia , Gov .
Brian Kemp overruled local government requirements for face coverings and sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for her efforts to require masks .
The rising case numbers suggest that little will be resolved by the time school begins next month — an issue vexing parents , governments , employers and the students themselves .

U.S. Hits 4 Million Cases Of Coronavirus — Adding A Million New Cases In Just 15 Days
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sean Rayford/Getty Images Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Updated at 4:52 p.m. ET
Another day, another mind-boggling milestone: 4 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus. The U.S. hit the 3 million mark just 15 days ago.
That's according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University.
More than 143,700 people have died from the virus in the U.S. — nearly twice as many as Brazil, the country with the second-highest number of fatalities.
Case numbers continue to rise in most U.S. states and territories.
While confirmed cases have surpassed 4 million, federal health officials have said the actual number is likely many times higher. "Our best estimate right now is that for every case that was reported, there actually were 10 other infections," Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said last month.
No part of the country has been untouched by the virus. The New York metro area was the first epicenter in the U.S., and the city became a ghost town amid skyrocketing case numbers. It is now gradually reopening.
New hot spots emerged in June and July: California, Texas and Florida now have large numbers of cases, and Arizona and Louisiana have especially significant case numbers compared with the size of their populations.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
California now has more than 425,000 confirmed cases. The state had two days in a row this week with more than 12,000 new cases.
Florida set a grim new mark of its own Thursday: 173 deaths in one day, along with more than 10,000 new cases. Florida is now behind only California and New York in total cases. Miami-Dade County is the state's epicenter, with a positivity rate near 20%.
In Arizona, the rate of cases per 100,000 residents is 2,127.5 – which is to say, more than 2% of the population.
So where is the U.S. now, compared with where the experts projected the country might be?
At the end of March, a model from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation cited by the White House projected this: "Nationwide, a total of 82,141 COVID-19 deaths (range of 39,174 to 141,995) are currently projected through the epidemic's first wave. US COVID-19 deaths are estimated to rise through April 15, the country's projected peak of deaths per day."
The U.S. is still in the first wave, and the number of deaths has exceeded the high end of that projection. And that predicted peak on April 15? According to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, the U.S. had its highest peak so far on July 16, when there were more than 77,000 new cases.
One trend in recent weeks has been more cases among young adults. State and local officials have noted rising case numbers among those in their 20s and 30s, warning that it's important to keep practicing social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing — because young people can spread the virus to more vulnerable populations, even if they are less likely to get severe cases of COVID-19.
But the U.S. is rife with mixed messages: Restaurants in many places have reopened for indoor dining, even though it's become clear that the virus spreads most readily indoors.
In recent days and weeks, many governors and mayors have mandated that people must wear masks in public places. But in Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp overruled local government requirements for face coverings and sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for her efforts to require masks.
The rising case numbers suggest that little will be resolved by the time school begins next month — an issue vexing parents, governments, employers and the students themselves.


npr--2020-07-23--Kansas City Mayor Says He Learned On Twitter That Federal Officers Were In His City

Kansas City Mayor Says He Learned On Twitter That Federal Officers Were In His City Quinton Lucas , the mayor of Kansas City , Mo.
, says he found out about President Trump 's plan to send federal law enforcement officers to his city over social media .
`` I learned about Operation Legend from actually someone on Twitter who had notified me that it was occurring , '' the Democratic mayor said in an interview Thursday .
`` Then I looked at a White House press briefing that had announced that it was , I guess , already in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House briefing on Wednesday , Attorney General William Barr said 200 federal agents were sent to Kansas City as part of the program — named after LeGend Taliferro , a 4-year-old boy killed last month in Kansas City .
LeGend 's death was the 95th homicide this year in the city .
`` These are 'street ' agents and investigators who will be working to solve murders and take down violent gangs , '' Barr said .
`` I did not directly request the support , '' Lucas told NPR .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the operation looks like . ''
Chicago and Albuquerque , N.M. , will also see federal deployments in the coming days as part of Trump 's plan to fight violent crime in U.S. cities .
While Lucas said he welcomed federal cooperation in solving `` some of the awful gun crimes '' in the city , he said he did not want the operation to become a replay of the ongoing unrest in Portland , Ore. , where federal agents have been clashing with protesters demonstrating over racial injustice and police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader mission creep to other broad-based policing activities , '' Lucas said .
Lucas spoke with NPR 's Morning Edition about the confusion surrounding the new operation and how it is — and is not — helping the city fight crime .
On what federal investigators have accomplished I believe on Monday our local United States attorney 's office , so the branch of the DOJ that 's here , announced the first arrest of a suspect who was charged , I think , with a gun crime relating to drug possession .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one thing that thus far I know about .
I look forward to knowing more about this over time .
On the need for federal assistance The irony of it is that it was actually done by a suburban police department in a suburb .
So I would imagine that a local law enforcement agency could , and I 'm not saying that that person should perhaps still be on the streets , but it does seem like some of the concern in mission creep that we might be having .
What I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this is the sort of thing that we 're using to really solve violent crimes , murders , nonfatal shootings .
And that 's what we would be interested in .
Other broad-based policing activities , we 're not as much .
And to give you a little more background , I had my first personal conversation , I believe the U.S. attorney reached out to my staff before their announcement , but I had my first conversation after the White House press briefing a little while back where that was what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope that it sticks to that , and to the extent it does n't , it would be regrettable , but I also fear the fact that this is a campaign season , election-type tactic , and I 'm not sure that 's for the better .
HJ Mai edited the audio version of this story .

Kansas City Mayor Says He Learned On Twitter That Federal Officers Were In His City
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charlie Riedel/AP Charlie Riedel/AP
Quinton Lucas, the mayor of Kansas City, Mo., says he found out about President Trump's plan to send federal law enforcement officers to his city over social media.
"I learned about Operation Legend from actually someone on Twitter who had notified me that it was occurring," the Democratic mayor said in an interview Thursday. "Then I looked at a White House press briefing that had announced that it was, I guess, already in the works."
During a White House briefing on Wednesday, Attorney General William Barr said 200 federal agents were sent to Kansas City as part of the program — named after LeGend Taliferro, a 4-year-old boy killed last month in Kansas City. LeGend's death was the 95th homicide this year in the city.
"These are 'street' agents and investigators who will be working to solve murders and take down violent gangs," Barr said.
"I did not directly request the support," Lucas told NPR. "I would have liked to know more about what the operation looks like."
Chicago and Albuquerque, N.M., will also see federal deployments in the coming days as part of Trump's plan to fight violent crime in U.S. cities.
While Lucas said he welcomed federal cooperation in solving "some of the awful gun crimes" in the city, he said he did not want the operation to become a replay of the ongoing unrest in Portland, Ore., where federal agents have been clashing with protesters demonstrating over racial injustice and police brutality.
"We don't want some broader mission creep to other broad-based policing activities," Lucas said.
Lucas spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about the confusion surrounding the new operation and how it is — and is not — helping the city fight crime.
Interview Highlights
On what federal investigators have accomplished
I believe on Monday our local United States attorney's office, so the branch of the DOJ that's here, announced the first arrest of a suspect who was charged, I think, with a gun crime relating to drug possession. So that is, that's the one thing that thus far I know about. I look forward to knowing more about this over time.
On the need for federal assistance
The irony of it is that it was actually done by a suburban police department in a suburb. So I would imagine that a local law enforcement agency could, and I'm not saying that that person should perhaps still be on the streets, but it does seem like some of the concern in mission creep that we might be having.
What I have been told about this program was that this is the sort of thing that we're using to really solve violent crimes, murders, nonfatal shootings. And that's what we would be interested in. Other broad-based policing activities, we're not as much.
And to give you a little more background, I had my first personal conversation, I believe the U.S. attorney reached out to my staff before their announcement, but I had my first conversation after the White House press briefing a little while back where that was what was told to me would occur.
I hope that it sticks to that, and to the extent it doesn't, it would be regrettable, but I also fear the fact that this is a campaign season, election-type tactic, and I'm not sure that's for the better.
HJ Mai edited the audio version of this story.


npr--2020-07-23--Florida Sets Yet Another Coronavirus Record: 173 Deaths In A Day

Florida Sets Yet Another Coronavirus Record : 173 Deaths In A Day Florida reported its largest number of deaths in a single day from the coronavirus : 173 on Thursday .
The state says 10,249 people tested positive for the virus .
Florida is behind only California and New York in total cases .
Other states , including Texas and California , also posted record deaths this week as the nation 's total number of COVID-19 cases topped 4 million .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis met with hospital leaders and administrators Thursday at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that there is adequate capacity .
`` We 've had between 20 [ % ] and 25 % of our beds available pretty consistently over the last month and a half , even as we 've seen the census for COVID patients increase , '' DeSantis said .
Despite the record number of deaths Thursday , DeSantis stood by earlier statements that he sees signs that coronavirus cases are plateauing in Florida .
`` People are not coming to the ED [ emergency department ] in as big a numbers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` The last few days have been less than half than what it was the first week of July .
That is a positive trend . ''
The epicenter for the pandemic in Florida is in Miami-Dade County , where 2,720 new cases were reported Thursday with a positivity rate near 20 % .
But in the city of Miami , Mayor Francis Suarez said orders limiting gatherings and requiring face coverings are working and cases are beginning to decline .
`` The curve is flattening , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is happening among families who live in multigenerational households .
He 's asking people , especially those who work outside the home , to consider wearing face masks and to stay socially distant at home , to avoid infecting others in the family .

Florida Sets Yet Another Coronavirus Record: 173 Deaths In A Day
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Florida reported its largest number of deaths in a single day from the coronavirus: 173 on Thursday. The state says 10,249 people tested positive for the virus.
Florida is behind only California and New York in total cases. Other states, including Texas and California, also posted record deaths this week as the nation's total number of COVID-19 cases topped 4 million.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met with hospital leaders and administrators Thursday at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. He said hospitals are stressed statewide, but that there is adequate capacity.
"We've had between 20[%] and 25% of our beds available pretty consistently over the last month and a half, even as we've seen the census for COVID patients increase," DeSantis said.
Despite the record number of deaths Thursday, DeSantis stood by earlier statements that he sees signs that coronavirus cases are plateauing in Florida. "People are not coming to the ED [emergency department] in as big a numbers as they were two weeks ago," he said. "The last few days have been less than half than what it was the first week of July. That is a positive trend."
The epicenter for the pandemic in Florida is in Miami-Dade County, where 2,720 new cases were reported Thursday with a positivity rate near 20%.
But in the city of Miami, Mayor Francis Suarez said orders limiting gatherings and requiring face coverings are working and cases are beginning to decline. "The curve is flattening," he said.
Suarez said much of the spread now is happening among families who live in multigenerational households. He's asking people, especially those who work outside the home, to consider wearing face masks and to stay socially distant at home, to avoid infecting others in the family.