White House Campaign Urges Legal Immigrants to Become (Voting) Citizens

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us-immigration-legal-immigrants-citizenshipWhite House officials announced the start of a nationwide campaign on Thursday to encourage legal immigrants to become American citizens, which could add millions of voters to the electorate in time for the presidential election next year.

With about 8.8 million legal residents in the country who are eligible to become citizens, White House officials said they were trying to make it easier to complete the final steps to citizenship.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency in charge of naturalizations, will offer practice tests on cellphones for the civics exam that immigrants must pass, but which many find daunting, and will hold preparatory workshops in rural areas. Applicants will also be able to pay the fee, still a hefty $680, with a credit card.

The White House is working with regional immigrant groups to organize more than 70 citizenship workshops and about 200 naturalization ceremonies in the coming week alone. Four citizenship ambassadors have been named, including Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who recently became an American citizen after many years in the United States.

Also in the works are local initiatives to make immigrants feel more welcome, and a revision of Justice Department regulations that would make it easier for people who want to help immigrants naturalize to obtain credentials to provide basic volunteer legal assistance. (Read more from “White House Campaign Urges Legal Immigrants to Become (Voting) Citizens” HERE)

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Round 2: GOP Rivals Try to Ding Trump at Debate – Front-Runner Hits Back

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trumpbushinternalBy Fox News. Donald Trump once again found himself the lightning rod of the Republican presidential race Wednesday, as he tangled with a debate stage full of rivals trying to position themselves as the best alternative to the GOP front-runner.

The second Republican primary debate veered into serious policy territory – covering everything from Iran to Russia to Planned Parenthood to immigration. But, at times to the visible frustration of candidates trying to stick to those issues, few segments passed without a sparring session between Trump and one of his opponents. Almost every time, Trump hit back – and it was unclear whether any candidate would be able to dent his front-runner status.

The candidate perhaps most eager to knock the billionaire businessman down a peg was former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who lost his lead to Trump over the summer. Repeatedly, Bush challenged Trump on his record and past comments.

He told Trump to apologize to his wife for suggesting her being from Mexico makes Bush more sympathetic to Mexicans – Trump refused.

He accused Trump of once giving him money as he sought casino gambling, unsuccessfully, in Florida. (Read more from “Round 2: GOP Rivals Try to Ding Trump at Debate – Front-Runner Hits Back” HERE)

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Let the Sparks Fly: Carly Fiorina Takes on Donald Trump

By MJ Lee. For once, it wasn’t the Donald Trump show.

The billionaire businessman’s uneven performance at CNN’s prime-time Republican presidential debate Wednesday gave Carly Fiorina and Jeb Bush openings to seize the spotlight. And they did, putting Trump in the unusual position of being on defense throughout the evening.

Fiorina, who fought her way onto the main stage with a breakout debate performance last month, pointedly confronted the real estate mogul. She was stern when asked about Trump’s recent assessment of her appearance, when he told Rolling Stone: “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that?”

Fiorina shot back during the debate: “I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said.”

The exchange left Trump in an unusual position: uninterested in hitting back. (Read more from this story HERE)

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Boehner and His Allies Prepare Fall Battle With Conservative GOP Critics

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130226_john_boehner_1_605_apHouse Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) is bracing for what could be the toughest weeks of his speakership as several dozen conservatives in his party are threatening to topple him unless he is more ferocious with Democrats during the upcoming fiscal showdowns.

That internal feud has increased the chances that Washington, for the second time in two years, could stumble into a shutdown of the federal government.

The speaker’s lieutenants are openly girding for battle with the small but influential bloc of anti-Boehner conservatives who have signaled that if Boehner cuts any deal that they don’t like with congressional Democrats and President Obama, they could seek to remove him from the speaker’s post. It is a threat that Boehner and his allies are taking seriously.

“The people considering this are being totally irresponsible, but Boehner’s guys, we’re getting ready for whatever may come — not out of fear, but with exasperation about what some Republicans are willing to do to their own party,” said Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), who is part of the speaker’s circle of unofficial advisers.

Talk of unseating Boehner is not new, but this latest uprising is getting a jolt from the Republican presidential campaign, in which anti-establishment sentiment has driven two non-politicians, Donald Trump and Ben Carson, to the front of the pack. (Read more from “Boehner and His Allies Prepare Fall Battle With Conservative GOP Critics” HERE)

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Vet Group Hosting Trump Lost Nonprofit Status

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Donald TrumpThe Internal Revenue Service revoked the nonprofit status of the veterans benefit organization that hosted and sold tickets to a foreign policy speech by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump aboard a retired U.S. battleship, The Associated Press has learned. The group’s endorsement of Trump at the event also could raise legal problems under campaign finance laws.

Trump’s campaign did not respond to questions from the AP about whether it was aware that the IRS had revoked the nonprofit status of the Veterans for a Strong America, which sold tickets to Trump’s event for up to $1,000 as a fundraiser. The IRS issued its decision Aug. 10, citing the group’s failure to file any tax returns for three consecutive years, according to IRS records reviewed by the AP.

The group’s chairman, Joel Arends of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said the organization was appealing the IRS decision. He would not provide AP with copies of any tax returns, which would show how much money the group has collected over the years and how it spends its money. By law, such records are supposed to be available to the general public for inspection. (Read more from “Vet Group Hosting Trump Lost Nonprofit Status” HERE)

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Republican Candidates Prepare to Hit Trump at Second Debate

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<> on August 6, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio.The Republicans’ second presidential debate is shaping up to have all the hallmarks of a Hollywood blockbuster: drama, high-speed collisions and, of course, the fiery explosions. Donald Trump, of course, is getting the star billing at the CNN production.

The White House hopefuls are set to clash—and maybe crash—Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Los Angeles for a pair of back-to-back forums, split among those who are polling atop the field and the also-rans. As with their first forums, all eyes will be focused on Trump, the brash billionaire who is leading polls and in potshots aimed at his rivals.

Inside rival campaigns, advisers are all trying to come up with a plan to deflate Trump. During the first debate, most tried to keep Trump at arm’s length and, with the exception of Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, none tried to confront Trump on his thin record as a Republican. That approach worked for the first session, but it’s not a winning strategy going forward, especially with Trump outpacing more serious candidates in the polls by factors of three or four.

“We kept waiting for him to do himself in. That hasn’t happened, so it’s time to help that process along,” one adviser to a Trump rival said. Added a second campaign’s strategist: “If we don’t as a party change our posture, we’re looking at another President Clinton. Hillary will beat Donald Trump in 49 states if he’s our nominee. And I’m not sure she doesn’t pick up Texas, too.”

Ahead of the debate, to be held beside Reagan’s retired presidential airliner, candidates were already trying out their attacks. “If you don’t know the answer to these questions, then you are not going to be able to serve as commander and chief,” Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said, pointing to Trump’s struggle to answer questions about foreign policy. “There’s nothing behind the curtain,” Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says of Trump. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was even more direct, calling Trump a “madman.” (Read more from “Republican Candidates Prepare to Hit Trump at Second Debate” HERE)

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Texas Nationalists Reportedly Try to Get Secession Question Onto GOP Primary Ballot

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balloA group calling for Texas to secede from the United States and become an independent nation has launched an effort to get a question about independence onto next year’s Republican presidential primary ballot.

The Texas Tribune reports that the Texas Nationalist Movement has begun circulating a petition with the goal of getting 75,000 signatures by December 1, over 8,000 more than what the Texas Secretary of State’s office requires to put the question on the ballot.

The vote on whether Texas “should reassert its status as an independent nation”, in the words of the petition, would be non-binding and the state Republican party has already distanced itself from the group.

“Historically the executive committee of the Republican Party has chosen what goes on this,” spokesman Aaron Whitehead told the Tribune, “and it’s party preference that it stays that way.”

Texas was a Republic for nine years after gaining independence from Mexico before it was admitted to the Union in 1845. The state voted to secede in 1861 to join the Confederate States of America prior to the Civil War. Scholars told the Tribune that under the auspices of an 1869 Supreme Court ruling, Texas would not be able to secede from the U.S. again even if voters gave the go-ahead. (Read more from “Texas Nationalists Reportedly Try to Get Secession Question Onto GOP Primary Ballot” HERE)

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Poll: Illegal Aliens a Serious Problem

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immigration_5A poll conducted just ahead of the Labor Day weekend finds that the overwhelming majority of Americans view illegal immigration as a serious problem.

The poll, conducted by YouGov, surveyed 1,000 adult Americans asking them their opinions on issues surrounding the illegal immigration problem.

Despite ongoing media favoritism towards illegals 77% said illegal immigration was a problem, with 51% calling it very serious and 26% somewhat serious. Just 4% said illegal immigration was not a problem at all.

The poll saw no difference between men and women. Looking along racial lines, whites were most likely to call illegal immigration a serious problem at 80% compared to 74% of black Americans, but even 64% of Hispanic Americans called illegal immigration a serious problem for the country. (Read more from “Poll: Illegal Aliens a Serious Problem” HERE)

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This Is the Huge Name That’ll Replace the Donald- Here’s What Trump Had to Say

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donald-trump-better-thumb1According to Entertainment Weekly, NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice will not die with the exit of its larger-than-life host. Donald Trump, who left the lucrative gig to pursue the Republican presidential nomination, took a break from the campaign trail to congratulate his successor.

NBC executive Paul Telegdy announced actor-turned-politico Arnold Schwarzenegger’s addition to the popular franchise as a “powerful new chapter” for Apprentice fans. “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of a global brand in entertainment and business,” he continued, “and his accomplishments in the political arena speak for themselves.” Telegdy noted that the action star is excited to continue in the tradition established by Trump and Mark Burnett, the series’ executive producer. Burnett explained that Trump “made it clear” he wanted the show to continue in his absence, particularly for the charitable donations it has facilitated. “Gov. Schwarzenegger,” he concluded, “will use his vast and highly successful business, political and media experience to drive this hit franchise to new heights.” The new host released a statement, explaining that he has “always been a huge fan” of the program. “I am thrilled to bring my experience to the boardroom and to continue to raise millions for charity,” he said. “Let’s get started!” The topic was a popular one on Twitter, where users speculated on issues such as the new host’s catchphrase. Trump’s iconic send-off – “You’re fired!” – has transcended the series to become a recurring theme of his surging presidential bid.

(Read more from “This Is the Huge Name That’ll Replace the Donald- Here’s What Trump Had to Say” HERE)

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Kentucky County Clerk Continues to Defy Supreme Court on First Day Back at Work

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kimdavis090115By MICHELE RICHINICK. After being jailed for refusing to issue gay marriage licenses, Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis returned to work on Monday morning with the same message: She won’t authorize the legal documents to same-sex couples.

Speaking before 8 a.m. ET, Davis said she will continue to defy the U.S. Supreme Court by not issuing gay marriage licenses, because otherwise she would be going against her religious beliefs. “For me, this would be an act of disobedience to my god,” she told reporters.

She did, however, leave it open for her deputies to continue issuing the legal documents to same-sex couples, as long as her name and title don’t appear on the licenses. None of the licenses, Davis said, “will be authorized by me.” Instead, the documents will read, “pursuant to a federal court order,” she said. (Read more about Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis’s defiance HERE)
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Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis Goes Back to Work

By Tribune News Service. A Kentucky county clerk announced Monday that she would not interfere with her office granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples, ending, for now, a confrontation that put her behind bars for five days for defying a federal judge.

As she returning to her office Monday, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis read a statement saying she would not interfere with her deputies issuing the licenses, but would not personally authorize any marriage licenses to any same-sex couples.

“I don’t want to have this conflict. I don’t want to be in the spotlight. And I certainly don’t want to be a whipping post,” Davis said during televised remarks. “I am no hero. I’m just a person that’s been transformed by the grace of God, who wants to work, be with my family. I just want to serve my neighbors quietly without violating my conscience.”

District Judge David L. Bunning earlier this month surprised many by sending Davis to jail for contempt after she failed to follow his order to issue marriage licenses to all couples, including gays.

On Sept. 8, the judge found that her deputies had issued the licenses, so the contempt citation was cleared and Davis was let out of jail with a sharp warning that if she interfered in the issuance of the licenses, she would be returned to a cell. (Read more from “Kentucky County Clerk Goes Back to Work for the First Time Since Jail” HERE)

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Kentucky-Cop Killer Was Huge Obama Supporter, Attended Mike Brown’s Funeral

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KY-Trooper-Shot-640x480The Facebook page of Joseph Thompson Johnson-Shanks — the man who killed a Kentucky State Trooper Sunday night — shows that he was an Obama and Black Lives Matter supporter who attended Mike Brown’s funeral.

Kentucky trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder was murdered by Johnson-Shanks after a traffic stop. Following an all-night manhunt, Johnson-Shanks was killed by the police after he refused to drop his weapon.

Johnson-Shanks ’s Facebook page is posted under the name Jay MileHigh and the header image features pictures of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and Mike Brown. A previous cover photo was a photo of Pres. Obama depicting him as Superman.

Originally from Florissant, near Ferguson, Missouri, Johnson-Shanks’s Facebook account shared numerous news stories, images and videos discussing race, police brutality and the Mike Brown shooting, as well as articles like “Weed Protects You From Ebola.” (Read more from “Kentucky-Cop Killer Was Huge Obama Supporter, Attended Mike Brown’s Funeral” HERE)

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