ADAM ROGAN
Stop illegal immigration before securing legal immigration. This is the position of US Representative Bryan Steil, R-Wis.
“We have a broken legal immigration system and we have a broken illegal immigration system,” Steil, whose district includes all of Racine and Kenosha counties, said during a roundtable on fentanyl in Racine County on February 11.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that it recovers about 2,500 pounds of drugs each day, but drugs are still pouring into the United States by sea, air, and land, with most passing through by the southern border. Seizures of fentanyl and fentanyl-containing products are on the rise, said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, director of field operations for CBP’s Chicago office.
However, the majority of drugs are believed to arrive through legal ports of entry, not unguarded border areas. “According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics, 90% of heroin seized along the border, 88% of cocaine, 87% of methamphetamine, and 80% of fentanyl in the past 11 first months of fiscal 2018 were caught being smuggled through legal crossings,” USA Today reported in January 2019.
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A reporter asked Steil if he was fixing the legal immigration system – where Mexicans have to wait on average between 8 and 20 years before being allowed to legally enter the United States while those from most other counties have to wait less than 5 years to get a green card – should come first as a way to weaken cartels.
Steil replied: “It is absolutely imperative that we tackle our illegal immigration system. I’ve been to the US-Mexico border. I saw how porous it is. I’ve seen people show up… I think that’s absolutely the first step.
An estimated 80% to 95% of undocumented immigrants pay traffickers to get them into the United States
The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank funded by billionaire Charles Koch, has argued for breaking this system by allowing these same migrants to enter the United States for a fee.
Currently, the US system “(immigration) enriches criminals, hurts immigrants and undermines the security of the United States. There is a better way: the US government should charge a fee for a work permit. Peaceful immigrants who pass a background check could avoid the extortion racket and fly legally to US airports, going through security like everyone else,” said a 2019 commentary by Cato researcher David J. Bier .
“Not only would this system effectively eliminate border chaos, it would provide billions of dollars in revenue to the US government to further improve border security should Congress deem it still necessary. President (Donald) Trump has asked Congress for money for a border wall, but the immigrants themselves could easily give him far more than Congress ever will.
The effectiveness of the wall has been disputed.
Steil backed him up, saying that despite its vulnerabilities, a wall crossing the 1,954-mile southern border would send a “message” that the border is not open.
The Department of Homeland Security reported in the final months of Trump’s presidency that the costs of defending the walled-off parts of the border had dropped significantly, while illegal entries were also declining in those areas.
However, other studies have indicated that the wall is still porous and can be climbed over, and that although crossings may be reduced in walled areas, migrants only pass through unused parts. bricked up instead.
International visitors flock to these 5 cities in the United States
New York City
The city is expected to be the top winter vacation destination, according to polls from a wide range of travel companies, thanks in part to the fact that the lights are (finally) back on Broadway. Expect a busy Christmas season and little room for social distancing.
Who goes: The UK (18% of visitors), Canada (6%) and Mexico (5%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: Rockefeller Center, once visited by tourists only for its large Christmas tree and skating rink, is now one of the most exciting dining districts – a change few locals saw coming.
Spencer Platt
Miami
Some would say Magic City looked a little too Miami Vice throughout the pandemic; the city was one of the most popular places for Americans to get away from cold winters amid lockdowns, and it gained popularity for its relative normalcy even when case numbers were dire. Next month will bring Art Basel and all its related social events – probably the perfect opportunity to pretend the pandemic never happened.
Who goes: Argentina (14%), the UK (10%) and Brazil (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: The city has seen more big-name restaurant openings than virtually any other in the world, largely imports from big names around the world. But if you’re unsure about Covid homeland security, the newly popular Fever app and website lists outdoor events and activities like candlelight concerts or “flyboarding” with water jet packs that send you soaring over the ocean.
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Orlando
As Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th anniversary, the parks are in full swing. Our guide to its little-known luxury amenities brings out the real Disney magic.
Who goes: The UK (46%), Brazil (10%) and Canada (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: The Swan Reserve Hotel just opened inside Walt Disney World, making it probably the fanciest place to stay in the parks. It has six pools and 22 restaurants, including an outpost of New York favorite Il Mulino; since it’s part of Marriott’s autograph collection, you can also book it with points.
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Los Angeles
A nearly $40 million LA Arts Recovery Fund led by the J. Paul Getty Trust is working to get hard-hit institutions back on their feet, though it’s also helping to keep iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl running smoothly. new at 100% occupancy. Projected tourism revenues of $1 billion for November and December 2021 will help. Getting here is expensive; Hopper data shows flights to LA are 33% more expensive than in 2019, while average US airfares are down 7% from 2019 prices.
Who goes: Mexico (15%), Canada (9%) and the United Kingdom (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: After a series of delays, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened on September 30. The $482 million museum complex, designed by Renzo Piano and located next to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma), is filled with iconic costumes and props from movies like The Wizard of Oz and ET; there is also a temporary exhibition featuring the works of legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.
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San Francisco
City programs called Slow Streets and Shared Spaces have helped create a relative abundance of car-free outdoor public spaces across the city — beyond typical open-air dining setups — and tech executives who left during the shutdowns. have largely returned to find a city that invests heavily in outdoor festivals, murals and outdoor performing arts.
Who goes there: The UK (14%), India (10%) and Mexico (9%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: In October, only 25% of employees in San Francisco were back in the office, reporting a slower return to normal. This also applies to restaurants, many of which waited to reopen until the summer or fall of this year. Chez Panisse will remain closed until 2022, but almost everything else has returned – including a handful of new spots such as Automat, an all-day bread-centric concept that started as a series of pandemic and adapted pop-ups to children.
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