The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 which became effective October 30, 1998, makes identity theft a Federal crime with penalties up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. It establishes that the person whose identity was stolen is a true victim. Here.
Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 – Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit identity fraud. Imposes penalties upon anyone who, in interstate or foreign commerce or through the use of a communication facility, knowingly, with intent to defraud, and in order to receive payment or any thing the aggregate value of which is at least $1,000: (1) receives, acquires, obtains, purchases, sells, transfers, traffics in, steals, possesses, or uses any personal identifier, identification device, personal information or data, or other document or means of identification of any other entity or person; (2) assumes, adopts, takes, acquires, or uses the identity of any other entity or person; or (3) attempts, solicits another person, or conspires with another person to commit such offense. Here.
“That 20-year-old law carries with it penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.”
Authorizes the United States Secret Service to investigate offenses under this Act, subject to terms of an agreement to be entered with the Secretary of the Treasury.
Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide for sentencing enhancements for a defendant who is convicted of an offense under this Act in connection with another specified offense, based on: (1) the number of victims involved; (2) whether the offense involves the stealing or destroying of a quantity of undelivered U.S. mail; and (3) the potential loss that could have resulted from such offense.
“USCISDemocrats and those centrist Republicans unwilling to get serious about stopping illegal immigration need to be made to explain why they are OK with this widespread form of ID theft, which is a felony under the federal Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998. That 20-year-old law carries with it penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.”
Daily Caller
MANDATING E-VERIFY NATIONWIDE WOULD BUILD AN ELECTRONIC WALL TO CURB ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
August 2, 1018
President Trump tweeted Sunday that he “would be willing to shut down government” at the end of September if Congress doesn’t get serious about border security.
In the tweet—and in a follow-up tweet Monday—the president renewed his call for faster funding of a border wall but curiously made no mention of another border security measure that arguably would be as effective as the wall at curbing illegal immigration.
That would be mandating the use by all employers of E-Verify, the federal database to confirm that their workers are in the country legally.
Trump called for the E-Verify mandate in a campaign stump speech two years ago in August 2016, but it since seems to have fallen down the memory hole.
If jobs are the magnet that attracts illegal immigrants to and across the southern border, it follows that to “demagnetize” illegal immigration will require eliminating, or at least dramatically reducing, the lure of employment here.
But in the reporting on the debate in Congress in late June on immigration-reform legislation, there was virtually no mention of E-Verify, which likely would do at least as much to curtail illegal border-crossing as Trump’s proposed “big, beautiful wall.”
(That’s not to suggest that the two are mutually exclusive. To the contrary, together they would be doubly effective.)
The tougher of the two immigration bills that Congress debated and voted on last month did include the requirement that all employers utilize the federal E-Verify database.
It went down to defeat 193-to-231 on June 21, however, with 41 centrist Republicans joining all 190 Democrats who voted in opposition.
That made it clear that neither open-borders liberals who crave more than anything else a “path to citizenship” for undocumented future Democratic voters nor the Main Street Partnership-style moderate Republicans who carry water for the Chamber of Cheap Labor are serious about addressing the problem of illegal immigration.
Coincidentally, that vote came just a day after federal immigration-enforcement personnel arrested 146 workers in a raid at a meatpacking plant in Salem, Ohio. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Fresh Mark might have knowingly hired illegal immigrants, many of whom were fraudulently using identifications of U.S. citizens.
Democrats and those centrist Republicans unwilling to get serious about stopping illegal immigration need to be made to explain why they are OK with this widespread form of ID theft, which is a felony under the federal Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998. That 20-year-old law carries with it penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000….More here
GA Budget and Policy Institute: ‘Immigration enforcement not worth expense’
D.A. King “The concept that I should stop a program that deports illegal aliens who have committed crimes in our community defies logic.” – Gwinnett Sheriff Butch Conway responding to critics who say local immigration enforcement is too expensive.
The most recently released Georgia Budget and Policy Institute “study” aimed at an end to voluntary local government cooperation with federal immigration authorities should move GBPI from a “left-leaning on immigration” description to solidly “anti-enforcement.”
And it should be long remembered.
Wesley Tharpe, author of the GBPI’s ‘Voluntary Immigration Enforcement a Costly Choice for Georgia Communities’ presents a rather bizarre and anti-American argument that locating, holding and turning over illegal aliens to ICE – after they have already been captured for suspicion of other crimes – is too costly. And is bad for children. And that removing illegal aliens from Georgia communities has a negative effect on public safety.
We can’t help but note that the GBPI opposition to honoring ICE detainers and to 287(g) agreements is based on the usual mindless talking points that are endlessly put forth by the usual anti-borders suspects on the far left, including GALEO, the Democratic Socialists of America and the discredited Alinsky-ites at the SPLC.
Image: GBPI
While the report acknowledges in a graphic that estimates show Georgia is home to more illegal aliens than Lawful Permanent Residents (“green card” holders) – GBPI overlooked informing readers that according to DHS, we also have more illegal aliens than border-state Arizona.
With its focus on monetary cost, the main target of GBPI’s anti-enforcement report is Gwinnett County and the 287(g) agreement Sheriff Butch Conway has had with ICE since 2009. (Full – and proud – disclosure, this writer has worked to promote and create 287 (g) agreements since 2005). Gwinnett has the largest population of illegal ‘victims of borders’ in the state. But, GBPI is careful to exclude the human costs of illegal immigration and the crime it creates in Georgia.
Gwinnett Sheriff Butch Conway responds with pro-enforcement facts
Here is some public safety-related information not included in the GBPI report from Gwinnett County Sheriff Conway, taken from a statement he sent to this writer on Monday.
“In regard to the cost of locating and reporting illegal aliens in our jail who have committed additional crimes, we point to the results of the original 2009 trial “surge” in the preparation for our 287(g) agreement. That process resulted in federal immigration enforcement officials identifying 914 foreign-born inmates in the Gwinnett County jail for deportation.
This was conducted over a 26-day period.
As previously reported, 489 of the 914 inmates identified as illegal aliens had previous arrests. Some had been arrested and booked numerous times in our jail alone.
Charges for these foreign inmates included, but are not limited to:
Murder 13 Felony drug offense 154
Rape 15 Theft of motor vehicle 7
Child molestation 23 DUI 48
Aggravated assault 38 Felony probation violation 42
Armed robbery 28 Hit and run 6
Kidnapping 11 Homicide by vehicle 1
Family violence battery 12 Other felony offenses 45
Burglary 17 Misdemeanor probation violation 55
Felony theft 34 No driver’s license 226
Please note that only the most serious charges are listed for inmates with multiple charges.
I have no doubt that Gwinnett County is safer today because of the 287(g) program. There are dramatically lower numbers of foreign-born individuals committing crimes in our county since the program began in November 2009.
During that year, our jail processed 14,730 foreign born arrestees” says Conway.
You can read the entire statement from Sheriff Conway here.
The staff at GBPI – where the slogan is “we offer thoughtful analysis and responsible solutions to improve the state’s budget, taxes and public policies” – tell us that protecting Georgians from illegal immigration is just not worth it. We do not agree, but would ask for an enlightened estimate on the acceptable monetary costs of removing illegal aliens accused of murder, rape and child molestation from our communities – and how doing so reduces public safety.
And, we look forward to learning where Georgia Budget and Policy Institute stands on “Abolish ICE!”
D.A. King is president of the Georgia-based Dustin Inman Society. Twitter: @DAKDIS
The Dustin Inman Society, an anti-illegal immigration group, advocates securing the borders and enforcing deportation in such a way that creates an inhospitable climate so that illegal immigrants will leave, and employers won’t hire them.
D.A. King, president of the group, spoke with John Ydstie.NPR Here.
Lawyer: State’s immigration board members serving on expired terms
By Chris Joyner, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Decatur city attorney has asked the Attorney General’s office to look into whether members of the Georgia Immigration Enforcement Review Board have overstayed their term in office and should be removed.
In his letter, Brian Downs said five of the seven members have served since the board’s creation in 2011, despite a state law that limits members to two terms of two years each.
“If these board members are not supposed to be serving under the law, then they need to step aside,” Downs said in an interview Monday.
It is the latest development in the city’s fight against Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle’s accusation that Decatur is violating state laws outlawing “sanctuary” cities.
The letter singles out Chairman Shawn Hanley and board member Phil Kent, both outspoken activists for tighter immigration controls, for replacement. Hanley and Kent were appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal.
But Downs also notes Cagle appointees Boyd Austin and Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager, along with Moultrie farmer Terry Clark, who was appointed by House Speaker David Ralston, have also served since 2011 without ever being reappointed.
“Expedited action on this situation is critical,” Downs said. “The IERB has multiple pending cases in which each of these individuals have no legal right to participate.”
Cagle filed a complaint against Decatur in November claiming that by prohibiting police from holding suspected illegal immigrants solely on a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement the city broke a state law forbidding “sanctuary cities.” Cagle filed the complaint from the lieutenant governor’s office, but it came amid his campaign against Secretary of State Brian Kemp for the Republican nomination for governor.
Both Cagle and Kemp sparred over who could be toughest on immigration, among other issues. Kemp defeated Cagle in a primary runoff July 24.
Decatur has denied its policy violates the state law. Downs has repeatedly said Decatur is not a sanctuary city in sometimes heated exchanges with immigration board members…. More here.
Statement received here today from Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities and recent criticism that doing so is too costly, has an adverse effect on public safety and is bad for children.
“I gladly take advantage of every available tool, including the 287 (g) program, to serve and protect our community. I’m grateful for the support of the federal government that has allowed our office to participate in this life-saving, crime-reducing 287(g) program under two different White House administrations.
It’s important to understand that the illegal alien population in our jail has been reduced as a direct result of the 287(g) program. I’m confident that we have saved tax dollars in many ways and reduced crime by participating in this program.
In regard to the cost of locating and reporting illegal aliens in our jail who have committed additional crimes, we point to the results of the original 2009 trial “surge” in the preparation for our 287(g) agreement. That process resulted in federal immigration enforcement officials identifying 914 foreign-born inmates in the Gwinnett County jail for deportation. This was conducted over a 26-day period.
As previously reported, 489 of the 914 inmates identified as illegal aliens had previous arrests. Some had been arrested and booked numerous times in our jail alone. Charges for these foreign inmates included, but are not limited to:
Family violence battery 12 Other felony offenses 45
Burglary 17 Misdemeanor probation violation 55
Felony theft 34 No driver’s license 226
*** Please note that only the most serious charges are listed for inmates with multiple charges.
I have no doubt that Gwinnett County is safer today because of the 287(g) program. There are dramatically lower numbers of foreign born individuals committing crimes in our county since the program began in November 2009.
During that year, our jail processed 14,730 foreign born arrestees.
That number dropped to 10,847 in 2010 and has consistently dropped since, ranging from 6,350 to 6,604 between 2011 and 2016. In July of 2009, our jail held 914 inmates with ICE holds. Yesterday there were 229 inmates with ICE holds. Additionally, our jail population has decreased while our county population has increased.
The concept that I should stop a program that deports illegal aliens who have committed crimes in our community defies logic. Our efforts have established Gwinnett County as an undesirable refuge for criminal illegal aliens and we want it to remain that way. I can’t help but wonder what the critics of such enforcement would say to the families of crime victims who were seriously injured or killed by illegal aliens.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Georgia hosts more illegal aliens than Arizona. We know that enforcement works as a tool to make our state and county less attractive to more illegal immigration and we know that we are saving lives with 287(g) while honoring ICE detainers. I’m proud to do so.
I welcome people of all nationalities that come to America and obey our laws, but will continue my efforts to rid our community of those who do not.”
The 3- foot tall lettered chalk message on the side walk at the bottom of the GoldDome steps reads “STOP SB452 NOW” I took these photos about 3:30 PM on Day 40 of the 2018 General Assembly session.
“Authentic news coverage would present both sides, and trust that viewers could make up their own minds. During the past 18 months, the networks’ coverage of immigration has not been news, but rather obvious advocacy — heroes vs. villains, good guys vs. bad guys — with the administration clearly wearing the black hats.”
MRC Newsbusters
Study: TV’s War Against Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Agenda
By Rich Noyes and Bill D’Agostino | July 24, 2018
On the other side, these newscasts aired 83 soundbites from law enforcement, 13 soundbites from U.S. citizens identified as border residents (three of whom were opposed to Trump’s policies), and five soundbites from friends and family members of those who died because of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. There were only four soundbites from activists associated with groups committed to enforcement of immigration laws.
There weren’t any soundbites from pro-administration protesters to balance out the 163 from anti-Trump protesters, but 15 stories included heard audible chants at Trump rallies favoring a border wall and/or Mexico paying for the wall.
Lopsided as it is, the networks’ preference for soundbites from Trump’s victims doesn’t fully account for the 92% negative news on this topic. Reporters and anchors themselves amplified the messages of “fear,” “dread,” and even “terror” among those barred from entering the U.S. or facing deportation.
On the February 11, 2017 NBC Nightly News, as the lax Obama-era policies were replaced, correspondent Gabe Gutierrez said: “families of undocumented immigrants say they’re now living in fear….An immigration attorney in Atlanta, says there is a sense of panic among her clients.” On March 3, then-CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley warned: “There is a growing sense of dread among immigrants in America.”
On September 5, 2017, when President Trump announced an end to Obama’s DACA policy, ABC’s White House correspondent Cecilia Vega highlighted how “DREAMers like Jesus Contreras are terrified,” before running a clip from Contreras: “I am disappointed that the President, as a man of God and as a man of faith, did not keep his word….It’s saddening. It’s terrible.”
On NBC that same night, correspondent Jacob Soboroff profiled a DREAMer named Pablo Garcia, who fretted the decision was “heartbreaking” and “shocking.” Over on CBS, anchor Anthony Mason mourned that “a promise kept by President Trump is a dream lost for thousands of undocumented immigrants.” Read the rest here.
