Thursday, October 8 | Volume 40 No. 30

DHS is Using FEMA Buildings as Pop-up Immigration Courts, Denying Public Access

Westsidestory Newspaper

Your Vote in November is Critical to the White House Operations

By Carl Dameron

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security has been using federal office build ings in several cities to operate as makeshift immigration courts, with judges deciding cases via Zoom video, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Two such courts have been confirmed in Washington, DC and in Manhattan, New York. Additional locations are being considered in Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Denver, Colorado; San Antonio, Texas; and Los Angeles, California. Notably, the two pop-up courts in Washington DC and Manhattan bear no signage indicating they are immigration courts. And — in violation of existing policy — the courts are not open to the public or attorneys. Immigration courts and courtrooms are generally open to the public, without prior registration. In response to American Community Media’s emailed request for information, DHS said it began using the FEMA Headquarters Conference Center to conduct “critical operations,” beginning Sept. 8. “This arrangement does not impact FEMA’s workforce or disrupt any of FEMA’s normal operations.

See "DHS is Using..." page 7

In this election cycle someone is clearly on the ballot, even though their name won’t appear on your ballot. It’s the President. Trust me, his continuance will be determined by your vote this November. A person on your ballot will either stop him or support him. They will either do what he says and go along with his wants or reverse his orders and undo his policies. Look carefully at the record and the rhetoric of the people appearing on your ballot. Where do you stand in all of this? Are you in agreement with what is happening in our country today? Are you aligned with the president’s view of the world? Are you happy with how the president views people here and abroad? Do you support his views? Do you back his actions? Does he do what you need from him? Yes, this is a presidential election occurring in the mid-terms. Vote like it.