*Lies – Page 36 – * Failed Pols

This week, a federal judge in San Francisco temporarily blocked Donald Trump’s decision to end the Obama-era immigration policy known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Judge William Alsup ruled that the Trump Administration made a “mistake of law” when it rescinded DACA.

DACA protects the status of young people (often referred to as “Dreamers”) who were brought to the United States illegally as children. It allows them to legally live, attend school, and work in the United States, as long as they continue to abide by the law.

“This has become an important program for DACA recipients and their families, for the employers who hire them, for our tax treasuries, and for our economy,” Alsup said.

The judge’s ruling occurred just a few hours after a White House meeting of bipartisan leaders to negotiate broader immigration reform, during which President Trump vowed to support policy that the group came up with. In that meeting, Trump appeared to be in agreement with the Democrats’ support of extending DACA, calling it a “bill of love.”

To date, Trump has rejected a bipartisan compromise immigration deal that would include protecting DACA recipients as well as increasing border security. On Thursday, Trump said, while reviewing a list of countries for temporary protection status (TPS) as part of the proposed deal, “Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?” referring to Haiti, as well as to countries in Africa.

Trump has wavered in his support of DACA, at times saying that DACA youth should be protected, and at other times saying that they should be deported. Currently, Republicans are generally in favor of a legislative fix to the DACA policy, as long as immigration reform legislation includes funds for increased border security.

Last fall, when the Trump Administration first announced it would rescind DACA, the Department of Homeland Security stopped processing new DACA applications. Since then, the Department has been in a state of winding down the program in an orderly manner. Following Judge Alsup’s ruling, it’s not yet clear how the Department of Homeland Security will respond to the judge’s DACA ruling, and if/when it will begin accepting DACA applications again.

Judge Rules against Trump Administration on Rescinding DACA | Fox News [2018-01-10]

Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Ending DACA Program | CBS News [2018-01-10]

Last Thursday, the FCC voted along party lines to repeal the Obama Era Net Neutrality rules. Those who oppose the reversal fear big-business monopolies and reduced freedom of choice for consumers. Those who support the Net Neutrality repeal insist that consumers will actually benefit. Furthermore, they say, with Net Neutrality now history, small businesses and innovators will find the Internet more open and supportive of entrepreneurship.

First, what, exactly, is Net Neutrality? Also known as the Open Internet, it is the principle that Internet service providers (ISPs) may not give preference to any content provider, and may not prioritize, restrict access, or charge more for certain sites, such as those that stream movies or promote a particular viewpoint or agenda. Under Net Neutrality rules, ISPs have been classified as public utilities.

Many worry that without Net Neutrality, the average internet surfer will be forced to pay more for bandwidth. They also fear that the repeal could have an even more devastating impact on other types of consumers. Schools that rely on access to material such as online lectures, supplemental content, and even the ability to upload and download work, may find it cost-prohibitive, they say. Low-income and rural populations who rely on services such as telemedicine may also suffer.

Opponents of Net Neutrality say that its reversal will “open up” the Internet for healthier competition among ISPs, resulting in better access for all consumers.

In the FCC vote to reverse Net Neutrality, the three Republican commissioners voted in favor, and the two Democrat commissioners dissented. The following two video clips show Ajit Pai, current Chairman of the FCC, discussing the decision. The first video clip also includes the two Democratic commissioners voicing their dissent.

The FCC Just Killed Net Neutrality | The Verge (2017-12-14)

FCC votes to overturn Obama-era net neutrality rules | Fox News (2017-12-14)

With the revocation of Net Neutrality, then, will we see a “great explosion of entrepreneurial brilliance,” as predicted by former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell? Or will the disrupters and innovators be stifled? Will online public services be more readily accessible to those who need them, or will they end up in a tangle of slow traffic for those who can’t afford to pay premium prices? Will we just have to wait and see?

FCC repealed net neutrality: Here are the myths to be aware of | Fox Business Network (2017-12-15)

With No Net Neutrality, Is There Hope For The Open Internet? | AM Joy |MSNBC (2017-11-27)

Category: *Lies

Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Rescission of DACA

The FCC Repeal of Net Neutrality: More Restriction – or More Freedom (And for Whom?)