Jun32021

Legal entry into the United States

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Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a refugee is an alien who, generally, has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  Individuals who meet this definition may be considered for either refugee status under Section 207 of the INA if they are outside the United States, or asylum status under Section 208 of the INA, if they are already in the United States.

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May272021

100 year anniversary of Tulsa, Oklahoma Greenwood Massacre

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May 31, 2021, marks the 100 year anniversary of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Greenwood massacre. Listen to survivors of the Tulsa race massacre share their memories of Greenwood before a White mob attacked the affluent community 100 years ago in “Tulsa 1921: An American Tragedy.” The special airs Monday, May 31, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
Tulsa is currently taking action to find and identify victims who were buried in mass graves. MSN describes some of this activity. Both the New York Times and Atlantic articles provide an outstanding overview of this tragic event.

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Apr202021

Ku Klux Klan Act (KKK) of 1871

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Today, in 1871, Ulysses S. Grant requested that Congress pass legislation to address the KKK activities on racially motivated conspiracies intended to deprive people of equal protection under the laws — providing a civil remedy to the victims of private acts of violence motivated by discrimination and racial bias. This federal legislation was necessary as local and state courts were ineffective in prosecuting Klan violence due to either sympathies for or fear of repercussions of the Klan.

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Apr12021

DC Statehood would give full rights of citizenship to 712,000 Americans

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DC is a historically Black city and Black people still make 47% of the population. And although DC’s 712,000 residents pay taxes, vote in elections, serve in the military and carry out all the responsibilities of American citizenship, they have little say in the regulation of their city; the Federal Government solely holds that power, including affecting local laws, city funding and its operations. 

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Mar182021

Two important gun safety bills pass in the House

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the U.S. House of Representatives approved two gun safety bills that will substantially expand and strengthen background checks conducted on individuals who seek to purchase firearms. H.R. 8, otherwise known as the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, requires background checks for individuals who purchase firearms from private sellers online or at gun shows. H.R. 1446 will extend the amount of time the FBI may take to complete a background check from three days to ten days.

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