'Super Sanctuaries' list: DC, NYC, Chicago, California

There are over 300 “sanctuary” communities that protect criminal undocumented immigrants from federal deportation authorities, but a new list highlights the “super sanctuaries” that hide millions. That list is led by the Washington, D.C. area, Chicago, New York City, and all of California, which is threatening to expand protections for immigrants in the United States illegally.

“Not satisfied with keeping ICE out of jails and courthouses, some sanctuaries are taking it a step further,” said a report from the Center for Immigration Studies. “Many jurisdictions, often major cities, are now using taxpayer funds to actively support and assist illegal aliens living there. Some of these cities provide free legal advice to illegal aliens fighting to stay in the country. Others provide discounted housing specifically for illegal aliens. Alarmingly, some dole out voting rights to their illegal residents. These are the ‘super-sanctuaries,’” said the new report.

The report comes as so-called "Angel Moms" are fighting to draw attention to the family members they have lost in crimes committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally, many protected from deportation by sanctuary communities that refuse to turn them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

The four: Washington, D.C. and its suburbs. CIS said that Washington has a $1 million fund to provide legal help to immigrants in the U.S. illegally and two Maryland cities, Hyattsville and Takoma Park, let undocumented immigrants vote in local elections. New York City. The city is home to over 1.15 million undocumented immigrants. It has a website dedicated to aiding immigrants in the U.S. illegally and offers free legal advice and will soon offer healthcare. Chicago. CIS said the city “celebrates” its status as a sanctuary and had a "Sanctuary City Supportive Resources" website. It also created a program to help undocumented immigrants assimilate into city life, called KeyCity. It allows noncitizens to vote in school board elections. California. Former Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in 2017 that he said makes California a "sanctuary state.” It is home to more undocumented immigrants than any other state in the country, according to Pew. It has a sweeping taxpayer-funded system to provide several legal services to the immigrants. And the University of California has set aside $25 million to "support undocumented students.”

CIS said that sanctuary movement is poised to become a major part of the immigration battles in Washington. “Their politicians see these actions as part of a winning political strategy. As the fight for border security and immigration reform continues, super-sanctuaries may emerge as a new and growing player in the greater debate. While this short list is not exhaustive, these communities continue to lead the state and local-level fight against federal immigration enforcement. The new and creative ways they have accommodated their illegal residents indicate their willingness to continue the political battle over the illegal population,” said the think tank.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/super-sanctuaries-list-dc-nyc-chicago-california

Bruce Ohr: FBI had 're-engagement' with Trump dossier author months after he was dropped as an informant

Justice Department official Bruce Ohr testified to Congress last year that the FBI sought to contact Trump dossier author Christopher Steele long after he was terminated as a source. Months after he spoke to members of the joint task force of the Judiciary and Oversight committees in a closed-door session, chunks of Ohr's testimony were reported Monday by Jeff Carlson of the Epoch Times. Ohr created an unofficial back channel between the FBI and Steele, an ex-British spy who was hired by Fusion GPS and provided agents with opposition research on President Trump. In the excerpts, Ohr is shown telling lawmakers that that there was "one occasion" in which the FBI encouraged him to reach out and obtain information from Steele in May 2017. That was six months after Steele was dropped as an FBI source for providing confidential information to the media. The testimony shows Ohr being pressed on a text message exchange with Steele suggesting the idea of re-engaging with the FBI days after Director James Comey was fired by Trump.

Although Steele accepted the offer, the correspondence appeared to hit a roadblock upon the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the federal Russia investigation under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. “We are frustrated with how long this re-engagement with the Bureau and Mueller is taking. There are some new perishable operational opportunities we do not want to miss out on," Steele wrote Ohr in June 2017. In another message in November, Steele said “I am presuming you’ve heard nothing back from your SC colleagues on the issue you kindly put to them for me. We have heard nothing from them either. To say this is disappointing would be an understatement.”

While the exact timing is unclear, Ohr did tell investigators, “at some point during 2017, Chris Steele did speak with somebody from the FBI, but I don’t know who." The content of such a discussion is unknown. The FBI declined to comment, and a spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately return the Washington Examiner's request for comment.

Ohr, formerly the associate deputy attorney general and director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, was demoted after it came to light he met with Steele and Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson. His wife, Nellie Ohr, had done Russia research work for Fusion GPS and also passed along a thumb drive to her husband to give to the FBI. Before losing control of the lower chamber at the start of the new term, GOP lawmakers sought to learn more about the government's reliance on the Trump dossier, which contains a number of salacious claims about the president's ties to Russia. That dossier, which contains several unverified claims about Trump's ties to Russia, was used by the FBI in its FISA warrant applications to secure the authority to spy on onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

As part of their investigative efforts looking for possible spy authority abuse, GOP lawmakers demanded the release of a dozen FD-302 reports, which contained summaries of FBI agents' interactions with Ohr. Trump late last year ordered the immediate declassification of the 302s and other Russia-related documents, but later backed off after he said the DOJ and American allies made a convincing case to stop him. He said that the DOJ inspector general had instead been asked to review these documents "on an expedited basis" and that he might ultimately choose to declassify the documents "if it proves necessary."

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/bruce-ohr-fbi-sought-to-re-engage-trump-dossier-author-months-after-he-was-dropped-as-an-informant

Matthew Whitaker agrees to testify before House Judiciary Committee

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee next month, House Democrats announced Tuesday. What will likely be a high stakes hearing is set to take place on Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET, according a letter sent by House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., to Whitaker. "Thank you for continuing to work with us to find a time for you to testify before the House Committee on the Judiciary," Nadler wrote. "As we have discussed and I have informed your staff, I expect you to appear on February 8 whether or not the current lapse in appropriations has been resolved, and whether or not the Senate has confirmed a new Attorney General," he added.

Democrats had threatened to subpoena Whitaker to force an appearance, suggesting he was trying to wait until attorney general nominee William Barr was confirmed in order to avoid testifying. Lawmakers also accused him of using the partial federal government shutdown as a reason not to appear. Barr appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday for the beginning of his confirmation hearings, and though it appears he has so far skirted any controversies that might derail his nomination, he likely won’t be in the position until mid-to-late February.

Whitaker is currently overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller and his Russia investigation, and he will do so until Barr assumes his position. Nadler suggested to Whitaker that he consult with the White House ahead of the hearing on whether he plans to "invoke executive privilege in an attempt to avoid answering any particular question." Whitaker, whom President Trump picked to succeed ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions, was scrutinized for his critical remarks about Mueller’s investigation, as well as his decision not to recuse himself from oversight despite a recommendation by Justice Department ethics officials.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/matt-whitaker-agrees-to-testify-before-house-judiciary-committee

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