A Message From The Government About Terrorism and the Holiday...

WASHINGTON – Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are advising shoppers this holiday season to be aware of online scams that would have consumers purchase counterfeit goods instead of genuine products.

Counterfeit electronics that overheat due to improper manufacture, fake bicycle helmets that break upon impact and phony cosmetics that lead to skin ailments are just a few examples of knock-off items sold online that present a serious health and safety risk. Seasonal items like holiday lights can also be counterfeit, poorly wired and ignite fires.

“Tablets, sporting goods and beauty products are popular holiday gift items, but they’re also commonly counterfeited and sold to unsuspecting consumers,” said National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) Director Bruce Foucart. “It’s important that the American public is aware of these online schemes so they can shop smartly, protect their finances and stay safe.”

Shoppers can protect themselves year-round by knowing how to identify copyright infringing websites, by exercising due diligence when purchasing items from independent sellers on e-commerce sites and by using caution when buying merchandise through social media platforms. Consumers should also avoid clicking on suspicious advertisements either emailed directly or found while searching the Internet. Key signs that a website may be peddling counterfeit goods include:

• All the products listed are on sale or offered at extremely low prices.
• The website does not have proper contact information.
• The product is not shipping from within the United States.
• The buyer is redirected to an external online payment system during checkout.

Shoppers who purchased products online that were unusually packaged, missing approval stickers from independent safety organizations or stitched poorly with faded colors and misspelled words may have inadvertently bought counterfeit goods. They are advised to review return policies, and contact the website for more information. If returning the item is not an option, then contact your bank to see if they offer any type of fraud protection, and report the crime through the ICE Tip Line 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

"CBP is working diligently to stop the flow of counterfeit and pirated goods,” said Michael Walsh, the Director of Customs and Border Protection's IPR Policy and Programs Division. “We ask that shoppers be wary and do their homework. Counterfeit and pirated goods are poor quality, harm legitimate businesses, and can pose health and safety risks to U.S. consumers."

The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. Working in close coordination with the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 23 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to intellectual property theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety and the U.S. economy.

Editor's note:  We can't have a great America if we don't protect the businesses which have been the cornerstone to our way of life.  Everyone likes a great deal, but someone always comes out on the short end when things are fake.  In fact, if the deal is too good to be true, it is probably not such a great deal at all!  

At Un Dia Sin Fronteras, we work hard to advocate for fair treatment of all people.  That shoe has to fit on both feet.  We ask for fair treatment of immigrants, for example.  But we also advocate that the treatment is fair in both directions.

We wish each of you a safe and happy holiday!

Border Communities Urge Obama Use Restraint With Border Patrol

From Resist the tyranny.com

In using the President's executive power to help immigrants, border communities ask the President to use restraint, in not linking immigrants with increased militarization of the border, says the Southern Border Communities Coalition, with member organizations in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

In a letter addressed to the President, the communities said, "CBP urgently needs a surge in accountability and oversight, not increased Border Patrol personnel or war equipment".

The border communities say it is unwise to add resources to the Border Patrol without adding accountability in the use of force.  The organization says the Border Patrol has experienced unprecedented growth, now being the largest law enforcement agency in America.  The growth was too fast, and some agents lack accountability and oversight.

"Irrational, unsupervised growth made CBP the nation’s largest police force without
building up its integrity and professionalism to match"

Sources say President will announce the administrative deferral of some immigrants who meet stringent conditions, including a minimum of 5 continuous years in the U.S., no criminal record and other high standards.  The process will come at a price, the money added to the U.S. treasury.

The President is also expected to announce tougher measures on the border.  It is this announcement, tied to the decision to grant administrative relief, that border communities object to.  

An $80K Mistake Costs Traveler Her Benjamin Franklins

Govt file photo

(Wednesday, February 12, 2014)

San Diego — A Fresno woman, likely a courier, made an $80,000 mistake that will cost someone dearly, most likely the courier and her family.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Otay Mesa port of entry arrested a woman after they found she was carrying the undisclosed cash.  The Customs and Border Patrol allege attempted

smuggling.

Shortly before 1:30 p.m. on February 11, CBP officers were inspecting travelers along the 905 South heading to Mexico.  The vehicle was targeted, another way of saying "profiled".  It was a 2007 blue Dodge Charger.  Inspection agents asked the driver to pull aside for a more complete look.

The CBP knows drugs move North and guns and money move south.  They tasked a firearms and currency  detector dog to take a close "sniff" of the blue Dodge.  The dog alerted to the dashboard on the passenger side.  When the CBP thinks they have a good prospect, it does not take them long to get through the normal screening material including dash and glove box.  Soon they found bundles of U.S. cash hidden behind the glove compartment.  A final count revealed $79,925 bucks!

File Photo

The driver is both a Mexican citizen and U.S. permanent resident, aged 35.  The officers arrested her and turned her over to Homeland Security Investigations agents.  She was transported to Metropolitan Correctional Center for criminal arraignment.  With that kind of cash, one would think she could post bond, but, alas, the funds were seized, along with the vehicle.

Mules are often recruited for transport of money South to Mexican and South American hands.  The mules are promised a nice fee for their efforts.  Few realize how much hot water they can find themselves in if their plan does not go as smoothly as they thought it would.  Not only do they face criminal penalties, but their handlers generally have a no-excuses policy.  The money is still owed, as far as they are concerned.  They won't be picky about getting it back, if not from the female who remains helplessly housed in an American institution, then from her family.

It is a violation of federal law to fail to declare money in excess of $10,000 to a CBP agent both upon entry and exit into or from the U.S.  It is also illegal to hide the money in a vehicle if the intent in hiding the money is to evade detection.  While we don't know the particulars with this person, it is a foolish move to get hooked into drug dealer and other illegal services.  For the little the mule makes, the risks are not worth the rewards.

All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  This may have been an innocent attempt to repatriate a life-savings to Mexico in anticipation of retirement or to acquire a big ticket asset.  However, if it was the intent of the driver to break the law, this is the kind of example that places the immigrant community in a bad light.