Body-Worn Cameras In Law Enforcement Agencies, 2016

"Presents data on body-worn camera (BWCs) use and non-use in general-purpose law enforcement agencies for 2016. Data from agencies with BWCs include number acquired, deployment, policy coverage, access to footage, and obstacles to use. For agencies without BWCs, data include alternate types of recording devices, primary reasons for not obtaining BWCs, and consideration of BWCs in the next 12 months.

Highlights:

• In 2016, 47% of general-purpose law enforcement agencies in the United States had acquired body-worn cameras (BWCs).
• The main reasons (about 80% each) that local police and sheriffs' offices had acquired BWCs were to improve officer safety, increase evidence quality, reduce civilian complaints, and reduce agency liability.
• Among agencies that had acquired BWCs, 60% of local police departments and 49% of sheriffs' offices had fully deployed their BWCs.
• About 86% of general-purpose law enforcement agencies that had acquired BWCs had a formal BWC policy.."
  Body cameras

Time Served In State Prison, 2016

"Presents findings on the time served by prisoners released from state prison in 2016, including mean and median length of time served by most serious offense and the percentage of sentence served by offense before initial release from state prison. The report also includes data on deaths in prison in 2016.

Highlights:

• The average time served by state prisoners released in 2016, from initial admission to initial release, was 2.6 years, and the median time served was 1.3 years.
• Persons released from state prison in 2016 served an average of 46% of their maximum sentence length before their initial release.
• State prisoners initially released in 2016 served an average of 62% of their sentence if they were serving time for rape or sexual assault, and 38% if serving time for drug possession.
• Persons serving less than one year in state prison represented 40% of first releases in 2016.
• Persons sentenced for murder or non-negligent manslaughter served an average of 15 years in state prison before their initial release..."
  Time served

Fourth National Climate Assessment

"The impacts of climate change are already being felt in communities across the country. More frequent and intense extreme weather and climate-related events, as well as changes in average climate conditions, are expected to continue to damage infrastructure, ecosystems, and social systems that provide essential benefits to communities. Future climate change is expected to further disrupt many areas of life, exacerbating existing challenges to prosperity posed by aging and deteriorating infrastructure, stressed ecosystems, and economic inequality. Impacts within and across regions will not be distributed equally. People who are already vulnerable, including lower-income and other marginalized communities, have lower capacity to prepare for and cope with extreme weather and climate-related events and are expected to experience greater impacts. Prioritizing adaptation actions for the most vulnerable populations would contribute to a more equitable future within and across communities. Global action to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions can substantially reduce climate-related risks and increase opportunities for these populations in the longer term.."
Climate Assessment

Defense Primer: Department of the Army and Army Command Structure

"Article I, Section 8, Clause 12 of the Constitution stipulates, “The Congress shall have power ... to raise and support Armies ... make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces ... for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.”

Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 8, Clause 12, known as the Army Clause. “The Congress shall have Power To ... raise and support Armies ... ” Relevant Statutes Title 10, U.S. Code, Subtitle B, Armed Forces: Army Title 32, U.S. Code, National Guard

The Department of the Army (DA) is one of the three military departments reporting to the Department of Defense (DOD). The Army’s primary mission is to fight and win the nation’s ground wars. The Army’s mission is both operational and institutional, and it is composed of four distinct components: the regular Active component (AC), the reserve components of the United States Army Reserve (USAR), the Army National Guard (ARNG), and Department of the Army civilians (DAC)..."
Army command structure

Defense Primer: Defense Appropriations Process

"The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse in Article I, Section 9, which provides that “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” To fulfill this duty, Congress annually considers appropriations measures, which provide funding for numerous activities—such as national defense, education, and homeland security— consistent with policies and priorities established through legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act.

The congressional appropriations process includes various rules and practices that Congress has adopted to distinguish appropriations measures and facilitate their consideration. These measures generally provide funding authority in response to the President’s budget request for a fiscal year (October 1 - September 30)..".
Defense appropriations

Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces

"Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those active duty and reserve component forces of the military services designated by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and specifically selected, organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Special operations frequently require unique modes of employment, tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment. They are often conducted in hostile, politically, and/or diplomatically sensitive environments, and are characterized by one or more of the following: time-sensitivity, clandestine or covert nature, low visibility, work with or through indigenous forces, greater requirements for regional orientation and cultural expertise, and a high degree of risk. SOF’s core activities are listed below..."
Special Operations forces

Defense Primer: Organization of U.S. Ground Forces

"The Army is the U.S. military’s primary ground force. Title 10, Subtitle B, Part I, Chapter 307 of the U.S. Code addresses the organization of the Army. The Marine Corps serves as the Navy’s land-based fighting force. Title 10, Subtitle C, Part I, Chapter 507, Section 5063 addresses Marine Corps composition and functions. For the National Guard and Reserves, see CRS In Focus IF10540, Defense Primer: Reserve Components..:
U.S. ground troops

FTC Issues Annual Report on Ethanol Market Concentration 2018

"The Federal Trade Commission has issued its 2018 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 directs the Commission to perform an annual review of market concentration in the ethanol production industry “to determine whether there is sufficient competition among industry participants to avoid price-setting and other anticompetitive behavior.”

As in prior years, the 2018 report concludes that “the low level of concentration and large number of market participants in the U.S. ethanol production industry continue to suggest that the exercise of market power to set prices, or coordinate on price or output levels, is unlikely.”

The Commission vote to approve the report was 4-0-1, with Commissioner Christine S. Wilson not participating. (FTC File No. P063000; the staff contact is Catharine Bill, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2966.)

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits consumers or file an antitrust complaint. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.."
Ethanol

Protect Children with the Flu Vaccine

"Influenza (flu) is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system. Children are especially vulnerable to becoming sick with flu because of exposures in classrooms or daycare settings. The single best way to protect your children against seasonal flu, and its potentially severe consequences, is to get them and get yourself a flu vaccine each year!

Millions of children get sick with seasonal flu, thousands are hospitalized, and some children die from flu each year. During the 2017-2018 flu season, 185 flu-associated deaths in children were reported to CDC. That’s the highest number since the 2004-2005 flu season, when flu-associated deaths in people younger than 18 years old became nationally reportable. But the number of actual flu deaths in children is thought to be higher than that because not all cases of flu are detected. This happens for a number of reasons including that people may not be tested for flu, or they seek medical care later in their illness when influenza can no longer be detected from respiratory samples. In addition, some commonly used tests to diagnose influenza in clinical settings are not highly sensitive and can provide false negative results..."
Children and flu

Eating Healthier at School Improves Learning

"Kids learn better eating habits when schools provide healthy foods. Learn what you can do to promote nutritious foods at your school.

Most US children attend school for six hours a day and consume as much as half of their daily calories at school. Kids who eat healthy foods at school learn better lifelong eating habits and are readier to learn.

School Meal Programs

Schools play an important role in shaping lifelong healthy eating habits by offering meals with important nutrients. Many schools provide students with meals through federal school meal programs including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. All students can participate in school meal programs. Some students can receive free or reduced-price meals. School meals offer milk, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and key nutrients like calcium and fiber. Learn more about healthy eating in schools and the benefits of school meals..."
healthy food in schools

Lead Hazards in Some Holiday Toys and Toy Jewelry

"Protect children from exposure to lead in metal and plastic toys, especially imported toys, antique toys, and toy jewelry.

Many children get toys and toy jewelry as gifts during the holiday season. Some toys, especially imported toys, antique toys and toy jewelry, may contain lead hazards. Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. Lead is used to augment paints and pigments on some toys. And toys may also be made of lead.

Children may be exposed to lead by simply handling toys normally. It is normal for toddlers and infants to put toys, fingers and other objects in their mouths. Children may be exposed to lead this way.

Lead in Toys

Toys imported into the United States, toy jewelry and antique toys and collectibles may contain lead. To reduce children’s risk for exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tests and issues recalls of toys that could potentially expose children to lead. Learn more at the CDC Lead website..."
Lead in toys

Types of Committee Hearings

"Congressional committee hearings may be broadly classified into four types: legislative, oversight, investigative, and confirmation. Hearings may be held on Capitol Hill or elsewhere (e.g., a committee member’s district or state, or a site related to the subject of the hearing). These latter hearings are often referred to as field hearings. 1 All hearings have a similar formal purpose: to gather information for use by the committee in its activities. This information is often used to shape legislation, even when the hearing is not specifically a legislative hearing. All four types of hearings share common characteristics. The differences among them may appear indistinct, and their purposes sometimes overlap. For example, investigative hearings are sometimes seen as a type of oversight or may lead to legislation, and legislative hearings on a bill might also provide oversight opportunities.

A single set of rules in each chamber governs the different kinds of hearings (Senate Rule XXVI and House Rule X, particularly clauses 2 and 3, and House Rule XI, particularly clauses 2, 4, and 5).2 For example, House and Senate rules set conditions and procedures for closing any hearing to the public and press, all of which must otherwise remain open.3 Some other chamber rules, however, are more pertinent to certain kinds of hearings than to others. Within these rules, a chair has broad latitude in the organization and conduct of hearings.
Committee hearings

Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress

"This report introduces the main steps through which a bill (or other item of business) may travel in the legislative process—from introduction to committee and floor consideration to possible presidential consideration. However, the process by which a bill can become law is rarely predictable and can vary significantly from bill to bill. In fact, for many bills, the process will not follow the sequence of congressional stages that are often understood to make up the legislative process. This report presents a look at each of the common stages through which a bill may move, but complications and variations abound in practice.

 Throughout, the report provides references to a variety of other CRS reports that focus on specific elements of congressional procedure. CRS also has many other reports not cited herein that address some procedural issues in additional detail (including congressional budget and appropriations processes). These reports are organized by subissue at http://www.crs.gov/iap/ congressional-process-administration-and-elections.

Congressional action on bills typically is planned and coordinated by party leaders in each chamber, though as described in this report, majority party leaders in the House have more tools with which to set the floor agenda than do majority party leaders in the Senate. In both chambers, much of the policy expertise resides in the standing committees, panels of Members who typically take the lead in developing and assessing proposed legislation within specified policy jurisdictions..."
Legislative process

COPD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

"Do you suffer from a frequent cough or wheeze? Are you often short of breath when doing things like running errands or climbing stairs? Your lungs could be trying to tell you something. Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more suffer from COPD, but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even perform simple daily tasks.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk..."

COPD

Prevent Illness from C. perfringens

"Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. CDC estimates C. perfringens causes nearly 1 million cases of foodborne illness each year in the United States.

Find out more about this germ and steps you can take to prevent illness.

What is C. perfringens?

C. perfringens are bacteria that can be found on raw meat and poultry, in the intestines of animals and humans, and in the environment. Some strains produce a toxin that causes diarrhea.

What are common food sources of C. perfringens?

Meat and poultry are common sources of C. perfringens infections. C. perfringens infection can result when certain foods, such as large roasts or big pots of stew, are not kept at proper holding temperatures before serving. Outbreaks tend to happen in places that serve large groups, such as hospitals, school cafeterias, prisons, and nursing homes, or at events with catered food.

Who is at risk of C. perfringens food poisoning?

Anyone can get food poisoning from C. perfringens.

What are the symptoms of C. perfringens food poisoning?

People with C. perfringens food poisoning develop diarrhea and abdominal cramps within 6 to 24 hours after eating contaminated food. The illness usually begins suddenly and lasts for less than 24 hours. People can become dehydrated, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids. This infection usually does not cause fever or vomiting, and it cannot be passed from one person to another..."
C. perfringens

Violence Prevention in Practice

"Learn how Violence Prevention in Practice can help you take action to prevent violence.

Violence Prevention in Practice

Violence Prevention in Practice (VPP) is a new online resource designed to help states and communities take action and carry out strategies that prevent violence from happening before it starts and to lessen a person’s or communities’ harm or risk for future violence.

Learn more about VPP and the best available evidence to build a strong foundation for your violence prevention efforts.

What the Resource Covers

VPP guides users through the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies identified in CDC’s violence prevention technical packages. Technical packages include a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to prevent or reduce public health problems such as violence. They work in combination to change norms, environments, and behaviors in ways that can reduce or eliminate violence in communities.

The guidance is organized in multiple sections that detail specific actions you can take to prevent violence. Those sections are:

• Planning
• Partnerships
• Policy Efforts
• Strategies and Approaches
• Adaptation
• Implementation
• Evaluation..."
  Violence prevention

Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls

"November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.

More than one billion children—half of all the children in the world—are victims of violence every year. And in many countries, one in three girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18. All children deserve to grow up in a safe, stable, nurturing environment with healthy relationships. This is why CDC is proud to be part of the Together for Girls partnership leading the Violence Against Children Survey s (VACS).

Understanding Violence with VACS

To prevent violence, we must first understand its magnitude, nature, and consequences. The VACS measures physical, emotional, and sexual violence against girls and boys aged 13–24 in countries around the world. Survey results provide reliable data, which allows countries to make better decisions about using their limited resources to develop, launch, and evaluate violence prevention programs and child protection systems.

As of November 2018, reports are available from surveys in 11 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The surveys have data covering 10 percent of the world’s youth population. Data collection, analysis, and report writing is underway in 13 more countries, which will shed even more light on the issue of violence against young girls, boys, men and women..."
Violence against women and girls

Healthier Holidays in 1 – 2 – 3!

"Few Americans get enough physical activity, and many don’t eat a healthful diet. The winter holidays can be a great time to think about your goals for the year ahead. Follow these tips to jump start your resolutions, and be your healthiest self this holiday season.

1. Stay active.

Being active is your secret weapon this holiday season. It can help make up for eating more than usual and has many other health benefits.

Walking is a great way to be active. Try these tips to incorporate more walking into your activities:

• Skip the search for a close-up parking spot. Park farther away and walk to your destination.
• Make a few extra laps around the mall. Walk the length of the mall before going into any stores. The mall is also a good place to walk to avoid bad weather.
• Start your work day by taking the stairs. Remember to stretch your legs and take short physical activity breaks throughout the day.

• 2. Eat healthy.

  Healthy eating is all about balance. You can enjoy your favorite foods even if they are high in calories, saturated fat, or added sugars. The key is eating them only once in a while or in small portions and balancing them out with healthier foods.
• If you are traveling this season, take healthy snacks along, like fruit and low-fat protein. That way, you can avoid the temptation of convenience foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.
• If your favorite home recipes call for fried fish or chicken with breading, try healthier baked or grilled variations. Maybe try a recipe that uses dried beans in place of higher-fat meats.

Resolve to make new habits. This year, while at parties and other gatherings, fill your plate with fruits and veggies first, and pick small portions of just your favorites of the other items..."
Healthy holidays

Prevent the Spread of Norovirus

"Millions of people get sick from norovirus each year. It causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea, and spreads quickly and easily to other people. If you think you have norovirus, stay hydrated and take steps to keep it from spreading.

Norovirus is very contagious. When you are sick with norovirus, you can shed billions of virus particles in your vomit and poop. It only takes a few of these particles to make someone sick.

You are most contagious

• when you have symptoms of norovirus illness, especially vomiting
• during the first few days after you recover from norovirus illness.

However, you may still be able to spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better.

You Can Spread Norovirus in Many Ways

If you are sick with norovirus, you can spread it to other people by having close contact, such as by caring for, preparing food, or sharing food or eating utensils with them. You can also spread norovirus to others by contaminating surfaces.."
Norovirus

Prediabetes: You Could Be That 1 in 3

"The numbers are in, but what do they mean? Here’s how our latest PSAs are helping people see themselves in a really important number and take action to learn their prediabetes risk.

More than 84 million. That’s how many American adults have prediabetes, and 90% of them don’t know they have it.

Statistics like these are a little hard to wrap your head around. You might be 1 in 84 million. What does that even mean?

That same fact put another way: “1 in 3 US adults.” It could be you, your favorite brother, or your other brother who has prediabetes. You, your boss, your boss’s boss. When you can see yourself and the people you know in the stats, you get it in a whole new way.

That’s the thinking behind Phase 3 of CDC’s award-winning Prediabetes Awareness Campaign. These latest public service announcements (PSAs) aim to change how people think about prediabetes – maybe even get them to think about it for the first time – by making it personal.

The PSAs feature an average guy along with two different people in various parts of his life, from work to the barbershop to a family dinner. The message for viewers: You or some of the people you know could be that 1 in 3..."
Prediaetes

Knowing is Not Enough—Act on Your Family Health History

"Has your mother or sister had breast cancer? Does your mother, father, sister, or brother have diabetes? Did your mother, father, brother, or sister have colorectal (colon) cancer before age 50? If you answered “yes,” you are more likely to get the same disease as your parent or sibling and should consider earlier screening. Talk to your doctor about when to start screening and what other steps to take to prevent the disease or find it early. Finding disease early can often mean better health in the long run.

Did you know that Thanksgiving is also National Family History Day? Even if you don’t have a parent or sibling with cancer or diabetes, you might be more likely to get a disease if other people in your family have or had the disease. However, having a family health history of a disease doesn’t mean that you will definitely get it. Knowing your family health history risk can help you—if you act on it. Collecting your family health history is an important first step. Whether you know a lot about your family health history or only a little, take time to talk to your family about their health histories at family gatherings this holiday season. It might not be easy. Your family members might not be used to talking about their diseases or might not want to talk. But starting the conversation is important. Remember, you’re asking not just for your own health, but for the health of everyone in your family.

Don’t know where to start? My Family Health Portrait can help!

My Family Health Portrait is a free and easy to use online tool to help you collect your family health history information. You can share your information with your family members and doctor.

How to Collect Your Family Health History

• Talk to your family. Write down the names of your close relatives from both sides of the family: parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Talk to these family members about what conditions they have or had, and at what age the conditions were first diagnosed. You might think you know about all of the conditions in your parents or siblings, but you might find out more information if you ask.
• Ask questions. To find out about your risk for chronic diseases, ask your relatives about which of these diseases they have had and when they were diagnosed. Questions can include:
  • Do you have any chronic diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, or health conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol?
  • Have you had any other serious diseases, such as cancer or stroke? What type of cancer?
  • How old were you when each of these diseases or health conditions was diagnosed? (If your relative doesn’t remember the exact age, knowing the approximate age is still useful.)
  • What is your family’s ancestry? From what countries or regions did your ancestors come to the United States?
  • What were the causes and ages of death for relatives who have died?..."
    Family health history

Drowsy Driving: Asleep at the Wheel

"Drive alert and stay unhurt. Learn the risks of drowsy driving and how to protect yourself.

The Drowsy Driving Problem

Drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States. The risk, danger, and often tragic results of drowsy driving are alarming. Drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. This usually happens when a driver has not slept enough, but it can also happen due to untreated sleep disorders, medications, drinking alcohol, or shift work.

No one knows the exact moment when sleep comes over their body. Falling asleep at the wheel is clearly dangerous, but being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you don’t fall asleep. Drowsiness—

• Makes drivers less able to pay attention to the road.
• Slows reaction time if you have to brake or steer suddenly.
• Affects a driver’s ability to make good decisions.

Did You Know?

• An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers (aged 18 years or older) report having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days.^1,2
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013.³ However, these numbers are underestimated and up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers.^..."
  Drowsy driving

Traveling Abroad for the Holidays

"Tis the season to visit loved ones abroad or take a vacation with your family. Whether you’re seeking a winter wonderland or escaping subzero temperatures, follow these travel tips to get prepared for a healthy and safe holiday travel season.

Before You Go

• Learn about health concerns at your destination. Even if you’re familiar with the place, there may be new and important health risks that could make or break your trip.
• Make an appointment with a travel medicine specialist or your health care provider at least a month before you leave to learn about health concerns and vaccines needed at your destination.
  • Even if you are leaving soon, a visit to a travel medicine provider is still valuable.
  • If possible, children should complete their routine childhood vaccines on the normal schedule before traveling. Coordinate with a travel medicine doctor and your child’s pediatrician as soon as possible before travel regarding any needed travel vaccines.
• Pack a travel health kit. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines (enough to last your whole trip, plus a little extra), sunscreen, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, first aid supplies, health insurance card, insect repellent, and condoms.
• Monitor travel warnings and alerts at your destination through the US State Department website.
  • You also can enroll with the nearest US embassy or consulate through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the latest safety updates and help in an emergency..."
    Holiday travel abroad

2017 Hate Crime Statistics

"The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program serves as the national repository for crime data collected by law enforcement. Its primary objective is to generate reliable information for use in law enforcement, operation, and management. Reported yearly, the 2017 data, submitted by 16,149 law enforcement agencies (up 5.9% from 15,254 agencies in 2016), provide information about the offenses, victims, offenders, and location of hate crimes.  Of these agencies, 2,040 reported 7,175 hate crime incidents involvig 8,437 offenses.

The table and graphs below provide a high-level overview of some of the data. The full report can be viewed here: https://ucr.fbi.gov/hate-crime/2017..."
Hate crime

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

"Physical activity is key to improving the health of the Nation. Based on the latest science, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans is an essential resource for health professionals and policy makers that provides recommendations on how everyone can improve their health through regular physical activity. Learn ways to help people understand the benefits of physical activity and how to make it a part of their regular routine..."
Physical activity

Tobacco Product Use Among Adults — United States, 2017

"Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and causes adverse health consequences, including heart disease, stroke, and multiple types of cancer (1). Although cigarette smoking among U.S. adults has declined considerably, tobacco products have evolved in recent years to include various combustible, noncombustible, and electronic products (1,2). To assess recent national estimates of tobacco product use among U.S. adults aged ≥18 years, CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute analyzed data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). In 2017, an estimated 47.4 million U.S. adults (19.3%) currently used any tobacco product, including cigarettes (14.0%; 34.3 million); cigars, cigarillos, or filtered little cigars (3.8%; 9.3 million); electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) (2.8%; 6.9 million); smokeless tobacco (2.1%; 5.1 million); and pipes, water pipes, or hookahs (1.0%; 2.6 million). Among current tobacco product users, 86.7% (41.1 million) smoked combustible tobacco products, and 19.0% (9.0 million) used ≥2 tobacco products..."
Tobacco use

Trends in Current Cigarette Smoking Among High School Students and Adults, United States, 1965–2014

View data on cigarettee smoking among high schoolers and adults from 1965 to 2014.
Cigarette smoking

DOJ and DHS Issue New Asylum Rule: Applies President’s authority to suspend entry to asylum

"Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen today announced an Interim Final Rule declaring that those aliens who contravene a presidential suspension or limitation on entry into the United States through the southern border with Mexico issued under section 212(f) or 215(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) will be rendered ineligible for asylum. 

The Acting Attorney General and the Secretary issued the following joint statement:

“Consistent with our immigration laws, the President has the broad authority to suspend or restrict the entry of aliens into the United States if he determines it to be in the national interest to do so. Today's rule applies this important principle to aliens who violate such a suspension or restriction regarding the southern border imposed by the President by invoking an express authority provided by Congress to restrict eligibility for asylum.  Our asylum system is overwhelmed with too many meritless asylum claims from aliens who place a tremendous burden on our resources, preventing us from being able to expeditiously grant asylum to those who truly deserve it.  Today, we are using the authority granted to us by Congress to bar aliens who violate a Presidential suspension of entry or other restriction from asylum eligibility.”

Section 212(f) of the Immigration and INA states that “[w]henever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”

Further, Section 215(a) of the INA states that it is “unlawful…for any alien to depart from or enter or attempt to depart from or enter the United States except under such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders, and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may prescribe.”..."
Asylum Rule