{"issues":[{"id":"news","name":"News","slug":"news","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false,"follower_count":46},{"id":"short-video","name":"Short Video","slug":"short-video","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false,"follower_count":36},{"id":"legislation","name":"Legislation","slug":"legislation","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false,"follower_count":48}],"legislators":[{"id":3,"chamber":"house","first_name":"Pete","last_name":"Aguilar","nickname":null,"party":"D","gender":"M","district":"31","state":"CA","state_name":"California","state_rank":"","birthday":"1979-06-19","senate_class":null,"term_start":"2021-01-03","term_end":"2023-01-03","title":"Rep","twitter_id":"reppeteaguilar","facebook_id":"reppeteaguilar","youtube_id":null,"website":"https://aguilar.house.gov","phone":"+1-202-225-3201","fax":null,"photos":{"small":"https://assets.weholdthesetruths.org/legislator/photo/A000371/small_rep_aguilar_1558565219.jpg","medium":"https://assets.weholdthesetruths.org/legislator/photo/A000371/medium_rep_aguilar_1558565219.jpg"},"represented_district_name":"California 31st Congressional District","ocd_id":"ocd-division/country:us/state:ca/cd:31","upper":false,"lower":true,"legislative_body_id":3}],"legislative_bodies":[{"name":"United States House","id":3,"district_id":"us"}],"districts":[{"name":"United States","ocd_id":"ocd-division/country:us","state":null,"cover_images":{"large":"https://countable-us.s3.amazonaws.com/district/cover_image/default.png"},"released":false,"id":"us"}],"articles":[{"title":"North Korea Reportedly Tests Long-Range Cruise Missile With Potentially Nuclear Capability ","id":482,"slug":"482-north-korea-reportedly-tests-long-range-cruise-missile-potentially-nuclear-capability","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/482-north-korea-reportedly-tests-long-range-cruise-missile-potentially-nuclear-capability","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=482","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/482/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":3108,"cta_prompt":"Are you concerned about North Korea's latest missile test?","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":"https://www.causes.com/articles/47898-north-korea-reportedly-tests-long-range-cruise-missile-potential-nuclear-capability","formatted_publish_date":"9.16.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28aVRDV/701a21/701a21-NorthKoreaMissileTest.png","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28aVRDV/701a21/701a21-NorthKoreaMissileTest.png","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28aVRDV/701a21/701a21-NorthKoreaMissileTest.png","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28aVRDV/701a21/701a21-NorthKoreaMissileTest.png","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28aVRDV/701a21/701a21-NorthKoreaMissileTest.png"},"profile_id":11,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

North Korea reportedly tested a long-range cruise missile over the weekend that state media said is “a strategic weapon of great significance” which in this context implies it may be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
If the long-range cruise missile is in fact nuclear-capable, it would mark a significant step up in North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, which in recent years has featured prominent tests of long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in 2017, along with short-range ballistic missiles and projectiles in 2019, 2020, and March 2021.
Cruise missiles are slower than ballistic missiles and typically have a shorter range and smaller payload. However, they can have guidance systems which make them harder for missile defense systems to detect and defeat, and have launchers that are easier to conceal than ballistic missiles.
North Korean state media claimed that the cruise missile has a range that would cover the entirety of the Korean Peninsula and most of the Japanese archipelago: an area that includes numerous U.S. military bases in South Korea and Japan, including Okinawa.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) on Sunday released the following statement about the reported tests:

“We are aware of reports of DPRK cruise missile launches. We will continue to monitor the situation and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. This activity highlights DPRK’s continuing focus on developing its military program and the threats that poses to its neighbors and the international community. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad.”

Negotiations with the North Korean regime over its nuclear weapons program are currently at a standstill, and it’s not yet clear whether the latest tests will alter the status quo or result in new sanctions. During the Trump administration, negotiations yielded some pauses in missile tests but fell short of securing a commitment by North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Image via North Korean State Media)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-09-16T13:32:24.117Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? North Korea reportedly tested a long-range cruise missile over the weekend that state media said is “a","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-09-16T13:32:24.092Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"North Korea Reportedly Tests Long-Range Cruise Missile With Potentially Nuclear Capability ","cta_prompt":"Are you concerned about North Korea's latest missile test?","html_content":"

What’s the story?

North Korea reportedly tested a long-range cruise missile over the weekend that state media said is “a strategic weapon of great significance” which in this context implies it may be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
If the long-range cruise missile is in fact nuclear-capable, it would mark a significant step up in North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, which in recent years has featured prominent tests of long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in 2017, along with short-range ballistic missiles and projectiles in 2019, 2020, and March 2021.
Cruise missiles are slower than ballistic missiles and typically have a shorter range and smaller payload. However, they can have guidance systems which make them harder for missile defense systems to detect and defeat, and have launchers that are easier to conceal than ballistic missiles.
North Korean state media claimed that the cruise missile has a range that would cover the entirety of the Korean Peninsula and most of the Japanese archipelago: an area that includes numerous U.S. military bases in South Korea and Japan, including Okinawa.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) on Sunday released the following statement about the reported tests:

“We are aware of reports of DPRK cruise missile launches. We will continue to monitor the situation and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. This activity highlights DPRK’s continuing focus on developing its military program and the threats that poses to its neighbors and the international community. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad.”

Negotiations with the North Korean regime over its nuclear weapons program are currently at a standstill, and it’s not yet clear whether the latest tests will alter the status quo or result in new sanctions. During the Trump administration, negotiations yielded some pauses in missile tests but fell short of securing a commitment by North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Image via North Korean State Media)

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The Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021 is a bipartisan bill in support of local newsrooms across the country. The bill has a three-tiered approach which addresses local news outlets, small businesses who advertise or provide sponsorships for local news, and subscribers of these newsrooms:

\nFor local news organizations, the bill would provide a payroll tax credit which would creating an incentive to retain journalists.
\nFor small business sponsors, the bill would provide a tax credit to business who work with local newspapers, websites, radio or TV
\nFor subscribers, it would provide individual tax credits to help subsidize individual readers’ subscriptions to local news outlets.

Here are more details on how the bill works, the actual legislative language, and a dive into the weeds of what the bill’s components would do.

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\nFor local news organizations, the bill would provide a payroll tax credit which would creating an incentive to retain journalists.
\nFor small business sponsors, the bill would provide a tax credit to business who work with local newspapers, websites, radio or TV
\nFor subscribers, it would provide individual tax credits to help subsidize individual readers’ subscriptions to local news outlets.

Here are more details on how the bill works, the actual legislative language, and a dive into the weeds of what the bill’s components would do.

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":7,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"How do you plan on practicing Maverick voting?","id":219,"slug":"219-do-plan-practicing-maverick-voting","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/219-do-plan-practicing-maverick-voting","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=219","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/219/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":641,"cta_prompt":"Will your vote challenge the status quo; defend the dignity of all people; and support causes greater than one’s self?","cta_type":"record_video","cta_text":"Record Video","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"5.4.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg"},"profile_id":8,"action_count":19,"html_content":"

Almost two years ago, we made the call for Mavericks – people who challenge the status quo; people who defend the dignity of all; and people who work in service of a cause greater than oneself. Thousands, maybe millions, have answered the call.

As the 2020 Election approaches, we need mavericks more than ever before. Like the original maverick, Senator John McCain, we ask you to use your vote to challenge the status quo, defend the dignity of all people and support causes greater than one’s self.

Watch the video and let us know how you plan on Maverick Voting. Post your responses and videos here and/or on Twitter and Facebook pages and take the pledge if you haven’t already at https://www.mavericksneeded.org/.

","comments_count":3,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-05-04T17:58:39.126Z","status":"published","snippet":"Almost two years ago, we made the call for Mavericks – people who challenge the status quo; people who defend the dignity of","share_count":2,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-05-04T17:58:39.123Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/QlNPLoI-F1o","video_dimensions":"480,270","video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"How do you plan on practicing Maverick voting?","cta_prompt":"Will your vote challenge the status quo; defend the dignity of all people; and support causes greater than one’s self?","html_content":"

","custom_cta_text":"Record Video","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":3,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - Western Region","id":395,"slug":"395-local-news-source-guide-western-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/395-local-news-source-guide-western-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=395","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/395/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":2,"html_content":"

Arizona - AZ AZCentral

New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal

Oregon - OR The Oregonian

Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal

California – CA Los Angeles Times

Washington - WA The Seattle Times

Utah - UT Deseret News

Colorado - CO The Denver Post

Hawaii - HI Honolulu Star Advertiser

Alaska - AK Anchorage Daily News

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:43.123Z","status":"published","snippet":"Arizona - AZ AZCentral New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal Oregon - OR The Oregonian Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal","share_count":1,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:43.121Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - Western Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Arizona - AZ AZCentral

New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal

Oregon - OR The Oregonian

Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal

California – CA Los Angeles Times

Washington - WA The Seattle Times

Utah - UT Deseret News

Colorado - CO The Denver Post

Hawaii - HI Honolulu Star Advertiser

Alaska - AK Anchorage Daily News

","custom_cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 6: When can you expect to know the election result?","id":359,"slug":"359-ask-expert-episode-6-expect-know-election-result","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/359-ask-expert-episode-6-expect-know-election-result","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=359","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/359/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.20","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg"},"profile_id":9,"action_count":10,"html_content":"

As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center, the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with important voter information and answer all your questions about the upcoming 2020 election. For more, check out Campaign Legal Center's State and Locally Focused Resources for Supporting Voting Rights.

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","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":2,"issue_ids":["short-video"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"People of Hong Kong Receive Leadership Award","id":114,"slug":"114-people-hong-kong-receive-leadership-award","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/114-people-hong-kong-receive-leadership-award","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=114","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/114/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":898,"cta_prompt":"Second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership and Public Service awarded to people of Hong Kong","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"11.25.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":15,"html_content":"

The second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service has been awarded to the people of Hong Kong in recognition of their fight for democracy. The award, which was presented to the people of Lesbos, Greece, last year was presented this year to former lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing and activist Figo Chan Ho-wun on Saturday, November 23rd. The two accepted the award from Cindy McCain, the wife of late Senator John McCain, alongside the Halifax Security Forum, on behalf of all protesters in Hong Kong.

Giving this award to the people of Hong Kong makes the Halifax Security Forum—a network of international experts, academics, military officials, entrepreneurs and authors—the first international organization to recognize the struggles of the city’s people. This certainly comes at a delicate time: last week, the US Congress almost unanimously voted to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. This act would impose stricter monitoring of Hong Kong and, should any action be taken by the government to erode at the city’s freedoms, sanctions against China. President Trump, who has been in the process of working out a new trade deal with Beijing as a focal point of his re-election campaign, has yet to comment on whether he will sign the act into law or not.

In this context, the Halifax Forum’s recognition of the Hong Kongese could be seen as a challenge to Beijing itself. However, the Forum stands firm in its decision. Cindy McCain, who is also a board member of the Forum, said that she hopes “this tribute to those who are struggling for their rights in Hong Kong will encourage more people around the world to raise their voices in support of their cause, especially in my country’s government. They are fighting for something larger than themselves.”

Article: People of Hong Kong awarded 2019 John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service – an honour that comes at delicate time in US-China relations

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Article: People of Hong Kong awarded 2019 John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service – an honour that comes at delicate time in US-China relations

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":3,"issue_ids":["news"],"legislator_ids":[3]},{"title":"Introducing the Diplomacy Caucus","id":119,"slug":"119-introducing-diplomacy-caucus","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/119-introducing-diplomacy-caucus","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=119","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/119/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":898,"cta_prompt":"A bipartisan group of lawmakers are banding together to support America's diplomats","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":7,"html_content":"

The ongoing impeachment hearings in Washington, DC have had the unintended consequence of dragging down the morale of America’s foreign service as U.S. diplomats have been caught up in the partisan crossfire. To remedy this, four members of congress, two Republicans and two Democrats, have announced the creation of the Diplomacy Caucus. The caucus will bring together lawmakers of both parties in the interest of strengthening the U.S. diplomatic corps through legislation. Do you feel that America’s public servants are being protected enough by Congress, or is the creation of this caucus a necessity?

Article: With State Department Under Fire, Lawmakers Form a Diplomacy Caucus

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-12-04T19:22:29.919Z","status":"published","snippet":"The ongoing impeachment hearings in Washington, DC have had the unintended consequence of dragging down the morale of America’s","share_count":3,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-12-04T19:22:29.917Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Introducing the Diplomacy Caucus","cta_prompt":"A bipartisan group of lawmakers are banding together to support America's diplomats","html_content":"

Article: With State Department Under Fire, Lawmakers Form a Diplomacy Caucus

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What’s the story?

The Taliban announced on Tuesday the names of individuals who will serve in leadership positions within the Taliban’s government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which will follow the edicts of sharia law.
A formal ceremony is likely to occur in the coming days, potentially on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks ― which were planned by al Qaeda in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s safe harbor. The Taliban has invited Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey to attend the inauguration of its new government.
The Taliban’s leadership list includes multiple U.S.-designated terrorists, four of the “Taliban Five” who were released in 2014 from Guantanamo Bay by the Obama administration in a prisoner swap for Bowe Bergdahl (who later pleaded guilty to deserting his Army unit in Afghanistan), and several of the Taliban’s lead negotiators in peace talks prior to their defeat of the U.S.-backed Afghan government.
Following the announcement, the BBC asked the Taliban why no women were given leadership posts in the new government and were told the cabinet wasn’t finalized. The announcement comes as the Taliban has beaten female protesters calling for an inclusive society, and fired warning shots to disperse protests in Kabul and elsewhere.

Who is in the Taliban’s government?

\nEmir: Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, who was an early member of the Taliban and was a close advisor to the late supreme leader Mullah Omar, who rejected requests to turn over Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. One of his sons, with Akhundzada's approval, conducted a suicide attack on an Afghan military base in 2017. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al Qaeda, has sworn allegiance to past Taliban leaders and most recently renewed that pledge when Akhundzada assumed leadership of the Taliban.
\nHead of State: Mullah Hassan Akhund, who was also an early member of the Taliban and close advisor to Mullah Omar. During the Taliban’s previous reign over Afghanistan, Akhund allegedly supervised the March 2001 destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, a pair of Buddha statues made in central Afghanistan in the 6th century that were a UNESCO World Heritage Site prior to their destruction. Akhund has been on the United Nations sanctions list since 2001.
\nFirst Deputy: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban with Mullah Omar who was imprisoned from 2010 to 2018 in Pakistan, where he was released at the urging of the Trump administration amid its peace talks with the Taliban.
\nMinister of Interior: Sirajuddin Haqqani, a specially designated global terrorist and one of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists with a $10 million reward for information directly leading to his arrest. He is reportedly a senior leader of the Haqqani network, a U.S.-designated terror group, and has close ties to the Taliban and al Qaeda. He is wanted for a 2008 attack on a hotel in Kabul that killed six people, and also reportedly participated in attacks against U.S. and coalition forces.
\nMinister of Defense: Mullah Yaqoub, the son of Taliban founder and late supreme leader Mullah Omar. Yaqoub recently honored Taliban suicide bombers in a video that blamed the U.S. for the 9/11 terror attacks.
\nMinister for Information and Culture: Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah, who was arrested in 2002 during the U.S. response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and held at Guantanamo Bay as an alleged close associate of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden until his 2014 release as one of the “Taliban Five.” He has been a lead negotiator for the Taliban and has reportedly played a leading role in the group’s strategy to regain control of Afghanistan.
\nChief of Army Staff: Mohammad Fazl, who was one of the “Taliban Five” and a frontline commander for the Taliban, serving as the group’s deputy defense minister. He is accused of playing a key role in several massacres and summary executions of Afghan civilians in the 1999 to 2001 period.
\nDirector of Intelligence: Abdul Haq Wasiq, one of the “Taliban Five” who had facilitated the Taliban’s alliances with fundamentalist groups along with intelligence training and other support between al Qaeda and the Taliban.
\nMinister of Borders and Tribal Affairs: Mullah Noorullah Noori, one of the “Taliban Five” who had fought with al Qaeda and the Taliban against the U.S.-led coalition. He was also wanted by the United Nations for possible war crimes, including the murder of thousands of Shiite Muslims.
\nMinister of Refugees: Khalil Haqqani, the uncle of Sirajuddin and the brother of the late Jalaluddin Haqqani ― who was a close friend of Osama bin Laden and an early leader in the Taliban. Khalil is designated by the U.S. as a terrorist for his fundraising and other activities on behalf of the Taliban and al Qaeda.

RELATED READING

\nNational Security Officials Warn of Renewed Terrorism Threat From Afghanistan Following Taliban Takeover (8/18/21)

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha / Public Domain)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-09-09T17:50:00.231Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? The Taliban announced on Tuesday the names of individuals who will serve in leadership positions within the","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"icon":"excited","text":"Excited","color":"#333174","stance":"excited"},{"icon":"happy","text":"Happy","color":"#58275E","stance":"happy"},{"icon":"apathetic","text":"Apathetic","color":"#6B2152","stance":"apathetic"},{"icon":"sad","text":"Sad","color":"#96143A","stance":"sad"},{"icon":"angry","text":"Angry","color":"#B60924","stance":"angry"}],"reaction_config_id":5,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-09-09T17:50:00.185Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Taliban Announces Gov't Including U.S.-Designated Terrorists, 4 of ‘Taliban 5’ Released From Guantanamo Bay","cta_prompt":"How do you feel about the Taliban’s new government for Afghanistan?","html_content":"

What’s the story?

The Taliban announced on Tuesday the names of individuals who will serve in leadership positions within the Taliban’s government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which will follow the edicts of sharia law.
A formal ceremony is likely to occur in the coming days, potentially on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks ― which were planned by al Qaeda in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s safe harbor. The Taliban has invited Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey to attend the inauguration of its new government.
The Taliban’s leadership list includes multiple U.S.-designated terrorists, four of the “Taliban Five” who were released in 2014 from Guantanamo Bay by the Obama administration in a prisoner swap for Bowe Bergdahl (who later pleaded guilty to deserting his Army unit in Afghanistan), and several of the Taliban’s lead negotiators in peace talks prior to their defeat of the U.S.-backed Afghan government.
Following the announcement, the BBC asked the Taliban why no women were given leadership posts in the new government and were told the cabinet wasn’t finalized. The announcement comes as the Taliban has beaten female protesters calling for an inclusive society, and fired warning shots to disperse protests in Kabul and elsewhere.

Who is in the Taliban’s government?

\nEmir: Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, who was an early member of the Taliban and was a close advisor to the late supreme leader Mullah Omar, who rejected requests to turn over Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. One of his sons, with Akhundzada's approval, conducted a suicide attack on an Afghan military base in 2017. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al Qaeda, has sworn allegiance to past Taliban leaders and most recently renewed that pledge when Akhundzada assumed leadership of the Taliban.
\nHead of State: Mullah Hassan Akhund, who was also an early member of the Taliban and close advisor to Mullah Omar. During the Taliban’s previous reign over Afghanistan, Akhund allegedly supervised the March 2001 destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, a pair of Buddha statues made in central Afghanistan in the 6th century that were a UNESCO World Heritage Site prior to their destruction. Akhund has been on the United Nations sanctions list since 2001.
\nFirst Deputy: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban with Mullah Omar who was imprisoned from 2010 to 2018 in Pakistan, where he was released at the urging of the Trump administration amid its peace talks with the Taliban.
\nMinister of Interior: Sirajuddin Haqqani, a specially designated global terrorist and one of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists with a $10 million reward for information directly leading to his arrest. He is reportedly a senior leader of the Haqqani network, a U.S.-designated terror group, and has close ties to the Taliban and al Qaeda. He is wanted for a 2008 attack on a hotel in Kabul that killed six people, and also reportedly participated in attacks against U.S. and coalition forces.
\nMinister of Defense: Mullah Yaqoub, the son of Taliban founder and late supreme leader Mullah Omar. Yaqoub recently honored Taliban suicide bombers in a video that blamed the U.S. for the 9/11 terror attacks.
\nMinister for Information and Culture: Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah, who was arrested in 2002 during the U.S. response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and held at Guantanamo Bay as an alleged close associate of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden until his 2014 release as one of the “Taliban Five.” He has been a lead negotiator for the Taliban and has reportedly played a leading role in the group’s strategy to regain control of Afghanistan.
\nChief of Army Staff: Mohammad Fazl, who was one of the “Taliban Five” and a frontline commander for the Taliban, serving as the group’s deputy defense minister. He is accused of playing a key role in several massacres and summary executions of Afghan civilians in the 1999 to 2001 period.
\nDirector of Intelligence: Abdul Haq Wasiq, one of the “Taliban Five” who had facilitated the Taliban’s alliances with fundamentalist groups along with intelligence training and other support between al Qaeda and the Taliban.
\nMinister of Borders and Tribal Affairs: Mullah Noorullah Noori, one of the “Taliban Five” who had fought with al Qaeda and the Taliban against the U.S.-led coalition. He was also wanted by the United Nations for possible war crimes, including the murder of thousands of Shiite Muslims.
\nMinister of Refugees: Khalil Haqqani, the uncle of Sirajuddin and the brother of the late Jalaluddin Haqqani ― who was a close friend of Osama bin Laden and an early leader in the Taliban. Khalil is designated by the U.S. as a terrorist for his fundraising and other activities on behalf of the Taliban and al Qaeda.

RELATED READING

\nNational Security Officials Warn of Renewed Terrorism Threat From Afghanistan Following Taliban Takeover (8/18/21)

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha / Public Domain)

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"One Big Thing: Should the U.S. grant refugee status to Hong Kong democracy activists?","id":475,"slug":"475-big-thing-u-s-grant-refugee-status-hong-kong-democracy-activists","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/475-big-thing-u-s-grant-refugee-status-hong-kong-democracy-activists","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=475","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/475/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and take our poll","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"8.24.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/1d4db9/1d4db9-49369936_303.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/1d4db9/1d4db9-49369936_303.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/1d4db9/1d4db9-49369936_303.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/1d4db9/1d4db9-49369936_303.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/1d4db9/1d4db9-49369936_303.jpg"},"profile_id":4,"action_count":99,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

A controversial immigration law enacted in Hong Kong has sparked concerns among pro-democracy activists that the Chinese Communist Party-backed government will seek to prevent them from leaving the city. Exit bans have become increasingly prevalent in mainland China for use against citizens and foreigners alike, including Americans.
The Hong Kong Bar Association said the law, which took effect on August 1st, gives the government the power to bar any person from entering or leaving Hong Kong for an indefinite period without obtaining a court order. The government dismissed those concerns as “nonsense.”
Hong Kong’s national security police have reportedly compiled a list of people to arrest if they try to flee the city, which resulted in the apprehension of a writer from the Apple Daily. The Apple Daily was the last major pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong and shuttered its bureau in the city after several editors and executives were arrested by the CCP.
\nPolitico obtained a letter from a coalition of pro-democracy Hong Kongers in exile calling on Congress to pass a bill to grant priority refugee status to Hong Kongers.

What would the bill do?

Introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in the Senate and Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) in the House, the bipartisan Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act would designate certain Hong Kong residents and their immediate family members with priority status for refugee consideration, known as “Priority 2” refugee status.
Priority 2 refugee status would be available to Hong Kongers who suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution as a result of peaceful political activity; or have been formally charged, detained, or convicted for certain peaceful actions. This would also allow Hong Kong refugees to be admitted without counting against numerical limits refugee admissions.
Under the bill, Hong Kongers could not be denied admission to the U.S. due to a politically motivated government action against them (such as revocation of citizenship) stemming from their involvement in the 2019-2020 protests against China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy. Those whose Hong Kong residency was revoked would remain eligible for refugee status as victims of political persecution.
Additionally, the bill would ease the path to an asylum claim for Hong Kongers who were arrested amid the protests by waiving the consideration of immigration intent in the asylum application process.

— Eric Revell

","comments_count":16,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-08-24T17:59:39.743Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? A controversial immigration law enacted in Hong Kong has sparked concerns among pro-democracy activists that","share_count":4,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#9F1962","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-08-24T17:59:39.718Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"One Big Thing: Should the U.S. grant refugee status to Hong Kong democracy activists?","cta_prompt":"Join us and take our poll","html_content":"

What’s the story?

A controversial immigration law enacted in Hong Kong has sparked concerns among pro-democracy activists that the Chinese Communist Party-backed government will seek to prevent them from leaving the city. Exit bans have become increasingly prevalent in mainland China for use against citizens and foreigners alike, including Americans.
The Hong Kong Bar Association said the law, which took effect on August 1st, gives the government the power to bar any person from entering or leaving Hong Kong for an indefinite period without obtaining a court order. The government dismissed those concerns as “nonsense.”
Hong Kong’s national security police have reportedly compiled a list of people to arrest if they try to flee the city, which resulted in the apprehension of a writer from the Apple Daily. The Apple Daily was the last major pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong and shuttered its bureau in the city after several editors and executives were arrested by the CCP.
\nPolitico obtained a letter from a coalition of pro-democracy Hong Kongers in exile calling on Congress to pass a bill to grant priority refugee status to Hong Kongers.

What would the bill do?

Introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in the Senate and Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) in the House, the bipartisan Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act would designate certain Hong Kong residents and their immediate family members with priority status for refugee consideration, known as “Priority 2” refugee status.
Priority 2 refugee status would be available to Hong Kongers who suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution as a result of peaceful political activity; or have been formally charged, detained, or convicted for certain peaceful actions. This would also allow Hong Kong refugees to be admitted without counting against numerical limits refugee admissions.
Under the bill, Hong Kongers could not be denied admission to the U.S. due to a politically motivated government action against them (such as revocation of citizenship) stemming from their involvement in the 2019-2020 protests against China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy. Those whose Hong Kong residency was revoked would remain eligible for refugee status as victims of political persecution.
Additionally, the bill would ease the path to an asylum claim for Hong Kongers who were arrested amid the protests by waiving the consideration of immigration intent in the asylum application process.

— Eric Revell

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":16,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - Midwest Region","id":394,"slug":"394-local-news-source-guide-midwest-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/394-local-news-source-guide-midwest-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=394","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/394/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":1,"html_content":"

Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune

Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman

Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star

Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register

Kansas - KS Wichita Eagle

Michigan - MI Detroit News

Minnesota - MN Duluth News Tribune

Montana - MT Billings Gazette

Missouri - MO St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nebraska - NE Lincoln Journal Star

Wyoming - WY Casper Star-Tribune

Ohio - OH Cincinnati Enquirer

Wisconsin - WI Wisconsin State Journal

North Dakota - ND Bismarck Tribune

South Dakota - SD Rapid City Journal

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:00.175Z","status":"published","snippet":"Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register Kansas","share_count":1,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:00.169Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - Midwest Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune

Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman

Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star

Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register

Kansas - KS Wichita Eagle

Michigan - MI Detroit News

Minnesota - MN Duluth News Tribune

Montana - MT Billings Gazette

Missouri - MO St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nebraska - NE Lincoln Journal Star

Wyoming - WY Casper Star-Tribune

Ohio - OH Cincinnati Enquirer

Wisconsin - WI Wisconsin State Journal

North Dakota - ND Bismarck Tribune

South Dakota - SD Rapid City Journal

","custom_cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 5: What is \"Ballot Harvesting\" or \"Ballot Assistance\"?","id":358,"slug":"358-ask-expert-episode-5-ballot-harvesting-ballot-assistance","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/358-ask-expert-episode-5-ballot-harvesting-ballot-assistance","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=358","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/358/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.20","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg"},"profile_id":9,"action_count":4,"html_content":"

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-04T20:55:31.252Z","status":"published","snippet":"As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center , the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-12-04T20:55:31.250Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/aajlcjVZyVo","video_dimensions":[480,270],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 5: What is \"Ballot Harvesting\" or \"Ballot Assistance\"?","cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","html_content":"

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Congressman Introduces Bill Requiring Arrested Protesters to Pay for Police Overtime","id":89,"slug":"89-congressman-introduces-bill-requiring-arrested-protesters-pay-police-overtime","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/89-congressman-introduces-bill-requiring-arrested-protesters-pay-police-overtime","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=89","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/89/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should protesters have to pay for police? Tell your Rep. how you feel.","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.8.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":44,"html_content":"

Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested protestors to pay for police overtime.

Rep. Banks (R-Ind.) said \"Hoosier taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for illegal protests — it is a violation of their 1st Amendment rights.”

Despite Banks’ statements, such a bill would erode First Amendment protections and make citizens less likely to protest.

\nArticle: GOP lawmaker to introduce bill requiring arrested DC protesters pay for police overtime\n

Banks claims that this bill would not prohibit other demonstrations or protests, but historically speaking, many of our nation’s most important civil rights victories have come from protests that led to arrests. It seems likely that adding financial responsibility on top of the threat of arrest may prevent would-be-activists from participating in future protests.

Is this an intimidation tactic? If so, is it a violation of our First Amendment rights?

What do you think? Should activists ever be on the hook for police overtime?

","comments_count":4,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-08T16:57:59.427Z","status":"published","snippet":"Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested","share_count":13,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-08T17:09:45.576Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Congressman Introduces Bill Requiring Arrested Protesters to Pay for Police Overtime","cta_prompt":"Should protesters have to pay for police? Tell your Rep. how you feel.","html_content":"

Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested protestors to pay for police overtime.

Rep. Banks (R-Ind.) said \"Hoosier taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for illegal protests — it is a violation of their 1st Amendment rights.”

Despite Banks’ statements, such a bill would erode First Amendment protections and make citizens less likely to protest.

\nArticle: GOP lawmaker to introduce bill requiring arrested DC protesters pay for police overtime\n

Is this an intimidation tactic? If so, is it a violation of our First Amendment rights?

What do you think? Should activists ever be on the hook for police overtime?

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":4,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"New California Law Prohibits Political Deepfakes","id":100,"slug":"100-new-california-law-prohibits-political-deepfakes","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/100-new-california-law-prohibits-political-deepfakes","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=100","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/100/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should deepfake videos be considered protected speech?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.22.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":15,"html_content":"

California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false information about political candidates.

Specifically, the bill applies to instances where deepfake technology is used to intentionally spread false information about a candidate within 60 days of an election.

The bill includes exceptions for parody and satire, as well as cases where the broadcaster or publisher makes it clear that the media has been manipulated.

Article: California Becomes The Second State To Restrict Political “Deepfakes”

The bill has already drawn harsh criticism from free speech advocates, including the ACLU, who claimed \"this bill will not solve the problem of deceptive political videos; it will only result in voter confusion, malicious litigation, and repression of free speech.”

It’s worth noting that libel and defamation have never been protected by the first amendment, and many deepfake videos could be classified as libel or defamation.

Do you think outlawing deepfake videos is an attack on the first amendment? Can we stop the spread of misinformation without relying on censorship? Let us know in the comments below.

","comments_count":3,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-22T14:57:04.556Z","status":"published","snippet":"California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false","share_count":2,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#9F1962","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-22T15:29:37.361Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"New California Law Prohibits Political Deepfakes","cta_prompt":"Should deepfake videos be considered protected speech?","html_content":"

California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false information about political candidates.

Specifically, the bill applies to instances where deepfake technology is used to intentionally spread false information about a candidate within 60 days of an election.

The bill includes exceptions for parody and satire, as well as cases where the broadcaster or publisher makes it clear that the media has been manipulated.

Article: California Becomes The Second State To Restrict Political “Deepfakes”

It’s worth noting that libel and defamation have never been protected by the first amendment, and many deepfake videos could be classified as libel or defamation.

Do you think outlawing deepfake videos is an attack on the first amendment? Can we stop the spread of misinformation without relying on censorship? Let us know in the comments below.

","custom_cta_text":"React","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":3,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Gov. Abbott Signs Controversial Texas Election Reform Bill Into Law","id":480,"slug":"480-gov-abbott-signs-controversial-texas-election-reform-bill-law","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/480-gov-abbott-signs-controversial-texas-election-reform-bill-law","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=480","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/480/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Do you support or oppose Texas's reforms to its election laws?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"9.7.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/f8e028/f8e028-TexasElectionReformLaw.png","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/f8e028/f8e028-TexasElectionReformLaw.png","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/f8e028/f8e028-TexasElectionReformLaw.png","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/f8e028/f8e028-TexasElectionReformLaw.png","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/f8e028/f8e028-TexasElectionReformLaw.png"},"profile_id":11,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) on Tuesday signed a controversial election reform bill into law that advocates say contains common-sense election reforms while detractors argue it unfairly restricts voting options used by minority groups.
Republicans in the legislature passed the bill along party-line votes of 80-41, 1 present in the House; and 18-13 in the Senate. Abbott released the following statement about the enactment of Senate Bill 1:

\"Senate Bill 1 ensures trust and confidence in our elections system — and most importantly, it makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat. Safe and secure elections are critical to the foundation of our state, and I thank Senator Hughes and Representative Murr for their leadership on this important issue. I am proud to sign Senate Bill 1 into law to uphold the integrity of our elections in Texas.\"

Texas Democrats in the legislature blocked the bill by breaking quorum in June and July. On the latter occasion, a number of lawmakers fled the state to go to Washington, D.C. and Portugal to stall the bill. Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa (D) offered the following statement on the bill:

“S.B. 1 is a racist, anti-democracy bill that will cement Texas’s ranking as the hardest state in the country to vote in. Abbott has signed into law a bill that will make it harder to vote by mail, embolden partisan poll watchers and pave the way for voter intimidation, put up additional barriers to voting for Texans with disabilities, limit voting options by banning drive-thru voting — overwhelmingly used by working people and voters of color — and slashing the early voting window, and make election workers vulnerable to lawsuits.”

What’s in the Texas election reform law?

EARLY VOTING

The new Texas law standardizes early voting hours across the state by requiring counties to offer early voting during certain timeframes, as prior law required early voting to be held during “regular business hours” which were variable between counties.
Counties will be required to hold at least 9 hours of voting per day in the first week of early voting, starting as early as 6am and ending as late as 10pm local time; and requires at least 12 hours of early voting per day in the last week of early voting in larger counties.
During the final week of early voting in larger counties, 12 hours of voting will be mandated on Saturday and six hours on Sunday. Smaller counties with fewer than 1,000 voters will be permitted to hold fewer early voting hours during the final week.
County officials are prohibited from offering early voting for 24 hours a day; and from offering drive-thru voting or early voting in a “moveable structure.” (Harris County offered both in 2020 for the first time due to COVID-19.)
Employers are required to permit a person under their authority to be absent from work on election day or while early voting is in progress to allow them to attend their polling place to vote.

ABSENTEE / MAIL VOTING

Voters will be required to provide the number on their driver’s license, other state-issued ID (including an expired ID), or the last four digits of their Social Security number when they request an absentee ballot. (Texas will also continue to use its signature matching process under current law to verify absentee ballots.)
The new law makes it a felony for an elections official to solicit the submission of a vote by mail application from a person who didn’t request an application; distribute a vote by mail application to a person who didn’t request it unless they were expressly authorized by another part of the election code; authorize the use of public funds to allow a third-party to distribute vote by mail applications; or complete any portion of a vote by mail application distributed to an applicant unless they’re providing lawful assistance.
The above restrictions apply to both absentee and vote by mail applications sent to voters who are either eligible or ineligible to vote absentee or by mail.
Officials will be required to notify voters if their absentee ballot is missing a signature, has a mismatched signature, or contains other incomplete information to give them an opportunity to fix (or “cure”) the ballot so their vote counts.
Within two days of discovering a ballot defect and before the committee decides whether to accept or reject a timely delivered ballot, the signature verification committee will be required to determine if it’s possible for the voter to correct the defect and return the envelope before polls close on election day and return it to the voter by mail.
If the committee determines that it wouldn’t be possible for the voter to correct the defect and return it before polls close on election day, the committee can notify the voter of the defect by telephone or e-mail and inform the voter that they can cancel their vote by mail request or come to the early voting clerk’s office in person within six days of election day to correct the defect.

ELECTION MONITORING

Poll watchers entitled to observe an activity will also be entitled to sit or stand “near enough to see and hear” the election activity or procedure.
Poll watchers are allowed to observe the sealing and transfer of a memory card, flash drive, hard drive, data storage device, or another medium now existing or later developed and used by voting system equipment.
They’re also entitled to observe the delivery of ballots in a manner that allows them to determine how the ballots are delivered and potentially how election officials are making decisions about the delivery of ballots. A poll watcher is not allowed to disrupt the process of delivering ballots.
An elections official would commit a Class A misdemeanor if they intentionally or knowingly refuse to accept a poll watcher for service who is required to be accepted by law. Obstructing a poll watcher’s ability to observe activities and procedures they’re lawfully permitted to view in a manner that makes observation not reasonably effective (including by distancing them from the activity) is a violation of the election code under the new law. Poll watchers and their appointing authority could seek injunctive relief for violations of this provision.
A county’s election records custodian will be required to post a licensed peace officer at the central counting station. A video surveillance system is required in all areas where voted ballots are held in counties with a population of at least 100,000 people. The video surveillance is to be made available to the public through a livestream.
Judges are prohibited from having a duly accepted poll watcher removed from a polling place unless they violate the penal code or an election judge or clerk observed a violation of election. A presiding judge can call law enforcement to remove a poll watcher who commits a breach of the peace or violates the law.

BALLOT HARVESTING

The law prohibits paid vote harvesting (also known as ballot harvesting) in which a person collects the ballots of others and receives a benefit or payment for their services from a candidate, campaign, or third party. \"Benefit\" is defined by the bill as a promise or offer of employment, a favorable discretionary official act, or a benefit to any person in whose welfare the beneficiary has an interest.
The law will clarify that the paid vote harvesting prohibition doesn’t include political speech or other acts that merely involve promotion of a candidate or measure; interactions that don’t occur in the presence of the ballot, directly don’t involve an official ballot, or aren’t conducted in-person with a voter; or any activity that isn’t designed to deliver votes for or against a specific candidate or measure.
It will be a third-degree felony to knowingly provide paid vote harvesting services or to possess a mail ballot in connection with vote harvesting services.

ELECTION ASSISTANCE

Existing Texas law allows an assistant to help a voter with marking or reading a ballot due to physical disabilities or language barriers, and the new election reforms modify some of the certifications and attestations required under the process.
Under the new law, a person who assists a voter and isn’t an elections official will be required to complete a form stating the name and address of the person assisting the voter; their relationship to the voter; and whether the assistant received or accepted any form of compensation from a candidate, campaign, or political committee. The form will be submitted along with an early voting ballot by mail or to an elections officer at a polling place.
The assistant will be required to swear under penalty of perjury that the voter represented to the assistant that they’re eligible for assistance; that the assistant confined their help to reading, marking, or directing the marking of the ballot; did not pressure or coerce the voter into choosing them; will not communicate information about how the person voted to anyone else; and that the assistant knows a ballot may not be counted if they provide assistance to someone who isn’t eligible.
Violations of the certification requirement would not apply if the voter is an assistant’s parent or child (first-degree relatives); brother, sister, grandparent, or grandchild (second-degree relatives); great-grandparent, great-grandchild, or other third-degree relatives; or they’re married to a second-degree relative. An additional exemption would be granted if the person assisting a voter is an attendant or caregiver previously known to the voter.
The law revises criminal definitions related to providing unlawful election assistance to a voter by clarifying that it’s a crime to offer to compensate a person for providing unlawful assistance to voters, or to solicit or receive compensation for providing unlawful assistance (compensation defined as an economic benefit). It will be a third-degree felony to offer or provide unlawful assistance to a voter.

ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

The bill would make it a felony to alter another voter’s ballot to not reflect the voter’s intent; prevent an eligible voter from casting a legal ballot; provide false information to a voter to prevent them from voting; cause a ballot to be voted for another person known to be deceased or not a qualified voter; cause or enable a vote to be cast more than once in the same election; or discard or destroy a voter’s completed ballot without the voter’s consent.
Public officials and election officials are prohibited from creating, altering, modifying, waiving, or suspending any election standard, practice, or procedure mandated by law or rule in a manner not expressly authorized by the Texas election code.
The Texas Supreme Court and appellate courts will be required to prioritize proceedings related to injunctive relief under the election code for alleged offenses if the claim is filed on or after the 70th day before a general or special election. If an oral argument for a proceeding is granted it may be given in person or through electronic means as determined by the court.

POLLING PLACE PROCEDURES

The secretary of state is required to create and distribute a checklist for procedures related to opening and closing a polling place each day to assist a presiding judge in processing forms and conducting procedures required by the Texas election code.
A voter who hasn’t voted before the scheduled time for closing a polling place will be entitled to vote if they’re in line at the polling place by closing time. The secretary of state will provide materials and any necessary training presiding judges necessary to properly process voters.
Polling places are required to maintain a register of spoiled ballots at the location. The secretary of state will create and distribute a form to be used for the purpose of registering the name of a voter who returns a spoiled ballot and the spoiled ballot’s number.

FELON VOTING

Courts are required to inform individuals convicted of felonies in Texas about how their conviction affects their right to vote.
The new law precludes individuals from being convicted of a crime “solely” for voting a provisional ballot while unknowingly ineligible to vote.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Abbott: Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-09-09T17:48:29.779Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) on Tuesday signed a controversial election reform bill into law that advocates","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Support","color":"#333373","stance":"support"},{"text":"Oppose","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"oppose"}],"reaction_config_id":7,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-09-07T17:48:00.000Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Gov. Abbott Signs Controversial Texas Election Reform Bill Into Law","cta_prompt":"Do you support or oppose Texas's reforms to its election laws?","html_content":"

What’s the story?

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) on Tuesday signed a controversial election reform bill into law that advocates say contains common-sense election reforms while detractors argue it unfairly restricts voting options used by minority groups.
Republicans in the legislature passed the bill along party-line votes of 80-41, 1 present in the House; and 18-13 in the Senate. Abbott released the following statement about the enactment of Senate Bill 1:

\"Senate Bill 1 ensures trust and confidence in our elections system — and most importantly, it makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat. Safe and secure elections are critical to the foundation of our state, and I thank Senator Hughes and Representative Murr for their leadership on this important issue. I am proud to sign Senate Bill 1 into law to uphold the integrity of our elections in Texas.\"

Texas Democrats in the legislature blocked the bill by breaking quorum in June and July. On the latter occasion, a number of lawmakers fled the state to go to Washington, D.C. and Portugal to stall the bill. Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa (D) offered the following statement on the bill:

“S.B. 1 is a racist, anti-democracy bill that will cement Texas’s ranking as the hardest state in the country to vote in. Abbott has signed into law a bill that will make it harder to vote by mail, embolden partisan poll watchers and pave the way for voter intimidation, put up additional barriers to voting for Texans with disabilities, limit voting options by banning drive-thru voting — overwhelmingly used by working people and voters of color — and slashing the early voting window, and make election workers vulnerable to lawsuits.”

What’s in the Texas election reform law?

EARLY VOTING

The new Texas law standardizes early voting hours across the state by requiring counties to offer early voting during certain timeframes, as prior law required early voting to be held during “regular business hours” which were variable between counties.
Counties will be required to hold at least 9 hours of voting per day in the first week of early voting, starting as early as 6am and ending as late as 10pm local time; and requires at least 12 hours of early voting per day in the last week of early voting in larger counties.
During the final week of early voting in larger counties, 12 hours of voting will be mandated on Saturday and six hours on Sunday. Smaller counties with fewer than 1,000 voters will be permitted to hold fewer early voting hours during the final week.
County officials are prohibited from offering early voting for 24 hours a day; and from offering drive-thru voting or early voting in a “moveable structure.” (Harris County offered both in 2020 for the first time due to COVID-19.)
Employers are required to permit a person under their authority to be absent from work on election day or while early voting is in progress to allow them to attend their polling place to vote.

ABSENTEE / MAIL VOTING

Voters will be required to provide the number on their driver’s license, other state-issued ID (including an expired ID), or the last four digits of their Social Security number when they request an absentee ballot. (Texas will also continue to use its signature matching process under current law to verify absentee ballots.)
The new law makes it a felony for an elections official to solicit the submission of a vote by mail application from a person who didn’t request an application; distribute a vote by mail application to a person who didn’t request it unless they were expressly authorized by another part of the election code; authorize the use of public funds to allow a third-party to distribute vote by mail applications; or complete any portion of a vote by mail application distributed to an applicant unless they’re providing lawful assistance.
The above restrictions apply to both absentee and vote by mail applications sent to voters who are either eligible or ineligible to vote absentee or by mail.
Officials will be required to notify voters if their absentee ballot is missing a signature, has a mismatched signature, or contains other incomplete information to give them an opportunity to fix (or “cure”) the ballot so their vote counts.
Within two days of discovering a ballot defect and before the committee decides whether to accept or reject a timely delivered ballot, the signature verification committee will be required to determine if it’s possible for the voter to correct the defect and return the envelope before polls close on election day and return it to the voter by mail.
If the committee determines that it wouldn’t be possible for the voter to correct the defect and return it before polls close on election day, the committee can notify the voter of the defect by telephone or e-mail and inform the voter that they can cancel their vote by mail request or come to the early voting clerk’s office in person within six days of election day to correct the defect.

ELECTION MONITORING

Poll watchers entitled to observe an activity will also be entitled to sit or stand “near enough to see and hear” the election activity or procedure.
Poll watchers are allowed to observe the sealing and transfer of a memory card, flash drive, hard drive, data storage device, or another medium now existing or later developed and used by voting system equipment.
They’re also entitled to observe the delivery of ballots in a manner that allows them to determine how the ballots are delivered and potentially how election officials are making decisions about the delivery of ballots. A poll watcher is not allowed to disrupt the process of delivering ballots.
An elections official would commit a Class A misdemeanor if they intentionally or knowingly refuse to accept a poll watcher for service who is required to be accepted by law. Obstructing a poll watcher’s ability to observe activities and procedures they’re lawfully permitted to view in a manner that makes observation not reasonably effective (including by distancing them from the activity) is a violation of the election code under the new law. Poll watchers and their appointing authority could seek injunctive relief for violations of this provision.
A county’s election records custodian will be required to post a licensed peace officer at the central counting station. A video surveillance system is required in all areas where voted ballots are held in counties with a population of at least 100,000 people. The video surveillance is to be made available to the public through a livestream.
Judges are prohibited from having a duly accepted poll watcher removed from a polling place unless they violate the penal code or an election judge or clerk observed a violation of election. A presiding judge can call law enforcement to remove a poll watcher who commits a breach of the peace or violates the law.

BALLOT HARVESTING

The law prohibits paid vote harvesting (also known as ballot harvesting) in which a person collects the ballots of others and receives a benefit or payment for their services from a candidate, campaign, or third party. \"Benefit\" is defined by the bill as a promise or offer of employment, a favorable discretionary official act, or a benefit to any person in whose welfare the beneficiary has an interest.
The law will clarify that the paid vote harvesting prohibition doesn’t include political speech or other acts that merely involve promotion of a candidate or measure; interactions that don’t occur in the presence of the ballot, directly don’t involve an official ballot, or aren’t conducted in-person with a voter; or any activity that isn’t designed to deliver votes for or against a specific candidate or measure.
It will be a third-degree felony to knowingly provide paid vote harvesting services or to possess a mail ballot in connection with vote harvesting services.

ELECTION ASSISTANCE

Existing Texas law allows an assistant to help a voter with marking or reading a ballot due to physical disabilities or language barriers, and the new election reforms modify some of the certifications and attestations required under the process.
Under the new law, a person who assists a voter and isn’t an elections official will be required to complete a form stating the name and address of the person assisting the voter; their relationship to the voter; and whether the assistant received or accepted any form of compensation from a candidate, campaign, or political committee. The form will be submitted along with an early voting ballot by mail or to an elections officer at a polling place.
The assistant will be required to swear under penalty of perjury that the voter represented to the assistant that they’re eligible for assistance; that the assistant confined their help to reading, marking, or directing the marking of the ballot; did not pressure or coerce the voter into choosing them; will not communicate information about how the person voted to anyone else; and that the assistant knows a ballot may not be counted if they provide assistance to someone who isn’t eligible.
Violations of the certification requirement would not apply if the voter is an assistant’s parent or child (first-degree relatives); brother, sister, grandparent, or grandchild (second-degree relatives); great-grandparent, great-grandchild, or other third-degree relatives; or they’re married to a second-degree relative. An additional exemption would be granted if the person assisting a voter is an attendant or caregiver previously known to the voter.
The law revises criminal definitions related to providing unlawful election assistance to a voter by clarifying that it’s a crime to offer to compensate a person for providing unlawful assistance to voters, or to solicit or receive compensation for providing unlawful assistance (compensation defined as an economic benefit). It will be a third-degree felony to offer or provide unlawful assistance to a voter.

ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

The bill would make it a felony to alter another voter’s ballot to not reflect the voter’s intent; prevent an eligible voter from casting a legal ballot; provide false information to a voter to prevent them from voting; cause a ballot to be voted for another person known to be deceased or not a qualified voter; cause or enable a vote to be cast more than once in the same election; or discard or destroy a voter’s completed ballot without the voter’s consent.
Public officials and election officials are prohibited from creating, altering, modifying, waiving, or suspending any election standard, practice, or procedure mandated by law or rule in a manner not expressly authorized by the Texas election code.
The Texas Supreme Court and appellate courts will be required to prioritize proceedings related to injunctive relief under the election code for alleged offenses if the claim is filed on or after the 70th day before a general or special election. If an oral argument for a proceeding is granted it may be given in person or through electronic means as determined by the court.

POLLING PLACE PROCEDURES

The secretary of state is required to create and distribute a checklist for procedures related to opening and closing a polling place each day to assist a presiding judge in processing forms and conducting procedures required by the Texas election code.
A voter who hasn’t voted before the scheduled time for closing a polling place will be entitled to vote if they’re in line at the polling place by closing time. The secretary of state will provide materials and any necessary training presiding judges necessary to properly process voters.
Polling places are required to maintain a register of spoiled ballots at the location. The secretary of state will create and distribute a form to be used for the purpose of registering the name of a voter who returns a spoiled ballot and the spoiled ballot’s number.

FELON VOTING

Courts are required to inform individuals convicted of felonies in Texas about how their conviction affects their right to vote.
The new law precludes individuals from being convicted of a crime “solely” for voting a provisional ballot while unknowingly ineligible to vote.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Abbott: Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons)

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":" R.E.A.L. Friends Don't","id":474,"slug":"474-r-e-l-friends-don-t","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/474-r-e-l-friends-don-t","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=474","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/474/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"custom","cta_text":"Visit R.e.a.l. Friends Don't","cta_url":"https://www.realfriendsdont.org/","formatted_publish_date":"8.23.21","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/hBeCyBpB5s0/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/hBeCyBpB5s0/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/hBeCyBpB5s0/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/hBeCyBpB5s0/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/hBeCyBpB5s0/0.jpg"},"profile_id":4,"action_count":1,"html_content":"

Talking to children about online safety can – and should – be a regular part of life. We are pleased to partner with @realfriendsdont to provide parents and caregivers with the tools and resources needed to keep their kids safe online.

It’s time to get R.E.A.L. about protecting kids online. Our kids are growing up in a digital world. But all that screen time could be putting any child at risk. Online, it’s harder to tell if people are really who they say they are. It’s our job to help kids recognize who their real friends are – and aren’t.

It is more important than ever for parents to be the eyes and ears for their children, helping navigate their online experiences and protect them from potentially harmful relationships.

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["short-video"],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-08-23T18:03:13.954Z","status":"published","snippet":"Talking to children about online safety can – and should – be a regular part of life. We are pleased to partner with","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-08-23T18:03:13.943Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/hBeCyBpB5s0","video_dimensions":[200,113],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":" R.E.A.L. Friends Don't","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

It is more important than ever for parents to be the eyes and ears for their children, helping navigate their online experiences and protect them from potentially harmful relationships.

","custom_cta_text":"Visit R.e.a.l. Friends Don't","cta_url":"https://www.realfriendsdont.org/"}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":["short-video"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - North East Region","id":393,"slug":"393-local-news-source-guide-north-east-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/393-local-news-source-guide-north-east-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=393","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/393/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

Region: North East

New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor

New York - NY New York Times

Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe

Connecticut - CT Hartford Courant

Delaware - DE The News Journal

Maine - ME Portland Press Herald

Maryland - MD Maryland Independent

Pennsylvania - PA York Dispatch

Rhode Island - RI The Providence Journal

Vermont - VT Burlington Free Press

West Virginia - WV The Herald-Dispatch

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:06:21.302Z","status":"published","snippet":"Region: North East New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor New York - NY New York Times Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe Connecticut -","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:06:21.300Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - North East Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Region: North East

New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor

New York - NY New York Times

Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe

Connecticut - CT Hartford Courant

Delaware - DE The News Journal

Maine - ME Portland Press Herald

Maryland - MD Maryland Independent

Pennsylvania - PA York Dispatch

Rhode Island - RI The Providence Journal

Vermont - VT Burlington Free Press

West Virginia - WV The Herald-Dispatch

","custom_cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 4: How might China, Russia & Iran meddle with our election?","id":357,"slug":"357-ask-expert-episode-4-china-russia-iran-meddle-election","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/357-ask-expert-episode-4-china-russia-iran-meddle-election","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=357","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/357/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.20","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg"},"profile_id":9,"action_count":2,"html_content":"

","comments_count":2,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["short-video"],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-04T20:54:40.156Z","status":"published","snippet":"As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center , the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-12-04T20:54:40.152Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/uy1tqtjjSqk","video_dimensions":[480,270],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 4: How might China, Russia & Iran meddle with our election?","cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","html_content":"

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":2,"issue_ids":["short-video"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"One Year After Jamal Khashoggi’s Death, Many Questions Remain","id":85,"slug":"85-year-jamal-khashoggi-s-death-questions-remain","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/85-year-jamal-khashoggi-s-death-questions-remain","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=85","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/85/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Do you think Congress Should Reopen an Investigation?","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.2.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":18,"html_content":"

Wednesday, October 2nd marks one year since journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khashoggi was a known political dissident, and many of his articles were critical of the Saudi government. The exact circumstances of his murder remain suspicious and largely unverified, and one year later, there are still many questions surrounding his death.

Here’s what you need to know about Khashoggi:

Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi born author, journalist and political dissident.
He was assassinated on October 2nd, 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi was a legal resident of the United States, and a columnist for the Washington Post at the time of his death.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's death.
Later, the Saudi government claimed his death was the result of rogue actors.
\nBy November, the CIA had concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.\n
A United Nation’s Report concluded that he was killed and dismembered by Saudi state actors.
His remains have never been found.
\nInitially, President Trump promised “severe punishment” if it became clear that the Saudi government had assassinated Khashoggi. One month later, he backpedaled on this claim, citing his reluctance to “destroy the economy” by straining Saudi-U.S. relations.\n
\nA trial for 11 men accused of killing Khashoggi began in January, 2019 but has taken place in Saudi Arabia, mostly outside of public view.\n
\nLast week, Saudi Crown Prince admitted that Khashoggi’s death “happened under my watch.”\n
\nMohammed bin Salman still denies ordering the killing of Khashoggi.\n

Article: Khashoggi's murder: One year on, here's what we know

Even after multiple investigations and a Saudi trial, the exact details of the murder are still unknown. Khashoggi’s murder is a brutal blow to global press freedoms and an alarming strain to U.S.-Saudi relations. People deserve to know the truth about what happened to Jamal Khashoggi, and as long as the Saudi government and the White House continue to shroud this event in secrecy, people will continue to harbor suspicions about our government’s willingness to pursue justice and our democratic commitment to a free press.

Do you think Congress should demand an investigation into Khashoggi’s death? If so, let your Representative know.

You can also sound off on twitter using the hashtags #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

Or, you can reach out to the 2020 Presidential candidates below using #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-02T15:59:54.482Z","status":"published","snippet":"Wednesday, October 2nd marks one year since journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.","share_count":5,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-02T16:04:51.013Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"One Year After Jamal Khashoggi’s Death, Many Questions Remain","cta_prompt":"Do you think Congress Should Reopen an Investigation?","html_content":"

Here’s what you need to know about Khashoggi:

Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi born author, journalist and political dissident.
He was assassinated on October 2nd, 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi was a legal resident of the United States, and a columnist for the Washington Post at the time of his death.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's death.
Later, the Saudi government claimed his death was the result of rogue actors.
\nBy November, the CIA had concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.\n
A United Nation’s Report concluded that he was killed and dismembered by Saudi state actors.
His remains have never been found.
\nInitially, President Trump promised “severe punishment” if it became clear that the Saudi government had assassinated Khashoggi. One month later, he backpedaled on this claim, citing his reluctance to “destroy the economy” by straining Saudi-U.S. relations.\n
\nA trial for 11 men accused of killing Khashoggi began in January, 2019 but has taken place in Saudi Arabia, mostly outside of public view.\n
\nLast week, Saudi Crown Prince admitted that Khashoggi’s death “happened under my watch.”\n
\nMohammed bin Salman still denies ordering the killing of Khashoggi.\n

Article: Khashoggi's murder: One year on, here's what we know

Do you think Congress should demand an investigation into Khashoggi’s death? If so, let your Representative know.

You can also sound off on twitter using the hashtags #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

Or, you can reach out to the 2020 Presidential candidates below using #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":["news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training ","id":96,"slug":"96-denver-police-agree-amendment-training","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/96-denver-police-agree-amendment-training","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=96","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/96/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should recording police count as free speech?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.15.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":11,"html_content":"

In July of 2018, investigative reporter Susan Greene filmed an interaction between Denver police and a naked, handcuffed man. Police asked Greene to stop recording, and when she refused, they seized her phone, handcuffed her, and pushed her into a police car. The interaction was captured on police body cam footage.

\nArticle: Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training After Unlawful Arrest of Journalist\n

The right to record police officers have been repeatedly upheld by the courts as an essential element of free speech and free press.

After a 7 month internal investigation, the Denver Police Department agreed to provide First Amendment training for their officers, specifically conceding the right to photograph and record in public.

Is this a win for free speech? Let us know in the comments below.

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\nArticle: Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training After Unlawful Arrest of Journalist\n

The right to record police officers have been repeatedly upheld by the courts as an essential element of free speech and free press.

Is this a win for free speech? Let us know in the comments below.

","custom_cta_text":"React","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"What is the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program?","id":479,"slug":"479-afghan-special-immigrant-visa-siv-program","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/479-afghan-special-immigrant-visa-siv-program","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=479","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/479/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Do you support the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who worked with the U.S.?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"9.1.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/0661fd/0661fd-AfghanSIVProgram.png","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/0661fd/0661fd-AfghanSIVProgram.png","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/0661fd/0661fd-AfghanSIVProgram.png","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/0661fd/0661fd-AfghanSIVProgram.png","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/0661fd/0661fd-AfghanSIVProgram.png"},"profile_id":11,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who worked for the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan as interpreters and similar roles along with their families has been in the spotlight since the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan began earlier this summer and concluded at the end of August. The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has put Afghan SIVs and their families at risk of execution, and there are already reports of the group murdering those who worked with the U.S. and the coalition.
As of September 1st, it’s unclear to federal agencies exactly how many Afghan SIVs and their family members were evacuated before the U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, a senior State Dept. official told Politico and the Wall Street Journal that the majority of Afghan SIV holders and applicants weren’t evacuated, while NBC News reported that preliminary figures suggest only 8,500 out of tens of thousands of Afghan SIVs were able to make it through Taliban checkpoints to catch a flight out of Kabul.

What is the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program?

In 2006, Congress established the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program to allow Afghans and Iraqis who served alongside U.S. forces as interpreters or contractors for at least two years to receive permanent U.S. resident status and access to benefits for refugees. In addition to the primary SIV applicant who worked with the U.S.-led coalition, their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may also be granted SIVs.
From the creation of the SIV program to March 31, 2021, a total of 99,279 individuals received SIV visas, including 30,541 Afghans and Iraqis who worked with the U.S. plus 68,738 dependent spouses and children, according to data from the State Dept. That total over the life of the program to date includes about 18,000 Afghans plus 45,000 of their family members.
When the Afghanistan pull-out began in earnest, the SIV program had an application backlog of around 18,000 to 20,000 primary Afghan applicants. When their family members were taken into consideration, it’s likely the number exceeded 70,000.
The SIV application has 14 steps which include in-person interviews plus medical and security screenings. Overall, the process can be relatively time-consuming, particularly if an applicant struggles to find the proper documentation or schedule in-person screenings. By law, the SIV application process has a benchmark of nine months from submission to approval, but in practice, it has been much longer.
The State Dept. Inspector General and the Congressional Research Service noted that staffing for the program has generally remained constant since 2016 but was not sufficient to alleviate the applicant backlog, with average processing times rising from 287 business days in April 2014 to 410 calendar days in January 2017 to 996 calendar days as of January 2021. Some have waited several years for final approval. Processing was delayed further with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused processing and interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to be paused at times during 2020 and 2021.
Congress has acted on several occasions over the years to adopt bills to address the visa shortage by incorporating legislation into defense authorization bills.
Most recently, a bill that increased the number of Afghan SIVs by 8,000 to meet demand, reduced the employment eligibility requirement from two years to one year, postponed required medical exams, and opened eligibility to surviving spouses and children of murdered applicants became law at the end of July.

What are other visa programs for Afghans?

The State Dept. opened the Priority 2 (P-2) refugee admissions process to eligible Afghans and their family members in August 2021.
It’s intended to be available for Afghans who worked for the U.S. or U.S.-funded programs but aren’t eligible for SIVs due to the nature of their employment or because they didn’t work in that role for long enough.
P-2 applicants couldn’t apply for visas from Afghanistan prior to the Taliban’s takeover, and must still go to another country to apply.
The Association of Wartime Allies, a veterans group advocating for Afghan allies in the SIV and refugee admissions process, has estimated that the number of Afghans eligible for P-2 visas who haven’t been evacuated could be more than 198,000.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Soldier & Afghan Interpreter: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Teddy Wade via Flickr / Creative Commons)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-09-09T17:47:17.292Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who worked for the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan as","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Support","color":"#333373","stance":"support"},{"text":"Oppose","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"oppose"}],"reaction_config_id":7,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-09-01T17:47:00.000Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"What is the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program?","cta_prompt":"Do you support the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who worked with the U.S.?","html_content":"

What’s the story?

The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who worked for the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan as interpreters and similar roles along with their families has been in the spotlight since the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan began earlier this summer and concluded at the end of August. The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has put Afghan SIVs and their families at risk of execution, and there are already reports of the group murdering those who worked with the U.S. and the coalition.
As of September 1st, it’s unclear to federal agencies exactly how many Afghan SIVs and their family members were evacuated before the U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, a senior State Dept. official told Politico and the Wall Street Journal that the majority of Afghan SIV holders and applicants weren’t evacuated, while NBC News reported that preliminary figures suggest only 8,500 out of tens of thousands of Afghan SIVs were able to make it through Taliban checkpoints to catch a flight out of Kabul.

What is the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program?

In 2006, Congress established the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program to allow Afghans and Iraqis who served alongside U.S. forces as interpreters or contractors for at least two years to receive permanent U.S. resident status and access to benefits for refugees. In addition to the primary SIV applicant who worked with the U.S.-led coalition, their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may also be granted SIVs.
From the creation of the SIV program to March 31, 2021, a total of 99,279 individuals received SIV visas, including 30,541 Afghans and Iraqis who worked with the U.S. plus 68,738 dependent spouses and children, according to data from the State Dept. That total over the life of the program to date includes about 18,000 Afghans plus 45,000 of their family members.
When the Afghanistan pull-out began in earnest, the SIV program had an application backlog of around 18,000 to 20,000 primary Afghan applicants. When their family members were taken into consideration, it’s likely the number exceeded 70,000.
The SIV application has 14 steps which include in-person interviews plus medical and security screenings. Overall, the process can be relatively time-consuming, particularly if an applicant struggles to find the proper documentation or schedule in-person screenings. By law, the SIV application process has a benchmark of nine months from submission to approval, but in practice, it has been much longer.
The State Dept. Inspector General and the Congressional Research Service noted that staffing for the program has generally remained constant since 2016 but was not sufficient to alleviate the applicant backlog, with average processing times rising from 287 business days in April 2014 to 410 calendar days in January 2017 to 996 calendar days as of January 2021. Some have waited several years for final approval. Processing was delayed further with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused processing and interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to be paused at times during 2020 and 2021.
Congress has acted on several occasions over the years to adopt bills to address the visa shortage by incorporating legislation into defense authorization bills.
Most recently, a bill that increased the number of Afghan SIVs by 8,000 to meet demand, reduced the employment eligibility requirement from two years to one year, postponed required medical exams, and opened eligibility to surviving spouses and children of murdered applicants became law at the end of July.

What are other visa programs for Afghans?

The State Dept. opened the Priority 2 (P-2) refugee admissions process to eligible Afghans and their family members in August 2021.
It’s intended to be available for Afghans who worked for the U.S. or U.S.-funded programs but aren’t eligible for SIVs due to the nature of their employment or because they didn’t work in that role for long enough.
P-2 applicants couldn’t apply for visas from Afghanistan prior to the Taliban’s takeover, and must still go to another country to apply.
The Association of Wartime Allies, a veterans group advocating for Afghan allies in the SIV and refugee admissions process, has estimated that the number of Afghans eligible for P-2 visas who haven’t been evacuated could be more than 198,000.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Soldier & Afghan Interpreter: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Teddy Wade via Flickr / Creative Commons)

One Big Thing: Do you think there’s enough transparency in government and oversight of government officials?

Comment Liked by one user.