[June 15, 2007]

¨ù                 that total international arrivals to the U.S. declined10% between 2000 and 2004 and that business travel to the U.S. has declined by 10% in the last two years while other major world capitals are experiencing increases?

¨ù                 that the depression of U.S. travel market relative to other nations is blamed on post-9/11 visa hassles?

¨ù                 that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP), to enable travelers to seek redress and resolve watch list misidentification issues?

¨ù                 that the DHS TRIP provides a way for travelers to address situations where they have been incorrectly delayed, denied boarding, identified for additional screening, or have otherwise experienced difficulties when seeking to enter the U.S.

¨ù                 that the program also "facilitates redress information sharing" among the DHS's agencies and creates internal performance measures to monitor progress?

¨ù                 that the DHS said that DHS TRIP enables travelers to outline their concerns in a single request via a secure Web site and the information received will be shared with appropriate DHS component agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of State?

¨ù                 That to use the system, you go to  http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/gc_1169676919316.shtm?

¨ù                 that Bank of America started a pilot program in Los Angeles offering credit cards to individuals who didn¡¯t have social security numbers or a credit history, provided they have an individual taxpayer identification number (TIN)?

¨ù                 that the program was created to serve underprivileged individuals - in other words, also illegal aliens?

¨ù                 that the bank wants their business?

¨ù                 that some anti-immigrant critics interpreted the program as an effort by Bank of America to reward illegals?

¨ù                 that there are vocal pros and cons arguments heard on both sides of the issue?

¨ù                 that construction crews at Our Lady, Queen of Angels are putting final touches on a controversial new addition to the historic downtown Los Angeles church - living quarters to harbor immigrant families facing deportation?

¨ù                 that the historic church pledged to participate in the new faith-based sanctuary movement to help undocumented families and to press for immigration reform?

¨ù                 that the church decided to build such a center because as Father Estrada put it: ¡°families broken by broken laws¡±, and churches are broken by it¡±?

¨ù                 that to be eligible, an undocumented immigrant must be in deportation proceedings, have a good work record, and have children born in the U.S.?

¨ù                 that Father Estrada said, ¡°we would like these families to represent the 12 million undocumented people in the U.S.¡±?

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