Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 123, No. 306 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
December 21, 2014
www.rdrnews.com
Immigrants build document trails to remain in US
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Electricity bills. Speeding tickets. Dentist records. Money order receipts. The search for documents is on for immigrants who may qualify for a work permit and reprieve from deportation under measures President Barack Obama announced last month. Applicants must prove they were in the country continuously since Jan. 1, 2010 — a tall order for many accustomed to avoiding trails. For critics, conditions are ripe for fraud.
The administration has not said which documents it will accept, but advocates are taking guidance from a 2012 reprieve for immigrants who came to the country as young children. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, allows vehicle registrations, baptism records, mortgages, postmarked letters — and those are just some suggestions from the agency that vets applications. Los Angeles immigration attorney Carl Shusterman
uses social media postings. A Facebook photo at Disneyland might work. “It’s not the first thing I would use, but if you’re here illegally and getting paid in cash, you may not have as good records as someone paying into Social Security,” he said. “How do you prove you were here?” Laura Lichter, a Denver immigration attorney, has used movie rental receipts, veterinarian bills and customer loyalty programs that detail purchase histories. “You use what you got,” she said.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told members of Congress this month that fraudulent applications could potentially “undermine the whole process” and he promised to review safeguards. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which vets applications and operates under Johnson’s watch, said it has grown its anti-fraud unit and increased “the scope and frequency” of vetting. Some advocate a more aggressive approach. Louis D. Crocetti Jr., who
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headed Citizenship and Immigration Services’ antifraud unit until he retired in 2011, recommends more random interviews of applicants and periodic home visits for recipients of immigration benefits. He said his audits of various visa programs found double-digit fraud rates, including 33 percent for religious workers in 2005 and 13 percent for hightech workers in 2008. “Immigration benefits is a production-oriented agency that receives tremendous pressure from the public
and the Hill to process applications as quickly as possible,” he said.
The government plans to begin accepting applications by mid-February for immigrants eligible for an expanded version of DACA and by mid-May for parents of U.S. citizens and legal residents. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Leon Rodriguez said the agency will hire as many as 1,000 officers to process applications. The agency said hires will get several weeks of training.
Cyclist makes pit stop, friends Effort to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital takes Buffone around country BY MAX SCALLY AND JACOB OVRICK SPECIAL TO THE DAILY RECORD
In an ef fort to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Bernie Buffone has been traveling by bicycle since June 30. He started in Bloomsberg, Pa., and plans to end his journey in Maine by October 2015. He camps out in state parks, along the road, rest stops, acquaintances’ yards and even police But no matter the weathdepartments. Buffone said he’s been er, his bike always moves chased by dogs and has See BUFFONE, Page A3 even experienced a few
Max Scally Photos
Above: Bernie Buffone shows some of his camping equipment to Andre Buonaiuto, owner of Cattleman’s Southwest Steak & Seafood Restaurant. Buffone was given a warm welcome and enjoyed a meal a few notches better than what he might have cooked that night on his camping stove. Right: Buffone, posing with his bicycle outside the Daily Record office, is pedalling his way across America to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
APD union challenges reform deal with feds ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — The union representing Albuquerque police officers is challenging a settlement between the city and the U.S. Justice Department to overhaul police procedures, saying the deal under mines its own agreement. The Albuquerque Police Of ficers’ Association argued a brief filed in federal court Thursday for involvement in the settlement terms. Union attorney Frederick Mowrer said in court documents that issues such as how officers will be disciplined for misconduct are in conflict with a collective bargaining agr eement, the Albuquerque Journal reported Saturday. U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack said Wednesday that the public
would be per mitted to submit friend-of-the-court briefs of up to 15 pages. So far, 25 people have filed briefs to intervene including two men who each had a son fatally shot by Albuquerque police. The Justice Department and the city of Albuquerque filed briefs seeking the judge to approve the deal. The deadline for briefs is Jan. 15.
The police department serving a city of about 560,000 people has faced scrutiny for 42 police shootings — 27 of them fatal — since 2010. The fatal shooting of a homeless man in Mar ch sparked protests around the city after video footage appeared to show the man surr endering during a standoff.
BY SHANNON SEYLER SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
Submitted Photo
Shelly Currier serves as executive director of Wings For L.I.F.E., which works to educate and empower residents of Roswell with monthly educational programs.
“I’ve become so involved with this organization,” said Shelly Currier, executive director of Wings for L.I.F.E. in Roswell, “that I even dream about Wings.” Currier’s dream has accomplished tremendous good for the community. Since 2005, the nonprofit organization has been transforming the lives of
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close encounters with snakes and alligators. Along the way, he’s managed to reunite with a brother and sister. His journey has stretched on day and night, and Buffone has passed through every imaginable North American biome, from the coast, into mountains and through cities great and small as he pedals. He’s ridden through deserts and in the rain. In North Carolina, Buf fone said he rode through a hurricane.
Rides raise money for children in need of glasses STAFF REPORT
Tonight is the last night to go on an old-fashioned wagon ride and see some of Roswell’s most beautifully decorated homes. In what has become a Christmas tradition, the Roswell Mid-day Lions Club has been taking residents through Roswell neighborhoods that have been decorated with fantastic Christmas light displays. The rides begin and end at the SP Yates Scout Service Center Conquistador Council on 2603 N. Aspen St. The club hosts the event every year to raise funds for children in need of glasses, said one of the organizers of the event, Shelly Law. There are a few additions to this year’s event, the most noticeable being
the opportunities for everyone to have a picture taken of their family enjoying the event. Because people will be traveling thr ough the neighborhoods in a wagon, coats and blankets are recommended. At
the end of the adventure, riders will be able to war m up at the stable, where there will be hot chocolate, hot cider and coffees. Tickets are $10 a person for one of the halfhour rides that are sched-
Sunday evenings at 505 N. Pennsylvania Ave. The program features presentations that are both informative and entertaining. They’re of fered twice a month on Sunday nights, with a wide variety of topics presented by expert speakers. There have been programs about parenting, health, domestic violence, coping skills, theft prevention, emotional well-being, legal issues, safety and more.
right here in the community,” Currier said. “We provide education about local assets and opportunities while also having a good time. And we have good food, too,” she adds, referring to the meals served for Sunday evening attendees.
Bill Moffitt Photo
uled fr om 6 to 9 p.m. tonight. The capacity of wagon is roughly a dozen people, so reservations are recommended. Those inter ested in booking tickets for the event can go to holdmyticket.com.
Currier’s Wings for L.I.F.E. is ‘dream job’
Roswell-area residents. Often referred to simply as “Wings,” Wings for L.I.F.E. works to empower and educate the public. “L.I.F.E. stands for ‘Lifeskills Imparted to Families through Education’, “ Currier explains. “This group truly offers something for everyone. Our programs are open to the whole community, and we serve people from all walks of life.”
One of the organization’s popular of ferings is the ongoing Community Outreach Program held on
• MARY BELLE MEREDITH • L E WALLS • RAYMOND FLOYD VICK
“We’re helping people connect with resources
• JOSEPH S. LUCERO • PATRICIA ANN CLARK • MARY ANN AXE
Like everything else Wings does, these presentations are free to the public. “We don’t charge for our programs,” Currier said. “Everyone can attend.” Additionally, Wings has occasional parties and special events, including Hal-
• BRIANA JOSEPHINE LOPEZ
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE B7
loween, Christmas and back-to-school parties.
The back-to-school parties, in particular, emphasize family involvement in the education of children. Children continue to be an important focus of the Wings program. “Wings provides skills children need to be tomorrow’s leaders,” Currier said.
For school-age children, there are after-school programs that promote academic and personal See CURRIER, Page A3
INDEX OPINION .................A4 CLASSIFIEDS ..........D1 COMICS .................C4 SPORTS .................B1 HOROSCOPES .........B8 WEATHER ..............A8 LOTTERIES .............A2