UK Border Agency staff to strike
Immigration staff at the Home Office are contemplating a strike commencing 5th August which could have a knock on effect on inbound and outbound travellers. Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are said to have voted in favour of a two day strike due to disputes in respect of work place changes following the merging of Immigration and Customs staff.
The PCS are protesting against duties given to them such as strip and search for which they have not been properly trained.
A spokesperson for the UK Border Agency stated that little disruption was anticipated.
Date: 01/08/2009
Gary Mckinnon loses extradition appeal
The British computer hacker Gary McKinnon who is facing charges of hacking into American defence computers has lost an appeal in the High Court in the UK against his extradition to the US where he could face a sentence of up to 70 years in a high-security prison.
Mr McKinnon has been described in the US as the biggest military hacker of all time. H e admitted hacking into 97 computers , leaving a message “ I will continue to disrupt” but he maintains his obsessions (for proof of unidentified flying objects) let to his misguided hacking activities from his flat in London.
The US government argued that his hacking activities were deliberate effort to breach US military systems in 2001-02 and repairs cost was $700,000 (£430,000) .
His lawyer argued that he suffers from Asperger's syndrome and a trial in USA would be disastrous for his health.
His mother, Janice Sharpe says today's ruling is devastating.
"I've appealed to Obama and to Gordon Brown - do they want the first computer hacker ever to be extradited to be a guy looking for UFO's who has Asperger's syndrome?" she said.
"It's a disgrace."
The Free Gary campaignhas won the support of more than 100 MPs and received vociferous backing from the Daily Mail and celebrities such as as Bob Geldof, Chrissie Hynde, Barry Norman, Jilly Cooper and Julie Christie.
Date : 31/07/09
Salt Lake City Law Firm pleads not guilty to immigration fraud charges….
Attorney James Hector Alcala of The Alcala Law firm and his associates were charged with making fraudulent visa applications for ineligible foreign nationals. Alcala and two others were released from jail on Wednesday on the proviso that they wear ankle monitors. The Investigation continues…
Date: 30/07/2009
A law firm in Salt Lake City has been charged with conducting what is deemed as, one of the greatest immigration frauds uncovered…
Attorney James Hector Alcala of The Alcala Law firm and his associates stand accused of lying on immigration visa applications in three US counties including Utah. They are charged with obtaining work visas for ineligible foreign nationals on behalf of their clients consisting of corporate Companies. Investigators suspect that this could be one of the largest fraud operations uncovered in Utah where State Bar officials have commenced disciplinary proceedings against Alcala. The investigation continues….
Date: 20/07/2009