American justice

With so many on the far right, clamoring for stronger immigration policies, fences and even mass deportation, it’s not a good time to be an immigrant, legal, or illegal, seeking a better life for yourself, or your family, here in the U.S.A.

According to Think Progress, a political appointee of the Bush administration has emerged as a central figure in the politicization of the Justice Department, particularly relating to policies on immigration.

Back in 2006, on the eve of the presidential election, Schlozman brought felony indictments against four members of ACORN, a respected organization committed to social justice issues, serving the needs of low and moderate-income individuals. ACORN’s track record shows a history of organizing and carrying out successful campaigns for better housing, schools, neighborhood safety, health care, job conditions, and more, certainly not the stuff worthy of law enforcement interdiction—unless social justice now is considered a criminal act in the Bush dystopia.

At the time of their indictment, the ACORN workers were conducting voter drives, registering low-income and minority voters, who historically, happen to vote for Democrats, not right-wing fascists like George Bush. Coincidence?

During testimony before a Senate Committee, investigating issues at the DOJ, Schlozman labeled groups like MALDEF and NAPABA, as “liberal,” when in fact, they don’t have any of the typical ideological orientation that right-wing groups like Heritage and the Federalist Society do, as pointed out by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

In his position as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Schlozman oversees a staff of 119, including 59 attorneys and 60 non-attorney support personnel. The district is headquartered in Kansas City, with staffed branch offices in Springfield and Jefferson City. The district is comprised of 66 of Missouri’s 114 counties, and encompasses the metropolitan areas of St. Joseph, Columbia, Jefferson City, Springfield, Joplin and Kansas City, Mo.

The nation’s 93 United States Attorneys are responsible for the prosecution of federal crimes such as firearms, narcotics, public corruption, money laundering, child pornography and fraud; the defense of civil cases brought against the United States; and the collection of debts owed to the United States and restitution owed by criminals to their victims.

The voter fraud charges against ACORN, were dismissed.

The Bush administration and its Department of Justice fired eight U.S. attorneys in December, eliciting charges from opponents that they were politically motivated.