Andrew Becker

Tech Industry Pushes to Amend Immigration Bill

nytimes.com — SAN FRANCISCO - The technology industry got much of what it wanted in a bill that overhauls federal immigration law. But in the give-and-take of political bargaining, the legislation emerged with some provisions the industry considers unappealing. Now its lobbyists are feverishly working to get rid of them.

In a border town, a newspaper forced to be silent

latimes.com — LAREDO, Texas -- A recent wave of kidnappings in Nuevo Laredo was prominently featured in a recent Sunday edition of El Mañana, one of the largest and most long-standing Spanish-language newspapers on the border. But the story carried no byline, and no residents were quoted or pictured.

Pentagon Official Urges Congress to Keep Statute Allowing War on Terror Intact

nytimes.com — WASHINGTON - A top Pentagon official said Thursday that the evolving war against Al Qaeda was likely to continue "at least 10 to 20 years" and urged Congress not to modify the statute that provides its legal basis. "As of right now, it suits us very well," Michael A.

Concerns Arise on U.S. Effort to Allow Internet ‘Wiretaps’

nytimes.com — Surveillance can be a tricky affair in the Internet age. A federal law called the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act allows law enforcement officials to tap a traditional phone, as long as they get approval from a judge. But if communication is through voice over Internet Protocol technology - Skype, for instance - it's not as simple.

San Diego Mayor Building Economic Bridges to Tijuana

nytimes.com — SAN DIEGO - Opening a satellite city office in a far-flung neighborhood is not unusual in sprawling cities like this one. But one thing sets apart Mayor Bob Filner's newest outpost: it is in another country. When he opened San Diego's Tijuana office this year, Mr. Filner spoke in grand terms about the future of cross-border relations.

Rubio’s high-stakes push for immigration reform

washingtonpost.com — Two realities shape the debate over immigration reform: No bill is likely to pass without the expressed support of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R), but even Rubio's endorsement may not be enough to assure passage. For Rubio, the political stakes of both sides of the equation are huge.

House Group Works on Own Version of Immigration Bill

nytimes.com — WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group in the House of Representatives has been meeting on and off for four years behind closed doors, working on its own version of legislation to overhaul the nation's immigration laws.

GOP senators’ assault shows tough path for immigration measure

washingtonpost.com — During a 7 1/ 2-hour hearing, the Judiciary Committee wrestled over 32 proposed changes focused on border security and control as the committee began a long and grueling amendment process that is expect to last weeks.

Ways investors gain ‘political intelligence’ facing public scrutiny

washingtonpost.com — In recent days, Enrique Gonzalez, an immigration lawyer who in January became Rubio's immigration policy counsel, has answered questions about the bill over the phone with a financial analyst, according to the senator's spokesman. Another staffer met last week with an analyst from the investment bank Barclays Capital, who quickly revised his assessment of the bill's cost to the outsourcing industry.

Texas - Brother of Cartel Leaders Found Guilty on Laundering Charge - NYTimes.com

nytimes.com — A brother of two top leaders of one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico was convicted Thursday of buying racehorses to hide illegal drug profits. A federal jury in Austin found José Treviño Morales, 46, and three other defendants guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering.