Homeland Security chief outlines new border security efforts News
Homeland Security chief outlines new border security efforts

[JURIST] US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff [official profile] has outlined plans to increase security along US borders by hiring more federal agents, constructing additional fences and ending policies that allow illegal immigrants to be released in the US. Chertoff announced the plans during a speech [full transcript] at a forum of business leaders on Wednesday in Houston. Chertoff warned that the US had to increase border security due to the threat of terror attacks, calling it a "legal and civic duty" of the country. The US government has been largely unable to stem illegal immigration [JURIST news archive] since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, despite making it a priority. Under Chertoff's proposal [fact sheet], 1,500 border patrol agents would be added to the existing force of 11,000, a 14-mile wall would be constructed on the border near San Diego, and the US would end a release policy for detained illegal immigrants by adding more space at detention facilities and by expediting removal of illegal immigrants. Chertoff did not say what the proposal would cost. DHS has a news release on the announcement. USA Today has more.

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THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.