New Santa Ana

This week’s Cochino List includes a rodent infestation at Knott’s Berry Farm

Posted on September 18, 2021 by Editor Posted in Business, Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The O.C. Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Sept. 10 to Sept. 17. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

Jo Won Noodle House, 928 N. Euclid St., Anaheim, Closed: Sept. 17, Reason: Rodent infestation
Kitchen at Windsor Gardens of Anaheim, 3415 W. Ball Road, Anaheim, Closed: Sept. 14, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Sept. 15
Bionicos, 3414 W. Ball Road, Anaheim, Closed: Sept. 14, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Sept. 15
Kitchen at The Meridian at Anaheim Hills, 525 S. Anaheim Hills Road, Anaheim, Closed: Sept. 13, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Sept. 13
Kitchen at Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, Closed: Sept. 16, Reason: Rodent infestation
Panda Inn, 2 Centerpointe Drive, La Palma, Closed: Sept. 10, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Sept. 12
O Fine Japanese Cuisine, 30872 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, Closed: Sept. 10, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Sept. 10
Update; Mama K’s at 10450 Beach Blvd., Suite 108, Stanton, which was ordered closed Sept. 8 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Sept. 14

The SAPD arrested a pastor for allegedly sexually assaulting a little girl

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Detectives arrested Carlos Ramirez Valdez, a 57-year-old resident of Riverside, California for Child Molest.

Between 2014 and 2017, Valdez was a member of the “Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church” located at 2020 West Chestnut Ave. in Santa Ana, California. During that time, Valdez lured an eight-year-old girl that was attending church service into a van where he sexually assaulted her.

Valdez repeatedly assaulted the victim by luring her into a van over a period of three years.

In January 2020, the Riverside Police Department investigated a sexual abuse allegation against Valdez. The abuse was said to have occurred in 2017 when the victim was eight years old. Also in January 2020, a third victim reported being sexually abused by Valdez to the Garden Grove Police Department. This abuse was said to have occurred in 2015. The victims in both of these cases knew Valdez through the church.

Valdez became a pastor and is now a pastor at the International Mission Church USA located at 505 South Main Street in Santa Ana, California.

Valdez was booked at the Orange County Jail for numerous child molest charges and his bail has been set at $100,000.00.

The Santa Ana Police Department detectives believe there could be additional victims. Detectives are asking for anyone with information to contact Detective J. Gaeta at (714) 245-8350, jgaeta@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Free Fiestas Patrias Cultural Fair to be held in Santa Ana this Saturday

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Food, Mexico, Music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A Fiestas Patrias Cultural Fair will be hosted this Saturday, Sep. 18, from 11 am to 3 pm behind the Mexican Consulate on Calle Cuatro at 2100 E. 4th Street, in Santa Ana.

This event will feature:

Free Food
Live Music
Free Books
Artesanias
Chinelos Dancing

This event has many sponsors including:

Hospitality Staffing Solutions
Loaded Cafe
Mixteco
and Republic Services

There will also be a free mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Saturday at the United Across Borders Foundation located at 2100 E. 4th St., in Santa Ana.

An elderly woman drove off the St. Joseph parking structure and died

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Orange Leave a comment

Today at 9:21 a.m., city of Orange police officers were dispatched to a traffic collision at a parking structure at St. Joseph’s Hospital, located at 1142 W. La Veta Avenue.

Officers discovered a 2007 Toyota sedan had crashed through a wall on the fourth floor of the structure and fell to the ground level.

Prior to our arrival, the Toyota was upside down but was turned right-side up by witnesses in the area.

The driver and sole occupant of the Toyota, a female in her seventies, was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Pepper Street was closed south of La Veta Avenue while authorities investigated the car and the crash site Friday afternoon.

The Orange Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

Hiking and riding events on OCTA Preserves return beginning this Saturday

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in Nature, OCTA, Orange County 2 Comments

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority will resume hosting a series of hikes and equestrian rides on some of the county’s most pristine landscapes beginning on Saturday, Sept. 18, and continuing through the end of the year.

The free hikes and rides are intended to showcase the open-space lands purchased and preserved by OCTA as part of the Measure M Environmental Mitigation Program. So far, more than 1,300 acres on seven properties have been purchased from willing landowners for preservation to offset the environmental impacts of OC Go freeway projects.

The OCTA preserves are only open to the public during the docent-led hikes and equestrian rides so that the land’s wildlife and important plant life can be protected for generations to come. The hikes and rides were halted as a safety precaution at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

All participants must be 12 years or older and equestrian riders must bring their own horse. Adults must sign a liability waiver and minors need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The following hikes and rides are scheduled:

September:

Hike at Pacific Horizon Preserve in Laguna Beach, 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.
Equestrian ride at Trabuco Rose Preserve in Trabuco Canyon, 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26.

November:

Hike at Wren’s View Preserve in Trabuco Canyon, 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Equestrian ride at Trabuco Rose Preserve in Trabuco Canyon 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20.

December:

Equestrian ride at Trabuco Rose Preserve in Trabuco Canyon at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19.

The rides are subject to cancelation due to bad weather conditions or changes in local health regulations.

For more information and to register, visit www.preservingourlegacy.org.

The OCTA offers free bus rides for all OC youth

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Transportation, Youth Activities Leave a comment

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has launched a Youth Ride Free Pass, a six-month promotional program that allows more than a half-million youth in Orange County the opportunity to ride free wherever OC Bus travels.

The Youth Ride Free pass allows passengers ages 6 to 18 years to ride any OCTA fixed-route bus in Orange County for free during the six-month program, which runs through the end of February 2022. According to recent U.S. Census data, that makes more than 520,000 youth in that age group eligible to ride free.

“Allowing our youth in Orange County to ride the OC Bus for free will encourage a new generation of riders to discover the convenience and benefits of public transportation,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “This program is good for our community, for our schools, and for our economy.”
Also important, giving more youth access to shared rides reduces traffic congestion, taking cars off local roads and improving air quality in the process.

OCTA is working with school districts across Orange County to distribute the passes, giving parents the chance to request the pass for their children.

“Providing free public transportation to students who use this service to travel to and from school will serve as vital resource for our families,” said Santa Ana Unified School District Superintendent Jerry Almendarez. “We know many of our students rely on OCTA each day to commute not only to our campuses, but also to their jobs and other activities. This program will help further meet a need of young people in our community.”

Originally intended for youth up to 13 years old, OCTA board members earlier this year voted to expand the pass to reach high-school-age teens, as well.

Approvals were granted from Caltrans and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which will fund the pass through grants made possible by the Climate Change Investments program, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The Youth Ride Free pass expands on the recent success of the Community College Pass Program, which allows thousands of community college students throughout the county unlimited rides on OC Bus anywhere in the county.
Based on the student pass program’s success at Santa Ana College and the School of Continuing Education, OCTA worked with each college to expand that program to Santiago Canyon College in Orange, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Fullerton College, Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Cypress College and Irvine Valley College.
The Youth Ride Free program is part of a phased campaign to encourage riders to return to OC Bus as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic recedes. The free pass runs through February, at which time data will be reviewed for potential next steps.

The pass, available by request from parents, is a physical pass with a magnetic stripe. OCTA will continue working to distribute the passes in partnership with local K-12 school districts, as well as at the OCTA store and online.
For more information on how to request a Youth Ride Free pass, visit www.OCBus.com/YouthRideFree.

About OCTA: The Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail, environmental programs and active transportation.

The OC Rescue Mission is in urgent need of diapers, pull-ups and wet wipes donations

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Charities, Orange County Leave a comment

Orange County, Calif. – Orange County Rescue Mission has announced an immense need for diapers, primarily in sizes 5 and 6, as well as 3T-4T boys and girls pull-up diapers and wet wipes for the toddlers and young children living at Village of Hope, the Rescue Mission’s transitional living facility for homeless families in Orange County. The non-profit organization is calling upon the community for any number of baby item donations listed above to help them reach a goal of 77,250 baby item donations. These vital donations will help guarantee that homeless parents and children can securely rely on the much needed everyday items for growing children throughout the end of the year.

On average, the Rescue Mission provides 270,000 diapers and pull-ups, and 600,000 baby wipes each year to homeless families with children. “While diapers of all sizes are a continuous need at the Rescue Mission, we are currently experiencing a significant need for pull-up diapers, and size 5 and 6 diapers,” says Jim Palmer, President of Orange County Rescue Mission. “We have received generous community donations of newborn and smaller infant-size diapers, but the ongoing need for larger sizes and pull-up diapers is often underestimated.”

Rising homelessness as a result of the pandemic has contributed to this ongoing need. The Rescue Mission, along with the community’s assistance, has continued to provide shelter and supplies to those in need.

Now, with the uncertainty surrounding the status of eviction moratorium, it is extremely important that the organization be prepared and well stocked on baby items for the young children at Village of Hope.

“We are grateful for the incredible support the community has shown us, especially in the last year and a half. We invite everyone who is able to take part in helping the babies and toddlers residing at Village of Hope have the supplies and items needed for their well-being.,” says Palmer.

Those who wish to donate or host a Diaper Drive may drop off donations at Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope located at 1 Hope Drive, Tustin, California, 92782. Donations can also be purchased online and delivered to this address. For more information, please visit: https://www.rescuemission.org/urgent-baby-needs/.

The donation warehouse is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

About Orange County Rescue Mission

Orange County Rescue Mission’s goal is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the Least, the Last, and the Lost of our community through the provision of assistance in the areas of guidance, counseling, education, job training, shelter, food, clothing, health care and independent living communities.

The Rescue Mission was formed as a faith-based organization in 1963. Since that time, the Rescue Mission has shared hope through Jesus Christ to those without hope in Orange County. Our programs are designed to give comprehensive services that move homeless men, women, veterans, and children to self-sufficiency. Its programs and dedication to going above and beyond have earned the organization numerous recognitions including Charity Navigator’s highest rating of 4 stars.

To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities with Orange County Rescue Mission, please contact (714) 247-4300 or visit www.rescuemission.org.

Orange County Rescue Mission announced an critical need for diapers, primarily in sizes 5 and 6, as well as 3T-4T boys and girls pull-up diapers and wet wipes for the toddlers and young children living at Village of Hope, the Rescue Mission’s transitional living facility for homeless families in Orange County.

Man arrested for using a drone to try to smuggle drugs into the Theo Lacy Jail

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Drugs, Guns, OC Sheriff, Orange, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (Sept. 16, 2021) The Custody Intelligence Unit (CIU) on Tuesday, Sept. 14, arrested a man suspected of using a drone in an attempt to smuggle drugs into the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.

CIU investigators were advised of a drone carrying narcotics that landed in an outdoor recreation area of the jail. The drone was carrying 2 grams of heroin, 4 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 15 Xanax pills and approximately 15 muscle relaxers.

Through their investigation, the CIU identified a possible suspect in the city of Costa Mesa and obtained a search warrant for the man’s residence. During their search, investigators confiscated numerous illegal firearms, fentanyl and a controller determined to pair with the drone that landed at Theo Lacy.

The suspect also was found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle and had been renting his residence using fraudulent identification. Investigators also recovered materials determined to be associated with identify theft and fraudulent criminal activity in the man’s residence.

Chey Cody Smart, 43, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of multiple felony drug and firearms charges, along with grand theft. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on Sept. 14. It also was determined Smart had a warrant for his arrest issued by Mendocino County, California for felony weapons charges.

“The Custody Intelligence Unit is extremely proactive in intercepting narcotics attempting to come into our jails,” said Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “They have adopted an investigative strategy that includes locating the outside entities attempting to bring narcotics into our facilities, and this case is a great example of that work. We will continue to stay diligent in keeping those entrusted to our custody and care safe, and we will hold accountable those who attempt to threaten that safety.”

The City of Santa Ana recognizes Mexican Independence Day

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

In celebration of Mexican Independence Day, the City of Santa Ana has lit up the city’s water tower in green, white, and red!

Sept. 16th marks the day when, in 1810, Father Hidalgo gave a cry for independence, “El Grito de Dolores,” which led to an 11-year battle ultimately resulting in Mexico’s independence from Spain.

¡Feliz 16 de septiembre, y viva México! Acompáñanos a celebrar compartiendo lo que adoras de México. ¡Salud!

Four O.C. suspects arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $2 million worth of products from retailers

Posted on September 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in CHP, Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

Anaheim residents Jaime Mendoza, 36, and Maritza Guerrero, 31, and two others were arrested by California Highway Patrol officers on Aug. 31, on charges of stealing nearly $2 million worth of retail products from 43 different stores. They allegedly stored the products inside mobile home in Midway City and in multiple storage units.

They were seen, by CHP investigators, committing at least one theft and they then took the stolen merchandise to their mobile home

Investigators from TJX Companies Inc., which owns TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods stores, also identified the suspects. The CHP’s Organized Retail Crime unit, which works with retailers across the state to combat sophisticated crews who steal merchandise, was engaged by the investigators to track down the suspects.

The other two suspects, Yolanda De la Rosa, 48, and Jaime De la Rosa, 55, were arrested after CHP investigators obtained a search warrant and then found merchandise from “floor to ceiling” inside the mobile home.

The CHP investigators found even more merchandise at four self-storage units that are also connected to the suspects. The investigators needed multiple trucks to haul off all the stolen goods. The investigators also found more than $65,000 in cash. The merchandise still had store tags and several had security sensors.

The CHP did not indicate how they identified the suspects but did say that the suspects targeted stores throughout Southern California.

Mendoza was already released from jail, on Sep. 1. Guerrero and both Jaime and Yolanda De la Rosa remained in jail on no bail. They are supposed to make their next court appearance on Sept. 16.

A Santa Ana man was killed by a hit and run driver in Fountain Valley

Posted on September 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fountain Valley, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

On September 11, 2021, at approximately 6:21 a.m., the Fountain Valley Police Department responded to the intersection of Edinger Avenue and Ward Street regarding a traffic collision involving a dark colored vehicle and a pedestrian.

Officers arrived and discovered an injured male pedestrian suffering from traumatic injuries in the westbound lanes of Edinger Avenue.

The involved vehicle fled the scene.

Paramedics responded to the scene and the pedestrian was transported to a local hospital. The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries two days later and was pronounced deceased.

The male pedestrian was identified as 34 year old Long Ta of Santa Ana. The victim’s family has been notified.

The investigation revealed the suspect vehicle was traveling westbound on Edinger Avenue towards Ward Street. Witnesses said the pedestrian was walking northbound across Edinger Avenue while in the crosswalk with a green walk signal. The suspect vehicle ran the red traffic signal and struck the pedestrian in the roadway. The vehicle did not stop and was last seen westbound on Edinger Avenue.

In the days following the collision, Traffic Investigators have reviewed surveillance footage and identified a vehicle of interest in the collision. The vehicle is possibly a, dark colored 1991-1995 Chrysler or Dodge minivan, which may have sustained left front end damage.

Photos of the actual vehicle of interest, captured via surveillance footage are seen above.

Ta was an engineer. He was jogging when he was struck and killed.

FVPD Investigators are requesting anyone with information which will lead to the identification of the vehicle and driver to contact the FVPD Traffic Bureau at 714-593-4481. Incident #21-29620.

Lane reductions on Bristol Street set for Sep. 15 – 18

Posted on September 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in Public Works, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

Starting on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, the following lane reductions will occur on Bristol Street between Edinger Avenue and First Street due to a paving project:

Wednesday, 9-15-21, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., one lane only northbound on Bristol Street between Edinger Avenue and First Street
Thursday, 9-16-21, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., one lane only southbound on Bristol Street between Edinger Avenue and First Street
Saturday, 9-18-21, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Bristol Street will be reduced to one lane both northbound and southbound between Edinger Avenue and First Street for paving

Please use alternate routes and plan for possible delays since these lane reductions will impact traffic flow. Access to businesses will be maintained at all times. We apologize for any inconveniences and thank you for understanding.

Translations:

Reducciones de carril en Bristol Street, del 15 al 18 de septiembre de 2021

Español

Tiếng Việt

Pair convicted for kidnapping and prostituting two women in Anaheim

Posted on September 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Cochino Alert, OCDA Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A woman and a man have been convicted of human trafficking two women, including one victim who was kidnapped from a bus stop and held against her will.

Marquesah Troycine Fox, 35, of San Bernardino, and Anthony Larue Jackson, 44, of Rialto, were arrested by the Orange County Human Trafficking Taskforce in November 2020 after a woman had the motel clerk call police after fleeing from a room at the Travelodge in Anaheim.

The woman told police that on October 30, 2020 she was given a ride by Fox and Jackson in Ontario after a friend left her on the street without shoes or a phone. The pair promised to let the woman stay in their motel room, but instead stole her identification and told her Jackson was going to be her pimp.

Over a six-day period the woman and another female victim were held captive by the pair in two Southern California motels, where they were physically abused by Jackson and Fox who forced to perform sex acts in exchange for money.

The women were forced to give the money they were paid to Jackson. Fox and Jackson held the two victims captive under a motel mattress when they were not performing sex acts. Jackson also raped one of the women and sexually assaulted both of them.

On November 4, 2020, the two women ran from the motel room when Fox and Jackson got into a physical fight and one of the women called police.

Jackson was convicted by a jury Thursday of two felony counts of human trafficking, two felony counts of pimping, two felony counts of pandering, three felony counts of forcible oral copulation, one felony count of assault with a firearm, one felony count of kidnapping, two felony counts of forcible rape, and one felony count of sexual penetration by a foreign object in concert.

Fox was convicted by a jury Thursday of two felony counts of human trafficking, two felony counts of pimping, two felony counts of pandering, one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, one felony count of forcible oral copulation, and one felony count of sexual penetration with a foreign object in concert.

Jackson faces a maximum sentence of 147 years and 4 months to life in State Prison. Fox faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in State Prison.

They are scheduled to be sentenced on October 1, 2021 at the Central Justice Center in Department C36.

“These women were held against their will and subjected to a living hell while being degraded and sexually and physically abused,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “These are vulnerable victims who when they saw their chance to escape, they ran for safety. Thank you to the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Anaheim Police Department for rescuing these women from their abusers and helping to hold these monsters accountable for their actions.”

Deputy District Attorney Kelcie Wiemann of the Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit is prosecuting this case.#

La Habra mother found to be sane when she pushed her infant off the CHOC parking structure

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A La Habra mother was found by a jury to be sane when she pushed her 7-month-old son off the fourth story of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County parking structure in Orange, killing the infant.

Sonia Hermosillo, 41, of La Habra, was convicted by a jury last month of one felony count of first-degree murder and one felony count of assault on a child causing death. Hermosillo had entered a plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity, triggering a separate trial to determine whether she was legally insane at the time of the crime.

The same jury which convicted Hermosillo of first-degree murder also found her to be sane at the time of the murder.

Hermosillo is currently being held on no bail. She faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life. She is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29, 2021 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana in Department C30.

On Aug. 22, 2011, Hermosillo drove her 7-month-old son, Baby Noe, to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and parking her car on the fourth floor of a parking structure. The baby suffered medical conditions that required him to receive medical treatment at CHOC regularly, but the infant did not have a scheduled appointment that day. Baby Noe wore a medical helmet for one of his medical conditions.

At approximately 6:20 p.m., Hermosillo removed her baby’s helmet and pushed Baby Noe from the parking structure with the intention of murdering him with the four-story fall. Hermosillo then walked inside the hospital, validated her parking, and drove away.

A witness who saw the baby falling through the air called 911 and the Orange Police Department (OPD) responded to the scene. Baby Noe was taken to the trauma center at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in critical condition. He died two days later.

Shortly after Baby Noe was pushed off the parking structure, Hermosillo’s husband called law enforcement to report his wife and infant son were missing. That night an Orange police officer saw Hermosillo driving past CHOC on Main Street and arrested her.

Hermosillo has two other children.

“No child should die at the hands of another human being, let alone the very person whose most basic responsibility is to keep that child safe from harm,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Baby Noe should be here today, but he is not because of the methodical and callous decision by his own mother to push him to his death. No words can express the incredible sorrow that his father and siblings have had to suffer by the loss of Baby Noe.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mena Guirguis of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

The U.S. Family Reunification Task Force launches a website to reunify immigrant families

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Federal Government, immigration Leave a comment

WASHINGTON – President Biden’s Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families launched a registration website for separated families to self-identify, reunify in the United States, and receive support services. Together.gov and Juntos.gov will help the Task Force identify and reunite families who were separated by the United States government between January 20, 2017 and January 20, 2021. The International Organization for Migration will work with the Task Force to support these efforts.

The new website allows parents to contact the U.S. government to begin the process of reunification and is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and several Indigenous languages.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas serves as the Chair of the Task Force and Michelle Brané serves as the Executive Director. Secretary Mayorkas recently met virtually with reunited families separated under the previous administration. Secretary Mayorkas heard directly from the families about their experiences and relayed the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to identifying a long-term status option for families.

Read the full article here.