How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% Thursday, its first loss after three straight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Gains by retailers and health care stocks helped temper the losses. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria says it has been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica is a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter. The company said the vessel was wrecked by three powerful explosions just above the water line in what it described as a “terrorist attack” that caused it to sink on Monday. The company said in a statement carried by Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the explosions left a hole in the ship’s starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. That hampered the crew’s attempts to access it. Undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia hit by outage, prompting investigation FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finland’s prime minister says authorities are investigating an interruption in a power cable under the Baltic Sea between his country and Estonia. Petteri Orpo said on X that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable suffered an outage Wednesday. Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic after two international data cables were severed in November and the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were blown up in September 2022. Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040. It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a period of public consultation. The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power reduced to 30-40%. Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of workers are facing an unsettling reality heading into 2025. After years of working from the comfort of home, they're being told it’s time to return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. That can bring a host of challenges, including losing time with family. Workers at Amazon, AT&T and other companies have been called back to the office five days a week. Experts have advice to share about how to navigate the changes when an employer calls you back to the office. Workers can convey what they need, seek flexibility and if all else fails, consider other options. US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. The US Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21. That’s fewer than the 223,000 analysts forecast. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs.OTTAWA – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats. The Conservatives’ motion quoted NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s criticism of the Liberals over labour issues, and called on the House to agree with Singh and vote non-confidence in the government. The New Democrat leader said last week he would not be supporting Poilievre in bringing down the government. There were jeers from the Conservative benches as NDP MPs cast their votes against the motion on Monday afternoon. Singh was not in the House chamber during the vote because of a meeting, and cast his vote remotely. “We’re not going to vote in favour of any of their games because that’s what (the Conservatives are) doing. They’re playing games,” Singh told reporters after the vote was tallied. MPs also voted Monday on an NDP opposition motion calling on the government to permanently remove GST from what the New Democrats call essentials. That motion also called on the Liberals to expand their planned $250 “working Canadians rebate” to include vulnerable adults like fully retired seniors and people who rely on disability benefits. Those payments are expected to be issued this spring, if the required legislation is approved. The NDP and Greens were the only parties to vote in favour of this motion, resulting in its defeat. Hamilton East_Stoney Creek Liberal MP Chad Collins was the lone government member to support the NDP motion. The Liberals initially announced plans for the federal sales tax holiday and the rebate together, but they introduced the GST measure in a separate bill after the NDP said it would not support the rebate unless it was expanded. The Liberals need the support of one other party in the House of Commons to passed that measure into law, and Singh said Monday he is open to negotiation. “So I want to see it improved. How that’s done, we’re very flexible, but it has to be improved. Seniors have to get it, people living with disabilities have to get it, a mom trying to raise her kid should get it,” Singh said. The proposed payments would go to all working Canadians who had an income of less that $150,000 in the last year. The government estimates this would include some 18.7 million people and cost nearly $4.7 billion. The Conservatives will introduce their final opposition motion of the sitting on Tuesday, with a vote scheduled to happen after question period. The Tories introduced another motion earlier on Monday that calls for the GST to be removed on the sale of new homes valued at under $1 million, and calls on premiers to enact the same policy for their portion of the sales tax. That motion will also be up for a vote after question period on Tuesday. The marathon voting session is set to run late Tuesday, with a separate vote scheduled on the government’s supplementary estimates. Treasury Board President Anita Anand has asked Parliament for approval of $21.6 billion to fund programs including housing, dental care and the national school food program. If that does not pass, some programs could face a cash shortfall, including veteran benefits and natural disaster assistance. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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ExxonMobil ( XOM -0.01% ) and the rest of the energy sector are down big in the past month as oil prices hover around their lowest levels in a year. But the company has plans to drive shareholder returns even at mediocre oil prices. Here's why ExxonMobil is well-positioned to substantially grow its earnings and cash flow in the coming years and why it stands out as a compelling dividend stock to buy in 2025. A clear outline for future growth On Dec. 11, ExxonMobil updated its corporate plan and extended its targets from 2027 out to 2030. Between 2019 and the third quarter of 2024, ExxonMobil achieved $11 billion in structural cost savings, grew earnings and cash flow, lowered its greenhouse gas emissions, and returned $140 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. By 2030, the company expects to achieve an additional $7 billion in structural cost savings, bringing the total to $18 billion versus 2019. In addition to oil and gas, ExxonMobil is investing heavily in low-carbon technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen. The company believes that carbon capture can help it deliver lower emissions power for data centers with projects that are fully detached from the grid. By 2030, ExxonMobil expects to grow annual cash flows by $30 billion compared to 2024 or by $50 billion since 2019, and earnings by $20 billion versus 2024 or $35 billion since 2019. These forecasts are based on $65 per barrel Brent crude oil prices and $3 per MMBtu Henry Hub natural gas prices. For context, Brent crude oil prices averaged $81.13 per barrel from January through November 2024, and Henry Hub gas prices averaged $2.12 per MMBtu during that period. Aside from 2020, 2024 has seen the lowest gas prices since 1998. Between 2025 and 2030, ExxonMobil expects to generate $165 billion in surplus cash above its existing dividend, leaving plenty of room for sizable dividend raises and buybacks. The cash surplus is basically the margin of error ExxonMobil has compared to its target oil and gas prices. If prices hit a downturn, ExxonMobil can still afford to raise its dividend but may buy back less stock. ExxonMobil said that at $55 per barrel Brent, it would expect to earn $110 billion in cash surplus. By comparison, if Brent prices average $85 during the forecast period, the surplus would be around $280 billion. ExxonMobil expects it can still fund its capital projects and its dividend even if Brent prices were just $35 through 2027 and $30 per barrel by 2030 -- illustrating how far the company has come in optimizing its production portfolio. The dividend is an integral part of the investment thesis for ExxonMobil. Despite ebbs and flows in the oil and gas industry, ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years. No matter what oil prices are doing, investors have been able to rely on ExxonMobil for a steady stream of passive income. ExxonMobil yields 3.7%, which is sizable compared to the S&P 500 yield of 1.2%. XOM data by YCharts Avoiding dependence on debt ExxonMobil's corporate plan sets clear expectations for investors to hold the company accountable over the next five years. Most importantly, the plan is based on generating positive cash flow and doesn't rely on debt. ExxonMobil's balance sheet is in its best condition in a decade. XOM Financial Debt to Equity (Quarterly) data by YCharts As you can see in the chart, ExxonMobil has very little net debt on its balance sheet for a company of its size. Its financial debt-to-equity and debt-to-capital ratios are very low, indicating it isn't relying on debt to run its business. ExxonMobil used excess profits in recent years to help pay down debt. Granted, it has ramped capital spending, but has emphasized investments that can contribute to high cash-flow generation. Projects that have a low cost of supply and higher returns, which ExxonMobil calls "advantaged assets," refer to the Permian Basin, Guyana, and its liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio. LNG is natural gas that is cooled and condensed into a liquid to export to buyers overseas. ExxonMobil completed the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources earlier this year, which gave it significantly more Permian production. ExxonMobil now generates more than 50% of its production from advantaged assets, and expects to reach 60% for 2030 -- helping to drive down its cost of production. By focusing on advantaged assets, ExxonMobil can generate positive cash flow even at lower oil prices, which should help limit its leverage and maintain its financial health. ExxonMobil is a passive income powerhouse If ExxonMobil achieves its projected earnings growth, the company could be worth significantly more in the future than it is today. ExxonMobil is already an inexpensive stock -- with a 13.3 price-to-earnings ratio. And that's based on earnings during a period of fairly mediocre oil prices. Oil and gas companies tend to command discounted valuations compared to the broader market due to the industry's volatility and the uncertain future of oil and gas in a low-carbon world. But ExxonMobil's corporate plan shows that the company doesn't need oil and gas prices to go up to make substantially higher earnings and cash flows over the medium term. It can then use excess profits to invest in new technologies to remain an energy titan even if global oil and gas consumption gradually declines over time. Add it all up, and ExxonMobil stands out as arguably the most well-rounded oil and gas company to buy in 2025.
NASA says ‘High risk’ Goddard project had unrealistic launch schedule
Host Hotels & Resorts HST underwent analysis by 6 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish. The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 2 3 1 0 0 Last 30D 0 1 0 0 0 1M Ago 1 1 1 0 0 2M Ago 1 0 0 0 0 3M Ago 0 1 0 0 0 In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Host Hotels & Resorts, presenting an average target of $20.58, a high estimate of $22.00, and a low estimate of $19.00. Observing a 0.88% increase, the current average has risen from the previous average price target of $20.40. Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration The standing of Host Hotels & Resorts among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Dori Kesten Wells Fargo Raises Overweight $22.00 $21.00 Dori Kesten Wells Fargo Raises Overweight $21.00 $19.00 Simon Yarmak Stifel Lowers Buy $20.50 $21.00 Robin Farley UBS Lowers Neutral $19.00 $20.00 Floris Van Dijkum Compass Point Announces Buy $22.00 - Dori Kesten Wells Fargo Lowers Overweight $19.00 $21.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Host Hotels & Resorts. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Host Hotels & Resorts compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Host Hotels & Resorts's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations. Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Host Hotels & Resorts's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Host Hotels & Resorts analyst ratings. Discovering Host Hotels & Resorts: A Closer Look Host Hotels & Resorts owns 81 predominantly urban and resort upper-upscale and luxury hotel properties representing over 43,000 rooms, mainly in the United States. Host recently sold off the company's interests in a joint venture owning a portfolio of hotels throughout Europe and also sold other joint ventures that owned properties in Asia and the United States. The majority of Host's portfolio operates under the Marriott and Starwood brands. A Deep Dive into Host Hotels & Resorts's Financials Market Capitalization: Exceeding industry standards, the company's market capitalization places it above industry average in size relative to peers. This emphasizes its significant scale and robust market position. Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Host Hotels & Resorts showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 8.65% as of 30 September, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Real Estate sector. Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 6.22%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control. Return on Equity (ROE): Host Hotels & Resorts's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 1.21%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health. Return on Assets (ROA): Host Hotels & Resorts's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 0.64%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health. Debt Management: Host Hotels & Resorts's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.84 , reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach. How Are Analyst Ratings Determined? Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks. Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Former NC State WR KC Concepcion transferring to Texas A&MSheriffs will likely play a key role in helping federal agents secure the border and deport illegal immigrants under President-elect Donald Trump. Trump made mass deportation of illegal immigrants a key part of his campaign to win a second term as almost 11 million people flooded into the country illegally since 2021. The president-elect’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has signaled a new era of federal, state, and local cooperation when it comes to deporting illegal immigrants. Homan, the former acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), indicated he will first target those who have criminal convictions or are wanted for crimes. “The nation wants a safe country. We’ve had enough crime in this country,” Homan said during a stop at the Texas border in November. Sheriffs in the nation’s 3,100 counties could play an essential role in helping ICE to identify and detain illegal immigrants, said Sam Bushman, CEO of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), a conservative organization that opposes “unconstitutional” government overreach. As chief law enforcement officers in their counties, elected sheriffs have more latitude than appointed police chiefs. They have authority over criminal investigations, serving warrants, managing county jails, and providing court security within the county. Bushman foresees cooperation between willing county, state, and federal authorities to deport illegal immigrants, possibly through the creation of a new coordination agency or command center. “I think that we could create an organization that communicates with this trifecta, and that would be very effective,” he said. Richard Mack, a former Arizona sheriff and founder of CSPOA, has been in contact with Homan and believes sheriffs will be an integral part of border security and deportation efforts because of their unique understanding of their jurisdictions. “Who in this country knows their counties better than the sheriff?” he asked. Because of their local knowledge, sheriffs are in a unique position to help make deportation safer and easier, Mack told The Epoch Times. Regardless of politics, sheriffs must protect their constituents from crime and criminals, both tied to illegal immigration in terms of drug and human smuggling along with violent gang activity, he said. Policy experts have suggested that the federal government could deputize local law enforcement under its 287(g) program to aid ICE because the agency likely doesn’t have the manpower to do so alone. The 287(g) program currently provides a framework of cooperation wherein local jails work with ICE to identify illegal immigrants as they are booked for a crime. ICE and designated local law enforcement can then hold that inmate for up to an additional 48 hours so that ICE can take custody of the inmate. Homan has touted the program as a safe deportation pipeline, as ICE officers can pick up deportees within the safety of a jail setting, rather than having to organize an operation out in the community. Former Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol Rodney Scott, who served under both Trump and Biden, said in a previous interview with The Epoch Times that Trump could expand the 287(g) program to help with deportations, as he did during his first term. Scott was recently nominated by Trump to serve as the incoming Customs and Border Protection commissioner. In the blue state of Maryland, Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, a longtime Republican, recalls when the task force model was operational in 2008. “We had deputies on the street that could work at the direction of ICE and with ICE to take into custody people who had deportation warrants and so forth,” Jenkins told The Epoch Times. Reinstating the task force model would help expedite the deportation of criminals in the country illegally, he said. The Trump administration could also send representatives to local sheriff departments to recruit them to join the program, he said. “ICE can’t do it alone, or certainly not enough,” Jenkins said. “We need to be a force multiplier for them.” Tying federal grant money to sheriff department cooperation with ICE would likely convince many to come on board, he said. Even if sheriffs don’t participate in arresting illegal immigrants, they could help in other ways, such as providing transportation and logistical support and workspace for ICE, he said. Jenkins said Frederick County’s jail-based detainer program has been successful, resulting in the removal of about 2,000 illegal immigrant criminals in the county. Under the 287(g) program, sheriff’s office employees are trained to file a detainer and prepare the paperwork under the supervision of ICE in an effort to streamline the process, he said. San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez, who serves in the nation’s fifth most populous county, has vowed to defy a new county policy to limit cooperation with federal deportation efforts. Earlier this month, San Diego County supervisors voted to ban its sheriff department from working with ICE on the federal agency’s enforcement of civil immigration laws, including those that allow for deportations. California law generally prohibits cooperation but makes exceptions for those convicted of certain violent crimes. Martinez, whose office is nonpartisan but considers herself a Democrat, said she wouldn’t honor the new policy and that the county government doesn’t oversee her office. “Current state law strikes the right balance between limiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with immigration authorities, ensuring public safety, and building community trust,” Martinez said. In the blue state of Michigan, Barry County Sheriff Dar Lief said it is important to remove violent criminals from the streets. “I’m on board with that,” he told The Epoch Times. Lief echoed the belief of Trump and his surrogates during the presidential campaign that many of the illegal immigrants coming into the country were from prison systems or asylums. “Nonetheless, our governor here asked residents to take in illegal immigrants,” he said. “Who are you opening up your house to?” Lief said he warned the citizens of Barry County against taking in illegal immigrants, which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called “new Americans,” because there was no guarantee they were properly vetted. Not all blue states or city leaders are against Trump’s deportation plan to remove criminal illegal immigrants. “We will not be a safe haven for those who commit violent acts. We don’t do it for those who are citizens, and we’re not going to do it for those who are undocumented,” Adams said during a press conference. Adams said law-abiding illegal immigrants are welcome in the city. Still, it was a “terrible mistake” to allow those in the country unlawfully to commit violent crimes repeatedly, especially those associated with gangs. “Someone breaks the law—I‘ll be the first one to call up ICE and say, ’Get them out of here,'” she said. Homan said blue city officials don’t have to cooperate, but he has repeatedly warned them not to stand in his way. Homan recently announced he would begin deportations in Chicago, criticizing Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for resisting the removal of criminal immigrants. “If he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors and conceals an illegal alien, I will prosecute him,” Homan said of the Chicago mayor. The operation consists of Department of Public Safety law enforcement and Texas National Guard members. The program also focuses on arresting illegal immigrants for trespassing on private ranchland along the border—offering a unique roadmap for how counties could help deport illegal immigrants. Brent Smith, the county attorney for Kinney County, has plenty of experience dealing with illegal immigrants in his county, which sits along the Texas–Mexico border. Kinney County has prosecuted the largest number of illegal immigrants for trespass and related misdemeanors under Operation Lone Star. In 2019 and 2020, the small, rural county dealt with just 254 and 132 misdemeanor cases, respectively, mostly involving U.S. citizens. The U.S. citizen caseload has remained somewhat constant, but because of illegal immigration, the total number of misdemeanor cases shot up to 6,799 in 2022 and 5,826 in 2023, according to numbers obtained from the county attorney’s office. Smith told The Epoch Times that trespassing arrests in Kinney County under Operation Lone Star offered valuable lessons on how to run a border security initiative. At first, funding went to provide law enforcement, but Smith said it became clear that there needed to be more funding for the entire county justice system for prosecutors, public defenders, clerks, and judges to process illegal immigrants charged with trespassing. “What I foresee is some very strong 287(g) agreements being entered into, and state and local law enforcement actually becoming an arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement,” he said. He said that after undergoing a DHS training program, local officers are considered immigration officers under the supervision of an ICE agent. He pointed to former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was known for implementing the 287(g) task force successfully to arrest illegal immigrants in Arizona but came under fire during the Obama administration. Maricopa County’s 287(g) program was canceled in 2011 after a Department of Justice investigation accused the sheriff of racial profiling. In 2012, the Obama administration discontinued the task force and hybrid models of the program altogether. Trump expanded the program in his first term to 150 agreements with local law enforcement and broadened the removal criteria to include misdemeanors. Smith said that once Trump ends the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy, there will be more “gotaways,” which will require a shift in resources to focus on apprehension instead of processing those claiming asylum. Money—or the lack of it—will be an essential tool in deportation and border security, he said. On the state level, he has been discussing a bill with Texas lawmakers that would require sheriffs to apply for 287(g) agreements before receiving state grant funding. The same principle could be applied to federal grant money for cities such as Chicago, he said. “How much is your political leanings worth to you? Is it worth $1,000, or $100,000, or $2 million?” he said. “We’re going to find out.”
A hopeful 2025 begins with open ears and open hearts