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u.s. news Diahuebs 3 september 2020

Trump administration plans expanded use of personal data

By BEN FOX also require U.S. citizens
Associated Press sponsoring relatives to come
WASHINGTON (AP) — to the country to provide
The Trump administration biometric data, including in
announced plans Tuesday some cases their DNA, if it
to expand the collection was needed to verify some-
of personal "biometric" in- one's identity. "This is a re-
formation by the agency in markable expansion of sur-
charge of immigration en- veillance, especially the idea
forcement, raising concerns that immigrants could be
about civil liberties and data called in at any point to give
protection. In a statement, these biometrics," said Sarah
the Department of Home- Pierce, an analyst with the
land Security said it would Migration Policy Institute.
soon issue a formal proposal It typically takes several
for a new regulation for ex- months for a new regulation
panding "the authorities and to take effect after a pub-
methods" for collecting bio- lic comment period. This
metrics, which are physical measure is likely to prompt
characteristics such as fin- legal challenges, as have
gerprints used to identify most immigration measures
individuals. U.S. Customs introduced under President
and Border Protection, a Donald Trump.
component of DHS, already Acting Deputy DHS Secre-
collects biometric data, in- tary Ken Cuccinelli charac-
cluding iris scans, from terized the new regulation
people captured trying to in a written statement as a
enter the country without In this Dec. 10, 2015, file photo, a pedestrian crossing from Mexico into the United States at way to improve the verifi-
legal authority. DHS said in the Otay Mesa Port of Entry has his facial features and eyes scanned at a biometric kiosk in cation of people's identities
a written statement that the San Diego. and modernize operations.
new rule would authorize Associated Press "Leveraging readily avail-
new techniques, including able technology to verify
voice and facial recognition provide details. BuzzFeed cluded a provision for U.S. collect biometric data from the identity of an individual
to verify people's identity. News, which obtained a Citizenship and Immigra- non-citizens legally work- we are screening is respon-
The agency did not release draft of the policy, reported tion Services, which is also ing and living in the U.S. or sible governing," Cuccinelli
the proposed regulation or earlier Tuesday that it in- a component of DHS, to seeking to do so. It would said.q

75th anniversary of end of WWII is mostly virtual amid virus

By CALEB JONES on the sacrifices and victories livestream of the event from
Associated Press of our service members and their homes instead of see-
HONOLULU (AP) — allies who helped fight for ing it in person on the ship
When Japanese military lead- and secure peace." as they had planned. "Well,
ers climbed aboard the USS He ended his keynote ad- I was very disappointed, yes.
Missouri in Tokyo Bay on dress by building a case for a I was hoping to maybe see a
Sept. 2, 1945, the battleship strong military for the future. friend or two," he said. "I just
was packed with U.S. sailors "We honor the legacy of those want to share with at least my
eager to see the end of World who came before us and re- family and a couple of other
War II. commit ourselves to defend- folks some of the feelings that
On Wednesday, the 75th ing today's international rules I was going to express when
anniversary of the surren- and norms so that the road is I got there." Those feelings
der, some of those same safer and is better for genera- are complicated, said Peder-
men who served the United tions yet to come," Esper said. sen, who dedicated his life to
States weren't able to return "The United States' commit- peace after the war ended.
to the Missouri in Hawaii's ment to the role today is the "War must not happen again,"
Pearl Harbor because of the same one we made to the he said, recalling the words
world's new war against the freedom-loving people of the uttered by Gen. Douglas In this Aug. 11, 2020, file photo, a plaque marks the spot where
coronavirus. world in 1941 — that we will MacArthur on the day the World War II surrender documents were signed on the USS
The commemoration ini- remain ready to fight any foe Japanese surrendered. But Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
tially was supposed to be a and defend any friend." "we're still oscillating on Associated Press
blockbuster event with pa- Organizers limited the cer- many of the things that are "For me, it was the end of The U.S. entered the war
rades through Waikiki, movie emony less than two weeks necessary to bring us peace." the killing, the war that had after Japanese warplanes at-
premieres, galas and thou- before the anniversary be- Pedersen wore a blue Ma- taken millions of soldiers and tacked Pearl Harbor on Dec.
sands of people honoring the cause of a surge in coronavi- rine uniform recently sent to many, many, many millions 7, 1941.
veterans, some who may be rus cases in Hawaii and other him for the ceremony while of civilians in wars in Europe "The clouds of war were
marking the historic mile- parts of the nation. That left he watched the livestreamed and finally in the Pacific that gathering all around the
stone for the last time. dozens of veterans in their ceremony at his son's house came to an end that day. And United States, and the world
Because of the threat of the 90s or beyond giving what in rural West Sacramento, we were celebrating," he told for that matter," said Daniel
virus, the ceremony was could be their final salute California. He and his three The Associated Press as he Martinez, Pearl Harbor Na-
scaled down to about 50 peo- from afar. Jerry Pedersen, 95, adult children, their spous- watched the screen. tional Memorial chief his-
ple who gathered on the ship was a U.S. Marine when he es and some grandchildren "I had the feeling that day. I torian. "The United States
that hosted the surrender in witnessed the end of World gathered around a laptop set made a pact with myself that had claimed neutrality. And
1945, all local veterans and War II on the deck of the up on a dining table. The I'm going to be a peacemaker that neutrality ended on the
government officials. Missouri. On the 75th an- family clapped and hooted in my life," said Pedersen, morning of December 7th,
Defense Secretary Mark Es- niversary, Pedersen and his when his name was called; who went to college after the when Japanese forces …
per said he was honored to surviving comrades who live Pedersen smiled and gave a war, got his doctorate and be- launched an all-out assault on
"commemorate and reflect on the mainland watched a fist pump. came a minister. the island of Oahu."q