Latino war veteran files $1M claim for immigration arrest
GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — Lawyers for a Latino American war veteran who was wrongfully detained by immigration agents in Michigan have filed a $1 million claim against the U.S. government for his three days in custody.
Jilmar Ramos-Gomez is a Michigan-born U.S. citizen. Yet he was taken into custody after his release a year ago from a Kent County jail for an alleged crime.
The American Civil Liberties Union says Ramos-Gomez’ “shocking mistreatment” only exacerbated his post-traumatic stress disorder from his service as a Marine in Afghanistan.
The city of Grand Rapids recently agreed to pay $190,000 to Ramos-Gomez. A Grand Rapids police officer played a key role in notifying ICE about the man.
Grand Valley State students drop pledge at campus meeting
ALLENDALE (AP) — Members of the student government at Grand Valley State University scratched the Pledge of Allegiance from the agenda at a recent meeting.
Student senator Samuel Jacobs tells WOOD-TV that “by removing the pledge, we can be accepting of all students.” The vote Thursday was 21-10 with 10 abstentions.
Another senator, Dorian Thompson, says students have posted angry reactions on social media. He says skipping the pledge at the meeting takes away the “voice of the people.” Thompson says it was the wrong message during the week of Veterans Day.
Grand Valley’s new president, Philomena Mantella, didn’t offer an opinion but says the debate is healthy “as long as it’s done thoughtfully and respectfully.”
Uber discriminated against blind woman with dog, panel rules
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A panel in Maine has ruled that Uber discriminated against a blind woman when a driver refused to give her a ride because she was traveling with her guide dog.
The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Human Rights Commission voted Monday that Uber discriminated against Patricia Sarchi because of her visual impairment.
The report says a manicurist ordered an Uber for Sarchi after an appointment in January 2017. The driver told Sarchi he could not give her a ride because she had her guide dog.
The ride-sharing company later charged Sarchi a $5 ride cancellation fee.
Uber argued it could not be held responsible because its drivers are independent contractors.
Cat found in New Mexico five years after vanishing in Oregon
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A cat who has been missing for five years in Portland, Oregon, has been found in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Santa Fe Animal Shelter announced this week that Sasha the black cat was recently found wandering the streets of New Mexico’s capital. Officials said a scan of the cat’s microchip revealed that the kitty had traveled more than 1,200 miles from Oregon.
American Airlines offered to fly the cat to Portland, along with a member of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. Officials will present the animal to Viktor Usov, the cat’s original owner.
Usov says the family thought they’d never see the cat again.
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