CANCELLING Social Security numbers may be used as a means to push illegal immigrants to leave the U.S. (Shutterstock).

More than 6,000 living immigrants will be classified as dead by the Social Security system in an effort to push them to leave the county, the Associated Press in reporting.

According to the AP, that will result in the cancelling of their Social Security numbers which are required to get employed or receive certain benefits.

The method, two sources told the AP, is to move those persons’ names to a data base commonly used to track the deceased.

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the legal status of immigrants who are working in the U.S. under a presidential pardon from the Biden Administration.

On Thursday, a federal judge blocked the Trump Administration from ordering large numbers – perhaps as many as hundreds of thousands – of immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuelans – to leave the country when their temporary legal status expires later this month.

Tariff battles escalates again

TARIFFS on Canada, Mexico, China and other nations have been threatened (Shutterstock).

In response to the increasing tariffs on Chinese imports announced by the Trump Administration, China announced on Friday it would place a levy on goods from the U.S. of 125 percent.

The latest American tariff on China is at 145 percent.

In making its latest increase – effective on Saturday – the Chinese government declared that the White House policies were “a joke,” according to The New York Times.

That’s a increase from a previous figure of 84 percent.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “There are no winners in a tariff war. Going against the world will only result in self-isolation.”

Europeans pledge aid to Ukraine

A commitment of $24 billion in aid is being made to Ukraine by a group of European nations.
United Press International is reporting that the announcement was made in Brussels by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

FLAG OF UKRAINE

Those nations want a “militarily strong Ukraine,” he said. Germany pledged $12.4 billion in military aid to the nation that’s been fighting a war against Russian invaders for three years.

“Only then can negotiations lead to a just and lasting peace settlement,” he added.

The U.S. has been seeking to negotiate a cease-fire so far without success.

Weather: More coolness coming

Temperatures in our West Orange County cities will continue to slide toward the 60s during daytime hours. The forecast for Saturday is for a daytime high of 72 with an overnight low of 56. There should be fog in the morning and sun in the afternoon. Sunday will similar but cooler to 69 (51). Monday will warm a bit to 71 (53) with partly cloudy skies. Mostly sunny conditions will arrive on Tuesday with temps of 70 (53).

Great Thoughts (from no one famous)

“You’ll understand when you’re my age.”

“If you don’t know what’s wrong, I’m not going to tell you.”

“Anyone else want that last pork chop?”