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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Undocumented Immigrants Pledge to Release Tax Returns

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Tuesday, October 11, 2016   

NEW YORK – Undocumented immigrants in New York say they'll release their personal tax returns if all the presidential candidates release theirs. Immigrants and faith leaders gathered at the Judson Memorial Church Monday to say they are tired of being used as scapegoats by politicians who claim they take jobs and services, giving nothing in return.

Ravi Ragbir, executive director of the New Sanctuary Movement, said undocumented workers do pay their fair share and they're willing to prove it.

"They are putting themselves at risk because all the information will be public, but they are willing to take that risk," he said.

A study released earlier this year by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that, nationwide, undocumented immigrants pay almost $12 billion a year in state and local taxes alone.

The institute report found that undocumented immigrants pay an average tax rate of eight percent, while the top one percent of U.S. taxpayers pay less than five-and-a-half percent. And Ragbir pointed out that undocumented immigrants also pay into Social Security.

"And they cannot claim anything in the future until they get documentation," he added. "So they have been the saving grace for Social Security for many American citizens."

The Social Security Administration has estimated that undocumented immigrants pay about $13 billion a year in Social Security taxes, while getting only about $1 billion back.


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Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

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A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


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Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

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Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


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Social Issues

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The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

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New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Gov. Josh Shapiro's Pennsylvania state budget proposal would strengthen efforts to reintroduce vocational education into Pennsylvania classrooms, with a $5.5 million boost for Career and Technical Education. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

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Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

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Health and Wellness

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