Data shows US citizens smuggle more fentanyl into the US than migrants

Here are the most important news stories from Wednesday, September 25, 2024…

• Mexican drug cartels are recruiting San Diego residents to smuggle fentanyl into the United States. Prosecutors worry that teens are getting caught up in the cross-border drug trade.
• Gavin Newsom signed a bill that removes debts owed to a medical practice or hospital from the credit reports of California residents.
• Invitation Homes, a giant corporate landlord, has agreed to pay $48 million to settle a lawsuit with the Federal Trades Commission. The FTC alleges that Invitation Homes charged tenants bogus fees and withheld security deposits.
• Hotel workers at Hawaii’s largest resort join thousands of other strikers at California hotels.

Prosecutors say US citizens smuggle more fentanyl across border than migrants

The idea that more border walls and stricter enforcement of illegal immigration will keep illegal drugs out of the United States has become a common political talking point, especially in an election year. But cartels rarely use migrants who cross the border illegally to smuggle fentanyl. Instead, they use people who cross the border through official ports of entry without arousing suspicion. KPBS reporter Gustavo Solis found that cartels often recruit low-income young people in need of money, often high school or college students. And sometimes people unknowingly smuggle drugs like fentanyl across the border. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10,000 Californians die from drug overdoses each year.

Starting January 1, 2025, debts owed to a medical practice or hospital will no longer appear on Californians’ credit reports. The bill, authored by Senators Monique Limón and Josh Becker, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday. Medical debt can lower credit scores, making it harder to negotiate a loan or mortgage. The legislation was supported by Attorney General Rob Bonta, as well as consumer advocacy groups. The bill would not cover or erase medical credit card debt. The federal government has also announced plans to create legislation to remove medical debt from credit reports, but the timing is uncertain.

Commercial landlord pays FTC $48 million to settle lawsuit

One of the nation’s largest corporate landlords has agreed to pay $48 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission. The lawsuit alleged that Invitation Homes charged tenants clutter fees, withheld security deposits and failed to inspect homes before tenants moved in. Invitation Homes is the nation’s largest landlord of single-family homes, with nearly 12,000 SROs in California alone. As part of the settlement, the company has agreed to change its security deposit practices and advertise accurate rental prices.

Hawaii hotel workers join strike

Two thousand union hotel workers walked off the job yesterday at Hawaii’s largest resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. They join thousands of others currently striking at hotels here in California. The workers are demanding higher wages, more manageable workloads and a reversal of cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as limited daily room cleanings. UNITE HERE, the union representing these hotel workers, says they will strike until they get new contracts.