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Author: Kemberlee Kaye

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Kemberlee Kaye

Kemberlee Kaye is the Senior Contributing Editor of Legal Insurrection, where she has worked since 2014 and is the Director of Operations and Editorial Development for the Legal Insurrection Foundation. She also serves as the Managing Editor for CriticalRace.org, a research project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation.

She has a background working in immigration law, and as a grassroots organizer, digital media strategist, campaign lackey, and muckraker. Over the years Kemberlee has worked with FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, James O'Keefe's Project Veritas, and US Senate re-election campaigns, among others. 

Kemberlee, her daughter, and her son live a lovely taco-filled life in their native Texas.

You can reach her anytime via email at kk @ legalinsurrection.com.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 28, 2015 12 Comments
As embroiled Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel faces a chorus of criticism, the choir just got a little bit louder. MSNBC host and activist about town Al Sharpton called for Emanuel to resign. At the center of the controversy -- police-involved shootings.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 27, 2015 59 Comments
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Marco Rubio picked up several meaty endorsements over the past few days. Saturday, Townhall's Guy Benson reported South Carolina firebrand, Rep. Trey Gowdy, has endorsed Sen. Rubio.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 25, 2015 2 Comments
Sometimes life gives you extra lifey years. 2015 has been that kind of year for me. Through it all, I've learned much, grown even more, and have gained a greater appreciation for the human experience. I'm blessed beyond measure; constantly amazed by the inordinate number of incredible people with whom I have the privilege of sharing a little bit of life with. Each of whom has taught me how to be a better me, how to love harder, laugh louder, embrace the suck, and squeeze every ounce of life out of every singe day. In this Season of Giving, of celebrating the single greatest gift given to mankind, I would like to share with you what this year has shared with me. Some lessons I've known, but came to understand differently. 1. Take the time to tell others how important they are to you.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 24, 2015 2 Comments
The good folks at MRCTV have a new college campus video out that is cringe-worthy to the max. Dan Joseph, the MRCTV reporter behind the video writes:
Last week, I presented some college students with a petition urging radio stations to stop playing the holiday classic "White Christmas" because the song only focuses on "White" Christmases. This clearly makes it racially insensitive, since it completely ignores Christmases of other colors. Students were all too willing to check their privilege and take a stand against Bing Crosby's racially charged micro-aggression. Just watch.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 23, 2015 6 Comments
Callista Gingrich's fifth children's book is one you'll want to pick up. Ellis the adorable little elephant journeys through the past, stoping to explore the history of Christmas in America. Far from the watered-down historical fare, Christmas in America serves meaty historical events delicately enough to be palatable to youngsters, but rich enough for readers of any age. So enjoyable were some of the historical specifics, that I found myself geeking out, excited to reread a few of my favorite stories. If your American history knowledge has collected a little dust over the years, fear not. Christmas in America is equipped with a handy guide in the back of the book to bring you up to speed.

First, a bit about you:

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 22, 2015 10 Comments
Earlier this year, the Center for Medical Progress exposed Planned Parenthood's baby part harvesting racket to the public. A series of undercover videos showed Planned Parenthood officials haggling with investigators over the price of fetal tissues. Now Congress is looking into Planned Parenthood's fetal tissue trade. Tuesday, Sen. Rand Paul announced Health and Human Services had opened an investigation into Planned Parenthood's use of fetal tissue.
Following the request initiated by U.S. Senator Rand Paul, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General (OIG) Daniel R. Levinson has opened an investigation, including a full audit into the compliance of HHS grantees with the fetal tissue regulations to determine whether there have been violations of the law and how the agency verifies compliance.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 21, 2015 6 Comments
Upon the order of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's richest men, Christmas in the small country of Brunei has been publicly banned. Wearing a Santa hat in public could result in a five-year prison sentence. While Brunei's Christians are still allowed to celebrate Christmas (so generous of the Sultan), those festivities are not to be disclosed to Muslim citizens for fear it might "damage their faith." The Sydney Morning Herald has the story:
Oil-rich Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas, including sending festive greetings and the wearing of Santa Claus hats. Muslims seen celebrating Christmas and non-Muslims found to be organising celebrations could face up to five years jail. However the country's non-Muslims, who comprise 32 per cent of the 420,000 population, can celebrate Christmas in their own communities on the condition that the celebrations are not disclosed to Muslims. Imams have told followers in the tiny Borneo nation to follow a government edict last year banning celebrations that could lead Muslims astray and damage their faith, according to the Borneo Bulletin.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 21, 2015 62 Comments
In September, the Danish government placed ads in Lebanese newspapers portraying Denmark as an undesirable local for potential refugees. The intent of course, was to deter would-be refugees from choosing Denmark as a potential home. Fast forward to December and the Danes have upped the ante. New legislation would seize gold and cash from Syrian refugees. The Washington Post reports:
The government is considering a law that would allow authorities to confiscate jewelry from refugees entering the country. The proposal is almost certain to pass Parliament. "It is pretty telling about the current Danish policies that [some] are not quite sure whether this is a hoax or not," said Zachary Whyte, an asylum and integration researcher at the University of Copenhagen. In this case, it's real. "The bill presented on 10 December 2015 provides the Danish authorities with the power to search clothes and luggage of asylum seekers — and other migrants without a permit to stay in Denmark — with a view to finding assets which may cover the expenses," the Danish Ministry of Integration said in an email to The Washington Post.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 21, 2015 19 Comments
Monday, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham became the fourth Republican presidential candidate to call it quits. "I got into this race to put forward a plan to win a war we could not afford to lose and to turn back the tide of isolationism that was rising in our party," said Graham in a video message to his supporters. "I believe we've made enormous progress in this effort."

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 19, 2015 13 Comments
Three Democratic presidential candidates are about to try their luck at the third Democratic debate of the 2016 election season at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, making this the midway debate stop for Democratic candidates. Only six Democratic presidential primary debates are currently scheduled for the 2016 season. Sponsored by ABC News, the New Hampshire Union Leader has joined the network as a co-sponsor for tonight's debate. Compared to Republican presidential debates, the Democratic field is tiny. Only three candidates will debate one another tonight: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O'Malley. But the spotlight is largely on two: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. CBS News reported:
ABC News has said questions will focus on national security issues and foreign policy, following the deadly terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino. Heading into the debate, Hillary Clinton is leading the pack by wide margins, with Sanders trailing the former secretary of state by 31 points in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
With data breaches, law suits, and allegations of DNC favoritism towards Mrs. Clinton, this should be quite the show. Livestream available here:

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 18, 2015 9 Comments
There is not enough popcorn in the world for this one. This is going to be one heckuva show. Politico reported this evening:
Bernie Sanders' campaign on Friday sued the Democratic National Committee for suspending its access to the national voter database, saying the move threatens to undermine the Vermont senator's presidential run. Even as the campaign admitted its staffers had inappropriately reviewed and saved Hillary Clinton campaign data made available as a result of a software error, it emphatically accused the DNC of sabotage and of blatantly favoring Clinton.
This afternoon, Sanders' campaign threatened to sue. Shortly thereafter, they made good on that threat:

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 18, 2015 12 Comments
Staff salary cuts, negligible fundraising, and crummy polling are usually good indicators a campaign is on its last leg. Thursday, Politico reported former Arkansas Governor and Republican presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee, cut his senior staffer's salaries to reallocate resources to the Iowa battlefield.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign, struggling with its low standing in the polls and underwhelming fundraising, slashed the salaries of senior staffers amid the departure of its top communications aide. The salary reductions took place over the past few weeks, according to multiple Republican sources familiar with the Huckabee campaign's operations. The reductions were limited to senior staff, according to Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the candidate's daughter and campaign manager.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 18, 2015 12 Comments
Pro-Carly Fiorina PAC CARLY for America released a new ad Thursday. The 50 second spot will air in the digital space in early voting states. The ad makes a bold comparison -- it pitches Fiorina as America's Margaret Thatcher.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 18, 2015 63 Comments
Having spent years working in immigration law, the current immigration cluster is enough to make me want to neck punch the entire internet (except for commenters who like my posts, of course). Of the many immigration rhetoric atrocities that make my blood boil, one of the worst is the lax use of terms like "amnesty" and "pathway to citizenship." "Pathway to legalization" is also on that list. These poor, defenseless terms are tossed about without regard for their respective definitions. They're used interchangeably, mischaracterized, and generally abused by armchair immigrationers and political reporters alike. Words matter. Definitions matter. Not being an ignoramus? Also important. So let's talk about these terms, shall we?

The "A" Word

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 17, 2015 18 Comments
Among the various random provisions in the 2,000+ page omnibus spending bill rattling around Congress is the amending the condition of the H-2B visa annual cap. The bill itself is indefensible. Cobbling together a 2,000 page tax-payer funded Christmas wish list, expediting it through both chambers and on to the Oval Office within 72 hours is hardly good government. It's particularly problematic when the bill is spiked with substantial immigration reforms. That being said, is amending the H-2B visa allocation a bad thing? The H-2B visa (along with its H-2A counterpart) is the guest worker program everyone on the immigration reform bandwagon loves to talk about but pretends does not exist. H-2Bs are for seasonal, one-time employment only. They're not used, nor will they be approved if the job is ongoing under normal circumstances. H-2Bs typically cover the oft cited, "jobs Americans don't want." H-2Bs are job specific, employer specific, and rarely (in my experience) see dependents tagging along. Employers are required to pay all costs for getting people here and sending them home. Like most other visa types where work is permitted, petitions must first be approved by the Department of Labor (DOL) before being sent to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for processing.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on December 16, 2015 18 Comments
Legislation designed to strengthen the existing Visa Waiver Program was lumped into the massive omnibus bill. The Visa Waiver Program currently allows foreign nationals holding citizenship from any of the 38 participating countries (there are a few other qualifying factors) to bypass consular processing in order to request entry to the U.S.. Though the House bill was introduced in January, the terrorist attacks in Paris last month prompted Congress to consider legislation designed to strengthen the existing Visa Waiver Program of which France is a particpant and, “help prevent terrorists from entering the United States,” said Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ). USA Today reported Wednesday:
The visa-waiver provisions were included in a 2009-page spending bill to fund the federal government until next October. The House and Senate are expected to vote on the bill without changes by Dec. 22.
I read both the House and Senate version of the bill last week and outlined them in painful detail here. In sum, the bill could be a little stronger, but it makes solid, substantive reforms to the existing visa waiver program.
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