The State Department issued a press release last week stating that it had caught up with the massive backlog in passport applications left over delays throughout the summer, meaning that passport processing times are now back to the normal ‘six to eight week’ timeframe.  To fix the problem, the department said that took numerous steps, including the hire of hundreds of new adjudicators, temporary transfers of employees to passport centers, and the opening of a new processing facility.  

The Washington Times reports that at one point during the summer, the processing time stretched to more than three months for a standard application, causing trip cancellations for many would-be overseas travelers and sparking criticism from lawmakers.  According to a State Department spokesperson, the department will be able to process 5000,000 applications per week with the increase in personnel and facilities.  

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Citizens and community leaders of Manassas , Virginia held a town meeting last week to denounce the Ku Klux Klan’s recent anti-immigration efforts in the city, according to the New York Times.  In recent weeks, Klan propaganda was distributed along several city blocks which made derogatory references to immigrants and minorities in general.   

The content of the flyers urged ‘white Christian America’ to stand up for its rights.  The pamphlets were intended to ride on the coattails of a resolution by Prince William County which aimed to deny county services to undocumented immigrants.   

The latest round of canvassing by the hate group raised concerns and questions by neighbors and led the leaders of the community to take action.  

Jeanette Rishell, Democratic candidate for the 50^th district, was one of the many people who addressed the audience gathered at the Manassas Courthouse.  "Today is not about immigration.  It is about taking a stand against hate and intolerance," said Rishell, who also organized the gathering. "And it is about sending a message that the Klan is not welcome here."  

Her political opponent, Del. Jackson H. Miller (R-Manassas) added "Obviously it is a terrorist group, and they have no business being in our community at all.  Prince William County Commonwealth ’s Attorney Paul B. Ebert also reminded the crowd amassed outside the courthouse that "any type of hate crime will not be tolerated in this jurisdiction" and encouraged people to report any such violation.