Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Biden team promises ‘sweeping’ approach to end of Title 42, looming migrant surge
The Biden administration is toiling to show mastery of the looming border crisis, laying out new goals Wednesday for how to address the already surging numbers of illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. Published May 10, 2023
House GOP’s border security bill would stop 600,000 illegal immigrants
House Republicans' border security bill would stop at least 600,000 illegal immigrants from settling in the U.S., according to a new analysis Tuesday that said the bill will make a dent, albeit a limited one, in the flow of people rushing the border under President Biden. Published May 9, 2023
ICE frees hundreds of criminals to make room for migrants; Biden goes easy on quick removals
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been releasing illegal immigrants, including those with criminal records, from custody to clear space for the looming surge of more migrants at the border, in the latest sign of the government's scramble to prepare for the onslaught. Published May 9, 2023
Biden lets illegal immigrants fly without any photo ID; GOP bill closes gaps in security
To many Americans, one of the more galling parts of the border mess was watching as newly arrived illegal immigrants boarded airplanes to disperse into the country without having to show valid photo identification like the rest of the passengers. Published May 8, 2023
Deficit dismay: Federal tax revenue plummets, even as Uncle Sam keeps spending
Uncle Sam's tax collections were down 26% in April compared to last year at the same time, according to new estimates Monday by the Congressional Budget Office that offer a worrying picture about the state of government finances. Published May 8, 2023
Biden dismisses GOP border security bill as too tough on illegal immigrants, says he’ll veto
The White House said Monday that President Biden will veto Republicans' border security bill if it reaches his desk, saying it's too harsh on illegal immigrants. Published May 8, 2023
Justices leave nation waiting for bombshell rulings; Affirmative action among toughest cases
The Supreme Court once again is poised to rewrite policy on some of the country's thorniest issues over the next two months as the justices complete their term with rulings expected on race, religious liberty, voting rights, social media and gay rights. Published May 8, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott announces ‘border force’ to defend Texas border against migrant surge
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott assigned National Guard troops on Monday to a newly created state border patrol and ordered them to "repel" illegal immigrants who are expected to stream into the U.S. in unprecedented numbers in the coming weeks. Published May 8, 2023
Illegal immigration already surging even before end of Title 42
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insisted Sunday that the Biden administration is ready to handle a renewed migrant surge, brushing aside mounting evidence that things are already going very wrong at the southern border. Published May 7, 2023
New border surge has already begun
The surge of illegal immigrants has already begun at the U.S.-Mexico border, where agents in southern Texas apprehended 2,300 migrants on Friday morning. Published May 5, 2023
DHS lets journalists watch deportation flight as part of border PR campaign
The Department of Homeland Security allowed reporters to watch a deportation flight Friday as the department ramps up its get-tough messaging ahead of an expected border surge next week. Published May 5, 2023
Homeland Security bused migrants away to hide border chaos
The Border Patrol would beef up its staff and bus out migrants ahead of dignitary visits to hide the true extent of the chaos at the southern border, leaving the false impression that they were prepared to handle a surge, according to a new inspector general's report. Published May 5, 2023
Fentanyl at the border: Americans ready for troops, trade restrictions with Mexico
A majority of Americans want to see the U.S. send troops and equipment into Mexico to stop the surge of fentanyl flowing across the southern border, according to a poll the National Sheriffs' Association is releasing Friday. Published May 5, 2023
ATF lied about job duties to overpay employees
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives intentionally overstated the duties of dozens of employees, labeling them as law enforcement agents so it could pay them more money, costing the government tens of millions of dollars. Published May 4, 2023
DHS wants to cut funding to combat cartel drones at the border
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has told Congress that combatting drones is a priority, yet his new budget cancels funding to develop the Border Patrol's capabilities to detect and derail cartel-operated drones at the border. Published May 3, 2023
FBI file shows foreigner paid Biden in ‘criminal scheme’ to trade money for policy, Republicans say
The FBI has been sitting on a report detailing a scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden to accept money in exchange for policy decisions on behalf of a "foreign national," two senior Republicans said Wednesday. Published May 3, 2023
Senators accuse AG Garland of ‘dishonesty’ over protection for Supreme Court justices
Republican senators revealed new evidence Wednesday that the Justice Department ordered federal marshals to ignore a law that should have protected conservative Supreme Court justices after last year's leak of a high court opinion. Published May 3, 2023
U.S. still largest donor to Afghans despite Taliban takeover
The U.S. government remains the biggest donor to Afghanistan even in the wake of the Taliban's takeover, according to an inspector general's report released late Tuesday. Published May 3, 2023
‘Smoke and mirrors’: Trump’s DHS secretary pans Biden border moves
Chad Wolf, who served as acting Homeland Security secretary in the Trump administration, said the move by President Biden team to deploy troops ahead of a new border surge is "smoke and mirrors" and can't be successful without a change in the president's policies. Published May 2, 2023
Biden to send active-duty Marines, soldiers to U.S.-Mexico border
The Biden administration announced Tuesday it would deploy 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border to help deal with an expected wave of illegal immigrants starting later this month. Published May 2, 2023