Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Justices rule double-dealing migrant smuggler can’t sue Border Patrol agent
A man who helped smuggle illegal immigrants across the Canadian border, but also reported some of them to the U.S. Border Patrol, cannot sue an agent for personal damages under claims his constitutional rights were violated, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. Published June 8, 2022
Armed suspect outside Kavanaugh’s house targeted justice over abortion case, police say
Police arrested an armed man Wednesday morning outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, saying he confessed he was angry over the court's looming decision on abortion and planned to kill the justice and himself. Published June 8, 2022
Unemployment benefits deemed ‘high-risk’ program after massive fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Government Accountability Office slapped its "high-risk" label on the federal unemployment insurance program Tuesday, saying what had been a small trickle of fraud turned into a gusher of waste during the pandemic. Published June 7, 2022
ICE reunites illegal immigrant mother with baby held by smuggler
ICE agents tracked down a smuggler who separated a 1-year-old girl from her mother as they tried to make their way deeper into the U.S., arresting the smuggler and reuniting the family. Published June 7, 2022
Terror alert: Anger over U.S.-Mexico border, abortion case could lead to shootings, DHS warns
The Department of Homeland Security issued a new terror alert Tuesday warning that anger over the chaotic U.S.-Mexico border or a looming Supreme Court decision on abortion rights could lead to more mass violence. Published June 7, 2022
Migrants found dead after smuggler abandoned truck along Texas highway
At least two illegal immigrants were found dead after a smuggler abandoned a truck that was carrying more than 100 people on the side of the highway in La Salle County, Texas, authorities said. Published June 7, 2022
Whodunnit: U.S. investigators probe theft of millions from Afghan government during Taliban takeover
Afghanistan's president didn't make off with oodles of cash as he fled the country last summer, but someone seems to have, according to a new inspector general's report Monday that says a key security account was drained of funds the day before the Taliban took over. Published June 6, 2022
Illegal immigrant tried to ‘strangle’ Border Patrol agent with cord, feds say
An illegal immigrant tried to strangle one Border Patrol agent with the cord from the agent's night vision goggles, and grabbed another agent's genitals to try to be set free, federal authorities said in new charges brought in Arizona. Published June 6, 2022
More Afghan allies get reprieve as Biden administration ramps up immigration approvals
The Biden administration this year has stepped up approvals of special visas for Afghan allies who assisted the American war effort, moving to recover from the catastrophe of last year's chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal and collapse of the Afghan government. Published June 6, 2022
Feds win warrant to seize Russian billionaire’s $350 million jet
Federal authorities announced Monday they have obtained a warrant to seize Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's $350 million jet, as part of America's attempt to deliver financial pain to Russian President Vladimir Putin's major backers. Published June 6, 2022
Feds bust extensive Uber smuggling ring at northern border
Federal authorities say Rajinder Pal Singh had figured out a pretty sweet scam, smuggling illegal immigrants from India across the northern border and into the Seattle area -- by putting them in Ubers. Published June 5, 2022
Michael Avenatti slapped with 4-year prison sentence for swindling Stormy Daniels
Michael Avenatti, the high-profile lawyer who took on President Trump, was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison for cheating his most famous client, porn star Stormy Daniels. Published June 2, 2022
‘Distressingly’ high level of support for assassinating politicians among young Democratic men
More than half of Republicans believe the U.S. is drifting toward another civil war, according to a new poll released Wednesday by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which said it detected evidence of radicalization among both Democrats and the GOP. Published June 1, 2022
Texas plugs Biden’s border gaps with razor wire and prosecutions
Texas has deployed more than 40 miles of razor wire and other border barriers along its boundary with Mexico, building a makeshift fence to plug gaps the governor says the Biden administration left undefended amid the migrant surge. Published June 1, 2022
1.35 million new illegal immigrants settled in U.S. under Biden, study shows
The U.S. has added more than 2 million immigrants to its population since President Biden took office in 2021, the vast majority of them here illegally, according to a new report Wednesday that says most of the newcomers are arriving illegally. Published June 1, 2022
GOP challenges Biden’s new pandemic prosecutor
Top House Republicans demanded answers Tuesday from the Justice Department over President Biden's new pandemic prosecutor, who was tapped earlier this year to take control of investigations into hundreds of billions of dollars the government paid in suspected fraudulent coronavirus-related claims. Published May 31, 2022
Replacement Theory’s long march from French socialist to American political inferno
One wonders whether true White supremacists who espouse the "Great Replacement" theory would feel the same way if they knew it sprouted from France and the pen of a former socialist and gay-rights icon. Published May 30, 2022
DHS to restart border wall construction to close ‘gap’ in current barrier
The Department of Homeland Security announced plans Friday to restart limited border wall construction, closing a "gap" in the barrier in Arizona that appears to have been left when President Biden stopped construction on his first day in office. Published May 27, 2022
New asylum rules for border migrants start Tuesday
Homeland Security will launch its new asylum policy next week on a limited basis, giving some illegal immigrants another crack at claiming a legal status in the U.S. Published May 26, 2022
Texas school shooting spurs new questions about ‘good guys with guns’
The country suffered through more than 60 active shooter incidents last year, and in 18 of those attacks, the shooter was killed by a good guy with a gun -- four of them by average citizens, according to the FBI. Published May 26, 2022
