Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Biden migrant surge sets all-time record for most arrests at southern border
The Border Patrol set its all-time annual record for arrests along the southern border in fiscal 2021, according to new data that puts a grim exclamation point on President Biden's stewardship of the boundary. Published October 22, 2021
192,001 migrants caught in September; border notches one of worst years on record
Homeland Security reported another 192,001 encounters with illegal immigrants on the southwestern border in September, topping off one of the worst fiscal years on record. Published October 22, 2021
Feds spent record $6.8 trillion in fiscal 2021, deficit was $2.8 trillion
The federal government spend a staggering $6.8 trillion in fiscal year 2021 and borrowed about 40 cents on every $1, the Treasury Department announced Friday. Published October 22, 2021
Biden admin. doubles estimate of Americans left behind in Afghanistan
Nearly 200 Americans left behind in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan following the August U.S. military withdrawal may still be trying to get out, the State Department said Friday, doubling its previous public count. Published October 22, 2021
Lawsuit challenges hundreds of Fairfax County absentee ballot requests
Fairfax County insists it is following state election laws properly, denying the thrust of a new lawsuit this week that argued election officials have accepted hundreds of absentee and mail ballot requests that lacked the required last four digits of an applicant's Social Security number. Published October 22, 2021
Illegal immigrants exempt from DOJ’s vaccine mandate at deportation hearings
The federal vaccine mandate will soon apply to Justice Department employees, contractors and visitors to its buildings. But one group it won't apply to is illegal immigrants showing up for their deportation case hearings. Published October 20, 2021
Citizenship or else: Activists warn Dems over amnesty for illegal immigrants
As Democrats reach to finalize President Biden's budget, immigration activists are warning they will not be left behind, demanding that a clear pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants be part of the bill. Published October 20, 2021
Republican congressman indicted on charges of lying to the FBI
Federal prosecutors announced an indictment Tuesday against Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, accusing the Republican congressman of lying to investigators probing a foreign contribution to his 2016 campaign. Published October 19, 2021
Garland’s moves draw criticism after pledge to depoliticize DOJ
It hasn't taken long for Attorney General Merrick Garland to squander a reputation as a straight shooter. Published October 19, 2021
DHS Secretary Mayorkas has COVID-19
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has tested positive for COVID-19. Published October 19, 2021
Biden’s pick for border chief backs building more wall
President Biden's pick to lead the government's border agency told senators Tuesday that there are reasons to restart construction on the border wall, saying there are "some gaps" left by the new administration's halt. Published October 19, 2021
Ted Cruz wants to ship illegal immigrants to Democratic states
Tired of having Texas bear the brunt of the border crisis, Sen. Ted Cruz is proposing a different idea: Ship newly arrived illegal immigrants to deep blue territories like New England or California, and see how they handle it. Published October 19, 2021
52 terrorists heading toward U.S. blocked by Panama, congressman says
Panama has caught 52 people on terrorist watch lists who were en route to the U.S., a Republican congressman said in a new podcast Monday, citing a conversation with Panama's foreign minister. Published October 18, 2021
Democrats’ spending bills cut ICE and border wall, pump money into environment and abortion
Senate Democrats unveiled nine spending bills Monday that would surge domestic spending, pumping money into environmental protections and eliminating guardrails against taxpayer money for abortions. Published October 18, 2021
Haitians removed from Del Rio bridge camp say they suffered ‘racialized abuse’ by Border Patrol
Homeland Security is "infected" with anti-Black sentiment, a civil rights group complained Monday, saying that contributed to last month's horrific scene where thousands of Haitians erected an encampment on the U.S. banks of the Rio Grande. Published October 18, 2021
Facebook users allowed to share advice, tips on crossing border illegally
Facebook has acknowledged it allows people to share information on how to immigrate illegally or be smuggled into the U.S., saying it crafted the policy to give them a shot at asylum and prevent them from relying on human traffickers. Published October 17, 2021
Feds announce $1 million reward to disrupt immigrant smuggling network from Afghanistan, Pakistan
The federal government announced two $1 million awards for information leading to the arrest of Abid Ali Khan or for disrupting the immigrant smuggling network authorities say he oversees in moving people from Pakistan and Afghanistan into the U.S. Published October 14, 2021
Study undercuts sanctuary cities; fear of deportation doesn’t stop reporting of crimes
Immigrants report crimes at the same rate as native-born Americans, according to a new report that undercuts sanctuary cities' claims that cooperating with immigration authorities creates a "chilling effect," making migrants less likely to work with local police on their investigations. Published October 14, 2021
EXCLUSIVE: DHS drafts plan to allow fraudsters to keep citizenship
Homeland Security is circulating a draft proposal that would severely curtail the department's attempts to strip citizenship from people who were naturalized based on fraud. Published October 13, 2021
Surging inflation drives largest Social Security COLA hike in nearly 40 years
The one upside to surging inflation is that those getting some government checks will see bigger payments, with Social Security announcing a 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment Wednesday. Published October 13, 2021
