Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
House Democrats seek to force vote on Trump’s narco-boat strikes
House Democrats announced legislation Tuesday to block President Trump from carrying out more drug boat strikes in the Western Hemisphere, saying the White House has violated the War Powers Resolution by committing troops without authorization. Published November 18, 2025
Most illegal immigrants say they would still move to U.S., poll shows
A majority of illegal immigrants, despite souring attitudes amid President Trump's enforcement surge, would still move to the U.S., according to a major new survey. Published November 18, 2025
Judge says New York can ban ICE from making courthouse arrests
A federal judge delivered a scorching defeat to the Trump administration on Monday, saying New York can enforce its law prohibiting ICE from making arrests at state courthouses. Published November 17, 2025
DOJ sues to stop California’s anti-ICE no-masking law
The Trump Justice Department filed a lawsuit Monday to stop California's new law that seeks to ban federal immigration officers from wearing masks to conceal their identities, saying the government "does not intend to comply." Published November 17, 2025
Illegal immigrant used gun-show loophole to traffic firearms: Feds
Federal authorities have brought a gun trafficking case against an illegal immigrant after he allegedly used private sales at gun shows and cash payments to evade checks that would have flagged him as an illegal buyer. Published November 17, 2025
Justices to hear case challenging Trump’s border turn-back policies
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a case that asks where the U.S. border begins, and whether someone still in Mexico can claim asylum protections that usually kick in only when someone actually reaches American soil. Published November 17, 2025
ICE arrests illegal immigrant ‘wanted terrorist’ who was working as truck driver in U.S.
Homeland Security said Monday it has arrested an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan who was allowed into the U.S. during the Biden administration and earned a driver's license in Pennsylvania, even though he is wanted as a terrorist in his home country. Published November 17, 2025
Judge threatens DHS program that lets states scrub noncitizens from voter lists
A federal judge on Monday questioned the legality of allowing states to check their voting lists against Homeland Security's citizenship database, but ruled that she can't shut the program down -- yet. Published November 17, 2025
California yanks illegal immigrants’ trucker’s licenses; Newsom says migrant status not a factor
California has moved to cancel licenses of 17,000 commercial drivers after a back-and-forth with the Trump administration, which is pushing to get what it calls "dangerous foreign drivers" off U.S. roads. Published November 16, 2025
Judge sets release of hundreds of migrants from detention in Illinois
A federal judge has told the government it should release hundreds of migrants it has been holding in preparation for deportation, saying the Trump administration has gone too far in claiming the power to detain anyone deemed to be in the country illegally. Published November 14, 2025
ICE bristles over demand to provide toothbrushes to migrants in short-term detention
As judges move to order better conditions at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's facilities where they process, and sometimes hold, newly arrested migrants, the agency is drawing a line at the demand for dental hygiene, arguing it's too dangerous to issue toothbrushes to every detainee. Published November 14, 2025
DOJ renews claims about Abrego Garcia’s gang membership, ‘pornographic’ messages
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's membership in MS-13 was a crucial part of his participation in a major migrant smuggling ring, the Trump Justice Department told a federal judge, because it scared the migrants into paying up. Published November 14, 2025
Appeals court blocks Trump’s rules to stop illegal immigrants from getting truck driver permits
A federal appeals court put on hold Thursday the Trump administration's new rules limiting commercial driver's licenses, saying the Transportation Department cut too many corners in rushing the regulation out the door. Published November 13, 2025
DOJ joins lawsuit to stop California’s new anti-GOP congressional map
The Justice Department on Thursday joined a lawsuit challenging California's new congressional map, saying the state was too focused on race when it drew its new lines. Published November 13, 2025
Trump to Supreme Court: Erase case over food stamps
The end of the government shutdown means food stamp benefits are flowing again, and the Justice Department told the Supreme Court to dismiss a case involving President Trump's move to delay payments during the closure. Published November 13, 2025
Judge says DOJ can prosecute assault case against Rep. McIver
A federal judge allowed the federal prosecution of Rep. LaMonica McIver to proceed Thursday, rejecting her attempt to have the case tossed over claims of vindictiveness by the Trump administration. Published November 13, 2025
DHS says migrant enforcement surge has cut crime in Chicago
The Department of Homeland Security's surge to arrest and deport unauthorized immigrants in Chicago has led to a historic drop in major crimes over the past two months, the department said Wednesday. Published November 12, 2025
Illegal immigrant stole U.S. teen’s identity, booting boy off Medicaid in Texas
Texas authorities said Wednesday they have arrested an illegal immigrant who had stolen the identity of a U.S. citizen child, resulting in the boy losing his Medicaid coverage. Published November 12, 2025
Supreme Court gives Trump another reprieve on food stamps
The Supreme Court gave the Trump administration another reprieve on providing food stamp benefits Tuesday, granting a new grace period to give Congress a little more time to end the government shutdown and derail the thorny legal battle. Published November 11, 2025
Consumer watchdog CFPB to run out of money early next year after DOJ rules funding illegal
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a Wall Street cop signed into law by President Obama, is about to run out of money after the Justice Department ruled its funding design illegal, potentially putting it on a path to extinction. Published November 11, 2025
