Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Minimum wage hike out of order for COVID-19 relief bill, Senate parliamentarian rules
The Senate parliamentarian concluded Thursday that a federal minimum wage hike to $15 per hour would run afoul of chamber rules if Democrats include it in their $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Published February 25, 2021
Reopening facility for unaccompanied minors is ‘best option’: White House
The White House said Thursday the decision to reopen a facility in Texas to house unaccompanied immigrant minors trying to enter the country is the best available option at the moment -- citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and the safety of the children. Published February 25, 2021
Court slaps down Joe Biden’s 100-day deportation pause
A federal judge issued a full injunction Wednesday blocking the Biden administration's 100-day deportation pause, saying the Inauguration Day decision was too hasty, flies in the face of the law, and the administration still hasn't been able to justify the move. Published February 24, 2021
DHS warns ICE to ‘Prepare for border surges now’
The Biden team is talking a tough game on new illegal immigration, but behind the scenes it's making frantic efforts to get ready for what it expects to be massive "border surges" of migrants streaming north over the next months, according to an internal Homeland Security email. Published February 23, 2021
DHS says military needed on southern border for at least 3 more years
The Pentagon will have to be involved in security along the southwestern border for at least three more years, Homeland Security officials told Congress's chief watchdog in a new report Tuesday that dings both sides for failing to settle on a mission and account for all the costs of relying on the military. Published February 23, 2021
Nearly 170 Confederate symbols taken down in 2020: Southern Poverty Law Center
The country set records for Confederate cleansing in 2020, taking down 168 monuments and symbols honoring the Civil War's rebels, the Southern Poverty Law Center said in a new report Tuesday. Published February 23, 2021
DHS cancels Trump-era citizenship test, goes back to Bush test
Homeland Security announced Monday that it is canceling use of the new citizenship test the Trump administration developed and will go back to the test created in the Bush years. Published February 22, 2021
Alejandro Mayorkas plan would abolish ICE effectively
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has floated a plan to reorganize the federal deportation agency to the point where it's not doing much arresting and deporting from inside the country anymore. Published February 21, 2021
George Washington remains stayed at Mount Vernon despite thief attempt, Congress
America was experiencing major growing pains in the early 19th century, with rapid expansion westward, Northern and Southern states battling over slavery and political factionalism rending the young nation. Published February 21, 2021
Migrant smugglers take advantage of Texas deep freeze
One consequence of the cold snap that's engulfed much of Texas is that some migrant smugglers are figuring it's the right time to try to sneak people north out of the border areas, figuring the Border Patrol has its hands full with other duties. Customs and Border Protection says it has recorded 15 migrant deaths in Texas so far this month, and seven of those have been blamed on exposure to the cold. Published February 20, 2021
Biden’s mass-legalization plan for illegal immigrants criticized, shows signs of trouble
Democrats unveiled President Biden's mass-legalization plan in Congress on Thursday, proposing legal status for perhaps 11 million illegal immigrants already here, fewer penalties on future illegal immigrants, and a major immediate increase in legal immigration. Published February 18, 2021
New ICE deportation rules make many illegal immigrants safe from deportation
ICE issued new guidance Thursday to grant deportation officers new leeway to arrest and deport illegal immigrants, moving to replace rules issued on the Biden administration's first day that had led to some embarrassing black eyes. Published February 18, 2021
Joe Biden’s immigration plan speeds legalization, lags on border security
President Biden's immigration bill cancels penalties for future illegal immigrants, speeds legalization of those already here and increases legal immigration levels. But the bill, which lawmakers will officially introduce on Capitol Hill on Thursday, backtracks on new border security and worksite enforcement compromises that have long been seen as key parts of any serious attempt to overhaul the immigration system. Published February 18, 2021
Alex Padilla, Zoe Lofgren nix ‘illegal alien’ from immigration lexicon
Now firmly in control of all the levers of political power in Washington, Democrats are moving to change the terms of debate over immigration -- in a literal sense. Published February 17, 2021
ICE almost released sex offenders under new deportation guidance: GOP
ICE canceled deportation requests for three convicted child sex offenders and was about to release them into communities until Texas law enforcement officials intervened and forced a reversal, two ranking Republicans charged in a letter Wednesday demanding answers from the agency's chief. Published February 17, 2021
Clark County votes to rename Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport for former senator Harry Reid
The Clark County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to strip the name of a "racist" former U.S. senator off Las Vegas's main airport and replace it with former Sen. Harry Reid, a giant of Nevada politics -- and no stranger to controversy himself. Published February 16, 2021
Donald Trump rips Mitch McConnell, promises MAGA primary challengers
Former President Donald Trump unloaded on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday, calling him a "dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack," saying Republicans cannot win with him at the party's helm, and vowing to support candidates who will challenge GOP lawmakers in primaries. Published February 16, 2021
Biden national security adviser: ‘Our borders are not open’
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan insisted Tuesday that America's borders "are not open" as the White House moved to try to head off a growing migrant surge that threatens to undermine President Biden's immigration plans. Published February 16, 2021
DHS border officer caught smuggling illegal immigrant: Feds
A Homeland Security officer who works at a Texas border crossing used her job to smuggle a woman into the country under false pretenses to work as a housekeeper, internal affairs investigators said in charging documents. Published February 16, 2021
Immigrant fertility plunges in U.S., drops below replacement rate for first time
Immigrants' fertility rate in the U.S. has plunged in recent years, dipping below the replacement rate for the first time in history, according to a new report Tuesday that challenges claims that the country can use more immigration to solve the costs of its aging population. Published February 16, 2021
