Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
U.S. announces indefinite extension of border ban to stop coronavirus
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is indefinitely renewing its coronavirus anti-illegal immigration border policy, which allows Border Patrol agents to quickly return most apprehended migrants back across the border. Published May 19, 2020
CBO more optimistic about economic recovery after coronavirus crisis
The Congressional Budget Office released new projections Tuesday showing a more optimistic view of the economy as it revives from the coronavirus crisis, saying unemployment will rebound faster than the analysts had projected. Published May 19, 2020
Tom Coburn’s anti-duplication effort has saved Uncle Sam $393 billion: GAO
The late Sen. Tom Coburn's anti-duplication crusade turned 10 years old this year -- and it's led to $393 billion in cost savings for the federal government over that time, according to the latest report Tuesday from the Government Accountability Office. Published May 19, 2020
ICE detainee dies of apparent suicide after failing to win coronavirus release
A South Korean migrant awaiting deportation after being convicted of murder-related charges died over the weekend while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, the agency announced Tuesday, saying it appeared he took his own life. Published May 19, 2020
Trump’s coronavirus immigration pause wins majority support: Poll
A majority of voters support President Trump's partial immigration pause during the coronavirus pandemic -- though they do list other steps such as working on COVID-19 testing and developing a vaccine as higher priorities, according to a new poll Tuesday. Published May 19, 2020
Leslie Matla, Juan Sanchez arrested in Tijuana kidnapping ring
Federal prosecutors said Monday they'd arrested a man and woman who they say were part of a cross-border kidnapping ring that grabbed Americans in Tijuana, demanded payment from family back in the U.S., and used the woman -- an American citizen -- to collect the money because she could cross the border despite coronavirus restrictions. Published May 18, 2020
Donald Trump increases China confrontations, blocks Huawei trade
President Trump is stepping up his confrontations with China as the U.S. death toll mounts from the COVID-19 pandemic, blocking trade with Chinese tech giant Huawei, halting some U.S. retirement investments in China and floating the suggestion that Beijing should compensate the world for the coronavirus first discovered in Wuhan. Published May 17, 2020
China threatens sanctions against Americans who sue over coronavirus
China is lashing out at American lawmakers who are seeking to have the country face accountability in U.S. courts for the coronavirus, according to a government-controlled newspaper that reported that Beijing is ready to "hit back" with its own sanctions. Published May 17, 2020
Citizenship agency faces ‘drastic’ coronavirus cash crunch, begs Congress for $1.2 billion
The federal agency that handles citizenship and other legal immigration applications warned Congress late last week that it's running out of money during the coronavirus crisis and will soon have to take "drastic actions" unless Congress comes up with $1.2 billion in emergency cash. Published May 15, 2020
Activists beg governors to free illegal immigrants from ICE custody during coronavirus
Fed up with what they see as inaction by federal immigration officials in the face of the coronavirus, immigrant-rights activists on Friday demanded governors step in and order the release of illegal immigrants being held in detention in facilities in their states. Published May 15, 2020
Operation Stolen Promise probes coronavirus phishing scams, fake tests
WeFightCovid-19.org, the scam site, is one of more than 11,000 websites HSI has knocked off the internet during Operation Stolen Promise, an effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to try to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers during the chaos of coronavirus. Published May 14, 2020
Immigrant unemployment rate soars during coronavirus pandemic: Study
The unemployment rate among immigrants has soared 320% during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report Thursday by the Center for Immigration Studies that suggests they're having just as tough a time finding jobs as native-born Americans. Published May 14, 2020
Feds say Mexican cartels had mole inside U.S. attorney’s office in Texas
Mexican-connected drug cartels had a mole inside the U.S. attorney's office in San Antonio, the FBI says, accusing her of leaking secret information about ongoing investigations, including tipping off targets who had been indicted or were about to be arrested. Published May 14, 2020
Border Patrol nabs coronavirus-infected Mexican drug smuggling suspect
Border Patrol agents nabbed two Mexicans last week in what they called a foiled drug smuggling operation -- with one of the men testing positive for COVID-19. Published May 12, 2020
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on the job as Americans reel from coronavirus crisis
Banks are offering plenty of leeway on paying bills during coronavirus, but consumers who have cash should still pay off everything they can because they'll save money in the long run, the country's top consumer advocate told The Washington Times on Tuesday. Published May 12, 2020
Feds spent nearly $1 trillion in April, shattering records
Uncle Sam had to borrow 75 cents for every dollar spent in April, according to new Treasury Department numbers Tuesday that underscore just how bad the government's finances have sunk amid the coronavirus crisis. Published May 12, 2020
Democrats’ coronavirus bill would eliminate states’ voter ID requirement
Tucked inside House Democrats' new coronavirus bill is language that would create a loophole in states' voter ID requirements, allowing people to cast ballots without having to prove who they are. Published May 12, 2020
Lawsuit: Border wall ends dream of restoring jaguar to U.S.
If President Trump is allowed to use Defense Department money to complete his border wall, it will be the final step in eliminating the endangered jaguar from U.S. territory, environmentalists said Tuesday in a lawsuit trying to block construction. Published May 12, 2020
Criminal defense attorneys plea for officials to stop throwing virus shutdown violators in jail
The nation's criminal defense attorneys issued a plea Monday to states, counties and cities to stop throwing coronavirus-shutdown violators in jail, saying authorities are overcriminalizing the pandemic. Published May 11, 2020
Nadler blasts DOJ’s defense of churches during coronavirus
Top Democrats sprang to the defense of Virginia on Monday, suggesting the Justice Department overstepped its bounds when it said the state trampled religious rights by citing a church that held services despite a shutdown order. Published May 11, 2020
