Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Warren Jose, AK-47-toting migrant smuggler, sparked deadly ICE shootout in Phoenix
An AK-47-toting man smuggling illegal immigrants opened fire on ICE agents in Phoenix last week, sparking a shootout that left another member of his smuggling gang dead, according to court documents detailing the latest episode in what authorities say is growing violence in the illegal immigrant economy. Published April 17, 2019
Terry McAuliffe rules out 2020 bid
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Wednesday he will forgo a 2020 presidential bid and instead focus on boosting Democrats in Virginia's legislative elections later this year. Published April 17, 2019
Illegal immigrants make up 13% of federal prison population
At least 13% of the federal prison population and nearly 30% of those in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service are illegal immigrants, according to new 2018 numbers released by the Justice Department Wednesday. Published April 17, 2019
Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders are most popular 2020 Dems among Hispanics
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden is the most popular 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful among Hispanic voters, trailed closely by Sen. Bernard Sanders, according to a new poll Wednesday. Published April 17, 2019
Nancy Pelosi, Democrats acknowledge border crisis, insist solutions lie elsewhere
Democrats are increasingly ready to acknowledge a problem at the southwestern border -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week dubbed it "a humanitarian crisis" -- but their solutions lie almost everywhere but the border itself. Published April 16, 2019
Yuma, Arizona declares state of emergency over surge of migrants
Yuma, a city on the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, declared a state of emergency Tuesday, saying it cannot handle the crush of illegal immigrants the government is being forced to release onto its streets. Published April 16, 2019
Dems demands testimony from DHS chief over Trump ‘pardon’ offer
Key House Democrats on Tuesday asked acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan to prepare to testify about whether President Trump offered to pardon him if he breaks the law while taking a tougher stance on the border. Published April 16, 2019
Sen. Sanders leads Biden in first presidential candidate poll; Mayor Buttigieg rises to third
Sen. Bernard Sanders received the most support in his first major, national poll of 2020 contenders, marking the first time he has led over former Vice President Joseph Biden. Published April 16, 2019
Progressives call for Dem leaders to defend Ilhan Omar
Liberal groups rallied behind embattled Rep. Ilhan Omar on Monday, demanding her fellow Democrats, and particularly House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, do more to defend her against accusations of anti-American behavior for her recent ill-received comments about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Published April 15, 2019
House Dems probe Trump’s plans to release migrants into sanctuary cities
Democratic committee chairs announced a probe Monday into President Trump's nascent plan to ship illegal immigrants away from the border and release them into sanctuary cities, calling the proposed move "alarming." Published April 15, 2019
Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Members of Congress not smart enough to review Trump’s tax returns
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders would not say Sunday whether President Trump will order the Internal Revenue Service not to release his tax returns to House Democrats as they renew their efforts to force the disclosure. Published April 14, 2019
Democrats’ first 100 days show little progress
Democrats stormed into control of the House on promises to raise wages, lower the cost of health care and improve how Congress works, saying they were siphoning power from Washington elites and giving it back to the people. Published April 14, 2019
Donald Trump idea to dump migrants in sanctuaries raises legal questions
The border debate has once again been upended by President Trump's exploration of a plan to take illegal immigrants nabbed at the U.S.-Mexico border and ship them to sanctuary cities for release. Published April 14, 2019
Lindsey Graham to introduce immigration package, toughen asylum standards
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday he will be introducing a proposal to change U.S. asylum laws, saying the only way to stop the crisis at the southern border is to toughen up asylum standards. Published April 14, 2019
Democrats set April 23 deadline for IRS to hand over Trump tax returns
House Democrats set a new deadline Saturday for President Trump to turn over his tax returns, giving the IRS 10 more days before it is deemed to be stonewalling. Published April 13, 2019
Vietnam vet pretended to be blind for 35 years; stole $1.3 million in disability
A Vietnam War veteran who spent 35 years pretending to be blind and bilked the federal government out of $1.3 million in disability payments was sentenced to a year in prison, prosecutors announced Friday. Published April 12, 2019
Donald Trump says he’s looking to ship illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities
President Trump said Friday that he is considering a plan to release illegal immigrants into sanctuary cities, saying it is fitting punishment for Democrat-led communities that refuse to get tough on border security. Published April 12, 2019
Mitch McConnell advises GOP senators to campaign independent of Donald Trump
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republican senators running for reelection next year should not couple their messaging to President Trump but rather run "independent" campaigns built around how they've helped their states. Published April 11, 2019
Mitch McConnell tells 2020 Republicans to run ‘independent’ of Donald Trump
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republican senators running for re-election next year should not couple their messaging to President Trump but rather run "independent" campaigns built around how they've helped their states. Published April 11, 2019
Mitch McConnell willing to talk immigration deal with Democrats
The Senate's top Republican and the House's top Democrat each said Thursday that they're open to a broad immigration debate this year, sending the issue soaring back to the top of the congressional agenda. Published April 11, 2019