Stephen Dinan

Donald Trump to meet with Pope Francis

The world's most powerful president and religion's most visible voice with meet for the first time Wednesday -- but not before President Trump has to cross through the Vatican wall that divided the two men, metaphorically, last year. Published May 22, 2017

Haitian refugees granted additional 6-month deportation reprieve

Homeland Security has granted an additional six-month grace period to Haitians in the U.S., saying the island nation is still not sufficiently recovered from the devastating 2010 earthquake to absorb the tens of thousands of people who are here under temporary protected status (TPS). Published May 22, 2017

Michael Flynn pleads Fifth Amendment rights in rejecting congressional subpoena

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn told Congress on Monday he won't turn over documents investigators are seeking in their probe of Russian meddling in the U.S. election, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Published May 22, 2017

DHS grants temporary deportation reprieve to Haitians, but warns end is coming

Homeland Security has granted an additional six-month grace period to Haitians in the U.S., saying the island nation is still not sufficiently recovered from the devastating 2010 earthquake to absorb the tens of thousands of people who are here under temporary protected status (TPS). Published May 22, 2017

Visa overstays now biggest problem in illegal immigration

A staggering 739,450 people overstayed their visas to become illegal immigrants in 2016, according to a new report released Monday by Homeland Security that suggests the immigration problem has shifted away from people sneaking in, and toward people who came legally but refused to leave when they were supposed to. Published May 22, 2017

Nancy Pelosi: Donald Trump will be responsible for his own impeachment

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi gave a tacit green light to her Democratic colleagues to pursue impeachment against President Trump, saying in a published interview Friday that her members "are going to do what they're going to do." Published May 21, 2017

Nancy Pelosi says she won’t stop impeachment talk

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi gave a tacit green light to her lawmakers to pursue impeachment against President Trump on Friday, saying in a published interview that her members "are going to do what they're going to do." Published May 19, 2017

U.S. lawmakers pledge ‘respect’ for Mexico amid testy relations

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is working to patch up bad feelings between the U.S. and Mexico, introducing a resolution praising years of cooperation on everything from defense to law enforcement. Published May 19, 2017

Lois Lerner’s tea party-targeting testimony can stay secret: Judge

Lois G. Lerner and Holly Paz, two key figures in the IRS' tea party-targeting, can keep testimony about their role in the targeting secret, at least for now, a federal judge ruled Thursday. Published May 18, 2017

Donald Trump: ‘Zero’ collusion with Russia; probe divides country

A defiant President Trump scoffed Thursday at the Justice Department special counsel investigation into collusion with Russia, calling it a "witch hunt" and "ridiculous," but he acknowledged it had become a major distraction from his agenda. Published May 18, 2017

Donald Trump demands border wall as part of drug-fighting efforts

President Trump doubled down Thursday on his demand for a border wall, warning of the growing threat of drug cartels and criminal gangs he said have "literally taken over towns and cities of the United States." Published May 18, 2017

Donald Trump begins NAFTA renegotiation

The Trump administration officially notified Congress on Thursday that it intends to renegotiate NAFTA, igniting a process that could lead to reshaping the face of trade in North America. Published May 18, 2017

Dems rule out Lieberman, Keating as FBI picks; former colleague not acceptable

Senate Democrats said Thursday they won't accept a new FBI director with a political background, which would seem to rule out former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, a Republican, and former Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was a Democrat and even served as his party's vice presidential nominee in 2000. Published May 18, 2017

Border Patrol hiring faces lie detector boundary

The Senate Homeland Security Committee approved a bill Wednesday to speed up hiring of Border Patrol agents by grandfathering in longtime military troops and law enforcement officers who have already passed background checks. Published May 17, 2017

Dianne Feinstein, Charles Schumer cheer Robert Mueller choice as special counsel

Democrats cheered the choice of Robert S. Mueller III Wednesday to lead the Justice Department's probe into Trump campaign figures' dealings with Russia, while Republicans seemed to be taken by surprise. Published May 17, 2017

Zoe Lofgren calls for kicking Turkey bodyguards out of U.S.

A senior Democrat said Wednesday that Turkish bodyguards caught on tape beating protesters outside that country's embassy on Tuesday should be arrested, and have their diplomatic visas revoked. Published May 17, 2017

Sheriff David Clarke to take DHS job

Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr., the pro-gun chief lawman in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, will take a job at the Homeland Security Department, according to local press reports. Published May 17, 2017

Illegal immigrant dies from medical condition after being held by immigration agency

An illegal immigrant who tried to enter the U.S. by plane earlier this month has died after being held in custody by immigration agents, Homeland Security said Wednesday. Published May 17, 2017

Panel advances polygraph waiver for Border Patrol, could speed hiring for thousands of agents