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National Immigration Project Files Amicus Brief Challenging Mandatory Detention After Governor Hochul's Pardon

National Immigration Project Files Amicus Brief Challenging Mandatory Detention After Governor Hochul's Pardon

The National Immigration Project has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the case of Genalo v. G.M., advocating for Keisy G.M. The brief argues against mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(c), specifically in light of a pardon issued by New York Governor Kathy Hochul in August for the single conviction that formed the basis of G.M.'s detention. The National Immigration Project contends that with the conviction pardoned, the legal grounds for mandatory detention are eliminated, rendering the case moot. Consequently, they argue the case should be dismissed or, at minimum, remanded to lower courts to consider the pardon's effect before the Supreme Court makes a ruling. The brief also advises the Court against addressing issues not directly presented in this case, such as detention based on mere suspicion or the necessity of a bond hearing for individuals detained long after criminal custody release.

Supreme Court Rejects Religious Vaccine Exemption for Kindergartener in New York

Supreme Court Rejects Religious Vaccine Exemption for Kindergartener in New York

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined an emergency appeal from a mother in New York seeking a religious exemption for her son from state vaccination requirements for school entry. The decision, issued on September 8, allows New York to maintain its stance that the kindergartener cannot attend school while his mother's lawsuit challenging the vaccination rules proceeds. Lower courts had previously ruled that the mother was unlikely to succeed in her request for a religious exemption and thus denied her son enrollment in an Eastchester, New York kindergarten. Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch indicated they would have granted the mother's request. The mother, a practicing Catholic, argues that additional vaccine doses for polio, chickenpox, and other diseases violate her faith, citing objections to 'biological material derived from unclean sources.' This ruling comes amidst a measles outbreak and a broader political debate surrounding childhood vaccinations, with data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Con...

A more perfect union? Congress has been the place where America tries to resolve its problems

A more perfect union? Congress has been the place where America tries to resolve its problems

It’s one thing to issue a Declaration of Independence, but quite another to stand up a working government

New York Governor Kathy Hochul Utilizes AI to Streamline State Regulations

New York Governor Kathy Hochul Utilizes AI to Streamline State Regulations

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that her administration is actively employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to review and reduce state regulations. According to Governor Hochul, this initiative aims to identify and eliminate burdensome rules, policies, boards, and commissions within the state government. She stated that her team has harnessed AI in a manner unprecedented by other governors, specifically to analyze the extensive framework of state governance. This strategic use of AI is part of a broader effort to enhance efficiency and potentially alleviate regulatory burdens on businesses and citizens in New York. The governor emphasized using AI as a 'force for good' to achieve these objectives, signaling a proactive approach to integrating advanced technology into state administration.

Trump Administration Proposes Census Overhaul to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants from House Apportionment

Trump Administration Proposes Census Overhaul to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants from House Apportionment

The Trump administration has proposed a significant overhaul to the U.S. census, aiming to exclude undocumented and temporary immigrants from the data used to apportion House seats after the 2030 census. This proposal, set to be published in the Federal Register, continues an effort from President Trump's first term. The rule argues that the Constitution's requirement to count the 'whole number of persons' in each state does not necessitate including 'illegal aliens' as they are not considered 'true inhabitants' or 'members of the body politic.' The proposal also contemplates adding a citizenship question to the census questionnaire, a move that sparked a major court battle during President Trump's first term. Additionally, the administration seeks to reduce the demographic information collected about Americans' race and ethnicity, data frequently used to prove racial discrimination in redistricting and for other federal government uses.

U.S. E-Bike Regulation Faces Challenges Amid Safety Concerns and Mislabeling

U.S. E-Bike Regulation Faces Challenges Amid Safety Concerns and Mislabeling

The regulation of e-bikes in the U.S. is becoming increasingly complex due to varying state and municipal laws, safety concerns, and the mislabeling of powerful electric motorcycles as e-bikes. While federal law defines a low-speed electric bicycle as having a motor under 750 watts, operable pedals, and a top speed of 20 mph on motor power alone, many devices exceeding these specifications are being sold as e-bikes. This confusion has led to a sharp increase in serious injuries and fatalities, particularly among children, as reported by pediatric trauma centers. States like New Jersey have implemented strict regulations, including registration, licensing, and insurance requirements for certain e-bikes, and age restrictions. However, these measures are often a response to accidents involving electric motorcycles that are mistakenly identified as e-bikes, rather than addressing the federally defined low-speed electric bicycles. Online sales platforms further complicate oversight, as manufacturers often misre...

Monroe County Legislature Mandates Disclosure of Biometric Data Collection by Commercial Establishments

Monroe County Legislature Mandates Disclosure of Biometric Data Collection by Commercial Establishments

The Monroe County Legislature in New York has unanimously passed a new law requiring commercial establishments that collect, retain, store, convert, or share customers’ biometric identifier information to clearly post a notice at their entrances. This legislation aims to increase transparency regarding the use of biometric technologies, such as retina or iris scans, fingerprints, voiceprints, and scans of hand or face geometry. The law also prohibits the sale, trade, or exchange of biometric data for value and mandates that stored data be anonymized to prevent individual identification. Furthermore, collected biometric data must be destroyed within two years, unless legally required otherwise. Legislator Rachel Barnhart emphasized that this law empowers consumers to choose where they shop based on biometric data collection practices, highlighting that unlike passwords, biometric data cannot be changed once compromised. Legislator Ricky Frazier added that while passwords can be reset, facial recognition dat...

Racketeering conspiracy trial against Chinese tech giant Huawei begins in New York

Racketeering conspiracy trial against Chinese tech giant Huawei begins in New York

A racketeering conspiracy trial of Huawei Technologies has begun in New York, with federal prosecutors accusing the Chinese tech company of a litany of crimes, including stealing technology from American companies, abusing the U.S. financial system and helping Iran snoop on its citizens

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall Secures Federal Court Victory Against New York's $75 Billion Climate Law

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall Secures Federal Court Victory Against New York's $75 Billion Climate Law

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, leading a multistate coalition, has achieved a federal court victory blocking New York's Climate Change Superfund Act. This law, enacted in 2024 under Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, aimed to compel major fossil fuel producers to contribute $75 billion over 25 years for climate-related infrastructure and projects. Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes of the Northern District of New York ruled on Monday that New York could not enforce the law. Judge Sannes determined that the measure was preempted by the federal Clean Air Act and federal authority over foreign affairs, concluding that New York had overstepped its regulatory boundaries into areas where federal interests are paramount. Marshall praised the decision, asserting that the law threatened energy producers operating legally under existing federal regulations and that the ruling prevents New York from penalizing two decades of lawful energy production. The law sought to assign financial responsibility to ...

Federal Court Rules Jackson, Mississippi Residents Have No Constitutional Right to Clean Water

Federal Court Rules Jackson, Mississippi Residents Have No Constitutional Right to Clean Water

A federal court has ruled that the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee a right to clean drinking water, upholding the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by residents of Jackson, Mississippi. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a lower court's decision, stating that the right to bodily integrity, as protected by the Constitution, does not extend to access to clean water. Plaintiffs Priscilla Sterling, Raine Becker, Shawn Miller, and John Bennett initially filed the lawsuit in 2022, alleging that city officials knowingly allowed them to consume lead-contaminated water. Judge Kurt Engelhardt's opinion indicated skepticism that the right to not be harmed by lead-contaminated water falls within the scope of bodily integrity, citing a lack of historical tradition or Supreme Court precedent to support such a claim. This ruling comes despite allegations that testing between 2010 and 2013 by the Mississippi State Department of Health showed increasing lead levels in the city's water, and that the ...

Amazon accused in lawsuit of systematic pregnancy discrimination

Amazon accused in lawsuit of systematic pregnancy discrimination

NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Amazon.com was sued on Tuesday in a proposed nationwide class action accusing the retailer of systematically discriminating against thousands of pregnant employees, including by firing some it claimed took too much time off.

New York Court Addresses Complexities of Contingency Fee Law Firm Dissolutions

New York Court Addresses Complexities of Contingency Fee Law Firm Dissolutions

New York Court Addresses Complexities of Contingency Fee Law Firm Dissolutions