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Senator Durbin Highlights Risks for Immigrant Children Facing Court Without Legal Representation

Senator Durbin Highlights Risks for Immigrant Children Facing Court Without Legal Representation

Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Bill Foster recently visited a shelter in Illinois housing unaccompanied immigrant children who have fled difficult situations in their home countries. Concerns have been raised by immigration attorneys that approximately 26,000 vulnerable immigrant children across the United States could face deportation without legal representation. This issue has been exacerbated by recent Department of Justice policy changes and the expiration of a federal contract that provided these children with legal representation. Laura Smith, executive director of the Children’s Legal Center, emphasized the complexity of the immigration process, particularly for young children, and the fear they experience in court. The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement has stated it remains compliant with legal obligations and has offered to extend the contract if certain data is provided.

Pennsylvania Challenges Trump Administration on Noncitizen Voter Claims

Pennsylvania Challenges Trump Administration on Noncitizen Voter Claims

Pennsylvania state officials are questioning the Trump administration's assertion that over 14,000 potential noncitizens are registered to vote in the state. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, requesting clarification on the methodology and data sources used to identify these individuals. Schmidt highlighted past inaccuracies in voter list analyses and pointed out that the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, used by the Department of Homeland Security, has been known to erroneously flag citizens as ineligible to vote. The Trump administration has claimed that similar issues exist in California, New Jersey, and Nevada, but has not disclosed the specific methods used to identify noncitizen registrants.

DOJ Dismisses Charges Against Former Olympian David Hearn Over Reflecting Pool Incident

DOJ Dismisses Charges Against Former Olympian David Hearn Over Reflecting Pool Incident

The Department of Justice has moved to dismiss charges against former U.S. Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The charges stemmed from an incident where Hearn allegedly damaged the pool, but he maintained that he only touched a piece of loose paint. The DOJ's decision to drop the case follows revelations that the damage was due to flawed installation by a contractor, rather than vandalism. This development comes after the Trump Administration's efforts to renovate the pool, which faced issues due to rushed and faulty work.

New York sues prediction market platform Kalshi alleging 'illegal gambling operation'

New York sues prediction market platform Kalshi alleging 'illegal gambling operation'

New York officials have sued prediction market platform Kalshi, calling it an “illegal, unlicensed gambling operation” as the state seeks to halt its operations and force the company to forfeit its profits

GOP States and DOJ Seek Supreme Court Approval for Trump’s Mail Ballot Order

GOP States and DOJ Seek Supreme Court Approval for Trump’s Mail Ballot Order

A group of Republican-led states, along with the Department of Justice (DOJ), has filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow President Trump’s executive order on mail voting to take effect before the upcoming midterm elections. The order, issued in March, directs federal agencies to compile citizenship lists for states, which would then be used by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to determine the eligibility of mail-in ballots. A lower court had blocked the implementation of this order, and the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this decision. The GOP states argue that the injunction is premature as the order has not been fully implemented. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has directed the Democratic states challenging the order to file their response by August 3.

Supreme Court to Decide on Trump’s Executive Order Affecting Mail Ballots

Supreme Court to Decide on Trump’s Executive Order Affecting Mail Ballots

A group of Republican-led states, along with the Department of Justice, has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow President Trump's executive order on mail voting to proceed. The order, issued in March 2026, directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to only deliver mail ballots to voters on state-provided lists of eligible citizens. This move has been challenged by 23 Democratic states, leading to a legal battle. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court's decision to block the order, citing potential harm to states. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has asked the challenging states to respond by August 3. The order also involves the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration in compiling citizenship lists for states.

Trump says he may pull Blanche attorney general nomination – for now

Trump says he may pull Blanche attorney general nomination – for now

Facing resistance from Republican senators, President Donald Trump said he may temporarily retreat from Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination.

Brewery that promised free beer when Trump dies loses alcohol permit

Brewery that promised free beer when Trump dies loses alcohol permit

A brewery whose owner once offered free beer when President Trump dies is set to lose its alcohol permit but vows to fight the decision.

US cites 'unauthorized travel' to end DACA status for a mother of 3 deported to Mexico

US cites 'unauthorized travel' to end DACA status for a mother of 3 deported to Mexico

A woman deported to Mexico despite having legal permission to remain in the U.S. since she was a child has filed suit against the federal government

Senate Postpones Vote on Todd Blanche's Attorney General Nomination Amid Republican Concerns

Senate Postpones Vote on Todd Blanche's Attorney General Nomination Amid Republican Concerns

The Senate Judiciary Committee has delayed the confirmation vote for Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General due to opposition from key Republican senators. Chairman Chuck Grassley postponed the vote as Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded written assurances from the Department of Justice regarding a controversial settlement agreement. This agreement, between President Trump and his administration, included a $1.776 billion 'weaponization' fund intended for individuals claiming government abuse, potentially including Trump supporters involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal defense lawyer, had indicated the fund would be dropped, but Republicans are seeking formal confirmation. Cornyn's opposition is pivotal, as Blanche requires unanimous Republican support in the committee to advance his nomination.

Trump’s DOJ charged hundreds with assaulting officers. Many cases were dropped, but the damage was done

Trump’s DOJ charged hundreds with assaulting officers. Many cases were dropped, but the damage was done

By Brad Heath, Kristina Cooke, M.B. Pell and Benjamin Lesser July 30 - Christian Garcia admits that he threw a water bottle toward officers guarding a federal building near Los Angeles during an immigration protest last summer.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Jeffries warns of election threats as midterms approach

Jeffries warns of election threats as midterms approach

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Rep. Joe Morelle in Rochester to talk election security, voter intimidation before November midterms.