Since December 22, 2018, several federal agencies have either been partial running or have completely closed due to a lack of federal funding.Trump reportedly wants an estimated $5.7 billion for "construction, procurement, and infrastructure" as it pertains to the proposed border wall, which would sit between the United States and Mexico. His administration's insistence on spending for the wall has created a political stalemate. As both parties in the Senate and House continue to pin blame on each other, approximately 800,000 unpaid and furloughed federal workers are struggling to make ends meet.Here is what you need to know about the nation's longest federal government shutdown.1. Donald Trump is blaming the government shutdown on the new Democratically controlled Congress. Just over a week before the government shutdown, Donald Trump met with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and then-House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). The chaotic meeting ended with Trump shouldering the blame for a possible shutdown. “I am proud to shut down the government,” Trump boasted, according to Pelosi's Twitter. Trump's words: “I am proud to shut down the government.”
In other words, he's “proud” to harm our economy and Americans' paychecks -- “proud” to cause hard-working families misery right before the holidays. #TrumpShutdown
pic.twitter.com/wxDq3ZFsjM— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) December 21, 2018 Now that the length of the shutdown has exceeded most expectations, Trump is singing a new tune, blaming the recently inaugurated Democratic-controlled House for the shutdown."Nancy Pelosi has behaved so irrationally & has gone so far to the left that she has now officially become a Radical Democrat. She is so petrified of the “lefties” in her party that she has lost control...And by the way, clean up the streets in San Francisco, they are disgusting!" Trump said via Twitter on January 20.2. Many federal agencies are weakened due to lack of staff and/or closed offices. With the shutdown, several federal agencies have been unable to operate at normal a capacity and support employee efforts to complete necessary tasks. For instance, many airports are still demanding that TSA employees come to work regardless of the shutdown, in spite of not getting paid for this time. As a result, numerous TSA employees have elected to take sick days, both in an act of protest and as a means to compensate for the wages lost. According to Slate, on Jan. 12, 5.6 percent of TSA agents reportedly called out sick. A report from The Washington Post shows that figure to be as high as 10 percent as the shutdown enters day 30. Staff shortages at airports have inevitably made security checks longer, and in many cases, the agents working are not as motivated to do their jobs well. Agents have been part of a number of protests throughout the month at airports around the country. So I’m at @ATLairport and this may be the longest security line I have ever seen. Even growing up here, and even for a Monday morning. One passenger told me he’d been waiting over an hour and still had about 30 minutes to go. pic.twitter.com/UL7EghujQI— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenezCNN) January 14, 2019Airports aren't the only government-funded employers to be hit hard as a result of the government shutdown, as many agencies have been unable to fulfill their necessary duties. Furloughed IRS agents have been forced to return to work without pay, in spite of limited resources. Federal courts are reportedly on the verge of running out of money. At one point, Food and Drug Administration wasn't able to inspect high-risk foods like seafood and some vegetables. The FBI has been unable to conduct its human and drug trafficking investigations at full capacity, leaving many vulnerable to security threats as the shutdown persists. National parks have not been maintained throughout the shutdown, the repercussions of which were most notably felt at Joshua Tree National Park, when endangered desert plants were reportedly destroyed as a result of the lack of security. Furloughed of White House staff members has left remaining politicians to their own devices, even serving as the catalyst for Trump's now infamous fast food-catered banquet dinner, which was intended to honor Clemson University's football team for their recent the National Championship victory.Trump served fast food during the Clemson University football team's White House visit because of the shutdown. He said it was either that or have the First Lady make them salads. pic.twitter.com/Aw67Tb9TgU— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 15, 2019Food stamps or SNAP benefits have been affected, as the USDA reportedly does not have enough funding to support the 39 million people who use these benefits to purchase groceries. An unfortunate side effect of the shutdown is the increased use of community food banks by SNAP recipients and furloughed workers. Without pay, many workers have also been looking for other forms of work, even turning to GoFundMe for aid. I’m a TSA employee struggling during this government shutdown. I take care of my mom who is a brain tumor survivor she now suffers from epilepsy and glaucoma. I’m the sole provider for my household Just looking for some help during this difficult time https://t.co/TLJNUFjUbi— Mechelle (@CHELLiEBXTCH) January 12, 20193. The Republicans are refusing to compromise. The now month-long shutdown hasn't been enough to hinder Trump and Republican lawmakers' quest for a wall. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has demanded that Trump issue a state of emergency to siphon funds from disaster relief to fund its construction.
“It is time for President Trump to use emergency powers to fund the construction of a border wall/barrier,” Graham said, according to Reuters.CBS News has reported that to construct a wall, the White House has gone as far as to consider taking $13.9 billion from funding that was originally allocated for hurricane disaster relief in Puerto Rico and California, Florida, and Texas. Critics have pointed out this would essentially be a slap in the face to those citizens who are still struggling in these areas.
Like Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also refuses to compromise. According to The Hill, the Senate-majority leader voted against House-proposed legislation, obstructing a potential vote on shutdown-ending bills because doing so would defy the precedent set by the executive branch, which is dead-set on obtaining funding for the border wall. Though presented as a short-term solution, these bills would've reopened the government, ensuring federal workers received their long overdue paychecks by providing funding for the Dept. of Homeland Security through February, as well as other federal departments and agencies throughout the rest of the fiscal year. Additionally, this legislation would've allowed for border wall negotiations to continue, had the bundle of bills been eligible for a vote. McConnell's move to ultimately block these bills, in support of Trump's obstinance regarding the demand for border wall funding.“Let me repeat again what I’ve said now for three weeks: The solution is a negotiation between the one person who can sign something into law, the president of the United States, and our Democratic colleagues,” McConnell reportedly said on the Senate floor on January 15.On January 24 — day 32 of the shutdown — Democrats and Republicans will reportedly meet in an attempt to reach an agreement on wall funding and reopening the government. The New York Times, currently there is a proposal on the table to reopen the government until Feb. 8. The decision to negotiate reportedly came after Trump floated a plan to extend Dreamers' stay in exchange for the wall funding.Check these out:Why The First Step Act Is More About Patting Politicians On the Back Than It Is About Prison Reform
TSA Agents Have Been Playing Dirty Versions Of Rap Songs In JFK Airport Because That's Just Where They're At Right Now
The Government Shutdown Could Impact Millions Of Food Stamp Recipients...
Francis Anwana is 48-years-old, deaf, has cognitive disabilities and makes his living in Detroit, Michigan by mowing lawns and performing custodial work at a local church. The Nigerian immigrant has lived in the United States for 34 years, but now his stay is in danger of coming to an end, according to USA TODAY. Anwana originally came to the U.S. on a student visa, and enrolled at the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint when he was 14-years-old. Many immigrants in similar circumstances are eligible for DACA; however, due to Anwana's current age, he is ineligible for the program, reports the Detroit Free Press. ICE told the Michigan resident he'd be deported on September 11, but his deportation has since been postponed, and he will meet with the law enforcement agency on September 21 in hopes of finding a way to stay in the U.S.His lawyer and advocates claim Anwana is unable to fully understand the fact he will be deported to Nigeria, and say he can only read at the second grade level. Anwana currently lives in an adult foster care facility and has no criminal record. Certain documents that could help his case are missing, as state caretakers lost them during his multiple moves between group homes. "About a decade ago, someone tried to help him by applying for citizenship," said Susan Reed, a Michigan Immigrant Rights Center immigration attorney assisting Anwana with his case. "He was denied because he was ineligible, placed in deportation proceedings, and finally denied asylum, which he sought based on conditions for people with his condition in Nigeria."Fatou-Seydi Sarr, of the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs, said a deportation would sentence Anwana to unnecessary suffering, and perhaps even death."With his condition, life in Nigeria will be very, very bad, and can lead to death for not receiving proper medical care," Fatou-Seydi Sarr said.For his part, Anwana wants to stay in the U.S. Through an interpreter he has known since his days at the Michigan School for the Deaf, he said he is "happy" living in Michigan.Now, check these out: 7 Ways You Can Help Black And Brown Immigrants Being Terrorized By The Trump AdministrationWhy I Felt Like An Immigrant In My Own CountryThese Three Children Of Nigerian Immigrants Have All Became...
A week ago, the Supreme Court halted President Trump's plans to accelerate a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals hearing in his attempt to put an end to the program that protects undocumented youth from U.S. deportation. Trump initially announced back in September that he planned to end the Obama-era program, giving Congress six months to build a legislative policy mirroring his plans. The deadline for that Congressional fix is today. According to CNN, Congress has failed to come up with a bill to save the Dreamers; apparently, lawmakers estimate that about 150-170 Congress members are in favor of the bill. However, for DACA legislation to pass a total of 218 votes are needed. "I think it's absolutely terrible that Congress has failed to act," said press secretary Sarah Sanders during the daily briefing held on Monday. "The fact that they can't actually come together and get something done is pathetic, and now they're using the courts as an excuse."Here, Sanders referred to the fact that ongoing legal proceedings are temporarily keeping the Dreamers safe from deportation.Naturally, President Trump took to Twitter to express his feelings about the inaction:It’s March 5th and the Democrats are nowhere to be found on DACA. Gave them 6 months, they just don’t care. Where are they? We are ready to make a deal!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2018"It’s March 5th and the Democrats are nowhere to be found on DACA. Gave them 6 months, they just don’t care. Where are they? We are ready to make a deal!" he exclaimed.While this delay may be a bit of relief for Dreamers, their fate is still left up in the air, leaving them anxious for a solution. Crowds of Dreamers and fellow immigration activists took to the Capitol to march in support of DACA:March for Dreams on the National Mall marching to the Capitol to speak with congress about #DACA pic.twitter.com/QW6ILPvOp9— sophie kaplan (@yofisofi) March 5, 2018On what was supposed to be the DACA deadline, protesters march on the National Mall to ask Congress to act. pic.twitter.com/kjCnVUwYfL— Alexandra Limon (@AlexLimonNews) March 5, 2018Dreamers and allies gathered on the National Mall to mark March 5 pic.twitter.com/BBgQEtreS3— Elise Foley (@elisefoley) March 5, 2018A long line of immigrant youth are making their way down the National Mall to the Capitol calling for a #DreamActNow. pic.twitter.com/4cwWsIX8TS— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) March 5, 2018Nancy Canales, 18, traveled all the way to DC from Seattle to fight for her family members who are all undocumented. pic.twitter.com/ztWzq0B75D— sophie kaplan (@yofisofi) March 5, 2018“It’s okay to be proud of who you are and don’t be afraid to let your voices be heard“- Erik Lopez, freshman at the University of Nebraska #DACA #MarchForDreams pic.twitter.com/VJnBeyH1P3— sophie kaplan (@yofisofi) March 5,...
Six black civil rights activists, including women's march organizer Tamika D. Mallory, were arrested on Tuesday in front of the office of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan during a "Day of Action." The demonstration took place in Washington, D.C., as they fought for a clean Dream Act to be passed for black immigrants. #Repost @being_ianta ・・・ #BlackImmigration walk it like we talk it @tamikadmallory ✊🏽 #ForBlackImmigrantsA post shared by Tamika D. Mallory (@tamikadmallory) on Feb 27, 2018 at 10:58am PSTIn an exclusive op-ed Mallory published on Blavity Tuesday morning, just hours before her arrest, she wrote why she decided to join the fight for black immigrants. "Black undocumented immigrants have been at the unfortunate intersection of the Trump Administration’s anti-black, Islamophobic and xenophobic agenda," she wrote. "The issues surrounding immigration do not only live within the Latinx, Muslim and Asian communities. We need to stop working in silos and change the narrative to be more inclusive, concentrating on ALL communities in need of our attention." There are nearly 3.7 million black immigrants in the United States. Recently, President Donald Trump made racist remarks towards black immigrants saying that they are from "sh*thole countries." His views are obviously not true. Black immigrants have high rates of education and employment and 73 percent of black Immigrants are in the workforce. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, granted legal status to certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and went to school in America. In September 2017, Trump rejected the Obama-era policy, causing thousands of DREAMERS to live in uncertainty about their future. Originally, the deadline to decide the fate of the DACA program was March 5. However, on Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined the hearings, meaning DREAMERS can continue to renew their applications until the case has been settled, according to TIME.Mallory and her supporters are calling for everyone to take action. Standing with @womensmarch co-chair @TamikaDMallory and the rest of the Black Civil Rights leaders who just put their bodies on the line #ForBlackImmigrants.
Now it’s our turn to tell @SpeakerRyan to take action NOW to protect Black undocumented immigrants. #DreamActNow
pic.twitter.com/LP8pAIiQCR— Kyle O'Leary (@tkocreative) February 27, 2018These brave activists and organizers are prepared to get arrested in solidarity #ForBlackImmigrants. @SpeakerRyan, we demand protection for black undocumented immigrants. We demand a #DreamActNow. We demand Congress acts now to #SaveTPS. pic.twitter.com/sCxq5CJP8i— Women's March (@womensmarch) February 27, 2018CALL PAUL RYAN: Tell him you demand a clean #DreamActNow that includes a permanent solution for TPS holders & Diversity Visa & DED programs #ForBlackImmigrants. (202) 255-3031 pic.twitter.com/rK5l78mff7— Tamika D. Mallory (@TamikaDMallory) February 27,...
As the Trump administration-imposed March 5 deadline looms, Congress is scrambling to make a decision to enact legislation to replace the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. However, those on Capitol Hill may have just gotten some breathing room. According to The Hill, the Supreme Court has denied the administration's request that it review ending DACA before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals finishes its review.As you likely remember, the Supreme Court usually only hears cases that have worked their way up the justice system; however, the Trump administration hoped to have the highest court hear its case against DACA before the lower 9th Court finished up its proceedings. This would have led to a more rapid resolution to the DACA saga. It is possible the Supreme Court could hear the case after the lower appeals court has ruled on the case, however. But as things stand now, Trump's progress has come to a temporary halt. The DACA program allows children who entered the U.S. illegally, with their parents, to continue to work and attend school in the country. A White House spokesperson recently called the program “clearly unlawful,” but its supporters call the mass deportation of hundreds of thousands of people, who know no other country besides the United States, deeply immoral. Although Trump has ordered an end to DACA, his suspension of the rule will not take effect until the court rules that Obama's original order was unconstitutional. Because the courts are keeping the program alive, White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah responded to the news, claiming the judicial branch is interfering with the legislative branch:“The district judge’s decision unilaterally to re-impose a program that Congress had explicitly and repeatedly rejected is a usurpation of legislative authority,” Shah said. “The fact that this occurs at a time when elected representatives in Congress are actively debating this policy only underscores that the district judge has unwisely intervened in the legislative process." Supreme Court litigator Andrew Pincus said he expects the appeals court to make a decision in June or July, at the earliest. “DACA is a lawful and important program that protects young people who came to this country as children and who know this country as their only home,” said Theodore Boutrous, Jr., who represents six DACA recipients in the case along with California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D). “The Dreamers have relied on DACA to make decisions about their education, jobs, and families and to make valuable contributions to society as doctors, lawyers, teachers, and members of the military.”Shah maintained, however, that the courts will ultimately back the executive branch. “We look forward to having this case expeditiously heard by the appeals court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court, where we fully expect to prevail,” Shah...
Actor Bambadjan Bamba is making an effort to show the humanity of Dreamers everywhere by announcing his status as a DACA recipient and opening up about his experiences being an undocumented immigrant in America. Bamba, who stars in the hit film 'Black Panther,' is originally from the Ivory Coast. He has worked as an actor in America for the last 10 years and now, at 36, he has made a bold decision to openly share his journey. "I needed to use my voice as an actor to try to humanize this issue and try to put a face and a voice to who DACA recipients really are," Bamba said in a recent interview with CNN. "When the administration says they wanted to cancel DACA, that's when I decided I couldn't stay quiet anymore." Bamba is just one of nearly a million young immigrants who came to America as children and received temporary status under DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which was enacted by President Obama. Along the way, his parents were able to secure U.S. citizenship of their own. They had gained political asylum, but by that time Bamba was 21 and unable to share the status of his parents. While his fate is yet to be determined, his experience as a Dreamer shows how difficult the immigration process can actually be.Bamba's character in 'Black Panther' is nameless but his impact will travel beyond the few lines he voices in the film.Bamba is a married man, so there is no denying the weight of not having a permanent status may have. He and his wife have been married for 10 years and had their first child a little over a year ago."Doctors told us it was impossible, there was no way you all are gonna have kids. She's a miracle baby." Bamba said. "If she was able to happen, then I believe this immigration thing is not as big a miracle as she is."It is easy to see the impact Bamba's Catholic faith has on him. That faith, coupled with the miracle of his daughter, are enough for him to believe in a positive resolve for Dreamers everywhere.Wakanda forever. "I decided I couldn't stay quiet anymore": Bambadjan Bamba, an actor who appears in "Black Panther," is also a DACA recipient. Now, he's speaking out about his status. https://t.co/UQelMBy4rG pic.twitter.com/jbJj92usKR— CNN (@CNN) February 20,...
French Montana, aka Karim Kharbouch, is using his star power for a greater influence. The 33-year-old has teamed up with MTV and Get Schooled to help launch the "We are the Dream" campaign, which will help undocumented immigrants attain a higher education. The nonprofit's mission is to "reinforce undocumented young people’s place in our community and connect them with critical information and resources to help them navigate their path." In an interview with Rolling Stone, the Morocco-born rapper said: "I am one of tens of thousands of first and second generation immigrants that are having a significant positive impact on the United States, I am excited to lead others in this fight to ensure Dreamers connect with the support they need to get to college and make their American Dream come true."We believe everyone should have the opportunity to go to college! Join us, @MTV and @FrenchMontana by sharing a selfie with #WeAreTheDream
@getschooled! https://t.co/6OZ1nQnLzP
pic.twitter.com/rFZ9EHS6GQ— Get Schooled (@getschooled) February 15, 2018The "We Are the Dream" initiative will provide immigrants and their families with countless tips and resources, such as information about scholarships, sanctuary colleges and access to counselors. The nonprofit is also giving away $1,000 grants to schools and organizations who support undocumented students. The "Unforgettable" musician will help lead the social media efforts for the campaign. On Feb. 20, the organization is hosting a Twitter chat with some leading experts in higher education and immigration.Only about 10 percent of undocumented immigrants graduated from high school in 2015, according to a report by the Department of Education. However, this statistic could likely see a significant decrease, as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is being threatened in Congress. As of today, 700,000 dreamers face uncertainty about their future because the Senate failed to pass any of the four proposed immigration bills. "If the president wants to protect the Dreamers, he can do it. It's completely on his shoulders at this point," said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D- Mo.) to CNN. The deadline for grant application submissions is Feb....
Former President George W, Bush made a few comments in regard to immigrants and the need for Americans to both welcome and thank them. Speaking at a summit in Abu Dhabi, the first sitting U.S. president to visit the UAE in 2008, Bush had plenty to say. The Associated Press reports, “There are people willing to do jobs that Americans won’t do,” he said. “Americans don’t want to pick cotton at 105 degrees (Fahrenheit), but there are people who want put food on their family’s tables and are willing to do that. We ought to say thank you and welcome them.”While he didn't name names, Bush criticized President Trump’s approach to the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects undocumented immigrations who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.According to The Hill, lawmakers are still working on a deal that would satisfy Trump’s demands for funding for a border wall and other increased security measures. The Trump administration unveiled framework last month that would include a path to citizenship for nearly 2 million undocumented immigrants, which is more than double the approximately 700,000 Dreamers in the country.“It is important for our economy and also important for our soul that the immigration system functions well,” he said. “I view it as a relationship vital for our economy and for our stability. We’ve got to enforce our borders and we’ve got to enforce our...
Chamillionaire took to Instagram this week to speak out about immigrant rights and to issue statements on solidarity after drawing attention for his efforts to help the family of a man who was recently deported. Last week, journalist Niraj Warikoo tweeted a screenshot of an email the rapper sent him offering to assist Jorge Garcia’s family.This is not a joke. I actually got an email yesterday from rapper Chamillionaire (of Ridin’ Dirty fame, the song that goes, They see me rollin,’ they hatin’) after he read my story on Jorge Garcia being deported. He wants to help him. pic.twitter.com/ZBJvcbTKRf— Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) January 18, 2018Warikoo wrote about Garcia, who was deported last Monday after spending 30 years in the United States, for the Detroit Free Press.Garcia's family brought him to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 10-years-old. Although he was brought here as a child, Garcia didn’t qualify for DACA. In a now-viral video, Garcia can seen consoling his wife and children in an airport as he prepares to leave for Mexico.Chamillionaire read Warikoo's reporting and reached out, hoping to help anonymously. After Warikoo posted his email to social media, however, the rapper felt the need to explain that his motives were pure.“The reason why I reached out to this journalist because I wanted him to connect me to the family that he just wrote about,” Chamillionaire said in his first video. “The reason I reached out to him using email instead of twitter because I assumed the conversation would be private.”Part 1 of my response about Jorge Garcia's deportation. Link in my bio.A post shared by @ chamillionaire on Jan 23, 2018 at 4:15pm PSTThe rapper said on Instagram that he was not able to connect with the Garcia family until some “wonderful people” on social media linked him to Cindy Garcia, Jorge’s wife. He said they “had a dope conversation,” and urged his followers to donate to the family’s GoFundMe.Chamillionaire also took time to address the idea that the struggle for black civil rights and immigrant rights are separate.He told his followers that he is the child of immigrants, and called the idea that Latinx people "don't do nothing for us," (us being black people) a "toxic narrative." He then told the story of how his own success is inextricably tied with Texas' Mexican and Mexican American community."'Ridin' Dirty' was produced by two Mexicans. The manager that took it to the top of the charts? Mexican."Part 2 of my response about Jorge Garcia. Link in my bio #jorgegarciaA post shared by @ chamillionaire on Jan 23, 2018 at 5:26pm PST"We all have been helped by the Latino community," the rapper declared and went on to say, “If you don’t have respect for immigrants, or you don’t have respect for minorities or you don’t have respect for women, it’s gonna be very difficult for you to understand why the other side needs to be treated fairly.”Don't let evil agendas turn us against each other (part 1). #imnotheretoentertainyou #imjusttryingtoeducate #imjusttryingtomotivate #ImjusttryingtolearnA post shared by @ chamillionaire on Jan 25, 2018 at 3:38pm PST(Part 2) We are capable of greatness. Don't let evil agendas turn us against each other. #NormallyIjustmindmybusiness #igottimetodaythoughA post shared by @ chamillionaire on Jan 25, 2018 at 5:20pm...
The government shutdown is over, The Hill reports, thanks to a compromise in the Senate.The federal government shutdown began late last week when Congress failed to pass a spending bill. Passage of that bill was complicated by the inability of Democratic and Republican lawmakers to come to a firm agreement regarding fixing the Dreamers (DACA) Act.On Monday morning, the Senate voted 81-18 to reopen the government and promised that an immigration bill will reach the floor by February 8."After several discussions, offers and counteroffers, the Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) said prior to the vote. "We will vote today to reopen the government to continue negotiating a global agreement," The Republican leader Schumer was referring to is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).If an immigration deal isn't reached by Feb 8th, “the Senate will immediately proceed to consideration of legislation” to protect Dreamers, Schumer said. "The process will be neutral and fair to all sides," Schumer added. "We expect that a bipartisan bill on [the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program] will receive fair consideration and an up-or-down vote on the floor."This recent funding measure will include a six-year funding extension for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as well as a two-year tax relief extension for the medical device industry, per Forbes. “Congress' action to once again suspend the medical device tax – just days before companies were set to start cutting checks to the IRS – means funds will not be diverted from investing in new jobs, new capital improvements and new treatments and cures,” said Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) CEO Scott Whitaker in a statement.Not all were happy with the deal. Some critics say that Schumer caved to the pressure and that Dreamers protections aren't guaranteed. According to ABC News, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) said she voted against the spending bill because, "I refuse to put the lives of nearly 700,000 young people in the hands of someone who has repeatedly gone back on his word."NEW: Sen. Kamala Harris on agreement reached with McConnell on future DACA legislation: "I refuse to put the lives of nearly 700,000 young people in the hands of someone who has repeatedly gone back on his word." https://t.co/IcK267p0Ui
pic.twitter.com/TyyUKI8NDD— ABC News (@ABC) January 22, 2018And Credo political director Murshed Zaheed said, “It’s official: Chuck Schumer is the worst negotiator in Washington — even worse than Trump. Any plan to protect Dreamers that relies on the word of serial liars like Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan or Donald Trump is doomed to fail.”Supporters of the bill argue that Democrats had no choice but to come to the table, and that they should be happy that they received any promise at all.“I think that’s all they’re going to get,” Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-TX).House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said that he believed a successful spending measure would quickly pass in the House, and that immigration reform would swiftly follow. Politico reports that the speaker told the hosts of Fox and Friends, “What we're saying is, open the government and then we'll get back to the negotiations [that] were already underway that [Democrats] blew up when they shut the government...
President Trump met with lawmakers during a meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday to restore immigration protections as part of the bipartisan immigration deal.He reportedly grew increasingly frustrated with their proposals that he even went to far to describe places such Haiti and African nations as "shithole countries."“Why are we having all these people from sh*thole countries come here?” Trump reportedly said, according to the Washington Post, who reported that Trump said he'd rather welcome immigrants from countries like Norway, whose prime minister met with the president on Wednesday.Per sources in the room, several lawmakers were taken aback by his comments. Along with the protections, the deal included adding $1.5 billion for a border wall. One White House official stated that Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) proposed prioritizing countries that were currently in the system and cutting the visa lottery program by 50 percent. The administration announced it was removing El Salvador's protections this week. According to White House aides, Trump appeared to be on-board with the bipartisan deal earlier this morning, but switched gears during the meeting. The White House has declined to comment on the matter at this...
Tuesday night, a Federal judge in California ruled to temporarily block the Trump administration's abrupt efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.Back in September, Donald Trump announced plans to end DACA, a program that grants legal work status to undocumented immigrants who were brought into the United States as children. Of course, this would be one of Trump's greatest concerns as it is an Obama-era implementation, and the Trump administration has made it clear they aim to dismantle anything that Obama oversaw. The decision was met with outrage and protest.According to NBC News, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) rescinding of DACA in September included that it would stop accepting applications from people already covered under the act to renew their two-year DACA permit with the repeal set to take effect in March.However, Judge William Alsup ruled that the administration must resume receiving DACA renewal applications, a challenge to the DHS brought by the University of California and others, according to CNN. The decision came only a few hours after a bipartisan meeting between President Donald Trump and members of Congress on DACA and border security The downside of the ruling is that it is limited, meaning that the administration does not need to process applications for those who have never before received DACA protections."Unfortunately, even with this decision, fear and uncertainty persist for DACA recipients," said Janet Napolitano, president of the UC school system. She is also the former Secretary of Homeland Security in 2012 who established DACA.The Trump administration continues to fight against being on the same side of history as the dreamers as the Department of Justice said the decision doesn’t change its view that the program was an illegal circumvention of Congress."The Justice Department will continue to vigorously defend this position, and looks forward to vindicating its position in further litigation,” spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a statement to the Associated Press.Trump tweeted Tuesday night that an $18 billion wall he has talked about since his campaign must be apart of any future DACA approval. As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018While we will have to see how long-term rulings play out with DACA, we are thankful that there is this bit of hope for the...
