Trump administration again pressures sanctuary cities

The Trump administration opened up a new salvo against sanctuary cities on Tuesday -- moving to make immigration enforcement a pre-condition for receiving key law enforcement grants. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday evening that applicants for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants will be required to certify that they'll cooperate with federal immigration enforcement more extensively than in the past, a move that is likely to generate court challenges quickly from advocates and state and local jurisdictions who have opposed President Donald Trump's efforts.

Seizing the MomentThe seizure and civil forfeiture of three former…

A unique public-private agreement returned three seized homes used by drug traffickers back to the community, where a non-profit organization will renovate and sell them at an affordable price with the stipulation that the owner reside there. There was no mystery about what was occurring at the three multi-family rental houses on Park Avenue in Rutland, Vermont: strangers dropping in around the clock, police responding to neighbors' complaints, discarded syringes turning up in nearby yards.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Recognizes Sex Offender Registration As Punitive

Yesterday the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the state's registration requirements for sex offenders impose punishment in the guise of regulation and therefore cannot be applied retroactively to people who committed their crimes before the rules were established. Five of the six justices who heard the case agreed that retroactive application of Pennsylvania's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act violates the U.S. Constitution's ban on ex post facto laws as well as a similar provision in the state constitution.

Colorado university settling lawsuit with student falsely accused of rape

This week we're seeing what may be the next step in a hopeful trend on American university campuses when it comes to the whole "rape culture" saga. At Colorado State University-Pueblo, a student football player was dropped from the team and suspended after being accused of rape last year.

Asset forfeiture rule changes leave problems

In an unfortunate turn, the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to lighten up on rules restricting law enforcement's use of asset forfeiture. Although Attorney General Jeff Sessions will include some helpful modifications to the stricter new policy, the net result is still a setback for Americans - not only the criminals federal prosecutors and cops want to keep off the streets.

Carlisle man convicted for his role in the 1992 murder of a witness

A Carlisle man has been convicted of the 1992 murder of a witness in a case against his brother - for the third time. According to the the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, a jury found Willie Tyler, 65, guilty of witness tampering through physical force and murder, returning with a verdict after deliberating for two hours.

Lawyers make last pitches in trial of ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio

Prosecutors and defense attorneys on Thursday made their final pitches to a judge who will decide the fate of former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a defiant longtime lawman whose crackdowns on illegal immigration made him a national name but ultimately led to criminal charges. The former six-term sheriff of metro Phoenix intentionally ignored a court order to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants to keep his name in the news during a tough re-election year, prosecutor John Keller said in closing arguments at Arpaio's criminal trial.

Next step for Louisiana prison reform is to review life sentences: Opinion

Louisiana lawmakers took a promising first step this summer to address the state's embarrassing distinction as the world leader in incarceration. Though more ambitious proposals to significantly reduce the prison population were abandoned, the state is poised to save millions of dollars in corrections spending and enhance opportunities for people returning home from prison .

Prosecutor: Arpaio ignored court order to help re-election

By JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press PHOENIX - Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio intentionally ignored a court order to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants to keep his name in the news during a tough re-election year, a federal prosecutor argued Thursday at the end of Arpaio's criminal trial. The former six-term sheriff of metro Phoenix, whose crackdowns on illegal immigration made him a national name, knew that a judge barred the patrols but kept them up for nearly a year and a half for political reasons, prosecutor John Keller said in his closing argument.

ACLU Doubling Down Against State And Federal ‘Blue Lives Matter’ Bills

With Kentucky becoming the 13th state to adopt "Blue Lives Matter" legislation Wednesday, the ACLU is doubling down on opposing the police protections on both the federal and state levels, a spokeswoman told The Daily Caller News Foundation Friday. The Kentucky law makes attacking police a hate crime, and the new Back the Blue Act introduced by Texas Republicans Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Ted Poe would introduce mandatory minimum sentences for crimes against police and introduce the death penalty for killing law enforcement officers.

House OKs bills to target ‘sanctuary cities’

The House on Thursday passed two hard-line immigration bills that would penalize illegal immigrants who commit crimes and local jurisdictions that refuse to work with federal authorities to deport them. Both bills, Kate's Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, passed on largely party-line votes amid heavy promotion from Republicans, starting with President Donald Trump.

House cracks down on illegal immigrants with bills backed by Trump

Bills backed by U.S. President Donald Trump to crack down on illegal immigrants passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, drawing criticism from immigration activists and others who called them a threat to civil liberties. The House voted 228-195 to pass the "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" that would withhold some federal grants to so-called "sanctuary city" jurisdictions that do not comply with certain federal immigration laws.By a vote of 257-167, the chamber also passed "Kate's law" to increase penalties for illegal immigrants who return to the United States.

Your View: Criticism of sheriff should come with caveats

Sure, it's an issue I've been working on for 20 years. It's an issue I'm passionate about and one I've discussed with many in the law enforcement community from here to Washington, D.C., and the southern border.  But it's an issue I'm still learning about; an issue that I have a good working knowledge of but one I recognize is always changing.

House passes bills to crack down on ‘sanctuary cities,’ deported criminals who return to U.S.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., left, confers with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., as the House focuses on immigration and sanctuary cities, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 29, 2017. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., left, confers with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., as the House focuses on immigration and sanctuary cities, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 29, 2017.