Editor Brian Harrod Provides Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, with aggregated news from sources all over the world from the Roundup Newswires Network
Democratic lawmakers vowed Sunday to end the "evil" separation of migrant children from their parents when they are apprehended at the US border, as First Lady Melania Trump made a rare political plea to end the deeply controversial practice. The "zero-tolerance" border security policy implemented by her husband President Donald Trump's administration has sparked outrage on both sides of the political aisle and took on particular resonance as America celebrated Father's Day.
While dozens of protestors stood outside a Customs and Border Protection processing detention center in McAllen, Texas, in more than 100-degree weather, the officials inside the facility told reporters during their tour that the temperature inside was about 72 degrees. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who first visited the South Texas border on June 3, described his second visit as more coordinated for Customs and Border Protection officials who gave the tour.
"This must not be who we are as a nation," said Representative Jerrold Nadler, one of seven members of Congress from New York and New Jersey who met with five detainees inside the facility, including three who said they had young relatives removed from their care after seeking asylum at the border. The event in the city of Elizabeth came as news stories highlighting the family separations intensified political pressure on the White House, even from some of President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans.
A hearing is scheduled in a challenge of the home addresses listed by Congressional District 2 candidate Ann Kirkpatrick on her nominating petitions. The hearing Monday stems from a lawsuit by three voters who allege that Kirkpatrick lives in downtown Phoenix, even though she listed two Tucson addresses on her nominating documents.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Sunday, June 17, 2018, distanced the Trump administration from responsibility for separating migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, even though the administration put in place and could easily end a policy that has led to a spike in cases of split and distraught families. [SUSAN WALSH/AP PHOTO, FILE] White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Sunday, June 17, 2018, distanced the Trump administration from responsibility for separating migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, even though the administration put in place and could easily end a policy that has led to a spike in cases of split and distraught families.
For a moment last week, it looked as though the ever-diminishing moderate wing of the Republican Party would assert itself after years of being pushed around by radical right-wingers and a GOP establishment scared of the extremists. But when the chips were down, the moderate bloc in the House could not gather the last few signatures it needed to force a vote on mainstream bills to protect the "dreamers," immigrants who came to this country as children and now are at risk of deportation.
In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a U.S. Border Patrol agent watches as people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, stand in line at a facility in McAllen, Texas, Sunday, June 17, 2018. less In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a U.S. Border Patrol agent watches as people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, stand in line ... more In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, stand in line at a facility in McAllen, Texas, Sunday, June 17, 2018.
People gather for a vigil lead by the Families Belong Together campaign on Fathers Day outside U.S. Border Patrol McAllen Station calling for the end of family separation on Sunday June, 17, 2018. People gather for a vigil lead by the Families Belong Together campaign on Fathers Day outside U.S. Border Patrol McAllen Station calling for the end of family separation on Sunday June, 17, 2018.
First lady Melania Trump has waded into the emotional controversy over policies enacted by her husband's administration that have increased the number of migrant children being separated from their parents. Mrs Trump's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said the first lady believes "we need to be a country that follows all laws", but also one "that governs with heart".
Democrats expanded their campaign Sunday to spotlight the Trump administration's forced separation of migrant children from their families at the U.S. border, trying to compel a change of policy and gain political advantage five months before midterm elections. Against a notable silence on the part of many Republicans who usually defend President Trump, Democratic lawmakers fanned out across the country, visiting a detention center outside New York City and heading to Texas to inspect facilities where children have been detained.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, from right, D-Ore., speaks to the media along with fellow Democratic lawmakers Sen. Chris Van Hollen, center, of Maryland., Rep. David Cicilline, of Rhode Island, and Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin in front of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Centralized Processing Center in McAllen, Texas, on June 17, 2018. Sen. Jeff Merkley, from right, D-Ore., speaks to the media along with fellow Democratic lawmakers Sen. Chris Van Hollen, center, of Maryland., Rep. David Cicilline, of Rhode Island, and Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin in front of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Centralized Processing Center in McAllen, Texas, on June 17, 2018.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is questioning President Donald Trump's pick to head the government's consumer watchdog agency. The California Democrat says she believes Kathy Kraninger, currently an associate director at the Office of Management and Budget, lacks the required experience to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, especially given the Trump administration's "hostility to consumer protection."
Javier Solano and his granddaughter Rachel Chajon 2 of Somerset attend the Father's Day Rally forFamily Unity, organized by immigration rights advocates, outside of the Elizabeth Detention Center. Chajon's father, a citizen of Guatemala, was picked up by ICE ten months ago outside of their home.
Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey and New York on Sunday met with immigration detainees separated from children at the southwest border who are now being held at a New Jersey immigration facility. During a news conference afterward, the representatives said they met with five men at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, four of whom were brought to New Jersey from the U.S.-Mexico border.
While it started as a press conference to update the public on the RISE West Virginia flood recovery program, Gov. Jim Justice's Friday morning evolved into a wrestling match with Democrats calling for his resignation and a platform to tout his accomplishments in office.
Rep. Nunes: If DOJ Does Not Turn Over Documents by Monday - They Will Have 'Hell to Pay' by Wednesday Rep. Devin Nunes the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee joined Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures on Father's Day. Rep. Nunes told Maria the Department of Justice leadership has until Monday to turn over the subpoenaed documents or they will have "hell to pay."
ST. PAUL, Minn. - In Minnesota's surprise race to fill Al Franken's former Senate seat, the two women running tell their own versions of a familiar story.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise played in the annual congressional baseball game this week, one year after he was nearly killed by a gunman while practicing for last year's game. Scalise and Democratic Rep. Cedric Richmond met while both served in the Louisiana legislature.
The White House on Saturday said it would nominate Kathy Kraninger, a high-level staff member at the Office of Management and Budget, to be director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If confirmed by the Senate, Kraninger would replace her boss, budget director Mick Mulvaney, who has drawn criticism from Democrats for weakening the watchdog agency.