Pro-refugee resolution passes Arizona Senate after push from local activists
PHOENIX – A state resolution praising refugee contributions in Arizona was passed in the Senate after a full day of lobbying from local activists. A similar resolution awaits a vote in the House.
DHS waives more regulations to speed construction of border wall
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration took another step toward expediting construction of a border wall Tuesday, announcing it is waiving federal contracting regulations to fast track construction in four states, including Arizona.
‘There’s nothing to be afraid of’: Arizonans gear up for the 2020 census
PHOENIX – U.S. Census Bureau specialists met with Phoenix residents to discuss the importance of participating in this year’s headcount, which determines seats in Congress and how federal dollars are distributed to states and municipalities.
Lawmakers blast plan to shift $3.8 billion from Pentagon to border wall
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration plans to tap the Pentagon for another $3.8 billion in military funds to pay for border wall construction this year, a move critics blasted as "theft," a raid and a money grab.
Blasting for border wall is typical of feds’ neglect of tribes, leaders say
WASHINGTON - Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris said the "controlled blasting" in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, for a border wall that will ultimately cut through his reservation, is just the latest example of the federal government ignoring its duty to consult with tribes.
Critics call proposed ban on ‘birth tourism’ misdirected, unenforceable
WASHINGTON - Critics are calling a Trump administration plan to curb so-called "birth tourism" unenforceable at best and "rooted in misogyny, xenophobia and racism" at worst, and say it is targeting the wrong people.
Supreme Court says ‘public charge’ rule can take effect – for now
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Monday that the Trump administration can enforce its proposed new "public charge" rule that will require immigrants show they will not need public assistance before they can gain admission to the U.S.
Mesa’s Giles leads panel of mayors grappling with immigration policy
WASHINGTON - They were Democratic and Republican mayors from cities large and small across the country, but officials on the panel Wednesday on immigration agreed - it's an issue they all grapple with, said Mesa Mayor John Giles who led the U.S. Conference of Mayors event.
Court affirms two convictions in 2010 murder of Border Patrol agent
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Friday affirmed the convictions of two Mexican men in the 2010 murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, who was killed in a gun battle near Rio Rico.
Native American veterans still struggling to get the health care they were promised
KYKOTSMOVI – Access to VA health care has been a challenge for Native Americans for decades, and they suffer some of the worst health outcomes. Now, advocates are hoping a new law could expand health care for Native American veterans.
Court says Arizona assault merits deportation for Iraqi refugee
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court said an Iraqi refugee can be deported after he was convicted in Arizona of aggravated assault - a first-time offense that netted him a sentence of just 48 hours behind bars - because if was crime involving "moral turpitude."
Census studied citizenship question even after losing in Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - Even as it was losing the fight last summer to put a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, the bureau was running tests it says show the question would not have hurt response rates.The findings will not affect the 2020 Census, but advocates call it an unwelcome distraction.
