Latest news with #DREAMAct
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Testy Trump Admin Whines That Due Process for Immigrants Is ‘Burdensome'
It's only four months into Donald Trump's second term as president, and his administration already seems fed up with all the paperwork. The administration has responded on two fronts to a court order requiring that it provide potential deportees with the 'meaningful opportunity' to challenge their deportations in court: With a legal challenge and declaration from State Secretary Marco Rubio, and rhetorical attacks on social media. Late Saturday night, the Department of Justice posted in its entirety their legal challenge to an order from M.A. District Judge Brian Murphy blocking the Trump administration from deporting immigrants to third countries. In the motion, the DOJ argues that the requirement that the Department of Homeland Security provide detainees with the opportunity to challenge their deportations is 'burdensome' because the DHS is required to 'maintain custody and control' of the detainees and conduct interviews regarding any reasonable fears they may have about being deported to third countries in private at a time of the detainees' choosing. One such detainee was a gay Guatemalan man, known only as O.C.G., who was deported to Mexico in March in what the Trump administration has since admitted was an error. As a result, on Friday Judge Murphy ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate the man's return to the U.S. Sec. Marco Rubio also responded to the injunction in a declaration filed with the court and posted to X by DOJ Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle on Saturday. In his declaration, Rubio argues that orders made by the court cause 'significant and irreparable harm' to U.S. foreign policy and its strategic interests in Libya, South Sudan, and Djibouti. According to Rubio, court orders that prevent the Trump administration from deporting people to countries they have no ties to would cause damages such as harming humanitarian efforts in South Sudan. This, as Rolling Stone points out, is an argument that sounds particularly odd coming from the administration that single-handedly decimated USAID. The Trump administration has already deported at least two Asian immigrants to South Sudan in violation of court orders. While the case is still in front of Judge Murphy, Mizelle's post made it clear that the Trump administration wants to escalate the legal battle to a potentially more sympathetic Supreme Court, tweeting, 'SCOTUS needs to immediately intervene and reign in judges masquerading as diplomats.' Rubio's newfound commitment to enforcing Trump's hardline anti-immigration policies represents a shift from earlier in his career, when he had previously called for compassion toward undocumented immigrants, going so far as to refer to helping those covered by the DREAM Act as a 'humanitarian mission.' Top Trump adviser Stephen Miller also weighed in, reposting a tweet from DHS that referred to Murphy as an 'activist judge' and adding, 'The only process illegals are due is deportation.' Under the U.S. Constitution, everybody under its jurisdictions, whether a citizen or non-citizen, is afforded the right of due process. Miller's influence on Trump was evident when, last month, he took to TruthSocial to mount a similar argument, claiming that there simply was not sufficient time or court capacity to afford every potential deportee due process. The president wrote, 'It is not possible to have trials for millions and millions of people. We know who the Criminals are, and we must get them out of the U.S.A.—and FAST!' Despite facing numerous legal setbacks in his attempt to carry out his planned mass deportations, it is clear that Trump is hoping that dragging the issue into the court of public opinion will yield better results. This agenda was laid bare in the DOJ's late night post, which read, 'Federal courts cannot direct the conduct of foreign relations, and the court's orders in this case disrupt the president's ability to faithfully execute our immigration laws,'—a clear misrepresentation of the role the legal system plays in interpreting the law, but one that will doubtless not matter to much of Trump's base.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
REACTIONS: Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin won't seek reelection
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Minutes after the announcement that Illinois' Senior U.S. Senator and Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin would not seek reelection, reactions from fellow public servants began flooding in. UPDATED: Sen. Dick Durbin announces decision not to seek reelection Illinois' Junior U.S. Senator, Tammy Duckworth, also a Democrat, said the Senate is losing a 'giant.' She recalled meeting Durbin just 12 weeks after being shot down in Iraq while flying a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, when she could barely sit up. 'But when Dick looked at me, he saw past the wounds, saw past the wheelchair. He saw a Soldier in search of her next mission. He recognized well before I did that just because I would no longer be flying Black Hawks for the Army didn't mean that I couldn't find a new way to serve my nation.' Govenor JB Pritzker said he wanted to 'congratulate' Durbin on his career. 'Throughout his career, Senator Durbin has been a consistent champion and reliable leader for our working families, civil rights, healthcare, climate, and beyond,' the governor said. 'From first introducing the DREAM Act, to leading the historic confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, to bringing in major federal infrastructure projects to our state, Senator Durbin has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday Illinoisans.' Bradley University President James Shadid said Durbin was an 'amazing public servant who served the nation and his home state of Illinois with 'professional and personal integrity.' Shadid, who recently retired as a federal judge to become the university's president, remembered sitting in Durbin's office more than a decade ago when he learned the senator was going to recommend him to be a federal judge based out of Peoria. 'I just remember what a genuine person he was, how dedicated he was and sincere he was,' Shadid said. Shadid said he first met Durbin more than 30 years ago when his father, George Shadid, was the Peoria County Sheriff and a State Senator. He got to know him more as Durbin was the head of the judiciary committee when Shadid's nomination to the federal bench occurred. The former judge said Durbin's 'contribution to the federal judiciary speaks for itself in terms of the number of judges throughout the 7th circuit and specifically in his home state of Illinois that he saw through the confirmation process.' All, Shadid said, having met nearly all the judges appointed to the federal bench in this circuit, are good people and of high honor. In looking back, Shadid said he's grateful for what Durbin has done and is 'proud to call him my Senator and my friend.' U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, also a Democrat, who represents parts of Peoria, said it's been 'an honor serving alongside Senator Dick Durbin in Congress.' 'I have long admired his focus on creating jobs in Illinois, bringing down costs for working families, and protecting benefits for veterans and seniors,' he said. 'As a dedicated public servant for more than four decades, Senator Durbin has been a strong voice for Illinoisans, ushering into law many historic bills as a long-time leader in the U.S. Senate.' The LaHood for congress campaign released a statement stating that Durbin's retirement was 'long overdue,' but they still wish him well. 'Senator Durbin's retirement was long overdue. For decades, Illinoisans have known him as the face of Washington dysfunction — pushing liberal policies that have made life more expensive, our borders less secure, and our streets less safe. 'While we wish him well in retirement, Illinoisans are ready to turn the page. Voters are tired of out-of-touch liberal policies that have failed working families, and prioritized illegal immigrants and far-left ideological agendas over hard-working American taxpayers,' they said. Lisa Hernandez, the chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, said Durbin has 'heart, courage and conviction.' Hernandez says for four decades in Congress, he stood with working families. 'He defended civil rights. He fought for compassionate immigration policy. He helped shape some of the most important legislation of our time—and through it all, he stayed grounded in the values that define our party and our state,' she said. Krishnamoorthi, who was raised in Peoria but now lives in Schaumburg, said Durbin was a 'champion for everyday families and an unyielding advocate for the underdog, Senator Durbin represents the true meaning of public service. Over the next two years, I know he will continue to fiercely advocate for our state, and I will be honored to fight alongside him as we continue to deliver for Illinois. From one son of downstate to another: Thank you, Senator.' She said 'his leadership on health care, veterans issues, infrastructure, DACA, our judiciary system and so much more will continue to leave a positive impact on our country for years to come.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Durbin will not seek reelection, ending 44 year career
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — For 44 years, Senator Dick Durbin has represented Illinois in Congress. He announced Wednesday that career will come to an end, as he won't seek reelection when his term ends in 2026. This was a long-anticipated decision from Durbin, who is nearing 80 years old. He said Wednesday that committing to another 6 year term was not in the cards. 'The people of Illinois have honored me with this responsibility longer than anyone elected to the Senate in our state's history. I am truly grateful,' Durbin said. 'Right now, the challenges facing our country are historic and unprecedented. The threats to our democracy and way of life are very real, and I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate.' Pritzker goes to Jacksonville to announce money for downtown revitalization projects Durbin started his congressional career by winning a seat in the House of Representatives in 1982. He served there before moving over to the Senate in 1997, where he has served since. He reached the upper echelons of power in D.C., serving two stints as the Democrat Majority Whip, and chairing the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, where he oversaw the appointment of numerous Federal judges, including Supreme Court nominees. The junior Senator from Illinois, Tammy Duckworth, congratulated Durbin on his career in public service, and credited him for many of her own political successes. 'It is only because of Dick's empathy, patience, support and mentorship that I am in the United States Senate today,' Duckworth said. 'It has been the honor of a lifetime to get to work alongside a leader who embodies what it means to be a true public servant.' Governor JB Pritzker also highlighted Durbin's successes in office. NATIONAL: Democrats wonder if Abrego Garcia case is a political fight worth having 'Throughout his career, Senator Durbin has been a consistent champion and reliable leader for our working families, civil rights, healthcare, climate, and beyond,' Pritzker said. 'From first introducing the DREAM Act, to leading the historic confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, to bringing in major federal infrastructure projects to our state, Senator Durbin has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday Illinoisans.' Rep. Nikki Budzinski said she volunteered for his first senate campaign in college and said she cannot overstate her admiration for the senator. 'Senator Durbin has led our delegation — and the Senate Democratic caucus — with conviction and principle, especially in defending our democracy during some of its most trying moments,' Budzinski said. 'All members of Congress should look to Senator Durbin as a shining example of standing up for what is right and putting the people of your state first.' Durbin's decision to not run will set off what is expected to be a massive chain reaction in the Illinois political landscape. Multiple high profile names have been gearing up for a run at the highly-coveted Senate seat, including two Illinois Congressional Representatives. 'Known for his legendary work ethic, Senator Durbin has led the fight to expand access to affordable health care, invest in our state's infrastructure, tackle gun violence, defend Dreamers, improve public health, protect working families, and more,' Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a politician eying the seat, said. 'His expert leadership on the Senate Judiciary Committee ensured the confirmation of a record 235 federal judges, shaping the courts and securing our most fundamental American rights for many years to come.' 'Senator Durbin has given Illinois a lifetime of principled leadership — grounded in decency, driven by purpose, and always guided by the people he served,' Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, another leader many are speculating will run for the seat, said. 'I'm grateful for his service to our state, nation, and for the example he's set. Illinois is stronger because of him and the work he's championed will carry on.' This story will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Longtime Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin will not seek re-election in 2026
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, ending his decadeslong career in Congress. The decision from Durbin, who is the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate and the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, will open up a leadership position in the chamber and is expected to set off a competitive primary for his seat in solidly blue Illinois. "The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it's time to pass the torch," he said in a statement and video posted to social media. "So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term." Durbin, 80, is tied for the fifth-most senior member of the Senate, having been elected in 1996. Prior to that, Durbin represented Illinois in the House for 14 years. Among his top legislative achievements, Durbin's office cited his moves to steer 235 federal judges through the Judiciary Committee from 2021-2024 when he served as chairman, a list that includes Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. He also led the charge to ban smoking on airplanes and worked on various criminal justice reforms. Durbin was an original author of the DREAM Act to give young people brought to the country illegally a path to citizenship, first introducing it in 2001. It never passed, but it led to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created by executive action in 2012. His decision to step aside creates a vacancy that Illinois Democrats will likely scramble to fill, with a deep bench of federal and local lawmakers who could be contenders for the seat. A progressive group, 314 Action, recently released a hypothetical poll testing a possible Democratic primary field that included Reps. Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, as well as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The group, which supports candidates from science and technology backgrounds, has backed Underwood in the past. Krishnamoorthi, who has served in the House since 2017, is considering jumping into the Senate race, according to a source familiar with the matter. He has been stockpiling money for years, stoking speculation about a future bid for higher office. Krishnamoorthi raised more than $3 million during the first quarter of the year and had $19 million banked away. Underwood is also considering a Senate run and has built up her political operation, according to a source familiar with her thinking. Underwood's campaign entered April with $1.1 million on hand, compared with $2 million for Kelly. A source close to Stratton's political operation also confirmed that the lieutenant governor is weighing a Senate run. Stratton launched a federal political action committee earlier this year and told the Chicago Sun-Times last week that she would "strongly consider" seeking another elected office if the opportunity arose. Adding to the uncertainty in Illinois, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker hasn't confirmed whether he plans to run for re-election next year as he continues to focus heavily on countering President Donald Trump. If he decides to leave the governor's mansion ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid, that open seat could draw significant interest among Democrats, too. Durbin's seat is expected to remain in Democratic hands, even though Trump made gains in the state in November. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris won Illinois by 11 percentage points, with 54% of the vote. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who once waged a rivalry with Durbin for conference leader, praised his work. 'His deep commitment to justice, his tireless advocacy for Americans in need, and his wisdom in leadership have left an indelible mark on this institution, the United States, and his beloved Illinois,' Schumer said. 'The Senate—and the country—are better because of his service.' Other Senate Democrats offered praise for Durbin's congressional career on Wednesday. 'For more than four decades, Senator Dick Durbin has been a pillar of leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the people of his home state of Illinois and the nation," Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, a member of the party's leadership in the chamber, said in a statement. Durbin is the fourth Senate Democrat who has announced plans to retire ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, along with Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Gary Peters of Michigan and Tina Smith of Minnesota. Democrats face an uphill climb to win the Senate majority: In addition to defending those and other seats next year, they would need to flip four GOP-held seats. This article was originally published on
Boston Globe
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, won't seek reelection to a sixth term in 2026
Advertisement Durbin, who's 80, was first elected to the U.S. House in 1982 and served seven terms before succeeding his mentor, Paul Simon, in the Senate in 1996. From that post, he helped shape the career of an up-and-comer, Barack Obama, who was only four years into his first term in the Senate when he was elected president. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Durbin is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture committees. His caucus colleagues have chosen him as Democratic whip, the party's No. 2 position, biennially since 2005. He has been consistently liberal in Congress. Govtrack's 2024 report card on Congress lists him as the Senate's 14th most liberal member — right behind Illinois' junior senator, Tammy Duckworth. Advertisement Among Durbin's more significant legislative achievements, he is largely credited with putting in motion the movement to ban indoor smoking. Having watched his 53-year-old father die of lung cancer when he was 14, Durbin won approval of legislation he sponsored in 1987 prohibiting smoking on short commercial flights and expanded it to nearly all domestic flights two years later. 'People started asking, 'If secondhand smoke wasn't safe on airplanes — why is it safe in public buildings, schools, hospitals or restaurants?' The answer is simple: It's not,' Durbin said on the 25th anniversary of the law. In the early 2000s, he introduced the DREAM Act, which would give immigrants in the U.S. illegally who grew up in the country a pathway toward U.S. citizenship. It's never become law, but in 2010, Durbin and Sen. Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, wrote Obama asking him to stop deporting so-called Dreamers. Obama responded with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which has covered about 830,000 immigrants, according to Durbin's office. Durbin was instrumental in reversing a War on Drugs-era law that penalized crack cocaine in a 100-to-1 ratio to powder cocaine, a law that disproportionately hit Black defendants with long prison terms. The new law was made retroactive, reducing the sentences for those serving time for crack. And with Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, Durbin pushed the First Step Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in 2018. The criminal justice system revamp aimed to make sentencing laws fairer and provide programs to help people who are incarcerated transition in returning to society. Richard Durbin was born in 1944 in East St. Louis. In 1966, after graduating from Georgetown University, he interned for Sen. Paul Douglas, whose seat he now holds. It was Douglas, who lost election to a fourth term in 1966, who once mistakenly called him 'Dick,' a nickname Durbin adopted. Advertisement Durbin earned a law degree from Georgetown and worked as legal counsel for Simon, who was lieutenant governor in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and then for the Legislature through the 1970s. In 1978, Durbin made an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor, after which he maintained a private legal practice and co-owned a Springfield tavern. A redrawn district, an economic recession and funding from pro-Israel forces were factors when in 1982 Durbin ousted 11-term Republican incumbent congressman Paul Findley, best known for his criticism of American policy toward Israel and support of Palestinians. In 2000, Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore considered Durbin for the vice presidency, before Gore ultimately chose Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. But a few years later, Durbin influenced another presidential candidate when he served as a sounding board for and adviser to Obama. Jalonick reported from Washington.
