Latest news with #Dreamers'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Could Ruben Gallego really be Arizona's first president?
Imagine it's 2028 and the Democrats' great hope for retaking the White House is … Arizona U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego? I picture Kari Lake's head making like a melon and exploding. Gallego, 45, is one of many ambitious Democrats dipping a toe into the roiling waters in which Democrats are struggling to stay afloat, weighted down, as they are, by crushing disapproval ratings. Over the weekend, he traveled 2,300 miles to Bucks County, Penn., to speak at a town hall hosted by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. A town hall held in a swing district won by Trump last year. 'Now we have to go hunting to garage sales to find products, because this president decided to arbitrarily start a trade war without any concept how to get (the) F out of this,' he told a few hundred Pennsylvanians inside a middle school auditorium. On May 12, he released an immigration plan that has a little something for everyone — more border and port security, reform of the asylum system and expanded legal pathways for immigrants in key industries. Also, a path to citizenship for 'Dreamers' and undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and green card holders. 'We don't have to choose between border security and immigration reform,' he said. 'We can and should do both.' Over the last two years, Gallego has literally remade himself in the image of the predecessor he once despised. Like Kyrsten Sinema, he's moved from liberal flamethrower to pragmatic moderate, a guy who says he's willing to work with anybody. Gallego not only voted for the Laken Riley Act — the one that requires any undocumented immigrant accused of so much as shoplifting a stick of gum to be locked away indefinitely — he co-sponsored it. He's one of the few Democrats who has thus far voted to confirm 10 of Trump's 21 Cabinet nominees. Oh yeah, he's running. Longtime Democratic operative Roy Herrera said Gallego already has emerged nationally as one of the key leaders in the party. 'I think the party is looking for a path forward and some direction on how we can win over swing voters,' Herrera, who served as a co-chairman of Gallego's transition team, told me. 'He can point to his background and victory last year as evidence that he knows how to do that.' Gallego's certainly got the back story — a Latino raised by a single mother on a secretary's salary. One who slept on the floor growing up and worked a variety of blue collar jobs before attending Harvard, then joining the Marines and fighting in Iraq. One who became the first Latino ever elected to the U.S. Senate in Arizona. His victory in 2024 showed that he can win over moderates — though, admittedly, he was blessed with Kari Lake as his opponent. He's one of the few Democrats who seems to not only understand that the party has to win back moderates but is quickly developing a game plan for doing so. During the Bucks County town hall on May 10, one guy asked Gallego why he would do a fundraiser with Trump ally/crypto investor Marc Andreesen. The fundraiser was held in February at the plush L'Auberge de Sedona. 'We got so pure that we started kicking people out of the tent,' Gallego replied. 'It turns out we didn't have enough people in the tent to win elections.' Gallego, it seems, is busy buying canvas to add on a few rooms. Opinion: Don't hate Gallego. He's saving Democrats from themselves Still, it's early days and the first-term senator has one thing working solidly against him. Think Barry Goldwater, Mo Udall, Bruce Babbitt, John McCain. 'Between us,' Udall once joked, 'we've made Arizona the only state where mothers don't tell their children they can grow up to be president.' It's inevitable that another Arizonan will give it a try. I always thought it would be former Gov. Doug Ducey or perhaps even U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly. But Ruben Gallego? For president? Yeah, that's going to take some getting used to. Reach Roberts at Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRobertsaz, on Threads at @LaurieRobertsaz and on BlueSky at @ Like this column? Get more opinions in your email inbox by signing up for our free opinions newsletter, which publishes Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ's Gallego sure seems like he's running for president | Opinion
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Driving the Vote: Returning to Vegas, where tourism has cooled
(NewsNation) — NewsNation senior national correspondent Brian Entin's 'Driving the Vote' series — taking the temperature of voters 100 days into President Trump's second term — continues in Las Vegas. Tourism is down there. Visits to the entertainment destination tumbled nearly 8% in the month of March, year over year, with approximately 3.39 million people visiting the city. International travel to the U.S. is declining across the board, especially with travelers from Asia. Foreigners are foregoing travel here for several reasons, including rising geopolitical tensions, the state of the global economy and President Trump's tariffs. Trump's first 100 days: A timeline Some cities are not affected. In St. Louis, the hotel trade is seeing a boom. For the week ending March 29, the Missouri riverfront city saw a 47% increase in revenue per available room, leading all U.S. hotel markets. In Vegas, Entin reunited with real-estate agent Alina Gardner, who moved to the United States from Cuba as a young girl. Last year, the Republican said she had trouble backing Trump, partly because of his age, and was leaning toward Democrat Kamala Harris. Currently, her feelings about Trump are not positive because of what she sees as a cooling Vegas economy. She's critical of the president's tariffs, which have roiled the financial markets. 'All it's doing is just ruining the stock market for those of us that have 401(k)'s that are at the end of the road,' she told Entin. 'We're going to have to start withdrawing the money out of our 401(k). I lost 33% of what I made last year in the first 100 days he's been in office.' Driving the vote: How do Michigan voters feel after Trump's first 100 days? Gardner stressed she wants Trump to succeed: 'If he does well, we do well,' she said. Retired blackjack dealer David Mendez, who supported Trump in the last election, is more optimistic. He said he especially likes what the president has done on immigration. 'We don't want to have all these terrorists and all these bad people coming into the country,' he said. Mendez, however, said he would support a path to residency for undocumented immigrants who have settled here. He also voiced support for helping the so-called 'Dreamers' who were brought here as children. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Kudos to US Sen. Dick Durbin for realizing it's time to retire
I have never been an admirer of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, although I do agree with his 'Dreamers' initiatives. He is a far-left Democrat, and I am a conservative libertarian. What I do admire is that he knew when it was time to step out of the limelight, much like U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney. It too bad other politicians do not realize when it's time. I am talking specifically about Joe Biden and Donald Trump. — Bob Brauer, Petersburg, Illinois Durbin's stewardship The accolades rolling in upon Sen. Dick Durbin's retirement are well earned. An often overlooked but central contribution is his support for United States public lands. Here, he followed in the footsteps of his mentor, former Sen. Paul Douglas, who led the way for the protections the Indiana Dunes now enjoy. Our public lands are a mainstay of the ecological health of the nation and the planet. It's here where wildlife finds secure homes, the natural networks that sustain clean air and water do their work, Mother Nature's drawdown and storage of the excessive amounts of carbon we are dumping into the atmosphere is centered, and sacred spaces for Native Americans alongside citizens of all stripes survive. Durbin has consistently, usually quietly, stepped up to preserve these places. He's gone to bat behind the scenes for them in communications with federal agencies. He's a longtime supporter of the vast wild places of Alaska. One area that stands out is the spectacular Red Rock Canyon country of Utah. Durbin is the longtime sponsor of America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, which delineates all the wild U.S. public lands eligible under our laws for wilderness protection in that state. These are U.S. lands, belonging to us all. With the support of most Utahans, not to mention Americans across the nation, his bill has led to the formal legislative protection of healthy landscapes that may otherwise have been despoiled. He provided key support behind the scenes for President Barack Obama's designation of the Bears Ears National Monument which set the precedent for collaborative management with the Native American tribes in the region. A precedent that has now been duplicated in other areas. At the moment, the White House is leading the charge for thinking of these national treasures only as sources of profit for the few while ignoring the necessary foundation for life they provide for all of us equally, not to mention the plants and animals with which we share the planet. If you've ever been inspired by the natural beauty of one of America's beautiful special places, you've unknowingly gained the benefit from some of Durbin's quietest yet most effective work. — Clayton Daughenbaugh, Berwyn Benefits to capitalism U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who will have served 30 years in the Senate when he retires, said, 'The threats to our democracy and way of life are very real.' An April 24 editorial ('Cutting candy from SNAP won't fix bigger problem of growing dependency') states that the number of Americans dependent on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs has more than doubled statewide — 6.8% to 15.1% — and nationally — 6.1% to 12.5% — over the last 25 years. Given that time period of growing dependency correlates with 86% of his time in office, the senator should start worrying about such growing threats to the capitalism that has made ours and all other strong democracies flourish. — J.D. Colwell, Chicago No results required I see that our state's lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, immediately tossed her hat into the ring for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin. It should be an easy transition to go from one do-nothing position to another. Lieutenant governor and senator are the two easiest jobs you could ever have in politics. No blame ever hits their doorsteps for high crime rates, low public schooling test scores, union bargaining, the economy or any other kitchen table issues. Can someone tell me one important thing that Stratton or Durbin has delivered to the taxpayers of our state? If Stratton wants to win my vote, I will need her to show some honesty and admit that her current office is unnecessary and should be eliminated to save the taxpayers money. Thank you to Durbin for his service, but it's time to let somebody else get a chance at a high-paying job where no results are required. — Steven Fortuna, Naperville Views of Native people We would like to express support of HB1237, now in the Illinois Senate, pertaining to the usage of Native American names, logos or mascots in K-12 public schools in Illinois. Included in the bill is a reasonable transition period for the schools and an exception if a documented relationship is established with a federally recognized tribal nation. This important legislation, developed in collaboration with Native advocates and allies, represents a significant step in addressing the needs of all communities across Illinois. HB1237 promotes inclusive education for all Illinois students by setting standards for schools that use Native imagery. It requires Native-led curriculum, engagement with tribal nations and educational programs designed to foster understanding. The bill encourages a shift from stereotypes to respect and cultural awareness, benefiting all children by fostering accurate historical representation and a respectful learning environment. This bill calls for schools to do better — not to impose an absolute ban but to move toward education, respect and cultural understanding. It affirms that how we represent Native people, especially to young minds, has lasting significance. This legislation is the result of decades of advocacy by Native people and allies and underscores the belief that all children, Native and non-Native alike, benefit from inclusive education and environments that promote dignity and respect. — Andrew Johnson, citizen, Cherokee Nation, and executive director, Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Failing Crimo's victims By skipping his sentencing, Robert Crimo III, the Highland Park parade killer, was allowed to inflict a second indignity on the victims and their families. Though his victims were not allowed to dodge Crimo's bullets, Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti allowed him to dodge his victims' statements. That was wrong. A criminal defendant has a constitutional right to be present at all stages of his trial, including sentencing. There are certain circumstances — such as if he flees or is disruptive — that he can be sentenced 'in absentia,' without being physically present in the courtroom. But the fact that he can be sentenced without being present does not mean he in turn has a right to be absent. If Crimo's victims wanted to address him — instead of an empty chair — they should have been allowed to do so. Case law is replete with examples of judges issuing orders forcing the custodial defendant to sit in court. This case was no different. Under Illinois law, victims have the right to make a statement in court at sentencing. If any of those victims wanted to address the depraved killer, they should have been allowed. Just as Crimo had no 'right' to end innocent people's lives, he also had no right to avoid his own sentencing. One function of our justice system is to provide closure. Here, the system failed those victims who wanted to address the killer by giving him a 'right' he does not possess. — William Choslovsky, Chicago No free will for Crimo It is appalling that Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooter Robert Crimo III was allowed to refuse to face his victims in court. He is a confessed criminal. As such, he should have lost his free will. The judge should have demanded that he be in court. Something is wrong when a confessed murderer has more rights than his victims. — Jackie Nussbaum, Wilmette Play their statements Why did this cowardly, pathetic excuse for a human being, Robert Crimo III, get to opt out of his sentencing hearing? I hope all the victim statements were recorded and will be played on a continuous loop during his incarceration. — Ed Lawlor, Chicago
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to benefit Nebraska immigrant ‘Dreamers' squashed after Trump order
A Nebraska bill that would have benefited immigrant DACA recipients won't move forward, sponsors said. Shown here, supporters of the DACA program rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court. (Robin Bravender/ States Newsroom) LINCOLN — A proposed Nebraska law that had bipartisan support and would have benefited immigrant 'Dreamers' has been crushed under the weight of a Trump administration threat that the state could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid if it is enacted. Legislative Bill 299, in part, sought to align Nebraska with what advocates said already had been the practice of most, if not all, other states: allowing immigrants who have legal permission to work in the U.S. but lack permanent residency access to the unemployment insurance benefits their employers pay into. Before the bill's sponsors backed off Thursday, LB 299 had cleared a few key hurdles, including a March 6 vote by the Legislature's Business and Labor Committee that poised the measure for debate by the state's full lawmaking body. But a Feb. 19 executive order from President Donald Trump titled 'Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders' has since come into play. State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner withdrew her name Thursday from the bill. Co-sponsor State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha said she saw no alternative but to drop the effort this year. Proponents said they were maddened by the latest twist for the proposed law that had gained support from a range of business and civic groups. A leader of the religious coalition Omaha Together One Community told the Nebraska Examiner on Friday that its members are 'outraged.' 'The fact that the federal government would swoop in and block a bill that clearly represented the will of Nebraskans is a blatant insult to our state and should not be tolerated,' said Kathleen Grant. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen's spokesperson, Laura Strimple, said Friday that the governor was pleased with the recent turn of events. 'Governor Pillen strongly opposes giving taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens and is pleased the Legislature will not act on this bill further this session,' she said. LB 299 sponsors said the bill primarily would have impacted so-called 'Dreamers,' who grew up in the U.S. after being brought here illegally as minors by their parents and who obtained legal permission, under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, to work and live in the country. DACA recipients don't have permanent residency, and the program has been challenged in court. LB 299, they said, also was designed to benefit asylum-seekers who have been granted work authorization while their requests are reviewed and others with Temporary Protected Status, which is granted when returning to a person's home country is unsafe due to natural disaster, extraordinary conditions or war. While advocates have mostly focused on opening the door to unemployment benefits, the bill called for 'eligible aliens' who are employed in Nebraska to have access to the same public employment benefits offered to any other similarly situated employee, with a few exceptions. Access included participation in certain public retirement and deferred compensation programs. There's no way I can fight a threat like that. – State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha The 6-0 legislative committee vote that pushed the bill to the debate stage came after state and federal labor officials had resolved what Ibach described last week as a 'technical' problem with the bill. The concern was raised during a Feb. 10 public hearing. Nebraska Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber told lawmakers that LB 299, as then drafted, could cost the state more than $400 million in federal tax credits. She said the original language was too broad, created a new state definition for 'eligible alien' and would allow benefits even if the immigrant lost legal authorization to work in the U.S. Ibach and Juarez believed that the path had been smoothed — until, they said, a federal labor official reached out to the state Labor Department and Pillen's office this week, bringing up the Feb. 19 executive order. Juarez said she was caught off guard and was told that millions of dollars were at risk. 'There's no way I can fight a threat like that.' Thurber, in a statement to the Examiner on Friday, said that while an amendment addressed an initial concern, 'the situation has become complicated with recently proposed federal actions.' She said, for example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on March 10 issued a proposed rule removing DACA recipients from the definition of 'lawfully present' for the purposes of eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. 'This coupled with the executive order from President Trump … makes it clear that extending benefits to illegal immigrants, including DACA recipients, is in direct conflict with federal policy.' Thurber said the bill 'poses significant risk that Nebraska's unemployment insurance system could face consequences if it goes against federal directives' aimed at illegal immigration. The Trump order, citing a 1996 federal law, said the law 'generally prohibits illegal aliens from obtaining most taxpayer-funded benefits.' The directive gave federal agencies and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, 30 days to identify federally-funded programs that 'permit illegal aliens to obtain any cash or non-cash public benefit.' Ibach said she retreated from LB 299 after Pillen's staff alerted her to the executive order and potential fallout. 'We were disappointed but thankful the Governor's Office called our attention to the reality of how LB 299 was going to be framed going forward,' she said. Nick Grandgenett, an attorney with Nebraska Appleseed, views the executive order as applicable to federal public benefits and said the proposed legislation pertained to state employment benefits. 'It really is outside the scope of that executive order,' he said. But adding the Trump order to an already complex marriage of immigration and employment systems muddies the waters, he said. 'I don't think there is truly a problem with the bill,' Grandgenett said. 'The confusion is kind of winning the day.' State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said the situation signals trouble for Nebraska. She characterized LB 299 as an important bill with bipartisan support and challenged Nebraska Republican officials at all levels of government to stand up. 'When we have people in leadership not standing up for vulnerable populations like those covered in this bill, then we are going to be in a really bad place,' she said. Representatives of organizations such as the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nebraska Catholic Conference, and the Nebraska Alliance for Thriving Communities spoke in support of the bill during the public hearing. The alliance is a coalition that includes labor unions, hospitals, banks, cattlemen and pork producers. Ibach sees the effort as dead for now, unless labor officials can find a path forward. She said she'd continue to work on immigration and DACA reform. Juarez said she had made LB 299 her priority bill because she felt strongly that the targeted immigrant populations working with U.S. authorization deserved access to benefits — and that Nebraska businesses needed their talent. She said she is left 'extremely frustrated,' but won't give up and hopes for a revival during a different legislative session. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to open unemployment benefits to immigrant ‘Dreamers' advances to legislative debate
A bill advanced to debate by the full Legislature would align Nebraska with other states in allowing Dreamers, DACA recipients, access to unemployment benefits. Shown here, supporters of the DACA program rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court. (Robin Bravender/ States Newsroom) LINCOLN — Nebraska is a step closer to joining other states in allowing 'Dreamers' — and other immigrants who have legal permission to work in the U.S. but who lack permanent residency — access to unemployment insurance benefits. The Legislature's Business and Labor Committee, despite concerns raised during a previous public hearing, voted last week to advance Legislative Bill 299 on to full debate by the Legislature. State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, who introduced the bill along with Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, said the U.S. Department of Labor had flagged a 'technical' problem with language in the initial draft, which put federal funding at risk. She said federal and local labor officials worked to resolve the issue. 'Once that was fixed, the committee moved to advance it to the floor for debate by the entire Legislature,' Ibach said. 'Nebraska is the only state that does not allow legal work authorized immigrants to collect unemployment and retirement benefits that they have paid into.' The previous Feb. 10 public hearing on LB 299 drew testimony that was overwhelmingly in favor of the bill. Among those who spoke were Nebraska Dreamers, immigrants who grew up in the U.S. after being brought to this country as minors by their parents and who qualified for the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Those Dreamers, under current Nebraska law, would not be able to receive unemployment benefits, despite that they work with proper authorization and that their employers are required to pay unemployment insurance taxes on their behalf. In addition to Dreamers, others who would benefit from LB 299 are asylum-seekers who have been granted work authorization while their requests are reviewed and those with Temporary Protected Status, which is granted when returning to a person's home country is unsafe due to natural disaster, extraordinary conditions or war. Nebraska lawmakers hear support for opening unemployment insurance to immigrant 'Dreamers' The lone opponent who testified during the public hearing, interim Nebraska Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber, noted the now-addressed problem that had been raised by federal officials. She said more than $400 million in federal unemployment tax credits was at stake because the language was written too broadly, and reached beyond certain federal requirements. State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln challenged that at the time, saying: 'I find it really hard to believe that we in the state of Nebraska can not get it right like all the other 49 states have done to make sure we are in conformity.' A similar bill introduced in 2021 failed to pass into law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
