Latest news with #U.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bills on election recounts, voter citizenship verification
Gov. Kim Reynolds was joined by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, legislators and county auditors in her office June 2, 2025 as she signed into law two bills from the 2025 legislative session related to Iowa elections. (Photo courtesy the Iowa Secretary of State's office) Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills related to Iowa's election laws Monday, making changes to the state's citizenship verification for voting and election recount processes. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, alongside several county auditors and some of the lawmakers who worked on the bills during the 2025 legislative session, joined Reynolds at the signing. Pate thanked Reynolds and lawmakers for moving the two measures forward in a news release Monday, saying the bills are important steps in 'strengthening and maintaining Iowa's election integrity.' 'These new laws add additional layers of integrity to our robust election procedures, supporting our efforts to balance election integrity and voter participation,' Pate said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House File 954, signed Monday, was the bill Pate proposed to better allow his office to check the citizenship status and other eligibility requirements of those on Iowa's voter rolls. The bill gives the Secretary of State's office the ability to contract with federal and state agencies, and with private entities, for voter roll verification and maintenance, in addition to setting up a process for setting a voter's registration status as 'unconfirmed' when the state or county officials have received information from a 'reliable source' that the person is not qualified to vote. The measure came up in the wake of Pate's guidance to county auditors shortly before the 2024 general election in November that directed the local elections officials to challenge the ballots of 2,176 voters at the polls. Pate had flagged these individuals as 'potential noncitizens' because they had, within the past 12 years, reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation or another state entity that they were noncitizens, and later registered to vote. A majority of these individuals were naturalized citizens who had the ability to vote, but Pate said the instruction was necessary because his office had been denied access by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database to verify these people's citizenship status. USCIS later granted the Iowa office access to the database — when Pate said his office confirmed 277 of the 2,176 'potential noncitizen' voters did not have U.S. citizenship. The secretary of state said the new law will prevent similar situations from arising in the future where individuals have their votes contested at the ballot box. The bill gives tools to election officials for voter eligibility verification before Election Day, but also allows registered voters to be challenged over their citizenship status at the polls. A challenged voter would have to present precinct election officials with evidence they are qualified to vote to cast a regular ballot. If the challenge is not withdrawn, they would cast a provisional ballot. The second measure, House File 928, makes changes to Iowa's system for election recounts, including setting new limits on who can request recounts. For statewide and federal races, the election results would have to have a 0.15% difference in votes between candidates for a candidate to request a recount. For state legislative and local races, a difference of 1% or 50 votes would be required. This would stop recounts in future elections similar to those requested in recent elections, like the 2024 election recount for the race between U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Christina Bohannan, that was within 0.2%. The measure would also make changes to election recount boards. Under the previous system, each candidate in a recount designates one person to serve on the board, alongside a third person agreed upon by both candidates. The new law has county auditors lead election recount boards with their staff and hired election workers, adding the requirement that boards must have an equal numbers of workers from each political party. Candidates can choose up to five people to observe the recount process in each county. While some Democrats said this new system could lead to Iowans questioning election integrity because of conflicts of interest with county auditors, Republican supporters argued the change will lead to more uniform and fair election recounts. Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, who led the bill in the House, said in a news release the recount bill was 'one of the most important pieces of legislation we've passed this year.' 'We have seen in years past where the old system was used, abused, and manipulated by campaigns to try to 'fix the outcome' for their preferred candidate,' Harris said in a statement. 'Now we have a system that brings uniformity, consistency, and most importantly, trust to that system.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Axios
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
East Boston family details ICE arrest of TPS recipient
Mercedes Pineda said having Temporary Protected Status and no criminal record didn't stop federal agents from detaining her husband, Jose, at work. The big picture: Pineda, who spoke at a panel organized by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley in East Boston, said hers is far from the only family to get torn apart by the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. What's happening: Pineda's husband, a TPS recipient from El Salvador, was released after two days, but she said the family is still grappling with the aftermath. Neither of them is sleeping well. Jose's doctor warned he's one traumatic event away from a deadly stroke. Their 12-year-old daughter is suffering from anxiety attacks. (As Pineda spoke, Pressley sat behind her and comforted her daughter.) Pineda later told Axios she learned he was detained through videos that circulated, but couldn't confirm it until he managed to call hours later. They still don't know why he was held and say he has no criminal record. Protections for Salvadoran TPS recipients last until Sept. 9, 2026, per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. What they're saying: " We are honest people. We came to this country to work, to help our families move forward," Pineda said in a Spanish-language interview. "They shouldn't be treating us like criminals, because we're not." Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which typically does not respond to inquiries about individual cases, didn't respond to a request from Axios concerning Pineda's husband's case. What's next: Pressley asked Pineda what help her family could use. In the meantime, Pineda tells Axios she's leaning on her church and on God, whom she thanks for connecting her to Centro Presente and getting Jose released.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Democrats urge DHS to reinstate legal status of Bakersfield 4-year-old facing deportation, death
Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration's termination of humanitarian protections that have left a 4-year-old girl who is receiving critical medical treatment in Los Angeles vulnerable to deportation and death. On Tuesday, The Times published the story of S.G.V., who has short bowel syndrome — a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients. She and her parents received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023. Read more: 4-year-old Bakersfield girl facing deportation could die within days of losing medical care In a letter Thursday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged her to reconsider the termination of the family's legal status. "We believe this family's situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision," the lawmakers wrote. "It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless." Last month, S.G.V.'s family, who now live in Bakersfield, received notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that their status had been terminated and that they had to leave the country immediately. Earlier this month, they applied again for humanitarian protections. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that the family is not actively in the deportation process and that their application is still being considered. The girl's physician, Dr. John Arsenault of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, wrote in a letter requested by her family that any interruption in her daily nutrition system "could be fatal within a matter of days.' The story about S.G.V. drew swift public outcry. An online fundraiser for the girl's care had amassed nearly $26,000 as of Thursday morning. The letter to Noem was led by Reps. Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles). Rivas said state legislators and constituents messaged her about the family, asking what she could do to help. While the family lives outside of Rivas' district, which encompasses the north-central San Fernando Valley, she said it is her role as a California Democrat and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak up for immigrant constituents in districts where Republican representatives may not do so. "That's why we're organizing as members of Congress," Rivas said. "Without action from Secretary Noem and this administration, this little girl will die within days." Read more: Father ripped from family as agents target immigration courts, arresting people after cases dismissed In a post on X, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) called the situation "heartbreaking." Seeking to deport the girl despite her medical condition is "cruel and inexcusable," Chu added. In another X post, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote: "Trump wants to deport a four-year-old who could die from a life-threatening medical condition if her treatment is interrupted. How does this cruelty make us a stronger nation?" The family and their attorneys held a news conference Wednesday at the Koreatown office of the pro bono firm, Public Counsel. The lawyers explained that the equipment administered by the hospital to S.G.V. for home use is not available outside the U.S. "If they deport us and they take away my daughter's access to specialized medical care, she will die," said Deysi Vargas. Attorneys for the family noted that S.G.V. is not the only child affected in recent months by the Trump administration's immigration policies. In an attempt to speed up arrests and deportations, they said, children are needlessly being swept up in the process. Gina Amato Lough, directing attorney at Public Counsel, said the girl's case "is a symbol of the recklessness of this administration's deportation policies." "We're seeing a pattern of cruelty and a violation of our most treasured rights and values," said Amato Lough. "These are people coming to us for protection, and instead we're sending them to die. That's not justice, and it doesn't make us any safer." Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Can the Trump administration deport green card holders? Here's what rights they have in the US
The Trump administration is targeting international students with student visas and permanent residents who hold a green card as part of its immigration crackdown. And while green card holders may legally remain in the U.S. indefinitely, work in the country, and are protected by U.S. laws, the Trump administration has made clear that the demographic is not off limits from its mass-deportation agenda. Can the federal government deport those who are green card holders and are here in the U.S. legally? Yes. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, green card holders are only protected if they "do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law." Green card holders are "required to obey all laws of the United States and localities," file taxes annually, register for the draft if the green card holder is a male between the ages of 18 and 25, and are also "expected to support the democratic form of government," per U.S. Citizenship and Immigraion Services. Should a green card holder violate certain provisions included in the Immigration and Nationality Act, they could face deportation. Read On The Fox News App Lawyers For Columbia Anti-israel Activist Mahmoud Khalil Blast Rubio Evidence Letter: 'Two Pages, That's It' Reasons a green card holder could be deported include the termination of conditional permanent resident status, knowingly helping someone enter the U.S. illegally, committing crimes including rape, murder or fraud, according to Berardi Immigration Law, a business immigration law firm that handles work permits and green cards for international employees working in the U.S. Other reasons also include committing an aggravated felony, being convicted of drug or firearms crimes, and engaging in criminal activity that jeopardizes public safety or national security issues, per Berardi Immigration Law. Furthermore, those who face convictions for these crimes may only face deportation after an immigration judge hears their case, according to Penn State Law School. A green card allows an individual already in the U.S. who is not an American citizen to remain in the country, while a student visa allows those outside the U.S. to study in the country for a specific amount of time at an academic institution. Eligibility for a green card is possible through several avenues, including being an immediate family member of a U.S. citizen like a spouse or parent, finding employment here in the U.S., or qualifying as a refugee or someone seeking asylum. Trump College Crackdown: List Of Students Detained Amid Antisemitism On Campuses The possibility of deporting green card holders attracted increased scrutiny after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil in March. Khalil, who is a Palestinian raised in Syria and a permanent U.S. resident with a green card who first came to the U.S. on a student visa in 2022, played a major role in the protests against Israel while at Columbia University as a graduate student. The Department of Homeland Security said Khalil was arrested to protect U.S. national security, and claimed that Khalil "led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization." Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time any Hamas supporters in the U.S. would suffer similar fates and have their green cards pulled, and face deportation. Likewise, President Donald Trump said in a social media post in March following Khalil's arrest that it was "the first arrest of many to come." But Democrats claim the Trump administration is out of line and the arrest was an assault on freedom of speech. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats said Khalil's arrest amounted to "straight up authoritarianism" in a post on X in March. An immigration judge in Louisiana ruled in April that the Trump administration was at liberty to deport Khalil, claiming she didn't have the authority to challenge the Trump administration's assessment that Khalil posed a national security threat. But Khalil, who is currently stuck at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center, has yet to see whether he will face deportation. Another federal judge in New York has blocked the Trump administration from removing Khalil from the U.S. while his case plays out in court. Separately, the Trump administration is also eyeing ways to beef up vetting for those entering the U.S. on student visas — particularly for those who've publicly supported Palestine, like Khalil. For example, the State Department is also bracing itself to ramp up social media screening for those applying for student visas. The State Department announced Tuesday that it is temporarily suspending new student and exchange visitor visa interviews as it evaluates enhanced social media screenings for the application process. Congress 'Entitled' To 'Regulating The Conduct' Of Visa Holders, Expert Says Amid Deportation Push Rubio told lawmakers May 20 that he expects that the State Department has already pulled thousands of visas since January following Trump's inauguration. That's up from the 300 the administration had revoked as of late March. Rubio also said that his agency would continue to pull student visas, stating that a visa is not a right, it's a "privilege." "I don't know the latest count, but we probably have more to do," Rubio told lawmakers on the Senate appropriations subcommittee overseeing foreign affairs. "We're going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities."Original article source: Can the Trump administration deport green card holders? Here's what rights they have in the US
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Democrats urge DHS to reinstate legal status of Bakersfield 4-year-old facing deportation, death
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration's termination of humanitarian protections that have left a 4-year-old girl who is receiving critical medical treatment in Los Angeles vulnerable to deportation and death. On Tuesday, The Times published the story of S.G.V., who has short bowel syndrome — a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients. She and her parents received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023. In a letter Thursday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged her to reconsider the termination of the family's legal status. 'We believe this family's situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision,' the lawmakers wrote. 'It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless.' Last month, S.G.V.'s family, who now live in Bakersfield, received notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that their status had been terminated and that they had to leave the country immediately. Earlier this month, they applied again for humanitarian protections. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that the family is not actively in the deportation process and that their application is still being considered. The girl's physician, Dr. John Arsenault of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, wrote in a letter requested by her family that any interruption in her daily nutrition system 'could be fatal within a matter of days.' The story about S.G.V. drew swift public outcry. An online fundraiser for the girl's care had amassed nearly $26,000 as of Thursday morning. The letter to Noem was led by Reps. Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles). Rivas said state legislators and constituents messaged her about the family, asking what she could do to help. While the family lives outside of Rivas' district, which encompasses the north-central San Fernando Valley, she said she it is her role as a California Democrat and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak up for immigrant constituents in districts where Republican representatives may not do so. 'That's why we're organizing as members of Congress,' Rivas said. 'Without action from Secretary Noem and this administration, this little girl will die within days.' In a post on X, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) called the situation 'heartbreaking.' Seeking to deport the girl despite her medical condition is 'cruel and inexcusable,' Chu added. In another X post, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote: 'Trump wants to deport a four-year-old who could die from a life-threatening medical condition if her treatment is interrupted. How does this cruelty make us a stronger nation?' The family and their attorneys held a news conference Wednesday at the Koreatown office of the pro bono firm, Public Counsel. The lawyers explained that the equipment administered by the hospital to S.G.V. for home use is not available outside the U.S. 'If they deport us and they take away my daughter's access to specialized medical care, she will die,' said Deysi Vargas. Attorneys for the family noted that S.G.V. is not the only child affected in recent months by the Trump administration's immigration policies. In an attempt to speed up arrests and deportations, they said, children are needlessly being swept up in the process. Gina Amato Lough, directing attorney at Public Counsel, said the girl's case 'is a symbol of the recklessness of this administration's deportation policies.' 'We're seeing a pattern of cruelty and a violation of our most treasured rights and values,' said Amato Lough. 'These are people coming to us for protection, and instead we're sending them to die. That's not justice, and it doesn't make us any safer.'
