Latest news with #AbigailJackson
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's birthright citizenship order is unconstitutional, appeals court says
A federal appeals court said Wednesday that President Trump's executive order curtailing birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. The policy, which has been the subject of a complicated monthslong legal back-and-forth, is currently on hold. But Wednesday's decision appears to mark the first time that an appellate court has weighed in on the merits of Mr. Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship for many children of undocumented immigrants by executive order. A panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit wrote that Mr. Trump's order is "invalid because it contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment's grant of citizenship to 'all persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.'" White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement to CBS News: "The Ninth Circuit misinterpreted the purpose and the text of the 14th Amendment. We look forward to being vindicated on appeal." On the first day of Mr. Trump's second term, he signed an executive order that said people born in the United States should not automatically get citizenship if one parent is undocumented and the other isn't a citizen or green-card holder, or if both parents are in the U.S. on temporary visas. The order directed federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents within 30 days to people who fall into those categories. The order drew a flurry of lawsuits, as most legal experts have said the 14th Amendment — which was ratified in 1868 — automatically offers citizenship to virtually everybody born within the U.S., regardless of their parents' immigration status, with extremely narrow exceptions. The Trump administration argues the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment does not apply to people whose parents are in the country illegally or temporarily — citing a clause that says citizenship is granted to those who are "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States. Those parents do not necessarily have "allegiance" to the country, the government argues, so they therefore aren't "subject to the jurisdiction." The 9th Circuit disagreed. It wrote Wednesday that a plain reading of the 14th Amendment suggests that citizenship was meant to be granted to anybody who is "subject to the laws and authority of the United States." "The Defendants' proposed interpretation of the Citizenship Clause relies on a network of inferences that are unmoored from the accepted legal principles of 1868," the judges wrote. "Perhaps the Executive Branch, recognizing that it could not change the Constitution, phrased its Executive Order in terms of a strained and novel interpretation of the Constitution," the opinion said. The issue reached the 9th Circuit after a lower court in Washington state blocked the birthright citizenship executive order in February, responding to a lawsuit from several Democratic states. The Trump administration in March appealed that ruling. It reasserted its arguments about who the 14th Amendment applies to, called the ruling "vastly overbroad" and argued the states did not have standing to sue over the order. On Wednesday, the 9th Circuit said the states did have the right to sue, pointing to the risk that states would be financially harmed by a federal policy that narrows who qualifies for citizenship. The appellate judges also upheld the district court's finding that the states are likely to succeed in showing the order violates the Constitution. The 9th Circuit's ruling was written by Clinton-appointed Judge Ronald Gould, and joined by Obama-appointed Judge Michael Daly Hawkins. A third member of the panel — Judge Patrick Bumatay, appointed by Mr. Trump in his first term — dissented in part, writing that the states don't have standing and adding "it's premature to address the merits of the citizenship question or the scope of the injunction." Supreme Court hasn't weighed in on merits of birthright citizenship — yet The birthright citizenship issue reached the Supreme Court earlier this year, but not in a case involving the merits of the Trump administration's policy. Instead, the Supreme Court weighed in on whether the district courts that issued nationwide blocks against Mr. Trump's executive order were exceeding the scope of their power — a perennial topic of debate in legal circles that has frustrated presidents of both parties. The high court's ruling last month limited the use of nationwide injunctions. In a 6-3 decision, it granted a request by the administration to narrow the injunctions against the birthright citizenship order, but "only to the extent that the injunctions are broader than necessary to provide complete relief." That doesn't mean the birthright citizenship order will take effect. Shortly after the ruling, a New Hampshire court paused the executive order nationwide in a lawsuit that was brought as a class action, after the Supreme Court's decision left the door open to that option. The Supreme Court also did not directly address whether states can still sue over the order. In the case that the 9th Circuit ruled on Wednesday, the government has argued that courts can just block the birthright citizenship order for residents of the states that sued, rather than issuing a nationwide injunction. But the states argue that would provide them with incomplete relief because people move from state to state. Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison for murders of Idaho students Trump reacts to DOJ reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer on Jeffrey Epstein files Ozzy Osbourne, heavy metal pioneer, dies at age 76
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump goes on FEMA spending binge announcing several states will receive federal funding months after disasters
President Donald Trump announced that four states, which experienced disasters over the last six months, would receive funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency – despite previously threatening to eliminate the federal agency. Taking to Truth Social Tuesday, the president announced he would unlock millions in federal funding for Indiana, which experienced deadly tornadoes in March; Michigan, which experienced ice storms in March; Kentucky, which experienced flooding and tornadoes in April and May; and West Virginia, which experienced flooding and tornadoes in June. The announcement arrives after the president has signaled his desire to phase out FEMA and the administration has been scrutinized for its response to the devastating floods in Texas that killed more than 130 people. Trump has reportedly indicated he wants to return disaster response to the states by removing FEMA as the lead in response. Instead, the president hopes to make local and state officials the primary leaders while using FEMA as financial support. In January, Trump claimed FEMA had not been productive for years and pushed responsibility onto the states for handling disaster response. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson previously said in a statement that 'federal assistance was always intended to supplement state actions, not replace those actions.' 'FEMA's outsized role created a bloated bureaucracy that disincentivized state investment in their own resilience,' Jackson said. However, since then, the president has softened his stance, reportedly backing away from language that indicated he was going to shut down the decades-old agency. While the funding is slightly delayed, state leaders expressed gratitude for it. 'I'm glad to have received word from President Trump committing federal funds to help Northern Michigan communities impacted by the historic ice storm damage earlier this year,' Governor Gretchen Whitmer said on X. 'We have more details to gather, but I'm grateful for this response to my requests of the White House.' Northern Michigan experienced deadly ice storms in March that left at least six people dead. Homes and infrastructure also experienced damage due to the heavy ice. Trump, who said it was his honor to approve federal funds for the state, and would give $50 million to assist in recovery. Indiana Governor Mike Braun thanked Trump for his approval of $15.1 million in funding, which will go toward assisting recovery after a string of tornadoes hit the state in March. In announcing the state's funding, Trump also reminded people that he won 'BIG' in the state in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote on X that he was 'grateful' to the president and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem for providing a total of $56 million in disaster response. At least seven people died in April after the state experienced devastating flooding. At least 31 people died in May after deadly tornadoes swept across the state as well. 'This support is essential to helping these communities rebuild, and I am grateful to the president and @SecNoem. I also told @POTUS that the @FEMA team members on the ground are doing great work supporting Kentuckians. We will provide more details soon,' Beshear wrote. Patrick Morrisey, the governor of West Virginia, praised Trump and the administration for 'providing us with another tool to help these communities make a full recovery.' Trump said he would provide $11.7 million in federal funding to support recovery after heavy rains brought flooding in June. At least nine people died as a result of the floods.
Axios
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trump admin to appeal order barring race-based immigration arrests alleged in LA area
The White House says it plans to appeal a federal order requiring the Trump administration to stop immigration arrests without probable cause after a suit alleged it targeted California residents based on race, language and work. The big picture: Residents of Latino descent have been stopped, detained or asked to prove citizenship in communities throughout the U.S. amid President Trump's push for mass deportations. What they're saying: White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement emailed to Axios on Saturday: "No federal judge has the authority to dictate immigration policy – that authority rests with Congress and the President. "Enforcement operations require careful planning and execution; skills far beyond the purview or jurisdiction of any judge. We expect this gross overstep of judicial authority to be corrected on appeal." Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong concluded in an order on Friday that those who brought the suit were likely to prove "the federal government is indeed conducting roving patrols without reasonable suspicion and denying access to lawyers". The judge ordered Homeland Security to craft guidance to determine "reasonable suspicion" and provide accused residents access to counsel on holidays, weekends and weekdays. State of play: The suit was brought by five workers and advocacy groups Los Angeles Worker Center Network, United Farm Workers (UFW) and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Teresa Romero, the UFW president, celebrated the judge's decision in a statement on Friday. "Farm workers rise before dawn to feed this country—there is no labor more dignified," Romero said. "No one should be targeted, profiled, or terrorized for being brown and working hard." Catch up quick: Immigration raids in Latino communities in southern California and beyond have led to mass protests in several U.S. cities. Trump deployed about 4,000 National Guard members and hundreds of Marines to the Los Angeles area in an effort to stem the growing unrest last month. Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security spokesperson, said in a statement emailed to Axios on Saturday: "A district judge is undermining the will of the American people." She went on to say "brave men and women" are removing "truly the worst of the worst from Golden State communities."
Reuters
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Fate of US disaster relief agency FEMA still being discussed
July 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has no immediate plans to abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency amid ongoing discussions about the disaster relief agency's future, the Washington Post reported. No official action was being taken to wind down FEMA and changes in the agency would probably amount to a "rebranding" that would emphasize state leaders' roles in disaster response, the newspaper reported, opens new tab, citing a senior White House official. Trump, who took office in January vowing to gut or abolish FEMA, was visiting Texas on Friday to see the aftermath of flash floods that swept through parts of the Texas Hill Country and killed at least 120, with more than 160 people unaccounted for. Trump has frequently said he wanted states to have primary responsibility for responding to disasters. When asked by a reporter on Sunday whether he still planned to phase out FEMA following the Texas floods, Trump responded that it was a topic "we can talk about later". "The president's FEMA Review Council, comprised of top experts in their field, will recommend to the president how FEMA may be reformed in ways that best serve the national interest, including how America responds to and recovers from disasters such that the federal role remains supplemental and appropriate to the scale of disaster,' Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said in an email to Reuters. Speaking at the FEMA review council on Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called for FEMA to be eliminated in its current form, saying states and local authorities should take the lead in emergency management. Trump signed a disaster declaration for Texas on Sunday to unlock federal aid for those affected. "The president immediately delivered the dollars, Texas already has that money in their hands, and Governor [Greg] Abbott is the lead decision-maker when it comes to the Texas floods,' the White House official told the Washington Post. "You should expect this structure, that has quietly taken place, to continue," the official added, according to the newspaper. The Texas floods, the first major deadly disaster since Trump took office in January, were a stark reminder of the extent to which states lean on the agency during a crisis.
Politico
08-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
‘Essential isn't a strong enough word': Loss of foreign workers begins to bite US economy
'President Trump is a tireless advocate for American farmers – they keep our families fed and our country prosperous. He trusts farmers and is committed to ensuring they have the workforce needed to remain successful,' White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. 'But there will be no safe harbor for the countless, unvetted, criminal illegal aliens that Joe Biden let waltz into the country.' The administration exacerbated the situation Monday, revoking legal status for approximately 76,000 people from Honduras and Nicaragua – and eliminating their work authorizations. It had previously done so for Haitians, Afghans, Venezuelans and Cameroonians. Some large corporations that rely on foreign-born workers, including those with protected status people admitted under other programs, have already felt the impacts. In May, Disney reportedly began cutting workers with temporary legal status, and Walmart took a similar step last month. Foreign-born workers at Amazon have reported receiving similar notices. Walmart and Amazon declined to comment. Disney did not respond to requests for comment. Mass arrests of people without legal status have sent a chill through several industries as Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts raids around the country. Agriculture businesses have expressed concern about the knock-on effects of ICE raids – that they deter even legal workers from showing up to work, worsening existing labor shortages and jeopardizing crops. Trump's immigration actions are squeezing the labor market even as some broader economic trends remain positive. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has repeatedly indicated as much, including at a congressional hearing in June, where he said economic growth is 'slowing' due to a shrinking labor force. Tightening the labor market through strict immigration enforcement could permanently increase inflation, an Oxford Economics study from June finds, pointing to subsequent increases in production costs and lower output due to limited workers. Uncertainty in the labor market could contribute to an 'economic malaise,' said Stuart Anderson, executive director at the nonpartisan think tank National Foundation for American Policy. 'If you want to have a growing economy, you need to have a growing labor force,' Anderson said. 'The idea that you are just going to create more opportunity by having fewer workers available just doesn't work in practice, because that's not the way business runs.' Trump has signaled some willingness to ease access to foreign-born labor specifically for farmers and hospitality workers – industries he has long prioritized as a key political constituency. Agriculture lobbyists have pushed the administration for an expansion of the seasonal visa program to apply to year-round workers and an easing of wage requirements. Neither the administration nor Congress have yet to announce concrete steps on a solution for those groups despite Trump's rhetoric, and any moves would need to be extensive to offset the exodus of workers. 'American produce growers are facing a severe labor shortage that's driving up food prices and threatening domestic production,' Sarah Gonzalez, spokesperson for the International Fresh Produce Association, said. 'We appreciate President Trump's recognition of this crisis and any efforts to stabilize the agricultural workforce. But lasting solutions require bipartisan legislation that ensures U.S. farmers have access to a legal, reliable workforce.'
