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USA Today
03-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Haitian immigrant high schooler detained by ICE despite legal status
A 20-year-old NY high school student, whose dad is a U.S. citizen, arrived legally from Haiti, but has been held in ICE detention for weeks. A 20-year-old from Haiti has been held in immigration detention for weeks, missing the end of his junior year of high school, although he is in the country legally and his father is a United States citizen. Spring Valley High School student Alan Junior Pierre was picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in early June and is being held at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, his lawyer said. The Haitian national, who has no criminal history, had been provided parole by ICE in January, when he sought asylum at the United States-Mexico border, his lawyer Vince Sykes told The Journal News/lohud, part of the USA TODAY Network. The status was based on humanitarian considerations and family support. Pierre is one of a growing number of migrants who entered the United States legally, have broken no laws, but are detained by ICE after showing up at court hearings related to their immigration status. "He applied for admission using the legal procedure that was in place," Sykes said. He followed all the rules, but now, his lawyer said, Pierre sits in an ICE facility; he missed the last weeks of school; he cannot see his family. In the same situation: Boy with leukemia held in detention, threatened with deportation Finally safe, until a May 5 appointment Haiti is so dangerous the state department has issued a "do not travel" warning for the country, saying the risk of kidnapping, crime and civil unrest is too high. Gangs exceed government control in the poorest nation in the region. Alan Pierre appeared to finally be safe from those dangers — his parole status continues through January 2026, according to documents. Now his family is fearful he could end up back in Haiti amid the violence there, said his father, Dutan Pierre of Nanuet, New York, near the New Jersey border. The dad went to Newark, New Jersey, 35 miles away, to try and meet with his son, but was turned away and told to come back on a visiting day. When the father returned, he was told there were no more visitor slots open that day. With translation help and emotional support from the Rev. Jean Claude Dorcelly of Rock Apostle Church in Spring Valley, Dutan Pierre told The Journal News/lohud that his son is a kind and smart kid. If he was sent back to Haiti, the young man would be all alone and at grave risk, Dutan Pierre added. A routine appointment leads to detention Dutan Pierre is a United States citizen and filed a US 1-130 "Petition for Alien Relative" application and adjustment of status on behalf of his son. That allows a relative to stay and apply for permanent residency status, commonly called a green card. Alan Pierre could be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status because he is a full-time student and under age 21. Despite those factors, ICE took him into custody June 3 after a routine appointment at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Application Support Center. 'He received a fingerprint application in the Bronx about four weeks ago,' his attorney, Vince Sykes said. 'He went for his fingerprint appointment and got picked up by ICE.' Sykes also has been unable to meet with Alan Pierre, although he has now set up a video meeting. Meanwhile, ICE officials presented paperwork to Alan Pierre to sign and voluntarily be deported, Sykes said. But, the young man didn't sign. "This is why you want people to have counsel immediately," the lawyer said, citing the Sixth Amendment right to prompt legal representation. Sykes said he believes there's no legal basis for ICE's actions. "It is ironic — and deeply troubling — that his compliance with the immigration process triggered his detention," Sykes wrote in a June 24 letter to the ICE Field Office director in Newark, which was obtained by The Journal News/lohud. How a complex system foils Alan Pierre A quick resolution has been frustrated, Sykes said, by Alan Pierre's efforts to follow the rules. Because Alan Pierre presented himself at the United States-Mexico border and was granted parole status by Customs and Border Patrol, ICE has jurisdiction over his case. That means the case operates outside the federal immigration courts. 'It means the immigration judge doesn't have jurisdiction to release him on bond,' Sykes said. 'Any immigration judge would release him; he's got no criminal record. It makes absolutely no sense that he should be detained.' Born in Nyack, stuck in Haiti: Family finally wins fight to prove woman's U.S. citizenship Even if he was able to get a Rockland Family Court proceeding scheduled to seek special juvenile status in his father's home state, Alan Pierre wouldn't be able to show up for court because he remains detained in New Jersey. Sykes said a habeas corpus petition could be filed in federal court — basically a last-ditch civil effort to challenge the legality of Pierre's detention. "It's very exhaustive and involved," Sykes said. Meanwhile, there's a concern that Alan Pierre could be moved to a different facility, which would mean the judicial proceedings would have to start over with a new judge. When asked about what could happen if Alan Pierre does get deported, Dutan Pierre became too emotional to get out more than a couple words in English. "This is so sad," the father said in Haitian Creole. "If he does go to Haiti he would be by himself. The bandits destroyed everything."
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump backs Lawler's re-election to House seat, spurring talk of Elise Stefanik for governor
President Trump issued an early endorsement of Republican Rep. Mike Lawler's re-election next year for a battleground House swing district in the Hudson Valley. Lawler, who represents the 17th District that covers Rockland and parts of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, is weighing a run for governor. So is GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the more conservative 21st district in the north country upstate. Advertisement 3 President Trump took to Truth Social to give an endorsement to Republican Rep. Mike Lawler's re-election next year in the 17th District. Getty Images Trump's effusive early backing of Lawler — to stay put in the House — spurred speculation that it paves a path for Stefanik to get the GOP nomination for governor next year, sources said.. But GOP sources also said Trump — whose approval has sunk as he has reached the 100 day mark — is simply being mindful that Republicans got wiped out in the 2018 midterm elections during his prior term as president, and Lawler gives the GOP the best shot at keeping a purple seat. Advertisement 'A true America First Patriot, Mike is fighting hard to Secure our Border, Grow our Economy, Create Jobs, Lower Taxes, Promote American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military/Veterans and Law Enforcement, Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,' Trump said in a Truth Social post Tuesday night. 'Additionally, he is endlessly working to get the maximum SALT Deduction! Mike is doing an outstanding job representing the Hudson Valley, and all of New York. Because of the excellent job he is doing, Mike has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election to New York's 17th Congressional District – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!' Trump also endorsed the re-election of GOP Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is on the ballot this fall. Blakeman is also mulling a run for governor. 3 The district covers Rockland and parts of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, as Lawler is also considering a potential run for governor. Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Advertisement Stefanik reposted Trump's endorsement of Lawler on her own X account. Lawler thanked Trump for his endorsement, but noted he will make a decision on whether to run for governor in the coming weeks. 'Congressman Lawler is grateful for the President's support and appreciates his commitment towards addressing issues important to New York, including lifting the cap on SALT, combating antisemitism, securing the border, and growing the economy. As Congressman Lawler has said repeatedly, he will make a decision on running for Governor in June,' said Lawler spokesman Ciro Riccardi. 3 GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the more conservative 21st district, is also weighing in on a run for governor. AP Advertisement Trump has issued earlier endorsements for other House Republicans in swing districts across the country. Lawler's seat was previously held by a Democrat, ex-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, and both the White House and House GOP believe proven vote getter Lawler gives the party the best shot at keeping the seat. He would be seeking a third term. 'What's important here is that the president wants Mike Lawler to run for a seat that is difficult to hold onto,' a GOP official said. 'It is easier for a Republican to hold onto Elise's seat if she runs governor.' Trump withdrew Stefanik's nomination for US Ambassador to the United Nations in March over concerns about having enough Republican votes to pass his agenda. Stefanik has since pivoted much of her attention on Albany, criticizing the state of affairs under Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler's Town Hall Devolves Into Chants Of 'Shame! Shame! Shame!'
Frustrated voters turned out Sunday to voice their complaints against President Donald Trump's administration during Republican Congressman Mike Lawler's town hall meeting in his swing district just north of New York City. At one point, as uniformed security carried the limp body of a middle-age woman out of the venue, the crowd turned to chanting, 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' The woman dragged away was identified by The Journal News as Emily Feiner of Nyack, New York, whose Bluesky profile describes her as a Jewish retired social worker and mother of two. 'I was certainly no threat,' Feiner wrote on Bluesky. 'I asked my congressperson what his red line was to finally, vocally oppose the lawless administration and he didn't answer the question, so I called out for him to answer it and he had me removed. This is what the [U]SA has come to. The constitution is in shreds.' Other attendees were removed as the event wore on. The Journal News, a Gannett newspaper serving the Hudson River Valley, reported that the congressman covered his positions on topics ranging from Trump's war on immigration to Russia's war in Ukraine. Around 600 people turned out for the event, the paper noted. Republican representatives in other districts around the country have shied from such public interactions with constituents since Trump's second term began, wary of seeing voters' angry outbursts go viral. Lawler, pitched as a moderate Republican, has been representing the suburban district along New York's Hudson River since 2023. He has other constituent events planned for the coming weeks. The congressman's staff had asked attendees who gathered in a local Catholic school auditorium on Sunday to refrain from shouting or standing and not record the event, according to The Associated Press. But the event started going off the rails almost immediately, the AP said, when a comment from Lawler at the start — 'This is what democracy looks like' — sparked laughter. Lawler reportedly drew jeers with a line defending Trump's health secretary, the conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Feiner's removal came as the congressman talked about Trump's tariffs and the trade war that threatens to plunge the U.S. economy into a recession. Video from the event showed security personnel trying to convince her to leave on her own, but Feiner can be seen shaking her head and saying, 'I'm not leaving.' 'Let her stay! Let her stay!' the crowd chants at one point, before a pack of armed New York State Police troopers hoist Feiner by the arms and carry her down the aisle toward the exit. She does not resist or help them in any way. 'Everybody has been shouting!' one woman can be heard telling the security officials, in apparent response to their reason for ejecting Feiner. The crowd loudly booed. Other video showed at least one man, wearing a red 'Make America Great Again' hat, calling for Feiner to be jailed. A 74-year-old attendee, Jeanette Spoor, told the AP that she wanted to ask Lawler about Social Security and Medicaid but wasn't called on, even though the event lasted for nearly two hours. 'I have no hopes for this guy,' Spoor told the AP. 6 Men Charged After Woman Was Dragged Out Of Chaotic Idaho Town Hall Meeting Rep. Byron Donalds Clashes With Town Hall Crowd As He Defends Trump's Agenda Trump Town Hall Audience Literally Bursts Out Laughing Over 1 Very Unlikely Claim
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler's Town Hall Devolves Into Chants Of 'Shame! Shame! Shame!'
Frustrated voters turned out Sunday to voice their complaints against President Donald Trump's administration during Republican Congressman Mike Lawler's town hall meeting in his swing district just north of New York City. At one point, as uniformed security carried the limp body of a middle-age woman out of the venue, the crowd turned to chanting, 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' The woman dragged away was identified by The Journal News as Emily Feiner of Nyack, New York, whose Bluesky profile describes her as a Jewish retired social worker and mother of two. 'I was certainly no threat,' Feiner wrote on Bluesky. 'I asked my congressperson what his red line was to finally, vocally oppose the lawless administration and he didn't answer the question, so I called out for him to answer it and he had me removed. This is what the [U]SA has come to. The constitution is in shreds.' Other attendees were removed as the event wore on. The Journal News, a Gannett newspaper serving the Hudson River Valley, reported that the congressman covered his positions on topics ranging from Trump's war on immigration to Russia's war in Ukraine. Around 600 people turned out for the event, the paper noted. Republican representatives in other districts around the country have shied from such public interactions with constituents since Trump's second term began, wary of seeing voters' angry outbursts go viral. Lawler, pitched as a moderate Republican, has been representing the suburban district along New York's Hudson River since 2023. He has other constituent events planned for the coming weeks. 🚨NY-17 social worker forcibly dragged out of Rep. Mike Lawler's town hall. Afterwards, Lawler told the crowd to "behave."Elected officials are supposed to listen to their constituents—not silence and remove them. This is not democracy. — NY Working Families Party (@NYWFP) May 5, 2025 The congressman's staff had asked attendees who gathered in a local Catholic school auditorium on Sunday to refrain from shouting or standing and not record the event, according to The Associated Press. But the event started going off the rails almost immediately, the AP said, when a comment from Lawler at the start — 'This is what democracy looks like' — sparked laughter. Lawler reportedly drew jeers with a line defending Trump's health secretary, the conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Feiner's removal came as the congressman talked about Trump's tariffs and the trade war that threatens to plunge the U.S. economy into a recession. Video from the event showed security personnel trying to convince her to leave on her own, but Feiner can be seen shaking her head and saying, 'I'm not leaving.' 'Let her stay! Let her stay!' the crowd chants at one point, before a pack of armed New York State Police troopers hoist Feiner by the arms and carry her down the aisle toward the exit. She does not resist or help them in any way. 'Everybody has been shouting!' one woman can be heard telling the security officials, in apparent response to their reason for ejecting Feiner. The crowd loudly booed. Other video showed at least one man, wearing a red 'Make America Great Again' hat, calling for Feiner to be jailed. A 74-year-old attendee, Jeanette Spoor, told the AP that she wanted to ask Lawler about Social Security and Medicaid but wasn't called on, even though the event lasted for nearly two hours. 'I have no hopes for this guy,' Spoor told the AP. 6 Men Charged After Woman Was Dragged Out Of Chaotic Idaho Town Hall Meeting Rep. Byron Donalds Clashes With Town Hall Crowd As He Defends Trump's Agenda Trump Town Hall Audience Literally Bursts Out Laughing Over 1 Very Unlikely Claim
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler faces another rowdy town hall as police carry away audience member
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler faces another rowdy town hall as police carry away audience member New York Republican Mike Lawler faced a rowdy town hall as attendees broke out into boos and a constituent was forcibly removed by police. Show Caption Hide Caption See woman removed from Mike Lawler town hall by police in Somers NY U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler faced a mostly hostile crowd during his second town hall event Sunday night. His second town hall was held in Somers, N.Y. WASHINGTON − Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., faced another hostile crowd at a town hall as attendees broke out into boos and jeers and a constituent was forcibly removed by police. The swing district congressman was pressed on May 4 over President Donald Trump's tariffs, deportations, spending cuts and other issues as he addressed 600 people at the Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School in Somers, New York, The Journal News reported. More: Woman dragged out of Idaho town hall asks for $5 million in damages, 6 men charged At one point during the town hall, police surrounded a woman in the crowd and she told them, 'I'm not leaving,' according to footage from ABC News. People around her began chanting, 'Let her stay!' and she was eventually carried out of the event by police. It was not clear why she was removed. During the event, Lawler defended his record, claiming that he's willing to work across the aisle to get bills passed. 'Bipartisan sounds nice, but meaningful bipartisanship is in votes taken, not in the fig-leaf of co-sponsored bills,' one attendee told Lawler. 'Now is your time to stand up to the authoritarian Trump regime.' The Associated Press reported that the crowd walked out of the town hall when the final question was asked on protests against Israel. More: Anger erupts at Republican lawmakers' town halls amid tariff and DOGE drama 'I appreciate everybody coming out tonight and taking the time to ask your questions and hear my answers, whether you liked them or not, or agreed with them or not, or whether you really actually wanted to listen to them or not, but I very much appreciate you participating,' Lawler said, according to AP. More: New York Republican Mike Lawler faces jeers and boos at town hall Just last week, Lawler faced a fired-up town hall at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, New York. He is one of the many Republicans who have been greeted by angry constituents at these events in recent weeks amid thousands of federal layoffs, stock market volatility over tariffs and mass deportations. Contributing: David McKay Wilson, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
