Supreme Court orders ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy reinstated
The Supreme Court says the Biden administration likely violated federal law in trying to end a Trump-era program that requires people to wait in Mexico while seeking asylum in the U.S.
Law & Politics
Articles
Indiana leads 15-state brief in favor of remain-in-Mexico immigration policy
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita this week led a 15-state coalition in opposition to President Joe Biden’s attempt to overturn the previous administration ‘s remain-in-Mexico immigration policy. A federal appeals court has declined Biden’s request to stay the injunction against his revocation of the policy, just days after Rokita filed an amicus brief.
Democrats face new hurdles in legal fight over redistricting
The fight over redrawing political maps is just ramping up in state legislatures and nonpartisan commissions around the country. But both Republicans and Democrats already are planning for major showdowns in the courts.
Federal judge denies state’s stay pending appeal of expansive abortion ruling
Following an expansive decision that both struck down and upheld numerous provisions of Indiana’s abortion regulation code, a federal judge has declined the state’s request to stay enforcement of that decision pending appeal.
Court issues wide-ranging abortion ruling; Indiana to appeal after state, abortion providers take home wins, losses
The state of Indiana has filed its notice of appeal following an expansive decision striking down portions of the state’s abortion regulation code and upholding other portions.
Public hearings show voter frustration, concern over redistricting
During statewide hearings on this year’s redistricting process, Hoosiers consistently asked legislators to keep the process transparent and draw competitive districts rather than favoring one political party over another. Some included a warning that continuing to gerrymander would endanger the country’s democracy.
Census data sets up redistricting fight over growing suburbs
The once-a-decade battle over redistricting is set to be a showdown over the suburbs, as new census data released Thursday showed rapid growth around the some of the nation’s largest cities and shrinking population in many rural counties.
Indiana lawmakers head to next step in redistricting after hours of initial public testimony
Lawmakers heard more than two hours of testimony Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse from citizens who spent most of their time asking for a fair redistricting process.
Indiana lawmakers poised for final stop on redistricting listening tour
Indiana lawmakers are set to take on a final hearing at the Statehouse on Wednesday following a weekend of mostly partisan input from hundreds who attended redistricting listening tours across the state.
Republican leader says redistricting contract should be shared
As House Republicans and Democrats continue to tussle over a consultant the GOP has hired to help with the redistricting process, the chair of the Indiana Senate Committee on Elections said he sees no reason for the consultant’s contract not to be made public.
Immigrant detentions soar despite Biden’s campaign promises
The number of U.S. immigrant detainees has more than doubled since the end of February, to nearly 27,000 as of July 22, according to the most recent data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The rising detentions is a sore point for President Joe Biden’s immigration allies, who hoped he would reverse his predecessor’s hardline approach.
Indiana GOP lawmakers urge SCOTUS to reconsider, overrule abortion precedent
All but one of Indiana’s federal GOP lawmakers have joined a coalition supporting Mississippi in what some say is potentially the most significant abortion-rights case to go before the U.S. Supreme Court in years.
CDC issues new eviction ban for most of US through Oct. 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium that would last until Oct. 3, as the Biden administration sought to quell intensifying criticism from progressives that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic.
Lawmakers, citizens groups gird for redistricting session
In years past, the Indiana Legislature has been able to shroud the redistricting process with budget debates and other pending issues. But due to a pandemic-related delay in the census data needed to redraw the maps this year, lawmakers are expected to return to the Statehouse in September to deal exclusively with redistricting. Several voter groups are promising to closely monitor the process, even though most of the wheeling and dealing could still occur behind closed doors amid sporadic public hearings.
Mississippi argues Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade
The U.S. Supreme Court should overturn its landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide and let states decide whether to regulate abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb, the office of Mississippi’s Republican attorney general argued in papers filed Thursday with the high court.
Pelosi bars Trump allies, including Banks, from Jan. 6 probe; GOP vows boycott
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cited the “integrity” of the probe in refusing Wednesday to accept the appointments of Indiana Rep. Jim Banks, picked by McCarthy to be the top Republican on the panel, or Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.
50-year war on drugs imprisoned millions of Black Americans
Fifty years ago this summer, President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs. Today, with the U.S. mired in a deadly opioid epidemic that did not abate during the coronavirus pandemic’s worst days, it is questionable whether anyone won the war. Yet the loser is clear: Black and Latino Americans, their families and their communities.
Should Congress amend online immunity for Big Tech? No perfect answer
Signing into your preferred social media platform is usually simple. But what if you’ve been blocked temporarily — or permanently — after posting content that caused a stir? That’s the heart of a current political battle over Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
‘A blaring siren’ for Democrats after ruling halts DACA
Immigrants and advocates are urging Democrats and President Joe Biden to quickly act on legislation to protect young immigrants after a federal judge in Texas on Friday ruled illegal an Obama-era program that prevents the deportation of thousands of them brought into the U.S. as children.
Senate leader lends clout to marijuana legalization push
The Senate’s top Democrat is backing a bill that would strike down a longstanding federal prohibition on marijuana, embracing a proposal that has slim chance of becoming law yet demonstrates growing public support for decriminalizing the drug.