Texas Weekly Online

Fifth Circuit continues block on Texas immigration law

Fifth Circuit continues block on Texas immigration law

A divided appeals court said in a late-night ruling that a controversial Texas immigration law cannot go into effect as the state appeals a ruling that blocked it. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down the 2-1 ruling regarding Senate Bill 4 on Tuesday night, just a week after it had previously blocked the law, which – if enforced – would allow law enforcement in Texas to arrest suspected illegal immigrants and allow state judges to deport them. The court noted that this tends to be the jurisdiction of the federal government. “The broadest exercise of federal discretion is the Executive’s decision not to pursue either civilly or criminally the very noncitizens whom Texas has drawn a bead upon in enacting new state laws. The discretion to pursue these same noncitizens likely lies exclusively with the Executive,” Chief Judge Priscilla Richman wrote.  She cited a 2023 U.S. v. Texas case in which the Lone Star State and neighboring Louisiana challenged the Biden Administration’s guidelines regarding the arrest and removal of non-citizens, reiterating the authority lies with the Executive Branch.  TEXAS LAWMAKERS PRAISE SUPREME COURT BACKING STATE LAW ALLOWING ARREST OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CROSSING BORDER For months, Texas has made urgent appeals to judges that the state cannot afford to wait for tougher border measures. APPEALS COURT TO ALLOW TEXAS IMMIGRATION LAW THAT CRIMINALIZES ILLEGAL MIGRANT CROSSINGS Once in custody, migrants could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. The law says they are to be sent to ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, even if they are not Mexican citizens. Migrants who do not leave could face arrest again under more serious felony charges. In court, Texas has argued the law mirrors the U.S. government’s immigration enforcement. The Justice Department has argued that it is a clear violation of federal authority and would create chaos at the border. Richman and Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez voted to block the law, while Judge Andrew Oldham voted for it to go into effect. Richman and Oldham are Republican appointees, while Ramirez was appointed by President Biden.  The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Democrat wins Alabama special election considered bellwether on IVF, abortion before November

Democrat wins Alabama special election considered bellwether on IVF, abortion before November

Democrat Marilyn Lands won an Alabama legislature special election on Tuesday considered a bellwether contest on abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF) ahead of the 2024 November elections.  Lands, who made reproductive rights a centerpiece of her campaign in deep red Alabama early on by launching an ad in which she shared the story of her own abortion decades ago, defeated Republican Teddy Powell to win the open state House District 10, The Associated Press reported, citing unofficial returns Tuesday.  The suburban district considered one of the few purple, swing seats encompassing parts of Huntsville and Madison in the deep red state was vacated when former Republican state Rep. David Cole pleaded guilty to voter fraud last year amid allegations he rented a closet-size space to fraudulently run for office in a district where he did not live.  Powell, a member of the Madison City Council, issued a statement conceding the race and congratulating Lands on her victory.  “Well I am so excited to get down to Montgomery, and I think this is a giant step forward for Alabama. I think it’s a victory tonight for women, for families, for Alabama in general,” Lands said on camera. “I want to get down there and repeal the bad ban on no exceptions abortion, I want to protect IVF and contraception, but I also want to be a champion for healthcare, mental healthcare but healthcare in general. I really feel like we need somebody down in Montgomery who understands mental health issues, and I’m that one.”  NEW YORK REPUBLICAN CO-SPONSORS BILL DEFENDING IVF TREATMENT The rare victory for Democrats in the Deep South state, where Republicans hold all statewide offices and hold a lopsided majority in the Alabama Legislature, comes after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created during fertility treatments should be considered as having the same status as children under state law in wrongful death lawsuits.  Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed a bill into law earlier this month protecting IVF treatments after the February decision prompted some fertility clinics to pause their procedures. The ruling was issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by three couples whose frozen embryos were destroyed at a fertility clinic when a patient from the hospital walked into the storage area, removed the embryos from a cryogenic freezer and dropped them on the ground.  The decision resulted in a flury of warnings about the potential impact on fertility treatments and the freezing of embryos, which had previously been considered property by the courts. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, came out in support of protecting access to IVF after the ruling.  ALABAMA GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL PROTECTING IVF INTO LAW: ‘PROUD WE ARE A PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY STATE’ But Lands’ campaign also centered on Alabama’s ban on most abortion procedures ushered in after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.  State House District 10 represents parts of the cities of Madison and Huntsville, which is home to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.  Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams called the victory a “political earthquake in Alabama.” “This special election is a harbinger of things to come. Republicans across the country have been put on notice that there are consequences to attacks on IVF – from the bluest blue state to the reddest red, voters are choosing to fight for their fundamental freedoms by electing Democrats across the country,” Williams said. Lands, a licensed counselor, unsuccessfully ran for the seat in 2022 but lost by seven points to Cole. She will finish the term and will be up for election in 2026 when the governor’s office and other races will be on the ballot. Her opponent Powell, a former Defense Department budget analyst, had leaned into issues including the economy and infrastructure while Lands centered on abortion and IVF.  The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Democrat wins Alabama special election considered bellwether on IVF, abortion

Democrat wins Alabama special election considered bellwether on IVF, abortion

Democrat Marilyn Lands won an Alabama legislature special election on Tuesday considered a bellwether contest on abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF) ahead of the 2024 November elections.  Lands, who made reproductive rights a centerpiece of her campaign in deep red Alabama early on by launching an ad in which she shared the story of her own abortion decades ago, defeated Republican Teddy Powell to win the open seat for state House District 10, the Associated Press reported, citing unofficial returns Tuesday.  “Well I am so excited to get down to Montgomery, and I think this is a giant step forward for Alabama. I think it’s a victory tonight for women, for families, for Alabama in general,” Lands said on camera. “I want to get down there and repeal the bad ban on no exceptions abortion, I want to protect IVF and contraception, but I also want to be a champion for healthcare, mental healthcare but healthcare in general. I really feel like we need somebody down in Montgomery who understands mental health issues, and I’m that one.”  The suburban district, encompassing parts of Huntsville and Madison, is considered one of the deep red state’s few purple swing seats. The position was vacated when former Republican state Rep. David Cole pleaded guilty to voter fraud last year amid allegations he rented a closet-size space to fraudulently run for office in a district where he did not live.  NEW YORK REPUBLICAN CO-SPONSORS BILL DEFENDING IVF TREATMENT Powell, a member of the Madison City Council, issued a statement conceding the race and congratulating Lands on her victory.  The rare victory for Democrats in the Deep South state, where Republicans hold all statewide offices and hold a lopsided majority in the Alabama Legislature, comes after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created during fertility treatments should be considered as having the same status as children under state law in wrongful death lawsuits.  Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed a bill into law earlier this month protecting IVF treatments after the February decision prompted some fertility clinics to pause their procedures. The ruling was issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by three couples whose frozen embryos were destroyed at a fertility clinic when a patient from the hospital walked into the storage area, removed the embryos from a cryogenic freezer and dropped them on the ground.  The decision resulted in a flury of warnings about the potential impact on fertility treatments and the freezing of embryos, which had previously been considered property by the courts. Republicans, including former President Trump, came out in support of protecting access to IVF after the ruling.  ALABAMA GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL PROTECTING IVF INTO LAW: ‘PROUD WE ARE A PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY STATE’ But Lands’ campaign also centered on Alabama’s ban on most abortion procedures ushered in after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.  Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams called the victory a “political earthquake in Alabama.” “This special election is a harbinger of things to come. Republicans across the country have been put on notice that there are consequences to attacks on IVF – from the bluest blue state to the reddest red, voters are choosing to fight for their fundamental freedoms by electing Democrats across the country,” Williams said. Lands, a licensed counselor, unsuccessfully ran for the seat in 2022, losing by seven points to Cole. She will finish the term and will be up for election in 2026 when the governor’s office and other races will be on the ballot. Her opponent Powell, a former Defense Department budget analyst, had leaned into issues including the economy and infrastructure while Lands centered on abortion and IVF.  The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

NYC officials defend prepaid debit card program for illegal immigrants: ‘There is no free money’

NYC officials defend prepaid debit card program for illegal immigrants: ‘There is no free money’

New York City officials are defending a pilot program that hands out prepaid debit cards to illegal immigrants. The mayor, deputy mayors and other officials have defended the city’s trial run of the program, saying that the prepaid cards are intended for use purchasing essential supplies and not frivolous handouts. “There is no free money. These are not ATM cards. You can’t take cash out,” said Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy at a press conference, according to Politico. TEXAS BUS COMPANY AGREES TO STOP TRANSPORTING MIGRANTS TO NYC AMID MAYOR ERIC ADAMS LAWSUIT The pilot program is starting off small, with only 10 families receiving the debit cards and with plans to scale up to 115 families soon.  “We can take a look at it after six weeks and see what’s working and what’s not,” Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom said, according to the Politico report. A $53 million deal for the program was struck with New Jersey-based Mobility Capital Finance. Families with two children under 5 are slated to receive $350 a week on the cards, according to the New York Post. NYC SUBWAY VIOLENCE SEES 3 STABBINGS IN 1 DAY AS MAN IS FATALLY PUSHED IN FRONT OF TRAIN IN SEPARATE INCIDENT New York City Mayor Eric Adams himself pushed back on accusations that the prepaid debit cards  Adam was asked Tuesday if handing out the prepaid cards to migrants while simultaneously urging incoming arrivals to go someplace else sends a “mixed message.” “It sends a mixed message when it’s distorted,” Adams said. The first batch of debit cards, which are reportedly meant to be used by the illegal immigrants to purchase food and baby supplies, were handed out Monday to a handful of migrant families in the city, the mayor’s office previously confirmed with Fox News Digital. The effort is part of a reported $53 million pilot program to hand out prepaid credit cards to migrant families housed in hotels despite public outcry. Fox News Digital’s Kyle Morris contributed to this report.

Obama making regular calls to Biden’s chief of staff, fears Trump 2024 win: report

Obama making regular calls to Biden’s chief of staff, fears Trump 2024 win: report

Former President Obama is holding regular calls with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients amid growing fears that former President Trump will win the 2024 election, the New York Times reported Wednesday. Obama’s calls with Zients and top aides at Biden’s campaign reportedly center around election strategy and relaying advice from Obama’s team. A senior aide on Obama’s team told the Times that the former president has “always” been concerned about a Trump victory, and he is now working to bolster the Biden campaign any way he can. The White House and representatives for Obama did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. TIME Magazine also reported on Obama’s increased concern about the 2024 election last week. The publication reported that Obama met personally with Biden on at least two recent occasions and expressed concern that he could lose the 2024 election. OBAMA BALKED AT BIDEN’S ASSERTION THAT RUSSIA SHOULD ‘PAY IN BLOOD AND MONEY’ AFTER 2014 INVASION: BOOK Obama reportedly advised Biden to become more aggressive and make the upcoming presidential race a referendum on Trump. BIDEN PRIVATELY DEFIANT THAT HE DIDN’T BOTCH AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL: BOOK During a private lunch, Obama told Biden his campaign was unstable, persuading unhappy voters would be a challenge and defeating Trump would be more difficult than 2020, according to a Democrat briefed on the discussion. NETANYAHU BLASTS SCHUMER, BIDEN OVER WANING SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL Obama is not the only former president looking to help Biden. He and former President Bill Clinton will both attend a major fundraiser for Biden at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Thursday. A spokesperson for Obama’s office highlighted the team’s unity behind Biden in a statement to Fox News Digital last week, saying the Obama Alumni Association hosted an event for Biden’s re-election campaign, during which attendees chanted, “Fired up, ready to go,” in support of the president. Fox News’ Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report