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Year: 2025

Bipartisan bill would grant legal status to certain illegal immigrant workers

Bipartisan bill would grant legal status to certain illegal immigrant workers

Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, introduced legislation on Tuesday to reform the U.S. immigration system, including offering legal status for certain illegal immigrants to continue working in the country amid President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies. The Dignity Act of 2025 would allow illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. since before 2021 the opportunity to apply for up to seven years of legal status with work authorization. The immigrants would pay restitution and check in regularly with the Department of Homeland Security, and their legal status could be renewed based on good conduct and restitution. The bill would offer a path to permanent residency, but the legal status afforded to the immigrants would not allow for any federal benefits or a path to U.S. citizenship. “The Dignity Act of 2025 is a revolutionary bill that offers the solution to our immigration crisis: secure the border, stop illegal immigration, and provide an earned opportunity for long-term immigrants to stay here and work,” Salazar said in a statement. “No amnesty. No handouts. No citizenship. Just accountability and a path to stability for our economy and our future.” MLBPA CHIEF SAYS FOREIGN PLAYERS TOLD TO CARRY DOCUMENTATION TO ‘KEEP THEIR JOB’ The bill would be fully funded through restitution payments and application fees made by immigrants, meaning it will not rely on any taxpayer money. The measure would also aim to end catch-and-release and further bolster security at the Southern Border as well as require employers across the country to use E-Verify, the government system for checking the legal status of workers. It would also expand training, apprenticeships, and education for American workers. The legislation seeks to address the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which has heavily affected farms and food service providers and included raids targeting migrant workers at local businesses, sparking protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere across the U.S. against the president’s mass deportation agenda. A recent raid on two cannabis facilities in Southern California led to a few hundred migrant arrests and clashes between federal immigration agents and protesters. One person died after the raids and others were critically injured. HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY VOTES TO MEMORIALIZE TEXAS GIRL ALLEGEDLY SLAIN BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS “I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of our broken immigration system, and as a member of Congress, I take seriously my obligation to propose a solution. Realistic, common-sense compromise is achievable, and is especially important given the urgency of this moment. I consider the Dignity Act of 2025 a critical first step to overhauling this broken system,” Escobar said. “Immigrants – especially those who have been in the United States for decades – make up a critical component of our communities and also of the American workforce and economy,” she continued. “The vast majority of immigrants are hard-working, law-abiding residents; and, most Americans recognize that it is in our country’s best interest to find bipartisan reforms. We can enact legislation that incorporates both humanity and security, and the Dignity Act of 2025 offers a balanced approach that restores dignity to people who have tried to navigate a broken system for far too long.” Congress has worked in the past on comprehensive immigration reform, but Salazar and Escobar are optimistic their bill could lead to significant bipartisan support. A bipartisan group of 20 other House members have already signed onto the bill. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “In conversations across NY-17, I’ve heard a lot of frustration, both from employers struggling to fill jobs and families looking to reunite with their loved ones,” Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said. “We must do this by fixing our broken legal immigration system, securing our borders, and creating a fair, earned process for those who are already here and contributing. The Dignity Act honors America’s legacy of being a nation of immigrants and that’s why I’m proud to support it.” The administration has already begun working to provide some protection for certain migrant workers, and Trump said last month he was considering a way for some migrant workers to remain in the U.S. “We’re working on it right now. We’re going to work it so that some kind of a temporary pass where people pay taxes, where the farmer can have a little control, as opposed to you walk in and take everybody away. What we’re going to do is we’re going to do something for farmers, where we can let the farmer sort of be in charge. The farmer knows. He’s not going to hire a murderer,” Trump said during a June 29 interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”

Arizona Republicans choose nominee to replace late rep in deep-blue border district

Arizona Republicans choose nominee to replace late rep in deep-blue border district

Arizona Republicans nominated contractor and small business owner Daniel Butierez in the special primary election to represent Arizona’s 7th congressional district on Tuesday night.  Because the district spans hundreds of miles along the U.S. border with Mexico, all three Republican candidates made border security a central issue in their campaigns and vowed to carry out President Donald Trump’s robust crackdown on illegal immigration.  The Republican nominee will challenge the Democrat’s Tuesday night winner, former Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, in the race to replace her father, the late Democratic Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, this November.  Grijalva died of lung cancer-related complications in March. His more than two decades representing Arizona in the House of Representatives made him one of the state’s longest-serving U.S. representatives.  TOP DEMOCRATS ADMIT ‘FAILURE,’ FECKLESSNESS ON BORDER IN SCATHING NY TIMES REPORT His vacancy queued up a competitive Democratic primary, including his daughter, who had endorsements from prominent Democrats, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  DEM’S IMMIGRATION REFORM PLAN ADDS BORDER PATROL AGENTS, OFFERS SELECT MIGRANTS PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP Also competing in the Democratic primary was social media influencer and progressive activist Deja Foxx, who picked up an endorsement from Leaders We Deserve, David Hogg’s super PAC that stirred up intraparty fighting this year when the former DNC vice chair unveiled his plan to spend $20 million to primary older incumbent Democrats in safe blue districts.  Former Arizona representative Daniel Hernandez, progressive businessman Patrick Harris Sr. and environmental justice scholar José Malvido Jr., also vied for the Democratic endorsement.  In a reliably blue district along the U.S. border with Mexico, representing parts of Tuscon, Yuma and Nogales, Butierez is likely to face an uphill battle in the special election this September.  Grijalva won his re-election by 27 points in 2024, despite Trump defeating former Vice President Kamala Harris by more than five points statewide in Arizona last year.  Butierez, a contractor and small business owner, received about 37% of the vote as the Republican nominee against Grijalva in 2024. Running again in the special election this year, he has vowed to “fight to keep our border secure, slash taxes where appropriate, and crush the fentanyl crisis destroying Arizona families.” Also competing in the Republican primary was Jorge Rivas, a Salvadoran-born restaurant owner based in Tucson.  Rivas picked up national attention when Trump tweeted a photo of him wearing a “Latinos Love Trump” cowboy hat at a rally in Phoenix during the 2020 presidential election, according to KAWC. He briefly launched a gubernatorial bid in 2022.  Finally, general contractor and business owner Jimmy Rodriguez ran with a mission “to secure our borders, boost our economy, and empower families across CD7.”

Establishment-backed Democrat wins high-profile congressional primary in Arizona

Establishment-backed Democrat wins high-profile congressional primary in Arizona

The daughter of late Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona has taken a big step toward succeeding her father in Congress. Former Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva won the Democratic Party primary in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, according to The Associated Press. The younger Grijalva topped four other candidates in the heavily blue district, which stretches from Tucson to Yuma and includes almost the entire length of the state’s southern border with Mexico.  The 54-year-old Grijalva enjoyed the backing of some of the state’s top Democrats, including Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, state Attorney General Kris Mayes and former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.  REP. RAUL GRIJALVA OF ARIZONA DEAD AT AGE 77 Grijalva was also supported by two top progressive champions, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who both backed Zohran Mamdani in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old social media influencer and progressive activist who was hoping to follow in Mamdani’s footsteps by pulling off a stunning, come-from-behind victory in a high-profile Democratic Party congressional primary, came up short. DAVID HOGG-BACKED CANDIDATE EYES UPSET IN KEY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY Foxx, who went viral as a teenager for confronting then-Republican Sen. Jeff Flake over the issue of reproductive rights, enjoyed the support of gun-control crusader David Hogg, who recently stepped down from his position as a Democratic National Committee vice chair after upsetting party leaders with his efforts backing primary challenges against what he called “asleep at the wheel” older, longtime incumbents in safe, blue districts. Hogg, who campaigned with Foxx over the weekend across the district, predicted she would “make history in Southwest Arizona.” And Hogg compared Foxx’s surging poll numbers in the final days of the primary campaign to that of Mamdani, the 33-year-old Ugandan-born state lawmaker who topped former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates last month to win the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City. Similar to the New York City mayoral primary, the contest in southern Arizona has been viewed by many political pundits as a barometer of where the Democratic Party is headed as it deals with longstanding divisions between its establishment and outsider and progressive and moderate wings, as well as generational divides. Former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez was also contending for the nomination. He’s well known in Arizona for helping to save the life of former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords during a 2011 shooting in Tucson, when he was serving as an intern to the congresswoman. Indigenous activist and scholar Jose Malvido Jr. and former healthcare executive Patrick Harris Sr. were also running for the Democratic nomination in the majority-Hispanic district where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a nearly two-to-one margin. More than $2 million was dished out to run ads in the Democratic primary, with some of the money coming from outside groups. Adelita Grijalva will now be considered the frontrunner in the Sept. 23 special election to serve the final 15 months of the elder Grijalva’s term. He died in March from complications related to cancer treatment.

Democratic socialist mayoral nominee creates growing headache for vulnerable New York Democrats

Democratic socialist mayoral nominee creates growing headache for vulnerable New York Democrats

New York Democrats suddenly have more problems than the back end of the New York Yankees starting rotation. But the Yankees have the opportunity to fix some of their issues before the July 31 trade deadline. However, there’s no trade deadline in politics. And some conservative and moderate Democrats wish there was a waiver wire. Especially for Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zorhan Mamdani. MAMDANI’S FAILURE TO WALK BACK THESE POSITIONS COULD CAUSE RECKONING IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY: ‘FIVE-ALARM WARNING’ The nomination of the self-proclaimed Democratic socialist is cleaving the party. Democrats are still searching for a unified message after the election. And the nomination of Mamdani highlights those splits. Many major Democrats have yet to endorse him. And far-left sects of Democrats could primary incumbent House Democrats – including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. – unless they back Mamdani.  Republicans are reveling in the Democrats divides.  “If Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor of New York City, it’s going to put a lot of seats in play in New York,” predicted Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.  Lawler represents a battleground district just north of the City. Democrats need to defeat Lawler – and probably Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y. on Long Island – if they’re to have a chance to flip the House. Once again, the potential path to a Democratic House majority plows right through the Empire State. Victories by Lawler, LaLota and former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., are one of the reasons Republicans flipped the House – but barely – in 2022.  Now Mamdani’s socialism is threatening to drive a schism as wide as Broadway through the Democratic Party. His primary victory is echoing in other swing districts now held by Democrats. And Mamdani’s nomination presents Republicans with a plum opportunity to alter the trajectory of House races near the Big Apple. That’s why Lawler is basking in the nomination of Mamdani. And Democrats who represent swing districts, like Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Laura Gillen, D-N.Y., are outspoken about Mamdani and trying to build a firewall between him and their candidacies for re-election in 2026. There’s fear Mamdani could jerk the party to the left. “He’s not even a Democrat,” bemoaned Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., about Mamdani. “He provided an opportunity for the GOP to brand our party.” SENATE REPUBLICANS ADVANCE $9B SPENDING CUT BILL DESPITE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION And Republicans are doing just that. “He’s a legit communist,” proclaimed Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. “I think candidates like Mamdani could continue to push them further left.”  “It would be a gift to the Republican Party,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., about Mamdani. “Every person had a kid in class growing up who ate paste. I think the potential new mayor of New York is going to be that kid and Democrats don’t know what to do.” In college, Mamdani supported an anti-Israel boycott. And during the pandemic, Mamdani pushed the seizure of luxury condos by the government to house the homeless. Republicans hope Mamdani molds the perceptions of voters. “I’m just going to let him speak,” declared Kennedy about Mamdani. “I mean you never interfere with your opponent when he’s kicking his own ass.” But some Democrats are skeptical that Mamdani’s success echoes elsewhere as we barrel toward the midterms. “What happens in New York is not what’s going to happen in Vermont or Colorado or Texas. That’s going to be a local race,” said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. Mamdani is suggesting Democratic unity. “The conversations I’ve had with (New York) Governor (Kathy) Hochul (D) and (House Minority Leader Hakeem) Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Sen. (Chuck) Schumer, D-N.Y.), have been productive,” said Mamdani. But Hochul has yet to endorse Mamdani. The same with Jeffries and Schumer. Jeffries plans to huddle with Mamdani on Friday. Schumer says he spoke by phone Monday night with Mamdani and will visit with him “in New York.” However, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., just endorsed Mamdani.  “We will come together and we, as good Democrats, we will work out our differences,” said Espaillat. But Mike Lawler believes top New York Democrats will eventually back Mamdani. He says they’ll have no choice. REPUBLICANS RELENTLESSLY USE MAMDANI AS SOCIALIST CUDGEL TO BASH VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS “They’re all petrified that if they don’t get on board with the radical socialist who is now the titular head of their party that they’re going to face primaries,” said Lawler. Mamdani allies are threatening primary challenges against five New York House Democrats – including Jeffries.  Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is a big supporter of Mamdani and is bringing him to Washington to meet with other Democrats.  “I think a lot of people just need to get to know folks before they issue an endorsement. I hope that this conversation can be constructive to bring the party together and rally behind our nominee,” said Ocasio-Cortez about the breakfast meeting. But Republicans continued to have a field day associating Mamdani with other Democrats. Especially drawing together Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez. “Who you dine with says a lot about you as an individual. I think it’s two peas in a pod. Two socialists who want to change America for the worse,” said Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo. “It reinforces how far left Democrats have gone and the radical elements of the party are taking over in the Democratic Party,” said Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich. But some Democrats – who aren’t from New York – are more than happy to visit with Mamdani.  “What Mamdani has shown us, a lot of the ways in which we talk about the cost of living. And it’s the same thing that (President) Donald Trump talked about,” said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said he had “vast disagreements” with Mamdani and called him a “socialist.” But Moskowitz said Mamdani’s success offered something Democrats should ponder.  “He’s had a very good online campaign. So, I’m going to go and listen,” said Moskowitz. “Every district is different. Some of

Senate GOP blows through 2nd hurdle of the night, teeing up Trump’s clawback bill for hourslong debate

Senate GOP blows through 2nd hurdle of the night, teeing up Trump’s clawback bill for hourslong debate

Senate Republicans again coalesced behind President Donald Trump’s multibillion-dollar spending clawback package and propelled the legislation through its final procedural hurdle, again with the aid of Vice President JD Vance.  Lawmakers will now go back and forth through 10 hours of debate on the bill, where Senate Democrats are expected to bleed time and slam the legislation for its cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting funding. SENATE GOP AGREE TO STRIP CUTS TO HIV, AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAM FROM TRUMP’S CLAWBACK BILL Trump’s smaller, $9 billion package passed with nearly all Senate Republicans, while all Senate Democrats voted against it. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., were the only Republicans to vote against the bill.  Once debate has wrapped up on the bill, lawmakers will go through another vote-a-rama, where an unlimited number of amendments can be offered for the bill by either side of the aisle. Democrats will likely try to sideline or derail the package, while the GOP is expected to offer an amendment that would spare about $400 million in international HIV and AIDS funding from the chopping block. SENATE GOP BRACES FOR TEST VOTE ON TRUMP’S $9.4B CLAWBACK PACKAGE The carveout for the Bush-era President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was agreed to ahead of the vote and is backed by the White House. Trimming funding from the program rattled some Senate Republicans, who publicly and privately warned they may not support the bill unless a fix was found. However, slashing the funding cut from the package could prove a tricky sell to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has called on Senate Republicans to not change the bill. ‘GUT CHECK TIME’: DISSENT AMONG SENATE GOP RANKS THREATENS TO REDUCE TRUMP’S SPENDING CUT DEMAND He’s been joined by fiscal hawks in the House Freedom Caucus, too, who have demanded that the Senate GOP stay the course on the rescissions package and warned that they would have serious issues if changes were made, stopping short of declaring a full-on rebellion against the bill. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., hoped that his colleagues in the lower chamber would play ball and pass the bill ahead of a looming Friday deadline. “There was a lot of interest among our members in doing something on the PEPFAR issue,” he said ahead of the vote. “So, that’s reflected in the substitute, and we hope that if we can get this across the finish line in the Senate that the House will accept that one small modification.”