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Online data protection bills become law in Maryland

Online data protection bills become law in Maryland

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed two measures into law on Thursday that are aimed at better protecting personal data online from Big Tech, including a bill making Maryland the second state to try to create strong limits on information collected on children. The measure, known as the Maryland Kids Code, seeks to limit data that could be collected from children online and protect them from being flooded with harmful material they were not trying to find. “Look, the bottom line is Big Tech has been preying on and victimizing our children for way, way too long,” said state Sen. Ben Kramer, a Democrat in the suburbs of the nation’s capital. SENATE MULLS TIKTOK BAN AS TRUMP-ZUCKERBERG BATTLE BREWS IN BACKGROUND Big Tech companies sought to assure lawmakers that the industry could take care of problem without interference from the government, Kramer noted. “But the fact of the matter is, leaving the fox to guard the chicken coop has left Big Tech fat and greedy, because they have prioritized cash over our kids,” the senator said. Supporters say the new law aimed at protecting children was crafted to withstand court challenges like one that halted a California law. For example, the measure incorporates case law and established consumer protection law, supporters said. Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel of NetChoice, said the group shares lawmakers’ desire to better protect children online. “But this goal can be achieved in ways that don’t violate the Constitution and leave a litany of serious, unintended consequences in their wake,” he said. NetChoice is a commercial association whose members include Google, Amazon, Meta and TikTok. It challenged the California law. “Unfortunately, the law Gov. Moore signed today will fail to accomplish its goal — creating a safer online environment for young Marylanders. An unconstitutional law will not keep anyone safe. By discounting the rights and privacy of their citizens, Maryland lawmakers have unfortunately signed onto a path that will make everyone worse off — especially children,” Szabo said in an email. Under the law, businesses would not be able to profile a child by default, with some limited exceptions, or process personal data that is not reasonably necessary to provide an online product with which the child is actively and knowingly engaged. Del. Jared Solomon, a bill sponsor, said lawmakers were careful to make sure the measure is not meant to moderate available content. He said protective language was added to ensure a child could not be prevented from searching for content online. “If you want to go and you want to look for things that you probably shouldn’t be looking at, we are not scrubbing that from the internet,” Solomon, a Montgomery Democrat, said. “But what we are saying to companies is you should not be essentially be accumulating data on somebody and making assumptions that that is the content that they want to see.” Design It For Us, a coalition advocating for safer social media and online platforms for children, praised the new law. “We hope this will bring urgency to other states to pass and adopt much needed Kids Code legislation and end Big Tech’s power over our safety and privacy,” said Zamaan Qureshi, a co-chair of the group. The governor, a Democrat, also signed the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act of 2024. The new law will impose certain duties on businesses to protect an individual’s personal information. For example, a business in possession of personal information will be required to implement and maintain security procedures and practices to protect the information from unauthorized access, use, modification or disclosure. “It puts guardrails up on the amount of data that companies can collect on people online and also what they do with that data, and it gives consumers more control over their own data,” said Del. Sara Love, a Montgomery County Democrat who sponsored the measure. The new law also will create consumer protections and rights, as well as disclosure obligations, relating to online personal data controlled or processed by certain entities that conduct business in Maryland or provide services or products that are targeted to residents of the state. A consumer also will have the right to opt out of the processing of personal data for the purposes of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data and certain profiling activities.

Senate overwhelmingly passes FAA reauthorization, sending bill to House

Senate overwhelmingly passes FAA reauthorization, sending bill to House

The Senate passed a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday, putting pressure on the House to also pass the measure before the Friday at midnight deadline.  The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act passed the upper chamber by a vote of 88 to 4, despite pushback from Virginia and Maryland lawmakers on additional flights added to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stressed the importance of getting the reauthorization past both chambers and signed before its expiration on Friday, May 10.  SEN. TOM COTTON TAKES AIM AT STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS “If we let funding for the FAA lapse, it could be disastrous for the safety of our skies and the efficiency of our airports,” he warned his colleagues on Wednesday.  While the re-authorization passed the Senate, it still needs to be voted on by the House before heading to President Biden. However, the House has already adjourned for the week.  Before leaving, lawmakers in the lower chamber passed a one-week extension to the FAA, giving them time to consider its re-authorization when they return next week.  After passing the FAA bill, the Senate approved the House’s week-long stopgap measure to extend the FAA by unanimous consent. The FAA re-authorization appeared to have the widespread support of senators on a key procedural vote last week, with only 10 lawmakers opposing cloture for the bill. 89 voted in favor of limiting debate on the motion to proceed, far more than the necessary 60.  THUNE TARGETS IRS STAFF’S USE OF PERSONAL DEVICES AFTER REPORTED FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH TIKTOK BAN However, those who aren’t happy with the bill don’t appear likely to be swayed, and the opposition of even a small number of lawmakers in th upper chamber can prove to be a significant obstacle, particularly if they are working on an encroaching deadline.  Those who voted against their colleagues on the first procedural hurdle included senators from Virginia and Maryland, who reiterated concerns over added flights to the Washington airport and sought to have an amendment remove them. ‘NO CHOICE’ BUT TO IMPEACH BIDEN OVER DELAYED ISRAEL AID, GOP SENATOR  Virginia Democratic Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen specifically introduced an amendment to “block additional flights in and out of DCA from this year’s FAA Reauthorization Act because passenger safety should be the number one priority when it comes to legislation impacting our airports.” Others appeared to also be holding out for votes on various amendments they hoped to have included.  UNIVERSITIES WOULD PAY ‘HEFTY PRICE’ FOR ALLOWING ENCAMPMENTS UNDER NEW SENATE BILL One concern for Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s acceptance of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app as valid identification for illegal immigrants. He offered as an amendment to the FAA bill his previously introduced VALID Act, which would specifically prevent use of the app as an ID for migrants.  Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, in particular, wanted to see the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides subsidized high-speed internet to low-income families, extended as a part of the FAA’s five-year extension.  Additionally, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., had continued his push to have his bill that would compensate nuclear radiation victims added to the measure, which he had lobbied to have considered in various major pieces of legislation. The bill passed the Senate but hasn’t been taken up in the lower chamber.  Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, remarked last week that the bill would be “a bicameral and a bipartisan accomplishment. It is the culmination of many months of work between us and our staffs and is reflective of the priorities of a great many Senators.”

Iowa sued over hardline immigration law; rights groups claim it’s unconstitutional

Iowa sued over hardline immigration law; rights groups claim it’s unconstitutional

The state of Iowa’s attempts to crack down hard on illegal immigration is being challenged in court. A newly passed law making it a crime for an illegal immigrant to enter or re-enter the Hawkeye State if he or she has previously been deported or denied admission to the U.S., is being disputed as unconstitutional by civil rights and immigration groups.  The complaint filed Thursday alleges that the new statute steps on the federal government’s authority to enforce immigration law. The case is similar to a more expansive Texas law that has been challenged by both the Justice Department and civil rights groups. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WARNS IT PLANS TO SUE IOWA OVER NEW STATE IMMIGRATION LAW The suit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and the American Immigration Council on behalf of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and two individual Iowans. It’s the first legal action taken against Iowa in response to the law, though the U.S. Department of Justice warned the state’s top officials last week. The bill, Senate File 2340, was signed into law last month by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, gives Iowa law enforcement officers the ability to charge people with an aggravated misdemeanor if they have entered the country illegally. It goes into effect on July 1 and mirrors part of a high-profile Texas law that is currently blocked in court. The law specifically makes it an aggravated misdemeanor offense, which is punishable by up to two years in prison, for migrants in the state who have outstanding deportation orders, who were previously deported or previously prohibited from entering the country. The crime is raised to a felony offense, according to the new law, if the immigrant’s removal orders pertained to misdemeanor convictions for drug-related crimes, crimes against people, or prior felony convictions. However, the claimants argue that the new law conflicts with existing immigration laws by giving law enforcement the power to arrest immigrants who have authorization to be in the U.S., such as those granted asylum or those who were given visas to protect them from crime or trafficking. Kate Melloy Goettel, legal director at the American Immigration Council, said even a person who has lawful immigration status, could be arrested and deported if they were previously deported or removed and reentered the country.  GOP GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL ALLOWING LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ARREST CERTAIN MIGRANTS, ‘ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS’ “It’s a law that makes absolutely no sense and is clearly unconstitutional,” Goettel said. “SF 2340 isn’t just about so-called criminal reentry. It’s a badly written law with far-reaching implications. It will create absolute chaos and human suffering in our legal system, and harm Iowa communities.” Several states are trying to pass laws to clamp down on unprecedented levels of illegal immigration pouring into the country since President Biden took office. In Iowa and across the country, Republican leaders accuse Democratic President Joe Biden of failing to manage the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Nearly 7.3 million migrants have illegally crossed the southwest border under President Biden’s watch, a number greater than the population of 36 individual states, a Fox News analysis in February found. Tens of thousands more have crossed into the country illegally since then.  Reynolds told Fox and Friends on Monday that the DOJ told her administration that the state is interfering with the federal government’s attempts to enforce immigration laws.  She said the claims were “ridiculous” given the high number of crossings. “They are not enforcing the immigration laws that are on the books and in every state in this country, every governor understands the consequences of what is happening. We are seeing violent crime, increased drug seizures, we’re seeing overdose deaths skyrocketing. “And if this president is not going to do his job then the states are going to have to step in and do it for him… he’s not undertaking his constitutional duty to protect the sovereignty of this country.” Fox News’ Kyle Morris and Adam Shaw, as well as the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Nikki Haley to thank rivals, but Trump’s last GOP rival not expected to endorse former president

Nikki Haley to thank rivals, but Trump’s last GOP rival not expected to endorse former president

Two months after ending her White House bid, Nikki Haley will huddle early next week with some of the top donors to her Republican presidential campaign, sources confirmed to Fox News.  The former two-term South Carolina governor who later served as U.N. ambassador in former President Trump’s administration will use the two-day gathering Monday and Tuesday in Charleston, South Carolina, to thank her major contributors. But a source in Haley’s orbit says the former presidential candidate isn’t expected to encourage donors to contribute to Trump’s general election campaign and that no endorsement of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is pending. TRUMP’S LAST 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION RIVAL LANDS A NEW GIG The news was first reported Thursday by the Wall Street Journal. Haley launched her presidential campaign in February 2023, becoming the first major candidate to challenge Trump, who had announced his candidacy three months earlier. And she was the final rival to Trump, battling the former president in a two-candidate showdown from the New Hampshire primary in late January through Super Tuesday in early March. Haley announced she was suspending her White House campaign March 6, the day after Trump swept 14 of 15 GOP nominating contests on Super Tuesday. WHAT KIND OF FUTURE DOES HALEY HAVE IN A TRUMP DOMINATED GOP? However, Haley made it clear when she exited the Republican presidential nomination race she intends to keep speaking out. “While I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in,” she emphasized as she spoke at her presidential campaign headquarters on Daniel Island in her hometown of Charleston. To date, Haley has declined to endorse Trump. “It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that,” Haley said in March, as she pointed to those who supported her during her White House run. Haley has not spoken with Trump since exiting the race, the source in her orbit confirmed to Fox News. Some top members of Haley’s campaign, including some from the fundraising team, are expected to attend next week’s gathering. Haley and groups aligned with her campaign hauled in over $160 million from nearly 300,000 donors.  HALEY ENDS HER WHITE HOUSE BID BUT DECLINES TO ENDORSE TRUMP In a sign of potential trouble for Trump in his general election rematch with President Biden later this year, Haley continues to grab votes in the Republican primaries even though she’s long gone from the presidential nomination race. Haley won nearly 22% of the vote in Tuesday’s GOP presidential primary in Indiana, which was open to not only Republicans but also independents and Democrats. Last month, Haley joined the Washington, D.C.-based Hudson Institute, a research organization focused on foreign and domestic policy, national security, economics and international relations. “Nikki is a proven, effective leader on both foreign and domestic policy,” Hudson President and CEO John P. Walters said in an announcement. “In an era of worldwide political upheaval, she has remained a steadfast defender of freedom and an effective advocate for American security and prosperity. We are honored to have her join the Hudson team.” During her White House bid, Haley advocated a muscular U.S. foreign policy to deal with global hot spots such as the war between Russia and Ukraine and the fighting between Israel and Hamas, often offering a stark contrast with Trump’s America First agenda of keeping the nation out of international entanglements. Haley traded fire over America’s overseas role with rival Vivek Ramaswamy, an advocate of Trump’s America First philosophy, during the GOP presidential primary debates. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

ND lawmaker gets $2,500 fine, 250 hours community service in speculation case

ND lawmaker gets ,500 fine, 250 hours community service in speculation case

A North Dakota judge on Thursday ordered a state lawmaker to serve 250 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine after a jury convicted him of a misdemeanor in connection with a controversial state-leased building he has an ownership in. State District Judge Bobbi Weiler also ordered Republican Rep. Jason Dockter, of Bismarck, to pay $325 in court fees, undergo fingerprinting and serve 360 days of unsupervised probation. She also granted him a deferred imposition, meaning the conviction will be taken off his record if he doesn’t violate probation. A jury on May 3 convicted Dockter of speculating or wagering on official action. The misdemeanor charge is punishable up to 360 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine. Complaints to the state Ethics Commission led to Dockter’s charging in December 2023. He pleaded not guilty. JURY CONVICTS NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKER OF MISDEMEANOR SPECULATION Dockter, 50, is a co-owner of companies that own and worked on the building leased by the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem in 2020. The two were friends, but Dockter has denied any wrongdoing in the lease arrangement. The building drew scrutiny when Stenehjem’s successor, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, disclosed a construction cost overrun of over $1 million incurred under Stenehjem. The overrun was an unpleasant surprise to state lawmakers, who raised concerns about trust and transparency. A criminal complaint alleged that, as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, Dockter voted “on legislative bills appropriating money to pay for property he had acquired a pecuniary interest in,” against state law and legislative rules. Prosecutor Ladd Erickson had recommended a one-year deferred imposition with $325 in court fees and fingerprinting. He also said in a court document that the Ethics Commission “is the proper body to issue any additional penalties beyond” his recommended sentence. An investigation by the ethics panel was paused by Dockter’s charge, and it can resume after sentencing, Erickson wrote. Defense attorney Lloyd Suhr agreed with Erickson’s recommendation, citing Dockter’s lack of criminal history and his family and local ties, and saying he deserves to be treated the same as similar first-time misdemeanor offenders. Dockter declined to comment regarding the sentence. The judge chastised him for that. “The reason I wanted to hear something from you is I look at this as the citizens of North Dakota being the victims and being taken advantage of, and I didn’t hear an apology from you to the citizens, and I’m a little disappointed in that,” Weiler said. The judge said, “I don’t know how more direct and unique it gets,” regarding the lease situation, a reference to a House rule that members shall disclose personal or private interests on bills that affect him or her “directly, individually, uniquely, and substantially,” and may not vote without the House’s consent. “My biggest concern is you don’t think it’s substantial,” Weiler said. She granted the deferred imposition, but she added the community service hours and fine as stipulations, based on the $250,000 she said he “made off the citizens of North Dakota” by voting on a two-year budget bill last year. “I was trying to find a way to hopefully help you understand so that we’re not seeing this again,” Weiler said. Dockter must fulfill the community service with the homeless community within six months, or about 10 hours a week, the judge said. “Maybe you can see how the other side lives, Mr. Dockter,” Weiler said. “I’ll take whatever it is you’re giving me,” Dockter told the judge after she asked if he had any questions. He met with loved ones on the courthouse steps afterward. Suhr said the judge “was well within her discretion and largely accepted the recommendations of the parties” on sentencing. Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor has said he disagrees with the jury’s verdict and plans to review the statute and rules involved. On Wednesday, Lefor wrote to Republican Rep. Emily O’Brien, chair of the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, in a letter “to direct the committee to study the legislative rules, ethics rules, state statutory provisions, and constitutional provisions relating to potential conflicts of interest by a public official.” Democratic House Minority Leader Zac Ista called on Dockter to resign after the verdict. Dockter said he has not yet made decisions about whether to appeal or resign. “It’s just so fresh right now,” he said.

Biden gives 3-word response when asked when he’ll debate Trump

Biden gives 3-word response when asked when he’ll debate Trump

President Biden gave a three-word response when he was asked whether he would debate former President Trump prior to the election. “Set it up,” the Democratic president told reporters following a ceremony celebrating the WNBA Champions, the Las Vegas Aces, on Thursday afternoon. Biden’s statement came after Trump repeatedly said he would debate Biden “anywhere, anytime, anyplace.” Two weeks ago, Biden said that he would be “happy” to debate the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee.  TRUMP SUGGESTS WHITE HOUSE AS VENUE FOR DEBATE WITH BIDEN: ‘WOULD BE VERY COMFORTABLE’ “I am, somewhere. I don’t know when,” the president said in an interview with broadcaster Howard Stern on Friday, April 26. “I’m happy to debate him.” TRUMP CAMPAIGN DEMANDS BIDEN DEBATE HIM ‘MUCH EARLIER’ AND MORE OFTEN Shortly after Biden’s interview with Stern, Trump posted to his Truth Social account inviting Biden to debate him at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan.  “In the alternative, he’s in New York City today, although probably doesn’t know it, and so am I, stuck in one of the many Court cases that he instigated as ELECTION INTERFERENCE AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT – A CONTINUING WITCH HUNT!” Trump posted to Truth Social. “It’s the only way he thinks he can win. In fact, let’s do the Debate at the Courthouse tonight – on National Television, I’ll wait around!”  The former president also suggested the White House as the venue, saying it would be “very comfortable” for the pair.  “We’ll do it at the White House,” Trump said. “That would be very comfortable, actually. You tell me where. We’re ready.”  Trump has repeatedly told reporters that he is “ready, willing and able” to debate Biden. “We’re ready, willing and able. We don’t see him and I don’t think he’ll be here. Maybe next week he’ll do it,” Trump told reporters at the Manhattan Criminal Court. “I doubt it,” Trump said. “But maybe next week.” Biden has not nailed down a date to debate Trump, saying last month that his participation would depend on the former president’s behavior. “Depends on his behavior,” Biden said.  Fox News Digital has reached out to Biden’s campaign for comment, but has not yet heard back. Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report. 

Michigan man acquitted in Whitmer kidnapping plot running for sheriff

Michigan man acquitted in Whitmer kidnapping plot running for sheriff

A man acquitted of having a supporting role in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said he’s running for county sheriff. Eric Molitor filed papers to run against Wexford County Sheriff Trent Taylor in the Republican primary in August, The Detroit News reported Thursday. He said he’s running on a pledge to not enforce a new state law that can take guns away from people who are alleged to be a danger to themselves or others. WATCH: DEM GOVERNOR SWARMED BY ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS WHILE CELEBRATING DAUGHTER’S COLLEGE GRADUATION “It’s going behind someone’s back to take their possessions,” Molitor said. Molitor and two other men were found not guilty of providing support for a terrorist act. They were accused of supporting leaders of the kidnap plot by participating in military-style drills and traveling to see Whitmer’s vacation home in 2020. “This was a setup by the government,” Molitor said, referring to the many informants and undercover FBI agents used in the investigation. Nine men were convicted at trial or through guilty pleas, and five were acquitted. “Anybody can run for sheriff,” Taylor said in response to Molitor’s candidacy. “There are no set qualifications.”

Democratic governor objects to bill that could subsidize striking workers with taxpayer funds

Democratic governor objects to bill that could subsidize striking workers with taxpayer funds

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday he doesn’t support a vague bill passed in the final minutes of the legislative session that creates a $3 million fund that could financially benefit striking union workers, signaling he would will likely veto it. “Everything I know about it, I’m not going to support it,” he told reporters during a post-session news conference, calling lawmakers’ tactics to pass the bill “too cute by half.” CONN. GOV. NED LAMONT HAD THOUSANDS OF TREES, BUSHES ‘ILLEGALLY’ CUT BEHIND $7.5M HOME Senate Democrats mostly avoided describing the bill as supporting striking workers. Rather, Sen. Julie Kusher repeatedly said during the late-night debate the bill would help “low-wage workers” and State Comptroller Sean Scanlon would iron out the details. Minutes after the vote, a coalition of unions praised the legislation as a step toward creating an assistance fund for striking workers. Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, said such a fund would “level the playing field for working people” and allow them to strike without facing foreclosures, evictions and repossessions. Lamont said he supports unions but was unenthusiastic about using taxpayers’ money to subsidize strikers. New York and New Jersey allow striking workers to apply for unemployment benefits, a proposal that failed this session in Connecticut.

Illegal immigrants charged in violent stampede released by judge; DA wants ruling reversed

Illegal immigrants charged in violent stampede released by judge; DA wants ruling reversed

The El Paso district attorney on Thursday said his office will appeal a judge’s ruling that dismissed riot charges against hundreds of illegal immigrants who surged past troops in Texas and forced their way deeper into the U.S. Authorities arrested more than 200 illegal immigrants on state rioting charges in the March 21 incident in which a group of predominantly adult male migrants pushed through concertina wire set up along the border with Mexico. Footage of the incident went viral and fueled an ongoing dispute between Texas and the Biden administration about how to handle the ongoing crisis at the border.  TEXAS OFFICIALS SEARCH FOR 2 WANTED MIGRANTS, RELEASE MUGSHOTS OF OTHERS IN MARCH BORDER STAMPEDE But a county court judge dismissed 211 cases at a hearing Wednesday, saying that proper procedures were not followed in regard to an order transferring jurisdiction to his court, the El Paso Times reported. The judge said his hands were tied on the matter. “If I don’t have jurisdiction,” the judge said, “there’s nothing I can do on these cases” except dismiss them, according to the Times. In a press conference Thursday, District Attorney Bill Hicks said his office disagreed with the ruling and intended to appeal. CBP INCREASES PATROLS AFTER MIGRANT SURGE OVERWHELMS TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD IN EL PASO “We argued that it was appropriate and proper, and we feel that very strongly, and we feel that … it was done appropriately and that his order is an improper order,” he said. “We have intentions of appealing his order to the Court of Appeals. “It is not a good order. Because of that, and because we feel that the law is on our side, we have every intention of appealing his dismissal orders.” The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested the 214 migrants and issued warrants for two others. The group arrested was made up of men and women from Venezuela, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has previously said it is enforcing consequences for illegal entry as ICE prioritizes national security and public safety threats for deportation. “There are consequences to crossing the border illegally, and CBP continues to enforce United States immigration laws,” CBP said in a statement after the incident. “Individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. are subject to removal and are subject to a minimum five-year bar on reapplying for admission and potential criminal prosecution if they subsequently re-enter without authorization. No one should believe the lies of smugglers; individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the United States will be removed.” But Venezuela has stopped receiving direct deportation flights of its nationals. Venezuelans can still be sent to Mexico, but officials have told Fox that many of them then re-enter as “gotaways.” Hicks said some of the migrants have a criminal history, but many do not. He also said the migrants are being released if they have not been already.  He said that when they are, they will be released to Border Patrol for processing. “Some may qualify for asylum, some may not. Some may be deported, some may not,” he said. He said if the court of appeals reverses the judge’s order, new warrants for those migrants’ arrests will be issued. Get the latest updates on the ongoing border crisis from the Fox News Digital immigration hub.