lawmakers

Oregon Lawmakers Rally for Justice as Family of Four U.S. Citizen Children Faces Immigration Turmoil at Canadian Border

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PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland family, including four U.S. citizen children, has been in federal custody since late June after a visit to the Canadian border. Jackie Merlos and her children were detained on June 28, and since then, they have been denied contact with family members and legal counsel. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Monday, requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to keep the family in Washington state while legal proceedings unfold. Merlos does not currently hold U.S. citizenship but has a pending application for a U visa, … Read more

Detainment of Former Chaplain Sparks Controversy as Ohio Lawmakers Face Veto Showdown and Legal Challenges Emerge Over Stadium Financing

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Cincinnati, Ohio — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Imam Ayman Soliman on July 9 following a scheduled meeting in Blue Ash. The former chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s detention comes after the revocation of his asylum status in December 2024. In a related development, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently vetoed several bills, including one that aimed to eliminate the state’s film tax credit program. This sets the stage for a legislative session on July 21, where state lawmakers are expected to review potential overrides of DeWine’s decisions. Also making headlines is a newly … Read more

North Dakota Lawmakers Deliberate Secretly on Lawsuit Amid Veto Misstep Threatening Housing Funds

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BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s legislative leaders are set to meet this week in a closed session to explore the possibility of a lawsuit following an error related to a veto by Governor Kelly Armstrong. The matter concerns significant missteps involving funding intended for housing initiatives, raising concerns about transparency and accountability among lawmakers. The interim Legislative Management Committee is considering the next steps, which could include legal action or the convening of a special session. The complications arose after Governor Armstrong mistakenly vetoed not only $150,000 earmarked for a Native American homeless liaison, but … Read more

Oregon Union Faces Ethics Complaint: GOP Lawmakers Accuse SEIU of Manipulating Lobbying Tactics

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Salem, Oregon — A group of eight Republican lawmakers has raised concerns that a powerful union in Oregon may have violated state lobbying laws during the recent legislative session. The accusations center around the Oregon chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents over 70,000 workers across the state. Last month, the lawmakers submitted a formal complaint to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, alleging that SEIU provided misleading information in letters sent to legislators in late April. These letters aimed to garner support for a bill that sought to establish a board responsible … Read more