Separation

Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Separation of Powers, Fuels Attorney General’s Authority in Landmark Ruling

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MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling Tuesday, siding unanimously with the state’s Democratic attorney general in a protracted legal dispute over legislation that aimed to reduce his powers. The court’s 7-0 decision found that a 2018 law passed during a lame-duck session by Republicans violated the state’s constitutional separation of powers. The ruling centered around the legislative restrictions that hindered the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s ability to resolve civil cases. The court’s opinion emphasized that litigation on behalf of the state is fundamentally an executive function. However, it acknowledged that … Read more

Federal Judge Denies Release for Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil, Citing Legal Maneuvering Amid Family Separation

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NEW YORK — A federal judge has ruled against Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, declining to release him from immigration detention despite previously questioning the legality of his impending deportation. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz stated that Khalil has not yet sufficiently demonstrated that his detention is unlawful. Khalil, a former student at Columbia University, has been in custody since March. The judge’s earlier consideration indicated that the government’s attempt to remove him from the United States on foreign policy grounds might violate constitutional protections. However, the federal government later submitted documents asserting it could continue … Read more

Judge Grants Emotional Reunion for Detained Activist and Newborn Son Amid Controversy Over Family Separation

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NEW YORK — Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil met his one-month-old son for the first time on Thursday after a federal judge intervened in a case that has sparked controversy over family separation and political motivations behind detentions. Khalil has been held in a Louisiana jail since March 8, marking him as the first individual arrested under the Trump administration’s aggressive stance against protests related to the conflict in Gaza. Khalil, a legal permanent resident and a Columbia University alum, faced challenges in seeking permission to attend his son’s birth. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initially … Read more

Utah Lawmakers Propose Controversial Bill for Legislative Oversight of Judicial Performance, Sparking Debate on Separation of Powers

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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Utah State Bar has expressed significant concerns over a proposed bill that would grant the state legislature the power to investigate judicial decisions and recommend non-retention of judges on voters’ ballots. This proposed oversight has sparked debate about the balance of power and potential politicization of the judiciary. The bill in question, HB512, put forth by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, a Republican from Clearfield, aims to establish a Joint Legislative Committee on Judicial Performance. This committee would have the authority to review judges’ performance on the bench. If created, this … Read more